BIOLOGY EXAM

• Why does root hair cells contain mitochondria?

  Mitochondria releases energy through respiration.

  Energy is used in active transport as the concentration is low to high.
• What features of the alveoli that allow large amounts of oxygen to enter the blood?

  Large surface area

  Short diffusion pathway

  Large blood supply
• It is for teaching from September 2016 onwards and exams in 2018 onwards
• The specification contains the following sections: Introduction, Specification at a glance, Working scientifically, Biology subject content, Chemistry subject content, Physics subject content, Scheme of assessment, General administration, Mathematical requirements, Practical assessment, Appendix A: Periodic table, Appendix B: Physics equations
• Working scientifically


  • Includes opportunities for: understanding how scientific methods and theories develop over time, using a variety of models, appreciating the power and limitations of science, explaining everyday and technological applications of science, evaluating risks, recognising the importance of peer review and communicating results
• Examples of what students could be asked to do in an exam related to working scientifically

  • Give examples to show how scientific methods and theories have changed over time
  • Explain, with an example, why new data from experiments or observations led to changes in models or theories
  • Decide whether or not given data supports a particular theory
  • Recognise/draw/interpret diagrams
  • Translate from data to a representation with a model
  • Use models in explanations, or match features of a model to the data from experiments or observations that the model describes or explains
  • Make predictions or calculate quantities based on the model or show its limitations
  • Give examples of ways in which a model can be tested by observation or experiment
  • Explain why data is needed to answer scientific questions, and why it may be uncertain, incomplete or not available
  • Outline a simple ethical argument about the rights and wrongs of a new technology
  • Describe and explain specified examples of the technological applications of science
  • Describe and evaluate, with the help of data, methods that can be used to tackle problems caused by human impacts on the environment
  • Give examples to show that there are hazards associated with science-based technologies which have to be considered alongside the benefits
  • Suggest reasons why the perception of risk is often very different from the measured risk (eg voluntary vs imposed risks, familiar vs unfamiliar risks, visible vs invisible hazards)
  • Explain that the process of peer review helps to detect false claims and to establish a consensus about which claims have credibility
• Describe and explain specified examples of the technological applications of science
• WS 1.5 Evaluate risks both in practical science and the wider societal context, including perception of risk in relation to data and consequences

  Evaluate risks both in practical science and the wider societal context, including perception of risk in relation to data and consequences
• Suggest reasons why the perception of risk is often very different from the measured risk (eg voluntary vs imposed risks, familiar vs unfamiliar risks, visible vs invisible hazards)

  Suggest reasons why the perception of risk is often very different from the measured risk
• WS 1.6 Recognise the importance of peer review of results and of communicating results to a range of audiences


  Recognise the importance of peer review of results and of communicating results to a range of audiences
• Explain that the process of peer review helps to detect false claims and to establish a consensus about which claims should be regarded as valid

  The process of peer review helps to detect false claims and to establish a consensus about which claims should be regarded as valid
• Explain that reports of scientific developments in the popular media are not subject to peer review and may be oversimplified, inaccurate or biased


  Reports of scientific developments in the popular media are not subject to peer review and may be oversimplified, inaccurate or biased
• WS 2.2 Plan experiments or devise procedures to make observations, produce or characterise a substance, test hypotheses, check data or explore phenomena


  Plan experiments or devise procedures to make observations, produce or characterise a substance, test hypotheses, check data or explore phenomena
• Explain the need to manipulate and control variables

  Explain the need to manipulate and control variables
• WS 2.3 Apply a knowledge of a range of techniques, instruments, apparatus, and materials to select those appropriate to the experiment


  Apply a knowledge of a range of techniques, instruments, apparatus, and materials to select those appropriate to the experiment
• WS 2.4 Carry out experiments appropriately having due regard for the correct manipulation of apparatus, the accuracy of measurements and health and safety considerations


  Carry out experiments appropriately having due regard for the correct manipulation of apparatus, the accuracy of measurements and health and safety considerations
• WS 2.5 Recognise when to apply a knowledge of sampling techniques to ensure any samples collected are representative


  Recognise when to apply a knowledge of sampling techniques to ensure any samples collected are representative
• WS 2.7 Evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements and further investigations

  Evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements and further investigations
• WS 3.1 Presenting observations and other data using appropriate methods


  Presenting observations and other data using appropriate methods
• WS 3.2 Translating data from one form to another

  Translating data from one form to another
• WS 3.3 Carrying out and represent mathematical and statistical analysis

  Carrying out and represent mathematical and statistical analysis
• WS 3.4 Representing distributions of results and make estimations of uncertainty

  Representing distributions of results and make estimations of uncertainty
• WS 3.5 Interpreting observations and other data (presented in verbal, diagrammatic, graphical, symbolic or numerical form), including identifying patterns and trends, making inferences and drawing conclusions


  Interpreting observations and other data (presented in verbal, diagrammatic, graphical, symbolic or numerical form), including identifying patterns and trends, making inferences and drawing conclusions
• WS 3.8 Communicating the scientific rationale for investigations, methods used, findings and reasoned conclusions through paper-based and electronic reports and presentations using verbal, diagrammatic, graphical, numerical and symbolic forms


  Communicating the scientific rationale for investigations, methods used, findings and reasoned conclusions through paper-based and electronic reports and presentations using verbal, diagrammatic, graphical, numerical and symbolic forms
• WS 4.1 Use scientific vocabulary, terminology and definitions

  Use scientific vocabulary, terminology and definitions
• WS 4.2 Recognise the importance of scientific quantities and understand how they are determined


  Recognise the importance of scientific quantities and understand how they are determined
• WS 4.3 Use SI units (eg kg, g, mg; km, m, mm; kJ, J) and IUPAC chemical nomenclature unless inappropriate

  Use SI units (eg kg, g, mg; km, m, mm; kJ, J) and IUPAC chemical nomenclature unless inappropriate
• WS 4.5 Interconvert units

  Interconvert units
• WS 4.6 Use an appropriate number of significant figures in calculation


  Use an appropriate number of significant figures in calculation
• Cell differentiation


  As an organism develops, cells differentiate to form different types of cells
• Cell differentiation


  • Most types of animal cell differentiate at an early stage
  • Many types of plant cells retain the ability to differentiate throughout life
• Cell division in mature animals

  Cell division is mainly restricted to repair and replacement
• Specialised cell


  As a cell differentiates it acquires different sub-cellular structures to enable it to carry out a certain function
• Microscopy techniques


  • Differences in magnification and resolution
  • Electron microscope has much higher magnification and resolving power than a light microscope
• Cells divide in a series of stages called the cell cycle
• Cell cycle


  1. Genetic material is doubled

  2. Divided into two identical cells
• Cell division by mitosis


  • Important in the growth and development of multicellular organisms
• Stem cell


  Undifferentiated cell of an organism which is capable of giving rise to many more cells of the same type, and from which certain other cells can arise from differentiation
• Stem cells


  • In embryos
  • In adult animals
  • In the meristems in plants
• Stem cells from human embryos can be cloned and made to differentiate into most different types of human cells