1Cell Structure
The light microscope and its limits, magnification and graticule maths, every syllabus organelle, and the prokaryote/virus comparisons built on them.
9 sub-topics · Temporary preparations; drawing cells from slides and micrographs · Magnification and actual size calculations …
Biological Molecules
The four tests, carbohydrates and lipids from monomers up, protein structure levels, haemoglobin vs collagen, and water.
10 sub-topics · Tests for sugars, starch, lipids and proteins · Semi-quantitative Benedict's; non-reducing sugar test …
Enzymes
Mode of action, the two hypotheses, measuring rates, every factor curve, Vmax/Km, inhibition and immobilisation.
8 sub-topics · Intracellular and extracellular enzymes · Active site, ES complex, activation energy, specificity …
Cell Membranes and Transport
The fluid mosaic model, cell signalling, and every transport mechanism including water potential.
7 sub-topics · Fluid mosaic model; phospholipid bilayer and proteins · Cholesterol, glycolipids and glycoproteins …
The Mitotic Cell Cycle
Chromosome structure, the cell cycle, the four mitotic stages, telomeres, stem cells and tumours.
7 sub-topics · Chromosome structure (DNA, histones, chromatids, telomeres) · Importance of mitosis (growth, repair, asexual reproduction) …
Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
DNA and RNA structure, semi-conservative replication, the genetic code, transcription and translation, mutations.
8 sub-topics · Nucleotide structure and ATP; purines and pyrimidines · DNA double helix; base pairing; phosphodiester bonds …
Transport in Plants
Xylem and phloem to plan-diagram standard, transpiration and cohesion-tension, xerophytes, translocation.
8 sub-topics · Plan diagrams of stems, roots and leaves · Distribution of xylem and phloem …
Transport in Mammals
The double circulation, blood vessels and cells, tissue fluid, oxygen dissociation, and the heart through the cardiac cycle.
9 sub-topics · Closed double circulation; types of blood vessel · Main pulmonary and systemic blood vessels …
Gas Exchange
The human gas exchange system at tissue level — trachea to alveolus — and ventilation.
6 sub-topics · Structure of the human gas exchange system · Distribution of cartilage, epithelia, goblet cells, muscle …
Infectious Diseases
Cholera, malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS — pathogens, transmission, control, antibiotics and resistance.
6 sub-topics · Pathogens and transmissible disease · Cholera, malaria, TB and HIV/AIDS: pathogens …
Immunity
Phagocytes to antibodies, the two lymphocyte lines, vaccination and monoclonal antibody uses.
8 sub-topics · Mode of action of phagocytes · Antigens; self vs non-self …