New specifications
Continuing specifications
GCSE Additional ScienceUnit 1 (Biology)
B2.1 Cells and simple cell transport
Overview
All living things are made up of cells. The structures of different types of cells are related to their functions. To get into or out of cells, dissolved substances have to cross the cell membranes.
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- relate the structure of different types of cells to their function.
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B2.2 Tissues, organs and organ systems
Overview
The cells of multicellular organisms may differentiate and become adapted for specific functions. Tissues are aggregations of similar cells; organs are aggregations of tissues performing specific physiological functions. Organs are organised into organ systems, which work together to form organisms
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Overview
Green plants and algae use light energy to make their own food. They obtain the raw
materials they need to make this food from the air and the soil. The conditions in which plants are grown can be changed to promote growth.
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- interpret data showing how factors affect the rate of photosynthesis
- evaluate the benefits of artificially manipulating the environment in which plants are grown.
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B2.4 Organisms and their environment
Overview
Living organisms form communities, and we need to understand the relationships within and between these communities. These relationships are affected by external influences.
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- suggest reasons for the distribution of living organisms in a particular habitat
- evaluate methods used to collect environmental data, and consider the validity of the method and the reproducibility of the data as evidence for environmental change.
- Candidates should understand:
- the terms mean, median and mode
- that sample size is related to both validity and reproducibility.
- Candidates should understand:
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B2.5 Proteins – their functions and uses
Overview
Proteins have many functions, both inside and outside the cells of living organisms.
Proteins, as enzymes, are now used widely in the home and in industry.
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using enzymes in the home and in industry.
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B2.6 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
Overview
Respiration in cells can take place aerobically or anaerobically. The energy released is used in a variety of ways. The human body needs to react to the increased demand for energy during exercise
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- interpret the data relating to the effects of exercise on the human body.
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B2.7 Cell division and inheritance
Overview
Characteristics are passed on from one generation to the next in both plants and animals. Simple genetic diagrams can be used to show this. There are ethical considerations in treating genetic disorders.
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- explain why Mendel proposed the idea of separately inherited factors and why the importance of this discovery was not recognised until after his death
- Candidates should be familiar with principles used by Mendel in investigating monohybrid inheritance in peas. They should understand that Mendel's work preceded the work by other scientists which linked Mendel's 'inherited factors' with chromosomes
- interpret genetic diagrams, including family trees
- construct genetic diagrams of monohybrid crosses and predict the outcomes of monohybrid crosses and be able to use the terms homozygous, heterozygous, phenotype and genotype (HT only)
- Foundation tier candidates should be able to interpret genetic diagrams of monohybrid inheritance and sex inheritance but will not be expected to construct genetic diagrams or use the terms homozygous, heterozygous, phenotype or genotype
- predict and / or explain the outcome of crosses between individuals for each possible combination of dominant and recessive alleles of the same gene
- make informed judgements about the social and ethical issues concerning the use of stem cells from embryos in medical research and treatments
- make informed judgements about the economic, social and ethical issues concerning embryo screening.
- Data may be given for unfamiliar contexts.
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Overview
Changes in the environment of plants and animals may cause them to die out. The fossil record shows that new organisms arise, flourish, and after a time become extinct. The record also shows changes that lead to the formation of new species.
Candidates should use their skills, knowledge and understanding to:
- suggest reasons why scientists cannot be certain about how life began on Earth.
- The uncertainty arises from the lack of enough valid and reliable evidence.
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