AS Biology

Course Outline

AS Biology forms 50% of the assessment of the full A’ level Biology.Assessment is by means of three units of assessment for AS Biology and six units of assessment for A ‘level Biology.

AS Biology

Candidates must take the following units:

2801 Biology foundation- 1 hour Exam (30% AS grade/ 15% A’ level)2802 Human Health and Disease- 1 hour Exam (30% AS grade/ 15% A’ level)2803 Transport/ Experimental Skills 11. Transport- 45 min Exam (20% AS grade/ 10% A’ level)2. Coursework 1- Coursework (20% AS grade/ 10% A’ level)

Question Paper Requirements

The question papers for Units 2801, 2802 and 2803 have a common format. They contain both structured questions and questions which require more extended answers. All questions on these papers are compulsory. Quality of written communication is assessed within those parts of the questions which require more extended answers.

Assessment Objectives

AO1 Knowledge with Understanding (48%)

Candidates should be able to:• recognise, recall and show understanding of specific biological facts, terminology, principles, concepts and practical techniques;• draw on existing knowledge to show understanding of the ethical, social, economic, environmental and technological implications and applications of biology;• select, organise and present relevant information clearly and logically, using appropriate vocabulary where appropriate.

AO2 Application of Knowledge and Understanding, Analysis, Synthesis and Evaluation (32%)

Candidates should be able to:• describe, explain and interpret phenomena and effects in terms of biological principles and concepts, presenting arguments and ideas clearly and logically, using specialist vocabulary where appropriate;

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• interpret and translate, from one form into another, data presented as continuous prose or in tables, diagrams, drawings and graphs;• apply biological principles and concepts in solving problems in unfamiliar situations including those which relate to the ethical, social, economic, and technological implications and applications of biology;• assess the validity of biological information, experiments, inferences and statements.

AO3 Experiment and Investigation (20%)

Candidates should be able to:• devise and plan experimental and investigative activities, selecting appropriate techniques;• demonstrate safe and skilful practical techniques;• make observations and measurements with appropriate precision and record these methodically;• interpret, explain, evaluate and communicate the results of their experimental and investigative activities clearly and logically using biological knowledge and understanding and using appropriate specialist vocabulary.

AO4 Synthesis of Knowledge, Understanding and Skills (A2)

Candidates should be able to:• bring together principles and concepts from different areas of biology and apply them in a particular context, expressing ideas clearly and logically and using appropriate specialist vocabulary;• use biological skills in contexts which bring together different areas of the subject

Grade Descriptions

The grade awarded will depend, in practice, upon the extent to which you have met the Assessment Objectives overall. Shortcomings in some aspects of the examination may be balanced by better performances in others.

Grade A

Consistently use biological knowledge, facts, principles and concepts from the whole specification

Good understanding of the principles they use Select relevant biological knowledge Ideas presented clearly and logically Use of appropriate scientific terminology Carry out calculations accurately and logically Good understanding of principles and apply them in familiar and

new contexts

2

Suggest a number of possible solutions using techniques, arguments or knowledge and understanding

Most responses correct, relevant and logical Longer questions answered to an appropriate depth with

coherent and detailed explanations Clear and accurate plan for experiments Make and record observations skillfully and with precision Interpret and describe trends and patterns shown by data and

indicate anomalies and inconsistencies Comment critically on data, evaluate it and use it to support or

reject various hypotheses Present clearly and concisely both sides of an argument by

weighing up evidence

Grade C

Recall and show a sound use of biological knowledge, facts, principles and concepts

Show some understanding of some fundamental principles and concepts

Frequently select biological knowledge relevant to a situation Ideas presented clearly and logically A range of calculations carried out with minimal guidance Show knowledge of fundamental principles and often apply these

in new contexts Many responses are correct, relevant and logical Create a plan for experiments which may need some

modification Use a range of techniques safely Make and record observations which are adequate for the task With help, evaluate results Comment on data and use selected data to support a particular

hypotheses Make choices in statistical sampling

Grade E

Recall and use biological knowledge, facts, principles and concepts from some parts of the specification

Demonstrate some understanding of fundamental principles and concepts beyond GCSE

Select items of knowledge in response to questions and use basic scientific terminology either consistently across questions or variable between quite good and poor on different questions

Select appropriate facts and principles to solve problems concerning familiar material

With unfamiliar material, answers relate to appropriate subject area even if there are difficulties in applying the facts and principles involved

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With some guidance, carry out accurately straightforward calculations involving rules of number e.g. percentages, making clear the steps in the calculations

Make connections between some ideas encountered in different parts of the specification

Answers show some logic and coherence although they include irrelevant material

Use correctly a limited range of scientific terminology Formulate some elements of a practical approach when provided

with guidance Encounter practical problems in a reasonably skillful manner Obtain some appropriate results Interpret broad trends shown by data Select appropriate facts to produce limited but relevant

explanations Make superficial conclusions from data May need assistance to relate conclusions to biological

knowledge and understanding

AS Level Teaching Order 2007-2008

2801 Biology Foundation

LF MF

1. Biological Molecules 1. Cells2. Enzymes 2. Cell Membranes and Transport3. Genetic Control of Protein 3. Nuclear DivisionStructure and Function 4. Energy and Ecosystems

2802 Human Health and Disease

LF MF

1. Gaseous Exchange and 1. Introduction to Health and DiseaseExercise 2. Diet2. Smoking and Disease 3. Infectious Diseases3. Immunity

2803 Transport

LF MF

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1. The Mammalian Transport 1. Transport in Multicellular PlantsSystem2. The Mammalian Heart

Course Work

In January you will complete one piece of coursework:Investigating Factors Affecting an Enzyme Controlled ReactionThis is worth 20% of your AS Grade and 10% of your overall A’ Level Grade

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2801: Biology FoundationTopic 1: Biological MoleculesItem Objectives Reading Homework Check1 State the importance in biology of

carbohydrates, lipids and proteins Explain that biological molecules

are made by many small, repeating subunits

Describe the basic structure of the main types of carbohydrate; monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides

Biology 1 p21-23

2 Describe the structure of the ring forms of alpha- and beta-glucose

Describe the role of monosaccharides in living organisms

Biology 1 p23

3 Describe the formation and breakage of a glycosidic bond, and its significance

Carry out tests for reducing and non-reducing sugars

Biology 1 p24

4 Describe the structure of the polysaccharides starch (amylopectin and amylase), glycogen and cellulose

Show how these structures are related to their functions in living organisms

Carry out the test for starch

Biology 1 p24-28

5 Describe the basic structure and properties of triglycerides and phospholipids

Relate these structures to their functions in living organisms

Distinguish between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and lipids

Biology 1 p28-30

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Carry out the test for lipids6 Describe the structure of amino

acids and the way in which peptide bonds are formed and broken

Explain that the quaternary structure of a protein is formed by the combination of two or more polypeptide chains

Biology 1 p30-33

7 Describe the importance of hydrogen bonds, disulphide bonds, ionic bonds and hydrophobic interactions in maintaining the three dimensional structure of a protein

Biology 1 p27, 33,34

8 Discuss the ways in which haemoglobin (globular protein) and collagen (fibrous protein) are related to their functions

Carry out the test for protein

Biology 1 p34-37

9 Describe the crucial role that water plays in maintaining life on earth, both as a constituent of living organisms (hydrogen bonding) and the environment

Outline the roles of inorganic ions in living organisms e.g. calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, nitrate, phosphate

Biology 1 p37-39

10 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 211 Progress CheckTopic 2: Enzymes12 Explain that enzymes are globular

proteins which act as catalysts Explain the way in which enzymes

act as catalysts by lowering activation energy

Explain the mode of action of

Biology 1 p43-44

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enzymes in terms of active site, enzyme/substrate complex and enzyme specificity

Describe examples of enzyme-catalysed reactions

13 Describe methods of following a time-course of an enzyme-controlled reaction by measuring rate of product formation e.g. catalase or rate of disappearance of a substrate e.g. amylase

Biology 1 p44-45

14 Discuss the ways in which temperature, pH, concentration of an enzyme and substrate affect the rate of enzyme controlled reactions

Biology 1 p45-47

15 Discuss the ways that reversible competitive and non-competitive inhibitors affect the rate of enzyme controlled reactions

Describe methods of investigating the effects of these factors experimentally

Biology 1 p48-50

16 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 317 Progress CheckTopic 3: Genetic Control of Protein Structure and Function18 Describe the structures of DNA

and RNA, including the importance of base pairing and hydrogen bonding

Biology 1 p65-67

19 Explain how DNA replicates semi-conservatively during interphase and interpret experimental evidence for this process (reference should be made to DNA polymerase)

Biology 1 p67-70

20 State that a gene is part of a DNA molecule, made up of a sequence

Biology 1 p70-74

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of nucleotides Explain how polypeptides are

constructed on this basis Describe the way in which the

nucleotide sequence codes for the amino acid sequence in the polypeptide

21 Describe how transcription and translation take place during protein synthesis

Biology 1 p72-73

22 State the roles of messenger RNA, transfer RNA and ribosomes

State that, as enzymes are proteins, their synthesis is controlled by DNA

Biology 1 p72-75

23 Outline the principles of gene manipulation by biotechnology (genetic engineering)

Biology 1 p75-77

24 Describe how bacteria have been genetically modified to synthesise human insulin

Outline the production of human factor VIII from genetically modified animal cells

Biology 1 p77-78

25 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 526 Progress Check2802 Human Health and DiseaseTopic 1: Gaseous Exchange and Exercise1 Describe the structure of the lungs

Describe the distribution of alveoli and blood vessels in lung tissue

Biology 1 p172-174

2 Describe the distribution of cartilage, ciliated epithelium, goblet cells and smooth muscle in the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles

View a lung dissection

Biology 1 p172-174

3 describe the functions of cartilage, Biology 1 p174-1759

cilia, goblet cells, smooth muscle and elastic fibres in the gaseous exchange system

4 explain the terms tidal volume and vital capacity

Biology 1 p175-176

5 describe how to measure a person’s pulse rate

state that pulse rate is a measure of heart rate

explain the significance of resting pulse rate in relation to physical fitness

Biology 1 p177

6 explain how to measure blood pressure

explain the terms systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and hypertension

Biology 1 p178

7 describe the immediate effects of exercise on the body, including the concept of oxygen debt and the production of lactate by anaerobic respiration

design and carry out experiments to investigate the effects of exercise on the body

Biology 1 p179-181

8 explain the meaning of the term aerobic exercise

describe how much exercise needs to be taken for significant sustained improvement in aerobic fitness

Biology 1 p182-184

9 discuss the long-term consequences of exercise on the body and the benefits of maintaining a physically fit body, relating these benefits to the concept that health is more than the absence of disease

Biology 1 p184

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10 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 1311 Progress Check Topic 2: Smoking and Disease12 describe the symptoms of chronic

bronchitis and emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and lung cancer

Biology 1 p188-190

13 describe the effects of tar and carcinogens in tobacco smoke on the gaseous exchange system

evaluate the epidemiological and experimental evidence linking cigarette smoking to disease and early death

Biology 1 p187, 191-193

14 describe the effects of nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke on the cardiovascular system with reference to atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and strokes

Biology 1 p193-195

15 discuss the possible links between diet and coronary heart disease

Biology 1 p198-199

16 discuss the reasons for the global distribution of coronary heart disease

discuss the difficulty in achieving a balance between prevention and cure with reference to coronary heart disease, coronary by-pass surgery and heart transplant surgery

Biology 1 p196-200

17 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 1418 Progress CheckTopic 3: Immunity19 describe the structure, origin,

maturation and mode of action of phagocytes and lymphocytes

explain the term immune

Biology 1 p219-220

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response20 distinguish between the actions of

B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes in fighting infection

Biology 1 p221-223

21 explain the role of memory cells in long-term immunity

relate the molecular structure of antibodies to their functions

Biology 1 p223-226

22 distinguish between active and passive, natural and artificial immunity

Biology 1 p227-228

23 explain how vaccination can control disease

discuss the reasons why vaccination has eradicated smallpox but not measles, TB, malaria or cholera

Biology 1 p228-232

24 outline the role of the immune system in allergies, with reference to asthma and hay fever

Biology 1 p232-234

25 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 1626 Progress Check2803 TransportTopic 1: The Mammalian Transport System1 Explain why multicellular animals

need transport mechanisms Describe the cardiovascular

system

Biology 1 p102-105

2 Describe the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries

Relate their structure to their functions

Biology 1 p106-108

3 Recognise micrographs of arteries, veins and capillaries

Describe the functions of tissue fluid and its formation from blood plasma

Biology 1 p108-109

4 Describe the functions of lymph, Biology 1 p109-11212

and its formation from tissue fluid Describe the composition of blood

5 Outline the functions of white blood cells

Describe the role of haemoglobin in the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Describe and explain the oxygen dissociation curve for haemoglobin

Biology 1 p112-115

6 Describe and explain the effects of raised carbon dioxide concentrations on the haemoglobin dissociation curve (Bohr effect)

Biology 1 p115-116

7 Describe and explain the differences between oxygen dissociation curves for haemoglobin, fetal haemoglobin and myoglobin

Explain the significance of these differences

Biology 1 p116-117

8 Describe and explain the increase in red blood cell count at high altitude

Biology 1 p117-119

9 Revision Biology 1 Chapter 810 Progress CheckTopic 2: The Mammalian Heart11 Describe the internal and external

structure of the human heartBiology 1 p120-122

12 Describe the cardiac cycle, and interpret graphs showing pressure changes during this cycle

Explain he reasons for the difference in thickness of the atrial and ventricular walls, and of the left and right ventricular walls

Biology 1 p122-124

13 Describe and explain the Biology 1 p12313

functioning of the atrio-ventricular valves, and of the semi-lunar valves in the aorta and pulmonary artery

14 Explain the role of the sinoatrial node in initiating heart beat, and the roles of the atrio-ventricular node and the Purkyne tissue in coordinating the actions of the different parts of the heart

Biology 1 p124-127

Revision Biology 1 Chapter 9 Progress Check

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