Year 12 & 13 Textbook

Module 2: Foundations in Biology (34 topics)

• Microscopy
• Using Microscopes
• Microscopy Calculations
• Preparing Microscope Slides
• Eukaryotic Cell Structure
• Prokaryotic Cell Structure
• Interpreting Micrographs
• Comparing Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
• Organelle Involvement in Protein Synthesis
• Water
• Introduction to Macromolecules
• Carbohydrates
• Lipids
• Proteins
• Inorganic Ions
• Chemical Tests for Biomolecules
• Colorimetry
• Chromatography
• Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
• DNA Replication
• Genetic Code
• Protein Synthesis
• Enzymes
• Cofactors and Inhibitors
• Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity
• Biological Membranes
• Transport Across Membranes
• Water Potential and Osmosis
• Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
• Mitosis and Cytokinesis
• Meiosis
• Stem Cells
• Organisation in Animals
• Organisation in Plants

Module 3: Exchange and Transport (22 topics)

• Exchange Surfaces
• Observing Exchange Surfaces
• Mammalian Gaseous Exchange System
• Mammalian Ventilation
• Oxygen Uptake in Mammals
• Measuring Oxygen Uptake in Mammals
• Ventilation and Gas Exchange in Gills
• Ventilation and Gas Exchange in Insects
• Comparing Gas Exchange Systems
• Transport Systems in Animals
• Blood Vessels
• The Heart
• Coordination of the Cardiac Cycle
• Erythrocytes and Oxygen Transport
• Carbon Dioxide
• Tissue Fluid Formation
• The Need for Transport Systems in Plants
• Plant Vascular Systems
• Interpreting Photomicrographs of Plant Tissue
• Plant Transport of Water
• Plant Adaptations to Water
• Translocation

Module 4: Biodiversity, Evolution and Disease (29 topics)

• Communicable Diseases
• Plant Defences Against Pathogens
• Non-Specific Defences in Animals
• Introduction to White Blood Cells
• Secondary Defences
• B and T Lymphocytes
• The Primary and Secondary Immune Response
• Immunity
• Antibodies
• Autoimmune Diseases
• Vaccination and Epidemics
• Developing New Medicines
• Antibiotics and Their Use
• Biodiversity
• Human Impact on Biodiversity
• Conserving Biodiversity
• Conservation Agreements
• Measuring Biodiversity
• Calculating Biodiversity
• Measuring Genetic Biodiversity
• Variation
• Causes of Variation
• Adaptations
• Natural Selection
• Evolution and Speciation
• Evidence for Natural Selection
• Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace
• Classification
• Phylogenetics

Module 5: Communication, Homeostasis and Energy (75 topics)

• The Need for Communication Systems
• Introduction to Communication Systems
• Homeostasis and Feedback Systems
• Thermoregulation: Ectothermy and Endothermy
• The Importance of Excretion
• Functions of the Liver
• Liver Anatomy and Histology
• Interpreting Photomicrographs of the Liver
• Kidney Anatomy and Histology
• Kidney Nephrons: Filtering the Blood
• Osmoregulation: The Collecting Duct and ADH
• Interpreting Photomicrographs of the Kidney
• Kidney Failure
• Urine Analysis
• Introduction to the Nervous System
• Principles of Neuronal Communication
• Sensory Receptors
• Neurones
• Nerve Impulses
• Myelinated and Unmyelinated Neurones
• Introduction to Synapses
• Synaptic Action
• Introduction to the Endocrine System
• Principles of Hormonal Communication
• Hormones: Types and Mechanisms
• Adrenal Glands
• Pancreas Anatomy and Histology
• Control of Blood Glucose
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Treating Diabetes
• Introduction to Plant Responses
• Types of Plant Responses
• Plant Responses to Herbivory
• Principles of Plant Coordination
• The Roles of Plant Hormones
• Hormonal Control of Shoot and Root Elongation
• Hormonal Control of Stem Elongation
• Hormonal Control of Seed Germination
• Hormonal Control of Apical Dominance
• Hormonal Control of Leaf Loss
• Hormonal Control of Stress Responses
• Commercial Uses of Plant Hormones
• Communication Systems in Animals
• The Mammalian Nervous System
• The Central Nervous System
• The Peripheral Nervous System
• Reflexes
• Controlling Heart Rate
• The Fight or Flight Response
• Mammalian Muscle Structure
• Neuronal Control of Striated Muscle
• Myofibrils and the Sliding Filament Theory
• How Muscles Contract
• Importance of ATP in Muscle Contraction
• Photosynthesis and Chloroplasts
• Photosystems and the Electron Transport Chain
• The Light-Dependent Reactions
• The Light-Independent Reactions
• Uses of Triose Phosphate
• Photosynthetic Pigments in Plants
• Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis
• Thin-Layer Chromatography of Plant Pigments
• Introduction to Respiration
• Mitochondria Structures and Functions
• Glycolysis
• The Link Reaction
• The Krebs Cycle
• The Importance of Coenzymes in Cellular Respiration
• Oxidative Phosphorylation and Chemiosmosis
• Anaerobic Respiration
• Respiratory Substrates
• Respiratory Quotient
• The Interrelationship between Photosynthesis and Respiration
• Factors Affecting the Rate of Respiration
• Investigating the Rate of Respiration

Module 6: Genetics, Evolution and Ecosystems (66 topics)

• Cellular Control
• The Lac Operon
• Controlling the Cell Cycle
• Control of Body Plans
• Gene Mutations
• Introduction to Phenotypic Variation
• Generating Genetic Variation
• Interactions between Genes and the Environment
• Continuous and Discontinuous Variation
• Introduction to Genetic Inheritance
• Principles of Mendelian Inheritance
• Genetic Diagrams and Punnett Squares
• Monohybrid and Dihybrid Crosses
• Multiple Alleles
• Codominance
• Autosomal Linkage
• Sex Linkage
• Epistasis
• Modified Phenotypic Ratios
• Chi-squared Test
• Evolution and Natural Selection
• Speciation
• Geographical and Reproductive Isolation
• Hardy-Weinberg
• Artificial Selection
• Disadvantages of Artificial Selection
• DNA Sequencing
• The Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Electrophoresis
• DNA Profiling
• Uses of DNA Profiling
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
• Genetic Modification
• Gene Therapy
• Ethical Issues in Genetic Manipulation
• Introduction to Clones
• Natural Cloning in Plants
• Artificial Cloning of Plants
• Natural and Artificial Cloning in Animals
• Introduction to Biotechnology
• Culturing Microorganisms
• Standard Growth Curve
• Calculating Microorganism Population Growth
• Batch and Continuous Fermentation
• Factors Affecting the Growth of Microorganisms
• Introduction to Immobilised Enzymes
• Immobilising Enzymes
• Ecosystems
• Biomass Transfers
• Food Chains and Food Webs
• Manipulating Biomass Transfers
• Recycling in Ecosystems
• The Carbon Cycle
• The Nitrogen Cycle
• Succession
• Introduction to Sampling Methods
• Measuring Abundance
• Measuring Distribution
• Populations and Limiting Factors
• Population Growth and Carrying Capacity
• Interactions between Populations
• Predator-Prey Relationships
• Conservation and Preservation
• Managing Ecosystems and Resources
• Sustainable Management of Ecosystems for Timber
• Sustainable Management of Ecosystems for Fish