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Revise Edexcel Asa Level Biology Revision Guide Samples
Revise Edexcel Asa Level Biology Revision Guide Samples
Using a respirometer
A respirometer can be used to investigate factors affecting the rate of aerobic or
anaerobic respiration of organisms.
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A level Had a look Nearly there Nailed it!
Topic 6
Growth of bacteria
The exponential growth rate constant of a culture allows calculations of population size at any time
during the log phase since the culture started growing.
Methods for counting bacteria
Direct cell counts using a haemocytometer Dilution plating
1 A microscopic grid
2 1 cm3 1 cm3 1 cm3 1 cm3 1 cm3
of cultures
A culture is diluted until the number
ad on a plat e.
can be counted when spre
light
transmitted
suspension of bacteria
Calculating population size
Dry mass
4 A known volume of culture can
be dried and weighed to find
The number of bacteria in a population at time
t can be found from:
the dry mass of bacterial cells. Nt = N0 × 2kt
Nt = number of organisms at time t
Changes in population size in a N0 = number at the beginning of growth
bacterial culture k = exponential growth rate constant given by
log10Nt − log10N0
1 2 3 4 k = ________________
log102 × t
Log10 of numbers
You need to be able to manipulate Explain why a bacterial culture can grow
numbers in standard form. exponentially for only a limited time. (3 marks)
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Topic 8
Dihybrid inheritance
Two non-interacting unlinked genes will be inherited independently of each other. The expected ratios of
offspring with each characteristic will be the same as if the genes were considered separately.
Independent assortment Explaining the 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratio
Mendel’s second law The four different types of gamete arise
This states that the inheritance of one
characteristic will have no effect on the
1 because the chromosomes arrange
randomly during meiosis.
inheritance of another. It has become clear that
this only applies when genes are not linked on the
same chromosome (see page 112). A B A b
Dihybrid crosses look at the pattern of inheritance or
when two genes are considered at the same time.
a b a B
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Topic 1
Reaction rates
The rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction slows down as substrate is used up, so to get a true measure
of reaction rate, the inital rate should be measured.
Absorbance reading /
a cloudy protein solution
arbitrary units
1.5
slope of this line
1.0
Decrease in cloudiness is measured with gives the initial rate
1 units
a colorimeter, taking an absorbance
reading every few seconds
0.5
60 seconds
Exam skills
This exam-style question uses knowledge and skills you have already revised. Have a look at pages 33
and 34 for reminders about mitosis and how to examine mitotic cells.
(a) The illustration shows the main stages in the (c) A student decided to investigate daily rhythms in
process of mitosis. mitosis in a grass. The following data were obtained.
P Q R S T 70
in metaphase
✗ B R → S → Q → T → P
3
C S → R → T → Q → P
2
D P → S → Q → T → R
1
(b) Explain the procedure that was carried out root tip
to enable the cells to be viewed as shown.
You should start with fresh root tips from 6:30 12:30 18:30 0:30 6:30
an onion. (5 marks) Time of day
The root tips were fixed in ethanol to preserve Compare and contrast the pattern shown for shoot
the structure of the cells. A 2–3 mm piece was tips and root tips. (4 marks)
removed from the tip because this is where
Both show a change in the number of cells
dividing cells are located. This was placed in
undergoing mitosis throughout the day. Mitotic
concentrated HCl to macerate the tissue, that
activity in the shoot tip is much higher than that
is, to dissolve the ‘glue’ between the cells.
in the root tip. Shoot tips show three distinct
The tip was then placed on a slide and ethanoic
peaks at 12:30, 18:30 and 1:30, roughly every
orcein was added to stain the DNA. Finally, a
6 hours. Although the root tip shows change in
cover slip was added and pressed firmly to
numbers through the day it is much less regular
separate the cells from each other.
than in the shoot.
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Topic 2
Describe one way in which tissues and organs are similar, and one way in which they are different. (2 marks)
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Topic 3
Biodiversity
The variety in the vast array of life on Earth is its diversity, or biodiversity.
Measurement within
a habitat
An index of diversity is the most widely used
formula for measuring biodiversity of an area at
the cheetah,
the species level. A species with a small gene pool:
indi vidu als are almost
N(N – 1) Acinonyx jubatus, where all
D = ________
genetically identical.
Sn(n – 1)
Where:
N = total number of organisms of all species
n = total number of organisms of each
individual species
S = sum
D = index of diversity
This takes into account species richness
(number of species) and abundance of each
A species with a large gene pool:
species. Brassica
oleracea, has been selected to give
The higher the value of D, the greater the crops such as
cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel spro
biodiversity of the area. uts and broccoli.
This has been possible because of
the large gene
pool.
Why conserve biodiversity?
Economic reasons (ecosystem services):
• purification of air and water
• waste decomposition Explain why extinction will reduce biodiversity.
• stabilising the atmosphere and the world (3 marks)
climate Biodiversity depends on the number of
• nutrient recycling in ecosystems species. Extinction will reduce the number of
species as well as ones that depend on them.
• provides genetic diversity for the production of
crops and medicines.
It would cost money for machinery to do all these This question is worth 3 marks so
you need
things, even if it were possible. to make three points.
Ethical reasons:
• spiritual enrichment
• cognitive development
• reflection
What further data, apart from species richness, is
• recreation needed to compare the biodiversity of two sites?
• aesthetic experiences. (4 marks)
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Topic 4
O2 in O2 in
spiracle
tracheoles
tracheae
CO2 out
spiracle
Insect bodies have a branching system of tubes
(the tracheae and smaller tracheoles) running
through them. Tracheae are lined with spirals of Detail of one spiracle
chitin (a structural polysaccharide), which keeps
them open, but is also impermeable to gases. Tracheae open to the outside by pores called
Smaller tracheoles spread through insect tissues spiracles. These are found along the thorax and
and even into individual cells. They have no chitin, abdomen, and in many insects can be opened and
so are freely permeable to gases. closed by sphincters.
The tracheal system of an insect thin surfaces. In very small insects, the gradient
of O2 and CO2 between inside and outside is
Oxygen diffuses into the tracheae through the
maintained by its use within the body, keeping the
spiracles and then into the tracheoles. It then
concentration of O2 lower than in the air and that
travels to the cells of the organs. Carbon dioxide
of CO2 its higher.
leaves in the opposite way. Most of the gas
exchange occurs in the tracheoles.
In large, very active insects, such as bees and flies,
the abdomen can be pumped in and out to draw in Insect dissection
more air. This is called mechanical ventilation.
An insect can be dissected to
The insect gas exchange system therefore show the structure of the gas exchange system.
provides a large surface area, with its network
You will need fine dissecting instruments such
of thousands of tiny tracheoles, which have very
as scissors and scalpel, as well as forceps.
The dissection will need to be done, or at
least viewed, under water so that the air-filled
tracheae and tracheoles can be easily seen,
as they will be silvery. This is best done in a
Discuss the safety and ethical issues that need to be dissecting dish lined with wax on its base so the
taken into account when dissecting an insect. animal can be easily pinned in place.
(4 marks)
A dissecting microscope or hand lens is best for
An insect has a simple nervous system, so looking at what you are doing when you dissect.
reduced awareness. If a suitable species is You will need a more powerful compound
chosen, e.g. Locusta, it is abundant in nature microscope to view the tracheae and tracheoles.
so there is no threat to it or its dependent
You should record your observations in labelled
species by using it – locusts are bred for this
diagrams and you may wish to take photographs.
purpose. Take care to avoid cuts from sharp
dissection tools. Keep these implements in
an ordered fashion in a tray when not in use.
Wash hands with soap after handling insects.
Inform the teacher if you suspect you may
be allergic to locusts. Methylene blue is low
hazard when diluted. Wear eye protection Describe the route taken by an O2 molecule from the
when using the stain and wash with water if air outside to a muscle cell in an insect’s leg.
there is any contact with skin. (4 marks)
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