| Organism | How growth and development occur |
|---|---|
| Animal | Mitosis increases cell number. Daughter cells grow and differentiate to form tissues such as muscle or nervous tissue. |
| Plant | Mitosis produces new cells in meristems near root and shoot tips. Many new cells then take in water, elongate and differentiate. |
| Feature | Asexual reproduction | Sexual reproduction |
|---|---|---|
| Parents and gametes | One parent; no fusion of gametes. | Gametes fuse at fertilisation; usually two parents. |
| Advantages | No need to find a mate. A rapid reproductive cycle can produce many offspring in favourable conditions. | Genetically varied offspring increase the chance that some survive a change in conditions. |
| Disadvantages | Clones have little or no genetic variation, apart from mutations. The same disease or environmental change may affect many of them. | Finding a mate takes time and energy in many species; reproduction is often slower. |
| Feature | Mitosis | Meiosis |
|---|---|---|
| Daughter cells | Two. | Four. |
| Chromosome sets | The same number as the parent cell. | Half the number in the original diploid cell. |
| Genetic information | Genetically identical, unless mutation occurs. | Genetically different. |
| Main role | Growth, repair and asexual reproduction. | Production of haploid gametes. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Chromosome | A long DNA molecule associated with proteins. It carries many genes. |
| Gene | A section of DNA that codes for a specific protein. |
| Genome | The entire DNA of an organism, including coding and non-coding regions. |
| Base on one strand | Complementary base |
|---|---|
| Adenine (A) | Thymine (T) |
| Thymine (T) | Adenine (A) |
| Cytosine (C) | Guanine (G) |
| Guanine (G) | Cytosine (C) |
| Step or material | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Crushing fruit | Breaks up tissue and helps release cells and their contents. |
| Detergent | Disrupts the cell and nuclear membranes, releasing DNA. |
| Salt | Helps DNA molecules come together when alcohol is added. |
| Filtering | Removes larger pieces of cell debris; dissolved DNA passes into the filtrate. |
| Cold ethanol | DNA is poorly soluble in ethanol and precipitates as visible strands. |
| DNA template base | RNA base added |
|---|---|
| A | U |
| T | A |
| C | G |
| G | C |
| mRNA codon | Amino acid |
|---|---|
| AUG | Methionine |
| CCU | Proline |
| GAA | Glutamic acid |
| Location of variant | Possible effect | Link to phenotype |
|---|---|---|
| Protein-coding DNA | An altered base sequence can change the amino acid sequence and protein activity. | For example, an enzyme may make less pigment because its active site changes. |
| Non-coding regulatory DNA | Altered RNA polymerase binding can change how much mRNA and protein are made. | The amount of pigment may change even if the protein sequence stays the same. |
| Term | Meaning and example |
|---|---|
| Allele | An alternative version of a gene. Different alleles can produce differences in inherited characteristics. |
| Genotype | The alleles an organism has; for one gene, examples are BB, Bb and bb. |
| Phenotype | An observable characteristic, influenced by genotype and sometimes the environment. |
| Dominant | An allele expressed in the phenotype of a heterozygote, in a simple dominant–recessive model. |
| Recessive | An allele expressed only when no dominant allele is present, in that model. |
| Homozygous | Two identical alleles of a gene: BB or bb. |
| Heterozygous | Two different alleles of a gene: Bb. |
| Gamete | A haploid sex cell carrying one allele of each gene in the simple crosses studied here. |
| Zygote | The diploid cell formed by the fusion of two gametes at fertilisation. |
| Gametes | T | t |
|---|---|---|
| T | TT | Tt |
| t | Tt | tt |
| Gametes | t | t |
|---|---|---|
| T | Tt | Tt |
| t | tt | tt |
| Outcome | Probability | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| TT | 1/4 | 25% |
| Tt | 2/4 = 1/2 | 50% |
| tt | 1/4 | 25% |
| Tall phenotype (TT or Tt) | 3/4 | 75% |
| Egg gamete / sperm gamete | X sperm | Y sperm |
|---|---|---|
| X egg | XX | XY |
| X egg | XX | XY |
| Blood-group phenotype | Possible genotypes |
|---|---|
| A | IᴬIᴬ or Iᴬi |
| B | IᴮIᴮ or Iᴮi |
| AB | IᴬIᴮ |
| O | ii |
| Gametes | Iᴮ | i |
|---|---|---|
| Iᴬ | IᴬIᴮ (AB) | Iᴬi (A) |
| i | Iᴮi (B) | ii (O) |
| Egg gamete / sperm gamete | Xᴴ sperm | Y sperm |
|---|---|---|
| Xᴴ egg | XᴴXᴴ: unaffected daughter | XᴴY: unaffected son |
| Xʰ egg | XᴴXʰ: carrier daughter | XʰY: affected son |
| Cause | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic | Different alleles and allele combinations are inherited. Mutations create new variants; sexual reproduction reshuffles alleles. | ABO blood group. |
| Environmental | Conditions and experiences affect the phenotype. | A scar caused by an injury. |
| Both | Inherited differences interact with environmental conditions. | Human height is influenced by many genes and by nutrition and health. |
| Application | Potential benefit | Limitation or concern |
|---|---|---|
| Identifying disease-related variants | Can support diagnosis and estimates of inherited disease risk. | Many conditions also involve other genes and the environment. |
| Developing treatments | Studying affected proteins can reveal targets for new medicines. | Finding a target does not guarantee a safe, effective treatment. |
| Personalised medicine | Genetic differences may help doctors select a medicine or dose. | Suitable treatments and evidence are not available for every condition. |
| Informed family choices | Can inform reproductive and healthcare decisions. | Privacy, consent, distress and implications for relatives matter. |
| Leaf length (mm) | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 30 ≤ length < 40 | 2 |
| 40 ≤ length < 50 | 5 |
| 50 ≤ length < 60 | 8 |
| 60 ≤ length < 70 | 4 |
| 70 ≤ length < 80 | 1 |
| ABO group | Number of records |
|---|---|
| A | 7 |
| B | 4 |
| AB | 1 |
| O | 8 |
| Genotype | Observed out of 40 | Expected out of 40 |
|---|---|---|
| TT | 12 | 10 |
| Tt | 17 | 20 |
| tt | 11 | 10 |
| Stage | Susceptible bacteria | Resistant bacteria |
|---|---|---|
| Before treatment | 990 | 10 |
| Immediate survivors, before further reproduction | 10 | 10 |
| Desired characteristic | Possible benefit |
|---|---|
| Higher yield or disease resistance in crops | More usable food can be harvested or fewer plants may be lost. |
| Higher milk yield in cattle | Greater milk production per animal under suitable conditions. |
| Particular behaviour in domesticated animals | Animals may be more suitable for a working role or handling. |
| Issue | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Time and available variation | Many generations may be required, and breeders can select only characteristics with a heritable basis. |
| Animal welfare | Selection for extreme body shape or production can harm health or normal behaviour. |
| Genetic diversity | A narrow gene pool can increase vulnerability to disease and reduce options for future breeding. |
| Application | Advantage |
|---|---|
| Plant breeding programmes | Rapidly multiplies a selected plant while retaining its useful combination of alleles; many plants can be produced in a small space. |
| Medical research | Allows scientists to study cell behaviour, disease and responses to potential treatments under controlled conditions; can reduce reliance on some animal experiments. |
| Component | Role |
|---|---|
| Restriction enzyme | Cuts DNA at a specific recognition sequence; suitable cuts produce sticky ends. |
| Sticky ends | Complementary exposed bases pair, aligning the DNA fragments. |
| DNA ligase | Joins the DNA backbones to make a continuous DNA molecule. |
| Vector | Carries the gene into a recipient cell, for example in a recombinant plasmid. |
| Possible benefit | Limitation or risk to investigate |
|---|---|
| Less damage and a greater usable harvest | The benefit depends on the target pest, local conditions and the cost of seed. |
| Reduced need for some sprayed insecticides | The crop does not control every pest; effects on non-target organisms still require testing. |
| Protection while the crop grows | Repeated exposure can select resistant pests, reducing long-term effectiveness. |
| Application | Benefit and evidence to consider |
|---|---|
| Insect-resistant crops | May reduce damage and some insecticide use; compare yield, costs, resistance and non-target effects. |
| Nutritionally improved crops | May improve intake of a particular nutrient; consider actual diet, access and whether the nutrient is available to the body. |
| Microorganisms producing medicines | May provide large, reliable supplies of a useful protein; assess production control, purification, safety and affordability. |
| Possible advantage | Possible disadvantage |
|---|---|
| Replaces nutrients removed in harvested crops | Fertiliser purchase, production and application use money and resources. |
| Can increase yield when minerals are limiting | Excess application may give little further yield and can damage plants. |
| Supports food production on existing farmland | Nutrient runoff or leaching can pollute water and contribute to oxygen depletion. |
| Possible advantage | Limitation or risk |
|---|---|
| May reduce reliance on chemical pesticides | It can act slowly or be unreliable if conditions do not suit the control organism. |
| A suitable organism may target a particular pest | Non-target species could be affected; specificity must be investigated. |
| Control can persist if the organism establishes | An introduced organism may spread and be difficult to remove. |
| Fertiliser application (kg ha⁻¹) | Mean crop yield (t ha⁻¹) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 2.0 |
| 50 | 4.0 |
| 100 | 5.0 |
| 150 | 5.3 |
| 200 | 5.4 |
| Yield (t ha⁻¹) | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 3.0 ≤ yield < 4.0 | 2 |
| 4.0 ≤ yield < 5.0 | 5 |
| 5.0 ≤ yield < 6.0 | 7 |
| 6.0 ≤ yield < 7.0 | 6 |
| Method | What happens | Main limitation to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Selective breeding | Chosen parents reproduce; useful inherited characteristics are selected over generations. | Can take many generations and narrow genetic diversity. |
| Genetic engineering | The genome is directly modified to introduce a desired characteristic. | The particular modification and its consequences need testing and evaluation. |
| Tissue culture | Cells multiply by mitosis under controlled conditions; selected plants can be cloned. | Contamination, cost and shared vulnerability of clones. |
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Insect-resistant crop | The plant is protected against damage from particular insect pests. |
| Bt-resistant pest | The insect can survive exposure to the Bt protein, making the crop’s protection less effective. |
| Evidence to consider | How it affects the decision |
|---|---|
| Damage from the target pest | The crop may be useful where that pest causes substantial losses. |
| Usable yield and insecticide use | Increased usable yield and reduced insecticide use would support adoption. |
| Seed costs | Higher seed costs must be weighed against the benefits. |
| Pest resistance | Resistant pests could become more common, reducing the crop’s effectiveness over time. |
| Trials over several seasons | Consistent results would strengthen confidence in the judgement. |
| Type | Meaning and examples |
|---|---|
| Communicable | An infectious disease that can spread between organisms. Examples include cholera, tuberculosis and malaria. |
| Non-communicable | A disease that is not transmitted between organisms. Examples include coronary heart disease, many cancers and deficiency diseases. |
| Example | How susceptibility can change |
|---|---|
| Damage to immune cells | HIV can weaken immune responses, allowing other infections to develop more easily. |
| Damage to a physical barrier | A disease that damages skin or airway surfaces may make it easier for another pathogen to enter or establish an infection. |
| Poor nutrition | A disease that reduces food intake or nutrient absorption can weaken normal body functions, including effective defence against infection. |
| Group | Relevant features and example |
|---|---|
| Bacteria | Single prokaryotic cells. Some damage tissues or produce toxins. Cholera and tuberculosis are bacterial diseases. |
| Viruses | Genetic material inside a protein coat; use host cells to make more viruses. HIV and Ebola virus are examples. |
| Fungi | Eukaryotic organisms; many spread using spores. A fungus causes Chalara ash dieback. |
| Protists | Eukaryotic organisms; some are parasites. Plasmodium protists cause malaria. |
| Disease | Main effect | Main transmission route |
|---|---|---|
| Cholera | Diarrhoea, which can cause severe dehydration. | Ingestion of contaminated water or food. |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | Lung damage; other organs can also be affected. | Inhalation of infectious airborne particles. |
| Infection | Cause and effects |
|---|---|
| Chlamydia | Caused by bacteria. Often has no obvious symptoms; untreated infection can damage the reproductive system. |
| HIV infection | Caused by a virus that destroys immune cells. Uncontrolled infection can progress to AIDS. |
| Example | Pathogen and main effect | Transmission |
|---|---|---|
| Helicobacter | Bacteria; can cause stomach ulcers. | Oral transmission. |
| Ebola | Virus; causes haemorrhagic fever. | Contact with infected body fluids. |
| Defence | Type | How it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Waxy leaf cuticle | Physical | Makes it harder for pathogens to penetrate the leaf surface. |
| Cellulose cell wall | Physical | Forms a strong barrier around each plant cell. |
| Antimicrobial chemicals | Chemical | Kill or inhibit the growth of particular pathogens. |
| Toxic or unpleasant-tasting chemicals | Chemical | Deter feeding by pests and other herbivores. |
| Defence | Location and action |
|---|---|
| Skin | Forms a continuous physical barrier over the body, limiting entry into underlying tissues. |
| Mucus | Traps microorganisms and particles on surfaces such as the lining of the airways. |
| Cilia | Hair-like structures on epithelial cells in the airways; beat to move mucus and trapped material towards the throat. |
| Potential advantage | Limitation or issue |
|---|---|
| Fewer infections or less severe illness | Effectiveness varies; protection may require further doses. |
| Reduced spread protects other people | High and reasonably widespread uptake may be needed. |
| Lower demand on health services | Delivery, staffing, storage and access require resources. |
| Protection against serious disease | Side effects and rare serious reactions must be assessed against the disease risk. |
| Precaution | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Disinfect the work area and wash hands | Reduce transfer of unwanted microorganisms to and from the work. |
| Sterile medium and dishes | Prevent pre-existing microorganisms from growing alongside the intended culture. |
| Sterile inoculating loop | Transfer the intended organisms without introducing contaminants. |
| Keep dishes and vials covered | Reduce entry of airborne microorganisms and accidental spread of the culture. |
| Do not reopen after incubation | Reduce exposure to the grown culture and possible contaminants. |
| Treatment | Repeat diameters (mm) | Mean diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| A | 18, 20, 22 | 20 |
| B | 10, 12, 14 | 12 |
| Solvent control | No clear halo on any repeat | No inhibition beyond the disc |
| Stage | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Discovery | Identify a candidate substance and a potentially useful effect. |
| Development | Investigate and improve the candidate and how it can be prepared or delivered. |
| Preclinical testing | Investigate effects before testing in humans, using cells, tissues and appropriate animal studies. |
| Clinical testing | Study safety, dose and effectiveness in human participants. |
| Lines observed | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Control and test lines | hCG detected: positive result. |
| Control line only | hCG not detected at the test’s detection level: negative result. |
| No control line | Invalid result, even if a test line appears. |
| Approach | Targeting and possible limitation |
|---|---|
| Monoclonal antibody treatment | Binds a selected molecular target; may spare more healthy tissue, but the target must be present and sufficiently specific. |
| Some chemotherapy drugs | Affect processes such as cell division; can also harm healthy rapidly dividing cells. |
| External-beam radiotherapy | Radiation from a machine outside the body is directed at a treatment area; healthy tissues in the radiation path can also be damaged. |
| Disease group | Factors that may interact |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular disease | Smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diet, physical inactivity, age and inherited susceptibility. |
| Many cancers | Inherited susceptibility, accumulated DNA changes and exposures such as tobacco smoke. |
| Some lung diseases | Smoking, air pollution and occupational exposures. |
| Some liver diseases | Alcohol exposure, excess body fat and other causes; not all liver disease is alcohol-related. |
| Nutrition-related disease | The amount and balance of nutrients, energy needs, absorption and access to suitable food. |
| Group | Adults followed | New cases of CHD |
|---|---|---|
| A: smokers | 1,000 | 80 |
| B: non-smokers | 1,000 | 40 |
| Daily activity (minutes) | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 0 ≤ time < 10 | 2 |
| 10 ≤ time < 20 | 5 |
| 20 ≤ time < 30 | 8 |
| 30 ≤ time < 40 | 5 |
| Option | Potential benefit | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Medication | Statins reduce LDL cholesterol; other medicines can lower blood pressure or reduce clot risk. | Often long-term; possible adverse effects and need for regular use. |
| Stents or bypass surgery | Improve blood flow to heart muscle when suitable arteries are narrowed or blocked. | Procedure and recovery risks; further disease can still develop. |
| Lifestyle changes | Can reduce risk factors and improve general health. | Benefits may take time; sustained changes and support may be needed. |
| Method | How it reduces transmission |
|---|---|
| Nets and window screens | Form a physical barrier that reduces mosquito bites. |
| Repellents | Reduce the likelihood of mosquitoes biting. |
| Insecticides | Kill mosquitoes, reducing opportunities to transmit the pathogen. |
| Managing suitable breeding sites | Reduces the number of mosquitoes developing into adults. |
| Feature | Lytic pathway | Lysogenic pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Viral DNA | Copied to produce new viruses. | Incorporated into host DNA and copied with it. |
| New virus particles | Components are made and assembled. | Not assembled during this stage. |
| Host cell | Lyses, releasing viruses. | Remains intact and can divide. |
| Evidence | What to investigate |
|---|---|
| Visible symptoms | Discoloured leaves, spots, wilting, abnormal growth, leaf loss or bark lesions. |
| Environmental conditions | Water supply, drainage, mineral availability, temperature and chemical damage. |
| Distribution | Which plants are affected, where they occur and whether the pattern changes over time. |
| Diagnostic tests | Test suitable samples for evidence of a particular pathogen. |
| Defence | Location and action |
|---|---|
| Lysozymes | Enzymes in secretions such as tears and saliva that break down bacterial cell walls. |
| Hydrochloric acid | Creates a low pH in the stomach, killing many microorganisms swallowed with food or mucus. |
| Group | Number of people | Disease cases | Developed disease (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vaccinated | 2,000 | 40 | 2 |
| Unvaccinated | 200 | 20 | 10 |
| Type | Main role |
|---|---|
| Antibiotic | Kills susceptible bacteria or prevents them multiplying. |
| Antiviral | Interferes with particular stages of viral reproduction. |
| Painkiller | Relieves pain without necessarily removing its cause, such as a pathogen. |
| Antiseptic | Reduces microorganisms on suitable living surfaces. |
| Disinfectant | Reduces microorganisms on suitable non-living surfaces. |
| Requested area | Calculation | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Complete circle, including the disc | π × 10² | 314.2 mm² |
| Clear agar only, excluding the disc | π × (10² − 3²) | 285.9 mm² |
| Term | Meaning | Question researchers investigate |
|---|---|---|
| Efficacy | How effectively the medicine produces its intended effect. | Does it work? |
| Toxicity | Its harmful effects. | What harm could it cause? |
| Dose | The amount administered at one time. | What amount gives a useful effect with acceptable risks? |
| Feature | What it does and why it matters |
|---|---|
| Random allocation | Participants are assigned to groups by chance. This reduces selection bias and helps distribute factors such as age or disease severity between groups; it does not guarantee identical groups. |
| Control group | Receives an existing treatment or, when appropriate, a placebo. This provides a comparison, so improvement is not automatically attributed to the candidate medicine. |
| Double-blind design | Participants and researchers directly assessing outcomes do not know which treatment each person receives. This reduces the influence of their expectations on reported or assessed results. |
| Larger samples | Reduce the influence of chance on the results and increase the opportunity to detect uncommon adverse effects; even a large trial can miss very rare effects. |
| Nutritional problem | Possible consequence |
|---|---|
| Insufficient energy or protein | Loss of body mass, impaired growth or repair. |
| Deficiency of a particular nutrient | Disruption of functions requiring that nutrient. |
| Excess energy intake over time | Increased fat storage and a greater risk of obesity. |
| Scale | Examples and considerations |
|---|---|
| Local | Access to affordable nutritious food and safe walking or cycling routes can influence diet and physical activity. |
| National | Diet, activity levels and obesity can differ between regions and population groups. Consider differences in age, income and access to food when comparing results. |
| Global | Food availability and affordability vary between countries and communities. Nutrient deficiencies and excess energy intake can occur within the same country or community. |
| Step | Working |
|---|---|
| Convert height to metres | 180 cm ÷ 100 = 1.80 m |
| Square the height | 1.80 × 1.80 = 3.24 m² |
| Divide mass by height squared | 72 ÷ 3.24 = 22.2 kg m⁻² (to one decimal place) |
| Component | Effect | Cardiovascular consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine | Increases heart rate and blood pressure. | Increases the heart's workload. |
| Carbon monoxide | Binds to haemoglobin, reducing the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity. | Less oxygen is available to tissues, including heart muscle. |
| Other harmful chemicals in smoke | Damage blood-vessel linings and promote fatty deposits and clot formation. | Arteries may narrow or become blocked, reducing blood flow. |
| Comparison | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Difference in percentage points | 8 − 4 | 4 percentage points |
| Ratio of proportions (A:B) | 8:4 | 2:1 |
| Percentage increase relative to group B | (8 − 4) ÷ 4 × 100 | 100% higher |
| Variable | What to identify or control |
|---|---|
| Independent | Plant extract used, or concentration of one extract. |
| Dependent | Inhibition-zone diameter (mm) or calculated area (mm²). |
| Controlled | Bacterial strain and starting amount, agar composition and depth, disc size, volume applied, incubation temperature and time. |
| Variable | What to change, measure or keep constant |
|---|---|
| Independent | Temperature of the reaction mixture. |
| Dependent | Time to the defined pink endpoint (s); relative rate calculated as 1 ÷ time (s⁻¹). |
| Controlled | Initial yeast concentration, nutrient concentration, pH, total volume, resazurin concentration, mixing and oxygen exposure. |
| Time to pink endpoint (s) | Calculation | Relative rate (s⁻¹) |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | 1 ÷ 120 | 0.00833 |
| 60 | 1 ÷ 60 | 0.0167 |
| Comparison | Observation and supported conclusion |
|---|---|
| Increase light only | If the rate rises, light was limiting over that range. |
| Increase carbon dioxide at high light | If the rate rises, carbon dioxide was restricting the rate at that light intensity. |
| Raise temperature within a suitable range | If the rate rises while other conditions are controlled, temperature was restricting enzyme-controlled reactions. |
| A change gives no increase | Another factor may be limiting; the result does not prove that the changed factor is never important. |
| Distance from lamp (cm) | Relative intensity, compared with 10 cm |
|---|---|
| 10 | 1 |
| 20 | 1/4 = 0.25 |
| 30 | 1/9 ≈ 0.111 |
| 40 | 1/16 = 0.0625 |
| Feature | How it supports uptake |
|---|---|
| Long hair-like extension | Provides a large surface area in contact with soil water. |
| Thin wall and a cell membrane | Give a short route for water movement; the partially permeable membrane controls movement into the cell. |
| Mitochondria | Respiration transfers energy needed for active transport of mineral ions. |
| Membrane transport proteins | Allow particular mineral ions to be transported across the membrane. |
| Structure | Function |
|---|---|
| Dead vessel elements joined end to end | Form a continuous route for water and dissolved mineral ions. |
| Loss of cytoplasm and nucleus | Leaves a hollow lumen with little obstruction to water flow. |
| End walls break down, forming openings between neighbouring vessel elements | Connects the lumens to form a continuous pathway. Some end-wall material may remain around the openings. |
| Walls strengthened with lignin | Support the plant and help prevent vessels collapsing under tension. |
| Pits in the walls | Permit sideways movement of water between vessels and surrounding tissues. |
| Feature | How it helps |
|---|---|
| Living sieve-tube elements | Join to form tubes carrying dissolved organic substances. Mature sieve-tube elements have little cytoplasm and no nucleus. |
| Sieve plates | Pores in the end walls allow phloem sap to pass between elements. |
| Companion cells | Have a nucleus and many mitochondria; support sieve-tube elements and provide energy for active loading and unloading processes. |
| Structure | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Broad, thin blade | A large surface intercepts light; a short diffusion distance supports gas exchange. |
| Transparent upper epidermis and cuticle | Allow light to reach photosynthetic cells; the cuticle also reduces water loss. |
| Palisade mesophyll | Cells near the illuminated surface contain many chloroplasts to absorb light. |
| Spongy mesophyll and air spaces | A large moist surface and connected air spaces allow gases to diffuse between cells and stomata. |
| Stomata and guard cells | Regulate gas exchange and water loss. |
| Veins containing xylem and phloem | Deliver water and mineral ions and transport sucrose away from producing tissues. |
| Factor increased | Usual effect and explanation |
|---|---|
| Light intensity | Stomata often open more in light, increasing water-vapour loss and replacement water uptake. |
| Air movement | Removes water vapour near the leaf, maintaining a steeper concentration gradient. |
| Temperature | Increases evaporation and diffusion, usually increasing water loss if stomata remain open. |
| Humidity | Reduces the water-vapour concentration gradient from leaf to air, usually reducing water loss. |
| Feature | How it helps in the stated environment |
|---|---|
| Small or needle-like leaves | Reduce exposed surface area and potential water loss in dry or windy conditions. |
| Thick waxy cuticle | Forms a water-resistant barrier that reduces water loss through the leaf surface. |
| Sunken stomata | Shelter moist air in grooves or pits. Reduced air movement helps maintain a smaller water-vapour concentration gradient near the pores. |
| Rolled leaves with hairs | Enclose a sheltered space around stomata, reducing air movement and retaining humid air. |
| Part | Response to more auxin on the lower side |
|---|---|
| Shoot | Greater elongation on the lower side bends the shoot upwards: negative gravitropism. |
| Root | Elongation is inhibited on the lower side at the concentrations involved. The upper side elongates more, bending the root downwards: positive gravitropism. |
| Hormone | Use and biological basis |
|---|---|
| Auxins | Rooting powders stimulate root development in cuttings. Selective weedkillers containing synthetic auxins cause uncontrolled growth in susceptible broad-leaved weeds; grass crops may be less affected at the recommended dose. |
| Gibberellins | Promote germination in suitable seeds, can stimulate flowering and fruit development, and can induce seedless fruit in some plants without fertilisation. |
| Ethene | A gaseous hormone used to control and coordinate ripening in suitable harvested fruits. Controlling exposure helps time ripening for sale. |
| Height (mm) | Number of seedlings |
|---|---|
| 20 ≤ height < 30 | 2 |
| 30 ≤ height < 40 | 5 |
| 40 ≤ height < 50 | 8 |
| 50 ≤ height < 60 | 5 |
| Colour compared with the starting reference | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| More yellow | More carbon dioxide: respiration has released it faster than photosynthesis has removed it. |
| Red/orange-red with little change | Little net change is detected; photosynthesis and respiration may be balanced, but no visible change alone does not prove this. |
| More purple | Less carbon dioxide: photosynthesis has removed it faster than respiration has released it. |
| Graph | Suitable data | Plant example |
|---|---|---|
| Bar chart with gaps | Separate categories | Mean height of different plant species. |
| Histogram with touching bars | Continuous measurements grouped into intervals | Number of seedlings in each height interval. |
| Scatter diagram | Paired numerical measurements used to explore a relationship | Height and dry mass measured for each seedling. |
| Line or curve graph | Change with time or a controlled continuous variable | Plant height over time, or photosynthesis rate against light intensity. |
| Midpoint (mm) | Frequency | Midpoint × frequency (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | 2 | 50 |
| 35 | 5 | 175 |
| 45 | 8 | 360 |
| 55 | 5 | 275 |
| Total | 20 | 860 |
| Distance (cm) | Starting pH | Final pH | Time (h) | pH change per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 1.0 | +0.6 |
| 40 | 8.4 | 8.8 | 1.0 | +0.4 |
| 60 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Salt concentration (g dm⁻³) | Dish | Seeds sown | Seeds germinated | Germination (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (water control) | 1 | 20 | 16 | 80 |
| 2 | 1 | 20 | 10 | 50 |
| 4 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 30 |
| Salt concentration (g dm⁻³) | Dish | Seedlings measured | Mean root length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 (water control) | 1 | 16 | 12.5 |
| 2 | 1 | 10 | 8.0 |
| 4 | 1 | 6 | 5.0 |
| Situation | Auxin and cell elongation | Expected response |
|---|---|---|
| Shoot lit from one side | More auxin on the shaded side promotes greater cell elongation there. | Towards light: positive phototropism. |
| Horizontal shoot | More auxin on the lower side promotes greater cell elongation there. | Upwards, away from gravity: negative gravitropism. |
| Horizontal root | The higher auxin concentration on the lower side inhibits elongation there; the upper side elongates more. | Downwards, towards gravity: positive gravitropism. |
| Investigation | Change | Keep comparable |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide availability | Sodium hydrogencarbonate concentration. | Temperature, light intensity, solution volume, plant material and collection time. |
| Temperature | Temperature of the solution around the plant. | Sodium hydrogencarbonate concentration, light intensity, solution volume, plant material and collection time. |
| Plant group | Typical flowering response |
|---|---|
| Short-day plants | Flowering is promoted by sufficiently short days and, in many species, sufficiently long uninterrupted nights. |
| Long-day plants | Flowering is promoted by sufficiently long days; many also respond to shortening or interrupting the night. |
| Day-neutral plants | Flowering is not strongly governed by day length; maturity and suitable growing conditions still matter. |
| Gland | Location | Examples of hormones produced or released |
|---|---|---|
| Pituitary gland | At the base of the brain, below the hypothalamus. | Releases several hormones, including hormones controlling other endocrine glands. |
| Thyroid gland | In the neck, in front of the trachea. | Produces thyroxine. |
| Pancreas | In the abdomen, behind the stomach. | Produces insulin. |
| Adrenal glands | One above each kidney. | Produce adrenaline. |
| Ovaries | In the pelvis, on either side of the uterus. | Produce oestrogen and progesterone. |
| Testes | In the scrotum. | Produce testosterone. |
| Effect | How it helps prepare the body |
|---|---|
| Increased heart rate | The heart pumps more frequently, helping deliver substances to active tissues. |
| Increased blood pressure | Helps drive blood through the circulation during the response. |
| Increased blood flow to muscles | Increases delivery of oxygen and glucose to muscles. |
| Raised blood glucose | The liver converts glycogen to glucose and releases glucose into blood. |
| Approximate time in a 28-day example | Main changes |
|---|---|
| Beginning of the cycle, often days 1–5 | The uterus lining is shed during menstruation. An egg begins to mature in the ovary. |
| Before ovulation | The uterus lining repairs and thickens under the influence of oestrogen. |
| Around day 14 in this example | An egg is released from an ovary and enters an oviduct. This release is called ovulation. |
| After ovulation | Progesterone helps maintain the lining. If pregnancy does not occur, hormone levels fall and another menstruation begins. |
| Hormone and source | Key role |
|---|---|
| FSH — pituitary | Stimulates follicle and egg maturation and oestrogen production. |
| LH — pituitary | Triggers ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum. |
| Oestrogen — ovary | Repairs the uterus lining; inhibits FSH and, when sufficiently high before ovulation, stimulates the LH surge. |
| Progesterone — corpus luteum in ovary | Maintains the lining and inhibits FSH and LH. |
| Mechanism | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Reducing signals for egg maturation and release | Ovulation can be prevented, so no egg is available for fertilisation. |
| Thickening cervical mucus | Sperm find it harder to pass through the cervix into the uterus. |
| Additional effect: thinner uterus lining | The usual cyclical thickening is altered; bleeding may become lighter or change. Effects differ between methods. |
| Method | Potential advantage | Limitation to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Combined pill | Prevents ovulation; effective when used correctly and consistently. | Needs correct use; side effects and medical suitability vary. No STI protection. |
| Hormonal implant | Acts for an extended period without a daily pill. | Needs a trained healthcare professional for insertion and removal; side effects and bleeding changes may occur. No STI protection. |
| Hormonal injection | Acts for an extended period without a daily pill. | Must be repeated on schedule; a late injection can reduce effectiveness. Side effects and bleeding changes may occur. No STI protection. |
| Condom | Physical barrier to sperm; also reduces transmission of many STIs. | Must be used correctly for each occasion; can split or slip. |
| Diaphragm or cervical cap | Covers the cervix to reduce entry of sperm; usually used with spermicide. | Correct fitting and use are important; does not provide reliable STI protection. |
| Variable | Why control is important |
|---|---|
| Body temperature (thermoregulation) | Enzyme-controlled reactions slow at low temperatures; sufficiently high temperatures can denature enzymes. |
| Water and solute balance (osmoregulation) | Changes in the concentration of body fluids can cause net water movement into or out of animal cells by osmosis. |
| Blood glucose concentration | Glucose supplies a substrate for respiration; large departures from a suitable range disrupt normal function. |
| Structure | Role |
|---|---|
| Epidermis | Outer protective layer; limits water loss and separates living tissues from the surroundings. Contains no blood vessels. |
| Dermis | Contains sweat glands, blood vessels, nerves and receptors involved in temperature responses. |
| Sweat glands | Produce sweat, which can cool the body when it evaporates from the skin surface. |
| Sweat ducts and pores | Ducts carry sweat from glands to pores, which are openings at the skin surface. |
| Temperature receptors | Detect temperature changes and send nerve impulses to the hypothalamus. |
| Fatty layer beneath the skin | Provides insulation, helping reduce energy transfer between the body and its surroundings. |
| Response | Change in supplying arterioles | Usual consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Vasodilation | Wider diameter; more blood through surface capillaries. | Greater heat loss to cooler surroundings. |
| Vasoconstriction | Narrower diameter; less blood through surface capillaries. | Reduced heat loss. |
| Starting change | Hormonal response | Main result |
|---|---|---|
| Blood glucose rises | More insulin is released. | Glucose uptake and glycogen storage increase; blood glucose falls. |
| Blood glucose falls | More glucagon is released. | Liver glycogen is broken down and glucose enters blood; blood glucose rises. |
| Feature | Type 1 | Type 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Main mechanism | Destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing cells. | Reduced response to insulin, often with insufficient insulin production later. |
| Control | Replacement insulin, monitoring, and coordinated food and activity management. | Diet and activity changes, weight management where appropriate, medicines and sometimes insulin. |
| Important distinction | Lifestyle changes alone cannot replace missing insulin. | Insulin may be present but its normal effect is reduced. |
| Measure | What it indicates | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| BMI | Body mass relative to height. | Does not distinguish muscle from fat or show where fat is stored. |
| Waist-to-hip ratio | Waist size relative to hip size; an indirect indicator of body-fat distribution. | Does not directly measure total body fat or diagnose a disease. |
| Group in this example | Adults followed | New diagnoses in five years |
|---|---|---|
| A: lower BMI range | 500 | 20 |
| B: higher BMI range | 500 | 60 |
| Surrounding fluid compared with cell contents | Net water movement | Possible effect |
|---|---|---|
| More concentrated | Water leaves the cell. | The cell shrinks. |
| More dilute | Water enters the cell. | The cell swells and may burst if the change is large. |
| Similar concentration | No net water movement, although water still moves both ways. | Cell volume remains relatively stable. |
| Structure | Function |
|---|---|
| Kidneys | Filter blood and selectively reabsorb useful substances to form urine. |
| Ureters | Carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder. |
| Bladder | Stores urine. |
| Urethra | Carries urine from the bladder out of the body. |
| Renal artery | Carries blood to a kidney. |
| Renal vein | Carries blood away from a kidney. |
| Treatment | Potential benefit | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Dialysis | Can remove wastes without needing a donor organ; can support a patient awaiting transplant. | Repeated sessions, access to treatment, possible infection and fluid or dietary restrictions. |
| Kidney transplant | A functioning kidney can provide ongoing regulation and reduce dependence on dialysis. | Donor shortage, surgery, possible rejection and continuing immunosuppression. |
| Substance | Blood entering kidney | Fresh filtrate | Final urine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood cells | Present | Absent | Absent |
| Large plasma proteins | Present | Normally absent | Normally absent |
| Glucose | Present | Present | Normally absent |
| Urea | Present | Present | Present |
| Water and mineral ions | Present | Present | Present in variable amounts |
| Graph | Suitable use |
|---|---|
| Line or curve graph | Change in a measured variable over time, such as glucose concentration after a meal. |
| Scatter diagram | Paired numerical values, such as BMI and a measured glucose concentration. |
| Bar chart with gaps | Separate categories, such as treatment groups. |
| Histogram with touching bars | Frequencies of grouped continuous measurements, such as volume. |
| Volume (cm³) | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 10 ≤ volume < 20 | 2 |
| 20 ≤ volume < 30 | 5 |
| 30 ≤ volume < 40 | 8 |
| 40 ≤ volume < 50 | 5 |
| Observation after heating | Supported interpretation |
|---|---|
| Remains blue, with a valid positive control | No reducing sugar detected at the sensitivity of this test. |
| Green, yellow, orange or brick-red change, often with a precipitate | Reducing sugar is detected; compare standards only under the same conditions. |
| Water control changes colour or glucose control fails | The procedure or reagents may be unreliable; investigate and repeat before interpreting unknowns. |
| Method | Users followed | Users who became pregnant | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 300 | 12 | 4% |
| B | 100 | 15 | 15% |
| Feature | Clomifene therapy | IVF |
|---|---|---|
| Role of treatment | Reduces oestrogen feedback, allowing increased pituitary FSH and LH release to stimulate egg maturation and ovulation. | Hormone treatment stimulates several eggs to mature and controls timing; eggs are collected for laboratory fertilisation. |
| Where fertilisation occurs | Can occur inside the body, usually in an oviduct. | Outside the body, in the laboratory. |
| Egg collection and embryo transfer | Not required for clomifene therapy alone. | Eggs are collected and a selected embryo is transferred into the uterus. |
| Does treatment guarantee a baby? | No. Ovulation does not guarantee fertilisation, pregnancy or a live birth. | No. Laboratory fertilisation and embryo transfer do not guarantee implantation or a live birth. |
| Measurement | Answer from the illustrative graph |
|---|---|
| Maximum concentration | 8.0 mmol dm⁻³ |
| Increase above the starting concentration | 8.0 − 5.0 = 3.0 mmol dm⁻³ |
| Time from the meal to the peak | 30 minutes |
| Time from the meal to return to the starting concentration | 120 minutes |
| Part of management | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Insulin injections or pump | Replace the insulin the pancreas cannot supply adequately. |
| Glucose monitoring | Shows glucose levels and helps guide treatment. |
| Accounting for carbohydrate intake and activity | Helps match treatment to changes in glucose supply and use. |
| Approach | How it can help |
|---|---|
| Balanced diet and appropriate carbohydrate intake | Help manage the supply of glucose from food. |
| Regular physical activity | Increases glucose use by muscles and can improve insulin sensitivity. |
| Weight management, where appropriate | Can improve blood-glucose control. |
| Medicines, sometimes including insulin | Help lower blood glucose. Different medicines may improve insulin action, reduce glucose release by the liver or act in other ways. |
| Quantity | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Group A: diagnosed in five years | 20 ÷ 500 × 100 | 4% |
| Group B: diagnosed in five years | 60 ÷ 500 × 100 | 12% |
| Percentage-point difference | 12 − 4 | 8 percentage points |
| Relative comparison: B to A | 12 ÷ 4 | 3 times the proportion |
| Relative percentage increase: A to B | (12 − 4) ÷ 4 × 100 | 200% |
| Enter the filtrate | Normally remain in the blood |
|---|---|
| Water, glucose, mineral ions and urea | Blood cells and large plasma proteins |
| Volume interval (cm³) | Midpoint (cm³) | Frequency | Midpoint × frequency (cm³) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ≤ volume < 20 | 15 | 2 | 30 |
| 20 ≤ volume < 30 | 25 | 5 | 125 |
| 30 ≤ volume < 40 | 35 | 8 | 280 |
| 40 ≤ volume < 50 | 45 | 5 | 225 |
| Total | — | 20 | 660 |
| Substance | Why it must move |
|---|---|
| Oxygen | Enters cells for aerobic respiration; supplied from the surroundings. |
| Carbon dioxide | Produced in aerobic respiration; removed from animal cells. Plants also take it in for photosynthesis. |
| Water | Needed as a solvent and in cell processes; absorbed and distributed, with excess removed. |
| Dissolved food molecules | Glucose supplies a respiratory substrate; amino acids are used to build proteins. |
| Mineral ions | Required for normal cell functions; supplied in suitable amounts. |
| Urea | Produced in the liver from excess amino acids; carried to the kidneys for excretion. |
| Side length (cm) | Surface area (cm²) | Volume (cm³) | SA : V |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 1 | 6 : 1 |
| 2 | 24 | 8 | 3 : 1 |
| 3 | 54 | 27 | 2 : 1 |
| Feature | How it improves gas exchange |
|---|---|
| Many alveoli | Provide a large total surface area for diffusion. |
| Thin alveolar and capillary walls | Each is one cell thick, keeping the diffusion pathway short. |
| Moist lining | Allows gases to dissolve before crossing the exchange surface. |
| Rich capillary supply | Brings blood with less oxygen and removes blood that has gained oxygen. |
| Ventilation | Replaces alveolar air, supplying oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. |
| Change, with other factors constant | Expected effect and reason |
|---|---|
| Increase surface area | More particles can cross at the same time, increasing total diffusion rate. |
| Increase concentration difference | A steeper gradient increases net movement from high to low concentration. |
| Increase diffusion distance | Particles must travel farther, reducing the rate across the barrier. |
| Component | Structure and main function |
|---|---|
| Red blood cells | Biconcave cells containing haemoglobin; transport oxygen. |
| White blood cells | Cells with nuclei; defend against pathogens, including by phagocytosis and antibody production. |
| Platelets | Small cell fragments; help form blood clots at damaged vessels. |
| Plasma | Watery liquid carrying cells, platelets and dissolved substances; distributes heat. |
| Cell type | Structure and function |
|---|---|
| Phagocyte | Can change shape to surround and engulf a pathogen; enzymes digest it inside the cell. Many familiar examples have lobed nuclei. |
| Lymphocyte | Has a large nucleus. Lymphocytes recognising a particular antigen can multiply; some develop into antibody-producing cells and others form memory cells. |
| Feature | Artery | Vein |
|---|---|---|
| Direction | Away from the heart. | Towards the heart. |
| Typical pressure | Higher and pulsatile. | Lower after passage through capillary networks. |
| Wall | Thicker, with more muscle and elastic tissue. | Thinner, with less muscle and elastic tissue. |
| Lumen | Relatively narrower than a comparable vein. | Relatively wide, reducing resistance to flow. |
| Valves | No valves along their usual length; valves are present at the heart exits. | Many veins have valves that prevent backflow. |
| Vessel | Route and usual oxygen status |
|---|---|
| Vena cava | Body to right atrium; deoxygenated. |
| Pulmonary artery | Right ventricle to lungs; deoxygenated. |
| Pulmonary vein | Lungs to left atrium; oxygenated. |
| Aorta | Left ventricle to body; oxygenated. |
| Coronary arteries | Branch from the aorta and supply the heart muscle with oxygenated blood. |
| Chamber | Function and wall |
|---|---|
| Right atrium | Receives blood from the body; a relatively thin wall pushes blood into the right ventricle. |
| Right ventricle | Pumps blood to the nearby lungs; thicker muscular wall than an atrium. |
| Left atrium | Receives blood from the lungs; pushes it into the left ventricle. |
| Left ventricle | Pumps to the whole body; the thickest muscular wall generates the highest pressure. |
| Location | What the valve prevents |
|---|---|
| Between right atrium and right ventricle | Backflow into the right atrium when the ventricle contracts. |
| Between left atrium and left ventricle | Backflow into the left atrium when the ventricle contracts. |
| At the start of the pulmonary artery | Backflow into the right ventricle after ejection. |
| At the start of the aorta | Backflow into the left ventricle after ejection. |
| Organism or tissue | Word equation and products |
|---|---|
| Human muscle | Glucose → lactic acid. No carbon dioxide is produced by this pathway. |
| Yeast | Glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide. This is alcoholic fermentation. |
| Feature | Aerobic | Anaerobic in human muscle | Anaerobic in yeast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses oxygen | Yes. | No. | No. |
| Glucose breakdown | Complete. | Incomplete. | Incomplete. |
| Products | Carbon dioxide and water. | Lactic acid. | Ethanol and carbon dioxide. |
| Energy per glucose | Much more. | Much less. | Much less. |
| Temperature (°C) | Corrected distances in 5 min (mm) | Mean distance (mm) | Mean speed (mm min⁻¹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 8, 9, 10 | 9 | 1.8 |
| 25 | 17, 18, 19 | 18 | 3.6 |
| Condition | Heart rate (beats min⁻¹) | Stroke volume (cm³ beat⁻¹) | Cardiac output (cm³ min⁻¹) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rest | 70 | 70 | 4900 |
| Exercise | 140 | 100 | 14000 |
| Graph | Suitable data |
|---|---|
| Line or curve | A measured rate changing over time or a controlled continuous variable such as temperature. |
| Scatter diagram | Paired numerical measurements, used to examine a correlation. |
| Bar chart with gaps | Separate categories, such as different treatment groups. |
| Histogram with touching bars | Grouped continuous measurements, such as stroke volumes. |
| Stroke volume (cm³ beat⁻¹) | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 40 ≤ volume < 50 | 2 |
| 50 ≤ volume < 60 | 5 |
| 60 ≤ volume < 70 | 8 |
| 70 ≤ volume < 80 | 5 |