Biology paper 2

• What topics does the AQA biology paper 2 cover?

  Homeostasis, inheritance, variation, evolution, ecology
• What is homeostasis?

  Regulation of internal conditions despite external changes
• What three internal conditions does the body regulate?

  Blood glucose concentration, temperature, water levels
• How does the nervous system help maintain homeostasis?

  By sending signals to effectors based on stimuli
• What are the two main parts of the nervous system?

  Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
• What is a reflex arc?

  A pathway where signals bypass the brain for quick responses
• What is the role of glands in the body?

  To produce specific chemicals as needed
• How can you investigate reaction times?

  By dropping a ruler and measuring the distance caught
• What is the formula to calculate reaction time from distance?

  $S =$$\frac{1}{2} a t^2$
• What are the three parts of the brain and their functions?

  Cerebral cortex: higher functions; cerebellum: motor skills; medulla: unconscious actions
• What is accommodation in the eye?

  Ability of the lens to focus light on the retina
• How does the eye focus on distant objects?

  Ciliary muscles relax, lens becomes thinner
• What happens to the lens when focusing on near objects?

  Ciliary muscles contract, lens becomes thicker
• What is myopia?

  Shortsightedness, can't focus on distant objects
• How do glasses help with hyperopia?

  By converging light before it enters the eye
• What is thermoregulation?

  Control of internal body temperature by the brain
• What happens when the body is too hot?

  Sweat glands produce sweat, blood vessels dilate
• What is the role of the pituitary gland?

  Produces hormones that regulate other glands
• What hormone does the pancreas produce to lower blood glucose?

  Insulin
• What is type 1 diabetes?

  Condition where pancreas can't produce enough insulin
• What is the function of ADH?

  Regulates water reabsorption in kidneys
• What is negative feedback?

  Body's response to return conditions to normal
• What is menstruation?

  Monthly cycle in females after puberty
• What does FSH do in the menstrual cycle?

  Stimulates egg maturation and estrogen production
• What is the role of progesterone?

  Maintains the uterus lining for pregnancy
• What are some contraception methods?

  Pills, injections, implants, condoms, IUDs
• What is IVF?

  Fertilization of eggs in a lab for implantation
• What does adrenaline do?

  Increases heart and breathing rate in stress
• What is thyroxin's role?

  Controls metabolic rate in the body
• What are gibberellins used for in plants?

  Promote seed germination and flowering
• What is phototropism?

  Growth of plants towards light sources
• What is geotropism?

  Growth of roots downwards in response to gravity
• What is the definition of genome?

  All genetic material in an organism
• What is a gene?

  A section of DNA coding for a specific protein
• What is the human Genome Project?

  Mapped all human genes and their functions
• What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

  Genotype is genetic code; phenotype is expression
• What are nucleotides made of?

  Sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base
• What can a plant do to survive alone?

  Reproduce
• What parasite can reproduce and cause malaria?

  Malaria parasite
• What term describes all genetic material in an organism?

  Genome