Year 12 — Biology

Term 4: Classification & Biodiversity

Evolution has generated a very wide variety of organisms. The fact that all organisms share a common ancestry allows them to be classified. Classification is an attempt to impose a hierarchy on the complex and dynamic variety of life on Earth.

The need to conserve environmental resources in a sustainable fashion is considered, whilst appreciating the potential conflict arising from the needs of an increasing human population. Learners also consider the impacts of human activities on the natural environment and biodiversity.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Classification

the arrangement of animals and plants in taxonomic groups according to their observed similarities (including at least kingdom and phylum in animals, division in plants, and class, order, family, genus, and species).

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Term 4: Immunology

Students gain an understanding of the variety of organisms that are pathogenic and the way in which plants and animals have evolved defences to deal with disease.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Immune

resistant to a particular infection or toxin owing to the presence of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.

Pathogen

A micro organism that causes harm.

Transmission

The way a disease is spread.

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Term 5: Biodiversity & Revision

The need to conserve environmental resources in a sustainable fashion is considered, whilst appreciating the potential conflict arising from the needs of an increasing human population. Learners also consider the impacts of human activities on the natural environment and biodiversity.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Biodiversity

the variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat, a high level of which is usually considered to be important and desirable.

Variation

The differences between species and within a species.

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Term 5: Classification & Revision

Evolution has generated a very wide variety of organisms. The fact that all organisms share a common ancestry allows them to be classified. Classification is an attempt to impose a hierarchy on the complex and dynamic variety of life on Earth.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Classification

the arrangement of animals and plants in taxonomic groups according to their observed similarities (including at least kingdom and phylum in animals, division in plants, and class, order, family, genus, and species).

  • Spiritual
  • Moral
  • Social
  • Cultural

Develop the individual:

Create a supportive community:

Term 6: Communication & Homeostasis and Excretion

It is important that organisms, both plants and animals are able to respond to stimuli. This is achieved by communication within the body, which may be chemical and/or electrical. Both systems are covered in detail in this module. Communication is also fundamental to homeostasis with control of temperature, blood sugar and blood water potential being studied as examples.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

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Term 6: Cellular Control & Patterns of Inheritance

Mechanisms can lead to the accumulation of different genetic information in populations, potentially leading to new species. Over a prolonged period of time, organisms have changed and some have become extinct. The theory of evolution explains these changes. Humans use artificial selection to produce similar changes in plants and animals.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Inheritance

The mechanism by which genetic information is passed on.

Gene

A piece of genetic material that codes for life.

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Term 1: Cell Structure & Suitability Assessment

The cells of all living organisms are composed of biological molecules. Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are three of the key groups of biological macromolecules that are essential for life. A study of the structure of these macromolecules allows a better understanding of their functions in living organisms

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Hydrogen Bond

Chemical bond formed between the positive charge on a hydrogen atom and the negative charge on another atom of an adjacent molecule e.g. between the Hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the Oxygen atom of an adjacent water molecule.

Condensation

Chemical process in which two molecules combine to form a more complex one with the elimination of a simple substance, usually water. Many biological polymers (e.g. polysaccharides, polypeptides) are formed by condensation.

Polymer

Large molecule made up of many repeating smaller molecules (monomers).

Carbohydrate

Compounds made from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Either monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Disaccharide

Made up of two sugar units that are formed by a condensation reaction. Monosaccharides are joined by a glycosidic bond

Polysaccharide

Made of many sugar units that are formed by a condensation reaction. Monosaccharides are joined by a glycosidic bond.

Reducing Sugar

A sugar that serves as a reducing agent. All monosaccharides are reducing sugars along with some disaccharides.

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Term 1: Biological Molecules Introduction

The cells of all living organisms are composed of biological molecules. Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids are three of the key groups of biological macromolecules that are essential for life. A study of the structure of these macromolecules allows a better understanding of their functions in living organisms.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Hydrogen Bond

Chemical bond formed between the positive charge on a hydrogen atom and the negative charge on another atom of an adjacent molecule e.g. between the Hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the Oxygen atom of an adjacent water molecule.

Condensation

Chemical process in which two molecules combine to form a more complex one with the elimination of a simple substance, usually water. Many biological polymers (e.g. polysaccharides, polypeptides) are formed by condensation.

Polymer

Large molecule made up of many repeating smaller molecules (monomers).

Carbohydrate

Compounds made from carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Either monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Disaccharide

Made up of two sugar units that are formed by a condensation reaction. Monosaccharides are joined by a glycosidic bond

Polysaccharide

Made of many sugar units that are formed by a condensation reaction. Monosaccharides are joined by a glycosidic bond.

Reducing Sugar

A sugar that serves as a reducing agent. All monosaccharides are reducing sugars along with some disaccharides.

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Term 2: Biological Membranes & Cell Division

Membranes are fundamental to the cell theory. The structure of the plasma membrane allows cells to communicate with each other. Cell division is a fundamental process that underpins life on earth.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Lipid

A class of organic compounds that are fatty acids are their derivatives and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include triglycerides, phospholipids, waxes and steroids.

Protein

A polymer which is made up of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. May also contain prosthetic groups as part of its quaternary structure.

Hydrophillic

Section of a molecule which is attracted to water.

Hydrophobic

Section of a molecule which is repulsed by water.

Phospholipid

Triglyceride in which one of the three fatty acid molecules is replaced by a phosphate molecule. Phospholipids are important in the structure an functioning of plasma membranes.

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Term 2: Biomolecules; Nucleic Acids, and Enzymes

Metabolism in living organisms relies upon enzyme controlled reactions. Knowledge of how enzymes function and the factors that affect enzyme action has improved our understanding of biological processes and increased our use of enzymes in industry.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

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Term 3: Exchange Surfaces

As animals become larger and more active, ventilation and gas exchange systems become essential to supply oxygen to, and remove carbon dioxide from, their bodies. Ventilation and gas exchange systems in mammals, bony fish and insects are used as examples of the properties and functions of exchange surfaces in animals.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

Surface Area

The surface-area-to-volume ratio, also called the surface-to-volume ratio and variously denoted sa/vol or SA:V, is the amount of surface area per unit volume of an object or collection of objects.

Diffusion

Diffusion happens when the particles are free to move. This is true in gases and for particles dissolved in solutions. Particles diffuse down a concentration gradient, from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Metabolism

The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.

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Term 3: Transport in Animals & Plants

As animals become larger and more active, transport systems become essential to supply nutrients to, and remove waste from, individual cells. Controlling the supply of nutrients and removal of waste requires the coordinated activity of the heart and circulatory system. As plants become larger and more complex, transport systems become essential to supply nutrients to, and remove waste from, individual cells. The supply of nutrients from the soil relies upon the flow of water through a vascular system, as does the movement of the products of photosynthesis.

Students will sit a 40 minute test during directed learning sessions.

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