1. Cell Level Systems

1.1 Cell Structures

1.1.1 Light Microscopes

1.1.2 Cell Structure

1.1.3 Electron Microscopes

1.2 What Happens in Cells (& What do Cells Need?)

1.2.1 DNA Structure

1.2.2 Nucleotides

1.2.3 Protein Synthesis

1.2.4 The Mechanism of Enzyme Action

1.3 Respiration

1.3.1 Respiration is a Chemical Process

1.3.2 Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

1.3.3 Biological Molecules

1.3.4 Tests for Biological Molecules

1.4 Photosynthesis

1.4.1 Photosynthetic Organisms as Producers

1.4.2 The Effect of 3 Factors on Photosynthesis

1.4.3 Limiting Factors - Photosynthesis

2. Scaling Up

2.1 Supplying the Cell

2.1.1 Cellular Transport - Diffusion & Osmosis

2.1.2 Cellular Transport - Active Transport

2.1.3 Mitosis & the Cell Cycle

2.1.4 Cell Differentiation

2.1.5 Stem Cells in Animals & Plants

2.1.6 Embryonic & Adult Stem Cells in Animals

2.2 The Challenges of Size

2.2.1 Surface Area: Volume Ratio & Transport

2.2.2 Transport Into & Out of Organisms

2.2.3 The Heart

2.2.4 Blood Vessels

2.2.5 Blood Composition

2.2.6 Transport of Water & Mineral Ions in Plants

2.2.7 Transpiration & Translocation

2.2.8 Xylem & Phloem

2.2.9 Affecting Water Uptake by a Plant

3. Organism Level Systems

3.1 Coordination & Control – the Nervous System

3.1.1 The Nervous System - Structure

3.1.2 Generating a Nervous Response

3.1.3 The Reflex Arc

3.1.4 The Eye

3.1.5 The Brain

3.1.6 Investigating Brain Function

3.2 Coordination & Control – the Endocrine System

3.2.1 Hormonal Control

3.2.2 Thyroxine & Adrenaline

3.2.3 Hormones in Human Reproduction

3.2.4 Four Hormones in the Menstrual Cycle

3.2.5 Contraception

3.2.6 Hormones to Treat Infertility

3.2.7 Plant Hormones - Tropisms

3.2.8 Use of Plant Hormones by Humans

3.3 Maintaining Internal Environments

3.3.1 Constant Internal Environment

3.3.2 The Skin in Temperature Control

3.3.3 Insulin in Blood Sugar Control

3.3.4 Glucagon in Blood Sugar Control

3.3.5 Osmotic Changes in Body Fluids

3.3.6 The Kidneys

3.3.7 ADH in Water Reabsorption

3.3.8 Responses to Extremes

4. Community Level Systems

4.1 Ecosystems

4.1.1 The Cycling of Materials

4.1.2 The Carbon Cycle

4.1.3 Decomposition & Decay

4.1.4 Levels of Organisation in an Ecosystem

4.1.5 Abiotic & Biotic Factors

4.1.6 Interdependence & Competition

4.1.7 Trophic Levels of Organisms

4.1.8 Pyramids of Biomass & Biomass Transfers

5. Genes, Inheritance & Selection

5.1 Inheritance

5.1.1 The Genome & Genetics

5.1.2 Variation

5.1.3 Influence of Genetic Variants on Phenotype

5.1.4 Sexual Reproduction

5.1.5 Asexual Reproduction

5.1.6 Inheritance

5.1.7 The History of Genetics

5.2 Natural Selection & Evolution

5.2.1 Genetic Variation Within a Population

5.2.2 Evolution Through Natural Selection

5.2.3 Classification

6. Global Challenges

6.1 Monitoring & Maintaining the Environment

6.1.1 The Distribution & Abundance of Organisms

6.1.2 Human Interactions Within Ecosystems

6.1.3 Maintaining Biodiversity

6.1.4 The Impact of Environmental Changes

6.2 Feeding the Human Race

6.2.1 Food Security

6.2.2 Selective Breeding of Food Products

6.2.3 Genetic Engineering

6.2.4 The Process of Genetic Engineering

6.2.5 Biotechnology & Human Population

6.3 Monitoring & Maintaining Health

6.3.1 Health & Disease: Disease Types

6.3.2 Communicable Diseases

6.3.3 Plant Disease - Detection & Identification

6.3.4 White Blood Cells & Platelets

6.3.5 Non-Specific Defences

6.3.6 The Human Immune System

6.3.7 Monoclonal Antibodies

6.3.8 Vaccines Against Disease

6.3.9 Developing New Medicines

6.3.10 Non-Communicable Human Diseases

6.3.11 Stem Cells in Medicine

6.3.12 Gene Technology in Medicine

7. Practical Skills

7.1 Practical Skills

7.1.1 Practical - Using Light Microscopes to View Cells

7.1.2 Practical - Testing for Food Molecules

7.1.3 Practical - DNA Extraction

7.1.4 Practical - Sampling Techniques - Quadrats

7.1.5 Practical - Investigating Enzymatic Reactions

7.1.6 Practical - Investigating Photosynthesis

7.1.7 Practical - Investigating Respiration

7.1.8 Practical - Using a Potometer

7.1.9 Practical - Measurement of Stomatal Density

7.1.10 Practical - Aseptic Technique

7.1.11 Practical - Surface Area: Volume Ratio

7.1.12 Practical - Investigating Osmosis

Study tools

• OCR Gateway GCSE Biology · Exam Questions
• OCR Gateway GCSE Biology · Past Papers