Biology

Biology by definition is the study of living organisms, it encompasses all fields large and small, from ultrastructure of the viruses to the complexities of the relationships within natural communities.  

This puts the subject at the forefront of many important fields in the world today; whether it is developing new medical treatments for both communicable and non communicable diseases or analysing the fragile nature of ecosystems and implementing conservation policies. Our aim as a department is to facillitate students curiosity into discovering how the living world interacts both at a microscopic and macroscopic level. We aid with this process by not only providing support in grasping the complexities of biological concepts of terminology but also within their practical investigative skills. This is scaffolded throughout KS3 to allow students within KS4 and KS5 to confidently complete their required practicals as well as design their own investigations. These opputunities are provided both within the lab as well as in the field to aid in breaking down the notion that all work is done within laboratory conditions. Therefore by the end of their journey within Biology, the students will have the toolsets to become both critical and creative thinkers, who are able to solve the problems of the future.

KS3-4 Pathways (Southfield) AQA GCSE Biology, AQA GCSE Combined Science
KS4-5 Pathways (Southfield) AQA A Level Biology, AQA Applied Science
KS5- Higher & Further Education
Pathways		 Zoology, Animal Behaviour, Biology, Biomolecular Science, Biomedical Science, Marine Biology, Pyschology, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Sports Science, Dentistry, Earth Science, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Geology, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Agricultural Science, Microbiology, Cell Biology
Careers  Academic researcher, Biotechnologist, Higher education lecturer, Marine biologist, Microbiologist, Nanotechnologist, Nature conservation officer, Pharmacologist, Research scientist (life sciences), Scientific laboratory technician, Secondary school teacher, Soil scientist, Teaching laboratory technician, Anatomical pathology technologist, Animal physiotherapist, Clinical scientist, cardiac sciences, Dental hygienist, Dental technician, Dental therapist, Dentist, Genetic counsellor, Health improvement practitioner, Medical science liaison, Surgeon, Neuroscientist, Physician associate, Prosthetist/orthotist, Science writer, Sustainability consultant, Veterinary Surgeon, Veterinary nurse, Zoologist
KS4 Specification links  AQA GCSE Biology Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/gcse/biology-8461/specification-at-a-glance
KS5 Specification links AQA A Level Biology Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level/biology-7401-7402/specification-at-a-glance

 
Year 10

Unit 2 - The Digestive System 

Key questions/concepts

  • What are the main structures within the digestive system? 
  • What are the roles of the different organs within the digestive system?
  • What is the lock and key theory and how does it relate to digestion?
  • What are the different molecules released by organs that aid digestion?
  • Why is it important to maintain internal conditions in terms of enzymes?

Timeframe

  • September - October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Tissue A group of specialised cells with a similar structure and function
Organ An aggregation (collection) of different tissues working together to carry ouy specific functions
Enzymes Biological catalysts. Normally proteins
Bile Neutralises stomach acid to give a high pH for the enzymes from the pancreas and small intestine to work well
Denature The breakdown of the molecular structure of a protein so it no longer functions

 

Wider reading

  • Gut by  Giulia Enders
  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 3
  • The Biologist Magazine by the Royal Society of Biology
  • https://sciencejournalforkids.org/
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA GCSE Biology Course Chapter 2.1 and 2.2

 

Unit 3 - Mass Transport in Animals and Plants 

Key questions/concepts

  • What are the different componants of blood and what are their roles?
  • How are different blood vessels adapted to their function?
  • What are the main structures of the heart and how are these coordinated during a heart beat?
  • How is a leaf adapted for gas exchange, photosynthesis and to prevent water loss?
  • What is the importance of xylem and phloem within plants?

Timeframe

  • October - November

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Stent A metal mesh placed in a blocked or partially blocked artery. They can be inflated with a tiny balloon
Haemoglobin A red pigment (a protein) that carries oxygen around the body in the red blood cells
Pacemaker cells A region of the right atrium that controls the heart rate
Transpiration The lossof water vapour within the leaves of plants, when the stomata are open to allow for gas exchange which is required for photosynthesis. This involves both evapuration and diffusion
Translocation The movement of sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant through phloem

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 4
  • The Body - Bill Bryson
  • Nature Podcast - Available on all podcast services for free
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 2.3 and 2.5

 

Unit 4 - Bioenergetics

Key questions/concepts

  • How are do plants use the products of photosynthesis?
  • Why does is knowledge of the limiting factors of photosynthesis vital for food production?
  • How does the body respond to exercise in terms of respiration?
  • How does anaerobic respiration differ between organisms?
  • Explain why the liver is known as the metabolic organ.
  • How do plants respond to different stimuli?

Timeframe

  • November - December

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Limiting factors Limit the rate of a reaction.
Nitrates Mineral ions required by plants to form proteins
Oxygen Debt The extra oxygen that must be taken into the body after exercise has stopped to complete the aerobic respiration of lactic acid.
Lactic Acid The end product of anaerobic respiration in animals.
Metabolism The sum of all reactions taking place in a cell or the body of an organism.

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 8 and 9
  • Lab Girl by Hope Jahren
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 11 episode 5 - "Whats the point of Plants?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 4

 

Unit 5 - Communicable Diseases

Key questions/concepts

  • Analyse the different types of pathogens that cause disease and how these are able to enter the body.
  • How are we able to grow cultures safely in labroratory conditions?
  • Why is knowledge of the immune system important in developing new treatments?
  • How are new treatments discovered and developed safely?
  • How are plants adapted to protect themselves from multiple forms of disease?

Timeframe

  • December - January

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Pathogen Microorganisms that cause disease
Antibody Produce that target specific organisms within a immune response
Vaccine Dead or inactive pathogenic material used in vaccinations to develop immunity to a disease within healthy individuals.
Placebo A medicine that does not contain the active drug that is being tested.
Toxicity A measure of how toxic a substance is

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 5 and 6
  • Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic by David Quammen
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 17 episode 3 - "Antibiotics"
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 3

 

Unit 6 - Non Communicable Disease

Key questions/concepts

  • What are the different risk factors that can result in a noncommunicable disease?
  • How do cancers form and how can they be treated?
  • What impacts does smoking have in health?
  • What impacts does alcohol have on health?
  • How does both smoking and alcohol impact pregnancy?

Timeframe

  • February - March

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Non Communicable Disease Non infectious diseases that can not be passed from one indivdual to another.
Benign Tumour Growths of abnormal cells that are contained in one area.
Malignant Tumours that invade neigbouring tissues and spread to other parts of the body in the blood where they form secondary tumours. Also known as cancers.
Carcinogen Agents that cause cancer or significantly increase the risk of developing cancer.
Correlation an apparent link or relationship between two factors.

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 7
  • The First Cell: and the human costs of pursuing cancer to the last by Azra Raza
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 2.4

 

Unit 7 - Homeostasis

Key questions/concepts

  • What are the similarites and differences between a nervous response and a reflex?
  • How does the eye and brain work together to form an image?
  • How do the pancreas and liver work together to control blood glucose concentration?
  • Why is it important to understand the negative feedback loop of the menstrual cycle in order to aid both contraception and fertility treatments?
  • How does the kidney and pituitary work together to control water levels in humans?
  • How do plants respond to different stimuli?

Timeframe

  • April - July

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Homeostasis The regulation of the internal conditions of a cell or organism to maintain optimum conditions for function in response to external and internal changes.
Synapse The junction between neurones that use the diffusion of neurotransmitters (chemicals) to transfer the electrical impulse.
Hormone A chemical messenger produced by the endocrine system that travels via the blood to act on the function of target organs.
Tropism The response of plant roots and shoots to environmental stimuli such as light or gravity.
Accomadation The automatic adjustment of the focus of the eye by flattening or thickening of the lens.

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 10,11 and 12
  • Incognito by David Eagleman
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 5
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 7 episode 5 - "Creating Life"
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 7 episode 4 - "Teenage Brain"
Year 11

Unit 8 - Variation, Inheritance and Genetics 

Key questions/concepts

  • Why and how does meisosis resulting in genetic variation?
  • How does the structure of DNA result in the production of specific proteins?
  • How are can we predict if an individual will have an inherited disease?
  • How does variation result in natural selection?
  • What technologies have we developed that can change/manipulate the genetics of organisms?

Timeframe

  • September - October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Asexual Involves only one individual and the offspring is genetically identical to the parent.
Gametes A sex cell that only has half the genetic information of a normal adult cell. Used in sexual reproduction.
Meiosis Two stage process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number of daughter cells. It is involved in making gametes for sexual reproduction.
Genotype The allele combinantion for a particular characteristic.
Genetic Engineering The process by which scientists can manipulate and change the genotype of an organism.

 

Wider reading

  • The Double Helix by James Watson
  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 13 and 14
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 17 episode 5 - "Creating Life"
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 6.1 - 6.3

 

Unit 9 - Theories of Evolution

Key questions/concepts

  • How does Medels work fits in with modern ideas of genetics?
  • How has the theory of evolution developed over time?
  • How can a new species arise?
  • What are the different fields of evidence that support the theory of evolution?
  • How are different groups of species organised?

Timeframe

  • October - November

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Evolutionary Trees Models use to explain the evolutionary links between groups of organisms.
Extinction The permanent loss of members of a species from an area or from the world.
Classification The organisation of living organsms into groups according to their similarities.
Species A group of organisms that can interbreed and produced fertile offspring.
Domain Highest taxonomic rank in the hierachical classification system.

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 15
  • The Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions by David Quammen
  • Alfred Russel Wallace: A Rediscovered Life by Michael Flannery
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 5 episode 3 - "The Origins of Life"
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 8 episode 5 - "Alfred Russel Wallace"

 

Unit 10 - Interdependence

Key questions/concepts

  • What are the different factors than can impact populations within an ecosystem?
  • How are we able to study the affect of abiotic and biotic factors on ecosystems?
  • How do adaptations within animals allow them to survive in different environments?
  • How are plants adapted to survive in dry environments?
  • How do both animals and plants compete for resources?

Timeframe

  • November - January

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Extremophile An organism that can survive and reproduce in extreme conditions
Abundance A measure of how common or rare a particular type of organism is in a given environment
Competition The process by which living organisms compete with each other for limited resources such as food, light or reproductive partners
Interdependence  The network of relationships between different organisms within a community, for example each species depends on other species for food, shelter, pollination, e.t.c.
Distribution Where particular types of organisms are found within an environment

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 16
  • The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 17 episode 5 - "How Animals Behave"
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 7.1 

 

Unit 11 - Biological Cycles

Key questions/concepts

  • What are the different feeding relationships within a community?
  • How are materials recycled within a stable community?
  • What are the different processes that remove and add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
  • What are the different factors that effect the rate of decomposition?
  • Why are decomposers so important to an ecosystem?

Timeframe

  • January - February

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Biomass The amount of biological material within an organism
Producer Organisms such as plants and algae that can make food from raw materails such as carbon dioxide and water
Decomposer Microorganisms that break down waste products and dead bodies
Primary Consumers Animals that eat plants
Carbon Cycle The cycling of carbon through the living and non living world

 

Wider reading

  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 17
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 19 episode 1 - "Microbes - Secret Rulers of the World?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 7.2

 

Unit 12 - Humans and the Environment

Key questions/concepts

  • What impacts are there of an ever increasing human population?
  • How are we causing pollution in the air, water and land?
  • How can we maintain biodiversity within natural ecosystems?
  • How are are energy transfers impacted across tropic levels?
  • How can we make the food supply sustainable for an ever growing population?

Timeframe

  • February - April

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Biodiversity A measure of the variety of all the different species of organisms on earth
Trophic Levels Feeding levels in an ecosystem
Pyramid of numbers Model of feeding relationships based on the biomass at each level of a food chain
Mycoprotein A protein made from funghi
Bioaccumalation The accumulation over time of a substance and especially a contaminant (such as a pesticide or heavy metal) in a living organism

 

Wider reading

  • Silent Spring by Rachel Carsen
  • AQA GCSE Biology; Chapter 18
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 9 episode 5 - "Should we Pander to Pandas"
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 10 episode 5 - "Can Science Save Us?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - Chapter 7.3 - 7.5
Year 12

Unit 1 - Biological Molecules 

Key questions/concepts

  • Carbohydrate Structure, Function and Variations
  • Protein Structure, Function and Variations
  • Lip Structure, Function and Variations
  • Quantative and Qualitative tests of unknown samples to discover the biological molecule
  • Factors and theory behind enzyme activity

Timeframe

  • September - October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Condensation Reaction The process of combinging molecules with the production of a water molecules
Hydrolysis Reaction The chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water
Polymer A substance which has a molecular structure built up chiefly or completely from a large number of similar units bonded together
Monomer A molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer
Hydrophyllic A molecule or substance that is attracted to water

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 1
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 23 episode 4 - "The Science of Cooking"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 1.1 - 1.4

 

Unit 2 - Nucleic Acids 

Key questions/concepts

  • Differences and Similarities between the structures of DNA and RNA
  • The process of semi conservative replication within DNA
  • The experimental evidence of Meselson and Stahl towards semi conservative DNA Replication
  • The importance of water to the maintenance of life
  • The importance of ATP as a molecule for storing energy

Timeframe

  • October - November

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Nucleotide A compound that forms the basal unit of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA
Semi Conservative Relating to or denoting replication of a nucleic acid in which one complete strand of each double helix is directly derived from the parent molecule
Complementary The standard arrangement of bases in nucleotides in relation to their opposite pairing, such as thymine being paired with adenine and cytosine paired with guanine
Dipolar Having two poles
Metabolism The chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life

Wider reading

  • Meselson, Stahl, and the Replication of DNA: A History of "The Most Beautiful Experiment in Biology" by Frederic Lawrence Holmes
  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 2
  • Nature Podcast - AvaiSeneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 1.5 - 1.8lable on all podcast services for free
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 1.5 - 1.8

 

Unit 3 - Cell Structure 

Key questions/concepts

  • Evaluating the different methods of studying cells including Cell Fractionation and Microscopy
  • Analyse the differences in ultrastructure between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
  • Analyse the importance of Cell Differention
  • Discuss whether Virus's should be classed as living organisms 
  • Analyse the different stages within the Cell cycle, including the process of Mitosis

Timeframe

  • September - October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Ultracentrifugation A very fast centrifuge used to precipitate large biological molecules from solution or separate them by their different rates of sedimentation
Calibration curve A general method for determining the concentration of a substance in an unknown sample by comparing the unknown to a set of standard samples of known concentration
Ultrastructure Fine structure, especially within a cell, that can be seen only with the high magnification obtainable with an electron microscope
Chromatid Each of the two threadlike strands into which a chromosome divides longitudinally during cell division. Each contains a double helix of DNA
Cytokinesis The cytoplasmic division of a cell at the end of mitosis or meiosis, bringing about the separation into two daughter cells

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 3
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 22 episode 9 - "What is Life?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 2.1-2.2

 

Unit 4 - Transport Across Cell Membranes 

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane
  • Distinguish between diffusion and facillitated diffusion
  • Describe the conditions required for active transport
  • Explain what happens when animal and plant cells are put in pure water
  • Explain the role of co transport within the abroption of products from carbohydrate absorption

Timeframe

  • October - November

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Phospholipid A lipid containing a phosphate group in its molecule
Channel protein A protein that allows the transport of specific substances across a cell membrane
Water Potential A measure of the potential of water to move between regions of differing concentrations across a water-permeable membrane
Hypotonic Having a lower osmotic pressure than a particular fluid, typically a body fluid or intracellular fluid
Co-transport The linked, simultaneous transport one substance across a membrane, coupled with the simultaneous transport of another substance across the same membrane in the same direction

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 4
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 6 episode 3 - "Does Size Matter?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 2.3

 

Unit 5 - Cell Recognition and the immune system 

Key questions/concepts

  • Describe the role of lyososomes in phagocytosis
  • Analyse the difference between T Lymphocytes and B Lymphocytes and their roles in immunity
  • Explain how antibodies are able to target specific cells
  • Describe the features of an effective vaccination programme
  • Explain how HIV causes AIDS

Timeframe

  • December - January

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Cell mediated response The response to an organisms own cells that have been infected by non-self material from a different species
Humoural response A form of immunity whereby b lymphocytes and plasma cells produce antibodies to foreign agents (antigens) and stimulate t lymphocytes to attack them (cellular immunity)
Antigenic Variability The mechanism by which an infectious agent such as a protozoan, bacterium or virus alters the proteins or carbohydrates on its surface and thus avoids a host immune response
Monoclonal Antibodies A substance, usually a protein, which can be synthsised in the laboratory in pure form by a single clone (population) of cells
Retrovirus Any of a group of RNA viruses which insert a DNA copy of their genome into the host cell in order to replicate

Wider reading

  • Microbe Hunters by Paul De Kruif
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 18 episode 3 - "Immune System"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 2.4

 

Unit 6 - Exchange Surfaces 

Key questions/concepts

  • Analyse how surfaces are specially adapted to facilitate exchange
  • Explain how insects exchange gases
  • Explain how leaves are adapted for both gas exchange and limiting water loss
  • To understand how humans are adpaeted for both ventilation and gas exchange
  • Discuss how humans are adapted both break down large molecules and then absorb the products of digestion

Timeframe

  • December - January

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Spiracles An external respiratory opening, especially each of a number of pores on the body of an insect
Counter current flow A current flowing in an opposite direction to another
Ventilation The process of taking in oxygen from the air that enters the lungs through inhalation and releasing of carbon dioxide through exhalation
Lumen The central cavity of a tubular or other hollow structure in an organism or cell
Xerophyte A plant which needs very little water

Wider reading

  • The Insects Structure and Function - R.F. Chapman (Chapter 17)
  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 6
  • The Multifunctional Fish Gill: Dominant Site of Gas Exchange, Osmoregulation, Acid-Base Regulation, and Excretion of Nitrogenous Waste DAVID H. EVANS, PETER M. PIERMARINI, AND KEITH P. CHOE
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 3.1 - 3.3

 

Unit 7 - Mass Transport 

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how the properties of heamoglobin in different organisms allow them to adapt to differenct oxygen concentrations
  • Link how changes in pressure and volume within the heart to the hearts structure and the cardiac cycle
  • Describe how fluid is returned to the body  via the lynphatic system

Timeframe

  • February - April

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Oxygen dissociation curve A curve that plots the proportion of hemoglobin in its saturated (oxygen-laden) form on the vertical axis against the prevailing oxygen tension on the horizontal axis
Hydrostatic pressure The pressure exerted by a fluid at rest due to the force of gravity
Ultrafiltration Filtration using a medium fine enough to retain colloidal particles, viruses, or large molecules
Cohesion The sticking together of particles of the same substance
Mass flow theory The narrowness of the tubes and the existence of plates help to produce pressure differences between different areas of the phloem and to stimulate a vast movement of materials from one place to another

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 7
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 16 episode 3 - "Oxygen: A Matter of Life or Death"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 3.4

 

Unit 8 - DNA, Genes and Protein Synthesis

Key questions/concepts

  • Compare the genetic material within prokaryotes and eukaryotes
  • Describe the structure of multiple RNA molecules
  • Explain how pre-mRNA is produced during transcription
  • Describe how pre-mRNA is modified to form RNA
  • Describe the roles of mRNA, tRNA and ribosomes within translation

Timeframe

  • February - March

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Codon A sequence of three nucleotides which together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule
Degenerate code Most Amino acids are able to be coded by more than one codon
Histones Any of a group of basic proteins found in chromatin
Polypeptide A linear organic polymer consisting of a large number of amino-acids
Splicing Joining or inserting gene fragments. The removal on introns and joining of exons

Wider reading

  • The Selfish Gene - Richard Dakwins
  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 8
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 4.1-4.2

 

Unit 9 - Genetic Diversity

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how a change in gentic code can/can not result in a mutation
  • Describe the process of meiosis and how it differs from mitosis
  • Explain how meiosis can result in genetic variation
  • Explain how genetic diversiy enables natural selection
  • Explain what stabilising and directional selection are

Timeframe

  • March - April

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Recombination The rearrangement of genetic material, especially by crossing over in chromosomes or by the artificial joining of segments of DNA from different organisms
Homologous (of chromosomes) pairing at meiosis and having the same structural features and pattern of genes
Allele frequency The frequency of an allele relative to that of other alleles of the same gene in a population
Genetic diversity The sum of various alleles within a species or a population
Gene pool The total number of genes of every individual in an interbreeding population

Wider reading

  • The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin
  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 9
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 10 episode 2 - "Are Humans Uniquely Unique?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 4.3-4.4

 

Unit 10 - Biodiversity

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how courtship is the precursor to mating
  • Explain how classification is related to evolution
  • Explain how a diversity index is used to measure species diversity
  • Explain the balance between conservation and Farming
  • Analyse the different techniques used in comparing genetic diversity both within and between species

Timeframe

  • April

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Phylogeny The evolutionary history of the development of a species or of a taxonomic group of organisms
Hierachy An arrangement or classification of things according to relative importance or inclusiveness
Species Richness Pertains to a number of different species represent in a given ecological community
Intercropping Grow (a crop) among plants of a different kind, usually in the space between rows
Sampling bias When some members of a population are systematically more likely to be selected in a sample than others

Wider reading

  • How Zoologists organise things: the art of classification by David Rainbridge
  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 10
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 17 episode 2 - "The Secret Life of Birds"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 4.5-4.7

 

Unit 11 - Photosynthesis

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how a plant leaf is adapted to carrying out photosynthesis
  • Explain the processes of oxidation and reduction
  • Explain how chloroplasts are adapted to carry out the light-dependent reaction
  • Explain how carbon dioxide is incorporated into organic molecules
  • Describe the events of the calvin cycle

Timeframe

  • June - July

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Photolysis The decomposition or separation of molecules by the action of light
Photoionisation Ionization produced in a medium by the action of electromagnetic radiation
Thylakoid Each of a number of flattened sacs inside a chloroplast, bounded by pigmented membranes on which the light reactions of photosynthesis take place
Grana The stacks of thylakoids embedded in the stroma of a chloroplast
Stroma The matrix of a chloroplast, in which the grana are embedded

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 11
  • The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World by Peter Wohlleben
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 5.1

 

Unit 14 - Response to Stimuli

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain the advantages to organisms being able to respond to stimuli
  • Describe the different tropisms within plants and the stimuli they respond to
  • Outline the importance of reflex arcs
  • Explain how receptors work together in the eye
  • Explain how the autonomic nervouse system controls heart rate

Timeframe

  • June - July

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Autonomic Involuntary or unconscious
Transducers Converts variations in a physical quantity, such as pressure or brightness, into an electrical signal, or vice versa
Generator potential A graded response to a stimulus, or a graded depolarization induced in the terminal of a sensory receptor, which after achieving a certain level (firing threshold), is capable of producing an action potential in the afferent axon in the nearby sensory neuron
Depolarised The deprivation or the process of neutralization of polarity, as that in nerve cells
Tropism The turning of all or part of an organism in a particular direction in response to an external stimulus

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 14
  • Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness by Peter Godfrey Smith
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 6.1
Year 13

Unit 12 - Respiration

Key questions/concepts

  • Describe the main stages of glycolysis and its products
  • Outline the nature of the link reaction
  • Describe the nature of hydrogen carrier molecules and explain their role in the krebs cycle
  • Explain how ATP is synthesised during oxidative phosphorylation
  • Explain how energy is released in the absence of oxygen

Timeframe

  • September - October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Phosphorylation Introduce a phosphate group into (a molecule or compound)
Krebs cycle The sequence of reactions by which most living cells generate energy during the process of aerobic respiration. It takes place in the mitochondria, using up oxygen and producing carbon dioxide and water as waste products, and ADP is converted to energy-rich ATP
Glycolysis The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid
Coenzymes A non-protein compound that is necessary for the functioning of an enzyme
Pyruvate Pyruvate is commonly seen as one of the last products of glycolysis where a couple of its molecules can be produced by the relative breakdown of a single glucose molecule

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 12
  • Power, Sex, Suicide: Mitochondria and the meaning of life by Nick Lane
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 5.2

 

Unit 13 - Energy and Ecosystems

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how energy is transferrred between the organisms within an ecosystem
  • Explain how energy is lost along a food chain
  • Summarise the common features of all nutrient cycles
  • Explain the role of saprobiotic organisms in nutrient cycling
  • Describe the main environmental effects of using nitrogen containing fertilisers

Timeframe

  • October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Biomass The total mass of all living material in a specific area, habitat, or region
GPP The amount of chemical energy, typically expressed as carbon biomass, that primary producers create in a given length of time
NPP The difference between the energy fixed by autotrophs and their respiration
Saprotroph An organism that feeds on or derives nourishment from decaying organic matter
Mutualistic Symbiosis which is beneficial to both organisms involved

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 13
  • Tales From The Underground: A Natural History Of Subterranean Life by David Wolfe
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 23 episode 1 - "In Praise of Flies"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 5.3-5.4

 

Unit 15 - Nervous Coordination and Muscles

Key questions/concepts

  • Describe the nature of a resting potentila
  • Explain how an action potential is created and passed along a neurone
  • Explain how information is transmitted across a synapse
  • Describe the gross and microscopic structure of skeletal muscle
  • Explain how the sliding filament mechanism causes a muscle to contract and relax

Timeframe

  • September - October

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Neuromuscular junction A chemical synapse between a motoneuron and a muscle fiber, through which a signal is transmitted that ultimately cause the muscle to contract
Summation Cumulative muscular or neural effects produced by the frequent repetition of stimuli
Threshold value The level of a stimulus that triggers an action potential
Myelinated A nerve fibre enclosed in a myelin sheath
Sarcomere A structural unit of a myofibril in striated muscle, consisting of a dark band and the nearer half of each adjacent pale band

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 15
  • Brainscapes: The Warped, Wondrous Maps Written in Your Brain—And How They Guide You by Rebecca Schawzlose
  • The Body - Bill Bryson
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 6.2 - 6.3

 

Unit 16 - Homeostasis

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how negative feedback helps to control homeostatic processes
  • Explain the role of insulin, glucagon and adrenaline in regulating blood glucose
  • Explain how both types of diabetes can be controlled
  • Explain how the structure of the nephron allows for the selective reabsorption of both water and ions
  • Explain how the water potential of the blood is regulated through the use of hormones

Timeframe

  • November - December

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Homeostatic Control system to ensure a stable internal environment is maintained
Islets of Langerhans The endocrine region of the pancreas, i.e. pancreatic cells that produce hormones, mainly glucagon and insulin
Podocytes Highly specialized cells of the kidney glomerulus that wrap around capillaries and that neighbor cells of the Bowman's capsule
Glomerulus A network of small blood vessels (capillaries) known as a tuft, located at the beginning of a nephron in the kidney
Osmoregulation The maintenance of constant osmotic pressure in the fluids of an organism by the control of water and salt concentrations

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 16
  • Allostasis, Homeostasis, and the Costs of Physiological Adaptation by Jay Schulkin
  • The Naked Scientist - Podcast
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 6.3

 

Unit 17 - Inherited Change

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how a single gene is inherited
  • Distinguish between the inheritance of mutliple alleles when on the same chromosome and on different chromosomes
  • Analyse hwo different genes can mask the affect of other genes
  • Explain how blood groups are inherited and how diseases can be inherited differently depending on sex
  • Demonstrate how the chi-squared test is used within genetics

Timeframe

  • November - December

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Allele Each of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome
Epistasis The interaction of genes that are not alleles, in particular the suppression of the effect of one such gene by another
Phenotype The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment
Autosomes Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome
Codominance Neither allele is recessive and the phenotypes of both alleles are expressed

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 17
  • The Extended Phenotype by Richard Dawkins
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 13 episode 4 - "Battle of the Sexes?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 7.1

 

Unit 18 - Populations and Evolution

Key questions/concepts

  • Use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to calculate allele, geneotype and phenotype frequencies
  • Explain the role of overproduciton of offspring in natural selection
  • Explain the effects of the different types of selection on evolution
  • Explain how new species are formed
  • Describe the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation

Timeframe

  • January - February

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Allopatric Occurring in separate non-overlapping geographical areas
Sympatric Occurring within the same or overlapping geographical areas.
Adaptive radiation The diversification of several new species from a recent ancestral source, each adapted to utilize or occupy a vacant adaptive zone
Genetic drift A method of changing the population’s frequency of an allele by chance where some individuals with specific allele reproduce more than the others
Genetic Bottleneck A population is greatly reduced in size, limiting the genetic diversity of the species

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 18
  • The Red Queen by Matt Ridley
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 19 episode 4 - "Are Humans Still Evolving?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 7.2 - 7.3

 

Unit 19 - Populations in Ecosystems

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain what is meant by an ecosystem and all the different components within it
  • Explain how both abiotic and biotic factors affect population size
  • Explain how both interspecific and intraspecific competition influence population size
  • Describe how to sample population sizes in both moving and non moving species
  • Explain how managing succession can help to conserve habitats

Timeframe

  • February - March

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Niche A role taken by a particular type of organism within its community
Carrying capactity The maximum number of individuals (of that species) that the environment can carry and sustain, considering its geography or physical features
Selection pressure Factors that contribute to selection which variations will provide the individual with an increase chance of surviving over others
Abundance The quantity or amount of something present in a particular area, volume, or sample
Succession The process by which a plant or animal community successively gives way to another until a stable climax is reached

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 19
  •  A Life on Our planet by David Attenborough
  • Planet Earth 2 - BBC iPlayer
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 7.4

 

Unit 20 - Gene Expression

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how different mutations result in different amino acid sequences
  • Describe the orgins and uses of the different types of stem cells
  • Explain how oestrogen affects gene transcription
  • Explain the effects of both methylation and acetylation on DNA
  • Explain how both environmental and genetic factors can lead to the formation of cancers

Timeframe

  • January - February

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Epigenetics The study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself
Totipotency Capability of giving rise to any cell type or (of a blastomere) a complete embryo
Proteome The entire complement of proteins that is or can be expressed by a cell, tissue, or organism
Acetylation Introduce an acetyl group into (a molecule or compound)
Methylation Introduce an methyl group into (a molecule or compound)

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 20
  • Genome by Matt Ridley
  • The Epigenetics Revolution by Nessa Carey
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 8.1-8.3

 

Unit 21 - Recombinant DNA Technology

Key questions/concepts

  • Explain how reverse transcriptase and endonucleases are used to create gene fragments
  • Analyse how DNA fragments can be inserted into both vectors and host cells with the use of gene markers
  • Explain how the polymerase chain reaction is carried out and why it is known as In Vitro gene cloning
  • Discuss how DNA probes are used to identify specific alleles, and how gene counsellors are used to discuss the issues raised by these
  • Explain how gel electrophoresis is carried out and how this can be used for genetic fingerprinting

Timeframe

  • February - March

Key vocabulary

Word/phrase Definition
Vector A bacteriophage or plasmid which transfers genetic material into a cell, or from one bacterium to another
Endonuclease An enzyme which cleaves a polynucleotide chain by separating nucleotides other than the two end ones
Anneal Recombine (DNA) in the double-stranded form
Reverse Transcriptase An enzyme which is used to make a double stranded DNA molecule form a single stranded RNA template
In Vitro Performed or taking place in a test tube, culture dish, or elsewhere outside a living organism

Wider reading

  • Oxford AQA Biology; Chapter 21
  • Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity by Jamie Metzl
  • The Infinite Monkey Cage Podcast - Series 12 episode 6  - "Forensic Science?"
  • Seneca Online Learning - AQA A Level Biology Course - Chapter 8.4
Back to Academic Curriculum

Admissions

Access our current admissions information

Examinations

Details on forthcoming exams

Professional Learning Hub

Collaborative staff development
Sixth Form
Academic Curriculum
Video
Explore our school...