learning checklist

Learning Checklist

• learning outcomes – new specification 2011

I am able to:-GCSE Biology learning checklist

B1 1.1 balanced diet

• I can…• describe a balanced diet• investigate the energy content of some foods• evaluate techniques and results• state the 7 food substances in a balanced diet

and their functions• Define metabolic rate

GCSE Biology learning checklist

B1 1.2 obesity

• Explain the interactions between factors affecting metabolic rate & body mass

• describe problems associated with obesity• Calculate BMI and consider its uses and

limitations• Write a plan for an investigation (HSW)


B1 1.3 cholesterol

• explain what cholesterol is• Describe effects of good and bad cholesterol• Evaluate information from graphs• Explain different ways to lower blood

cholesterol• Explain how cholesterol levels depend on

inherited factors as well as exercise


B1 1.4 Pathogens and Semmelweiss

• define the term pathogen• Explain how pathogens cause disease• Describe & explain the work of Semmelweiss• Explain why scientists’ work may not be

immediately accepted


B1 1.5 infections

• explain the ways in which infections are spread

• describe the ways in which the body prevents the entry of pathogens

• describe and explain the role of white blood cells (in detail)


B1 1.6 medicines

• explain what is meant by the term medicine• Describe how medicines may relieve

symptoms but not kill pathogens• Describe how antibiotics kill bacteria without

harming the patient• Explain why antibiotics are not used to treat

viruses & the difficulty of developing antiviral drugs


B1 1.7 Growing bacteria

• I can…• Grow an uncontaminated culture of bacteria• Explain why it is important to maintain sterile

conditions• Explain the safety precautions used in school

microbiology • Explain contamination


B1 1.8 changing pathogens • I can …• Describe how mutations in pathogens may give

rise to resistant strains• Describe how natural selection causes the

populations of resistant strains to increase• Describe epidemics and pandemics• Explain in detail how bacteria become

increasingly resistant to antibiotics• Evaluate the problems of preventing the spread

of new diseases eg - mutated form of ‘flu


B1 1.9 immunity

• I can ….• describe how the immune system responds to

pathogens• Use terminology correctly – eg antigen,

antibody• Explain how vaccines work


B1 1.10 vaccination• I can…• describe how science reporting should be

checked for bias• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of

being vaccinated • Explain how the treatment of disease has

changed over time• Describe how scientists are investigating the

development of new medicines for the future• Plan an investigation


B1 2.1 Co-ordination

• I can …• identify receptor cells and their organs• Describe how the nervous system works and

its components• Investigate sensitivity of skin to touch (HSW)


B1 2.2 reflexes and synapses

• I can …• explain what reflexes are and their

importance• Describe the components of the reflex arc

from stimulus to response• Explain how a synapse works


B1 2.3 hormones and the menstrual cycle

• I can…• define hormones• Name the hormones that control the

menstrual cycle• Describe where each hormone is secreted and

its functions• Relate each hormone to the phases of the

cycle, explaining their interactions


B1 2.4 controlling fertility

• I can …• explain how oral contraceptives work • Explain how FSH treatment can increase

fertility• Explain why FSH is used in IVF• Evaluate the ethical issues arising from the

artificial control of fertility


B1 2.5 homeostasis

• I can …• describe how temperature, blood glucose and

the balance of water and ions are controlled• Explain why it is important to control the

internal environment• Explain the effects of extremes of

temperature on the human body


B1 2.6 plant hormones• I can …• understand that plants respond to changes in

their environment• Describe how plants respond to light, moisture

and gravity• Describe how plant hormones can be used in

agriculture and horticulture• Explain how plant responses are due to uneven

distribution of hormones causing unequal growth rates


B1 2.7 ethics of hormones

• I can…• describe benefits and problems of using

hormones to control human fertility• Evaluate how plant hormones are involved in

food production


B1 3.1 testing medicines

• I can …• Describe and explain the reasons for testing

new drugs• Explain the dangers of using drugs that have

not been tested• Describe and explain the stages used in testing

new drugs• Explain the flaws in the original testing of

thalidomide


B1 3.2 statins

• I can …• describe the use of statins in lowering blood

cholesterol• Compare/evaluate the benefits of statins with

diet (eg soya, benecol etc)• Evaluate the claims of prescribed and non-

prescribed medicines on health• Explain in detail how and why double-blind

tests are used


B1 3.3- 3.6 Drugs

• Give a definition of the term ‘drug’• Explain what is meant by addiction• Describe some of the problems caused by

drug abuse• Explain how the impact of drug abuse varies

between individuals• List some common legal and illegal drugs• Explain why some people use illegal drugs


B1 3.3-3.6 Drugs• Describe the effects of cannabis• Explain why the use of legal drugs has a greater impact on health

than the use of illegal drugs• Evaluate the impact of different types of drugs on society• Put drugs into various categories, eg narcotic, stimulants,

hallucinogens,• Describe ways in which some recreational drugs are more harmful

than others• Evaluate facts about the recreational use of cannabis, compare with

alcohol and tobacco• Explain the nature of performance enhancing drugs in different

sports• Describe some of the health risks associated with taking

performance enhancing drugs• Consider the ethical implications of the use of drugs in sport


B1 4.1 Adapt and survive• Describe the materials that living

organisms need in order to survive and reproduce

• Explain that plants and animals are adapted to survive in their particular habitat

• Explain that the adaptations of microorganisms enable them to survive in a wide range of conditions


B1 4.2 Adaptations in animals• Define the term adaptation• Describe how animals are adapted to

survive in cold environments• Describe how animals are adapted to

life in a dry environment• Explain how organisms are adapted to

the conditions in which they live, when provided with appropriate information


B1 4.3 Adaptations in plants• Describe the adaptations shown by

plants that live in dry environments• Explain how these adaptations reduce

the quantity of water lost by the plant• Explain in detail the importance of

water-storage tissues in desert plants


B1 4.4 Competition in plants and animals

• Explain how competition is necessary for survival

• Describe those characteristics which make an animal/plant a successful competitor

• Suggest factors for which an animal/plant is competing in a given habitat

• Describe some adaptations of organisms to unusual conditions

• Apply knowledge to interpret the survival strategies of organisms


B1 4.7 Measuring environmental change

• List some factors that affect distribution of living organisms

• Describe some living and non-living factors that cause environmental changes

• Measure some environmental changes using non-living indicators

• Describe an example of a living organism that can be used as an indicator of pollution


B1 4.8 Impact of change

• Explain that environmental changes can affect the distribution of living organisms

• Describe some changes in both living and non-living factors that can affect distribution

• Evaluate data concerned with environmental change on the distribution/behaviour of living organisms


B1 5.1 pyramids of biomass

• Explain where biomass comes from• Describe what a pyramid of biomass is and

how it can be constructed• Interpret pyramids of biomass and construct

them• State that biomass is lost at each stage• (Higher)Explain in detail why all the biomass at

one stage does not get passed on to the next stage.


B1 5.2 energy transfers

• State why biomass and energy are reduced at each successive stage of a food chain

• Explain why energy is transferred in movement and heating the surroundings

• ( higher) Explain in detail why energy transfers by heating are particularly large in warm-blooded organisms (mammals and birds)


B1 5.3 decay

• Explain the role of microorganisms in the process of decay

• Explain why decay is important in the cycling of materials

• (higher) Explain the factors which affect the rate of decay


B1 5.4 carbon cycle

• Describe the processes in the carbon cycle• Explain the importance of the activities of the

detritus feeders and microorganisms in the cycling of nutrients

• (higher) Explain in detail the changes that occur in the carbon cycle.


B1 5.5 recycling

• Give reasons for the recycling of garden waste• Describe the ways that organic waste is

recycled• Evaluate the effectiveness of recycling

schemes• (higher) Explain the benefits of reducing the

amount of waste in landfill sites


B1 6.1 inheritance• State that the genetic information present in the

gametes from each parent• Describe the relationship between chromosomes

and genes• Identify where the chromosomes are located in

cells• State that each gene affects a different

characteristic • (higher)Recognise that genes are found in pairs on

paired chromosomes


B1 6.2 types of reproduction

• State the meaning of the term ‘clone’• Describe why asexual reproduction produces

identical offspring• Describe how variety is achieved in individuals

produced by sexual reproduction• Explain the genetic differences between

sexually and asexually produced offspring.


B1 6.3•Explain what makes them different to the rest of their family•Explain why identical twins are not exactly the same in every way• Evaluate evidence for the different characteristics caused by genetic and environmental effects


B1 6.4

•Define a clone•Explain the importance to gardeners and plant growers of cloning plants•Describe cloning by tissue culture in plants•Describe the process of embryo transplanting in animals and issues involving embryos•Interpret information about the advantages and disadvantages of different cloning techniques•Make informed judgements on the ethical and economic issues concerning embryo cloning


B1 6.5

•Explain the processes of adult cell cloning and describe how Dolly the sheep was cloned•List some of the benefits and disadvantages of cloning animals•Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of cloning•Discuss the ethical issues raised by adult cell cloning techniques


B1 6.6

•Explain the term genetic engineering•Describe how genes from one organism can be transferred into another organism•List some advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering•Explain the process of genetic engineering and the difference between genetically modified organisms which produce useful proteins and organisms which are improved themselves•Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering


B1 6.7

•Interpret information about cloning and genetic engineering techniques•Describe some of the ethical problems associated with these techniques•Make informed judgements about the issues•Make balanced judgements, carefully explaining their reasons clearly, about the issues involved


B1 7.1 Theories of evolution

•State Darwin’s theory of evolution•Describe some of the evidence that evolution has taken place•Identify differences between Darwin’s theory of evolution and conflicting theories e.g Lamarck’s•Suggest reasons for the different theories explaining life on Earth


B1 7.2 Evidence for evolution

•Explain why Darwin’s theories were only gradually accepted•Explain why there was conflict with religious beliefs•Describe some of the evidence that was lacking•Explain why knowledge of genetics is necessary to understand how inheritance works


B1 7.3 Natural Selection

•Explain what is meant by natural selection•Describe how mutation results in changes to genes•Explain how mutation can affect the evolution of an organism


B1 7.4 Classification and evolution

•Define classification•Describe some of the criteria used in the classification of organisms•Explain how evolutionary trees are used to show relationships between organisms•Describe how DNA evidence can be used to work out evolutionary relationships


learning checklist

Documents

changing pathogens

balanced dietinvestigate

scientists work

development of new medicines

resistant strainsdescribe

graphsexplain different

lower blood cholesterolexplain

metabolic rate body