CIE AS Biology Revision Notes 2022

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2020

Last exams 2024

1. Cell Structure

1.1.1 The Microscope in Cell Studies

1.1.2 Magnification Calculations

1.1.3 Eyepiece Graticules & Stage Micrometers

1.1.4 Resolution & Magnification

1.1.5 Calculating Actual Size

1.2.1 Eukaryotic Cell Structures & Functions

1.2.2 Animal & Plant Cells

1.2.3 The Vital Role of ATP

1.2.4 Prokaryotic v Eukaryotic Cells

1.2.5 Viruses

2. Biological Molecules

2.1.1 Biological Molecule Tests

2.1.2 The Benedict's Test

2.1.3 Testing for Non-Reducing Sugars

2.2.1 Biological Molecules: Key Terms

2.2.2 Covalent Bonds in Polymers

2.2.3 Reducing & Non-Reducing Sugars

2.2.4 The Glycosidic Bond

2.2.5 Starch & Glycogen

2.2.6 Cellulose

2.2.7 Triglycerides

2.2.8 Phospholipids

2.3.1 Amino Acids & the Peptide Bond

2.3.2 The Four Levels of Protein Structure

2.3.3 Protein Shape

2.3.4 Globular & Fibrous Proteins

2.3.5 Haemoglobin

2.3.6 Collagen

2.4.1 Water & the Hydrogen Bond

2.4.2 The Role of Water in Living Organisms

3. Enzymes

3.1.1 Enzymes

3.1.2 Enzyme Action

3.1.3 How Enzymes Work

3.1.4 Measuring Enzyme Activity

3.1.5 Colorimetry

3.2.1 Rate: Temperature

3.2.2 Rate: pH

3.2.3 Rate: Enzyme Concentration

3.2.4 Rate: Substrate Concentration

3.2.5 Rate: Inhibitor Concentration

3.2.6 Vmax & the Michaelis-Menten Constant

3.2.7 Enzyme Inhibitors

3.2.8 Enzyme Activity: Immobilised v Free

4. Cell Membranes & Transport

4.1.1 The Fluid Mosaic Model

4.1.2 Components of Cell Surface Membranes

4.1.3 The Cell Surface Membrane

4.1.4 Cell Signalling

4.2.1 Diffusion

4.2.2 Osmosis

4.2.3 Active Transport

4.2.4 Endocytosis & Exocytosis

4.2.5 Investigating Transport Processes in Plants

4.2.6 Investigating Diffusion

4.2.7 Surface Area to Volume Ratios

4.2.8 Investigating Surface Area

4.2.9 Estimating Water Potential in Plants

4.2.10 Osmosis in Plant Cells

4.2.11 Osmosis in Animals

4.2.12 Comparing Osmosis in Plants & Animals

5. The Mitotic Cell Cycle

5.1.1 Chromosome Structure

5.1.2 Mitosis

5.1.3 The Cell Cycle

5.1.4 The Role of Telomeres

5.1.5 The Role of Stem Cells

5.1.6 How Tumours Form

5.2.1 The Stages of Mitosis

5.2.2 Observing Mitosis

6. Nucleic Acids & Protein Synthesis

6.1.1 Nucleotides

6.1.2 The Structure of DNA

6.1.3 Semi-Conservative DNA Replication

6.1.4 The Structure of RNA

6.2.1 From Gene to Polypeptide

6.2.2 The Universal Genetic Code

6.2.3 Constructing Polypeptides

6.2.4 Transcription

6.2.5 Gene Mutations

7. Transport in Plants

7.1.1 Plant Transverse Sections

7.1.2 Xylem & Phloem Distribution

7.1.3 Xylem Vessels Elements

7.1.4 Phloem Sieve Tube Elements

7.2.1 Water & Mineral Ion Transport in Plants

7.2.2 Transpiration in Plants

7.2.3 Water & the Transpiration Pull

7.2.4 Xerophytic Plant Leaf Adaptations

7.2.5 Movement in the Phloem

7.2.6 The Sucrose Loading Mechanism

7.2.7 Phloem: Mass Flow

8. Transport in Mammals

8.1.1 Circulatory Systems

8.1.2 The Main Blood Vessels

8.1.3 Observing & Drawing Blood Vessels

8.1.4 Blood Vessels: Structures & Functions

8.1.5 Cells of the Blood

8.1.6 The Role of Water in Circulation

8.1.7 Blood, Tissue Fluid & Lymph

8.2.1 Red Blood Cells, Haemoglobin & Oxygen

8.2.2 The Chloride Shift

8.2.3 Plasma & Carbon Dioxide

8.2.4 The Oxygen Dissociation Curve

8.2.5 The Bohr Shift

8.3.1 Structure of the Heart

8.3.2 The Walls of the Heart

8.3.3 The Cardiac Cycle

8.3.4 Heart Action

9. Gas Exchange

9.1.1 The Human Gas Exchange System

9.1.2 Distribution of Tissues

9.1.3 Recognising Tissues

9.1.4 Recognising Structures

9.1.5 Structures & Functions of the Gas Exchange System

9.1.6 Gas Exchange Processes

10. Infectious Diseases

10.1.1 Infectious Diseases

10.1.2 Transmission of Disease

10.1.3 Prevention & Control of Disease

10.2.1 Penicillin

10.2.2 Antibiotic Resistance

10.2.3 Consequences of Antibiotic Resistance

11. Immunity

11.1.1 Phagocytes

11.1.2 Antigens

11.1.3 Primary Immune Response

11.1.4 Memory Cells & Immunity

11.2.1 Antibodies

11.2.2 Making Monoclonal Antibodies

11.2.3 Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies

11.2.4 Types of Immunity

11.2.5 How Vaccines Work

11.2.6 Vaccination to Control Disease