AQA
AQA GCSE Biology (8461)
Spec code 8461 · v2016 · valid from 2016
7 domains · 42 topics
Mastered In progress Not started Higher tier
B1
Cell biology
3 topics- B1.1Cell structure: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, animal and plant cells, specialised cells, microscopy and culturing microorganisms
- B1.2Cell division: chromosomes, mitosis and the cell cycle, stem cells from embryos and meristems, therapeutic uses and ethics
- B1.3Transport in cells: diffusion, osmosis, active transport and how surface area, distance and gradient affect rate
B2
Organisation
3 topics- B2.1Principles of organisation: cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
- B2.2Animal tissues, organs and systems: human digestive system and enzymes, the heart and blood vessels, blood, coronary heart disease and lifestyle risk factors
- B2.3Plant tissues, organs and systems: leaf as an organ, transpiration, translocation and the role of stomata and guard cells
B3
Infection and response
4 topics- B3.1Communicable diseases: viral, bacterial, fungal and protist pathogens; spread and prevention; specific examples (measles, HIV, TMV, Salmonella, gonorrhoea, rose black spot, malaria)
- B3.2Human defence systems: physical and chemical barriers, white blood cells (phagocytosis, antibodies, antitoxins), vaccination and herd immunity
- B3.3Treating, curing and preventing disease: antibiotics and painkillers, drug discovery and clinical trials, monoclonal antibodies
- B3.4Plant disease: detection and identification, defence responses, pathogens and ion deficiency symptoms
B4
Bioenergetics
3 topics- B4.1Photosynthesis: equation, limiting factors, the inverse-square law and uses of glucose by plants
- B4.2Respiration: aerobic and anaerobic respiration in animals and plants, response to exercise and oxygen debt
- B4.3Metabolism and the liver: synthesis and breakdown reactions, conversion of glucose to glycogen, lipids to glycerol/fatty acids, deamination and urea formation
B5
Homeostasis and response
10 topics- B5.1Homeostasis: regulating the internal environment for cell function and enzyme action; receptors, coordinators and effectors
- B5.2The human nervous system: structure and function, sensory and motor neurones, the CNS, reflex arcs and synapses
- B5.3The brain: regions and functions; methods of investigation and the difficulties of treating brain damage
- B5.4The eye: structure and function, accommodation, common defects (myopia, hyperopia) and their correction
- B5.5Control of body temperature: thermoregulatory centre, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, sweating and shivering
- B5.6Hormonal coordination in humans: endocrine glands, pituitary as master gland, adrenaline and thyroxine (negative feedback, HT)
- B5.7Control of blood glucose: pancreas, insulin and glucagon, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and their treatment
- B5.8Maintaining water and nitrogen balance: kidney function, ADH, dialysis vs transplant
- B5.9Hormones in human reproduction: puberty, the menstrual cycle, contraception, fertility treatments and IVF
- B5.10Plant hormones: auxin and tropisms, uses of plant hormones in horticulture and agriculture
B6
Inheritance, variation and evolution
10 topics- B6.1Reproduction: sexual vs asexual reproduction, meiosis, advantages and disadvantages of each strategy
- B6.2DNA and the genome: structure of DNA, the human genome project and its uses
- B6.3DNA structure (HT): nucleotides, complementary base pairing, protein synthesis (transcription, translation) and effects of mutations
- B6.4Inheritance: alleles, dominant/recessive, genotype and phenotype, Punnett squares, sex determination, inherited disorders (cystic fibrosis, polydactyly) and embryo screening
- B6.5Variation: genetic, environmental and combined causes; mutations as the source of new alleles
- B6.6Evolution by natural selection, speciation, selective breeding and risks of inbreeding
- B6.7Genetic engineering: principles and uses (insulin, golden rice, GM crops), benefits and concerns
- B6.8Cloning: tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants and adult cell cloning
- B6.9Theories of evolution: Darwin and Wallace, Lamarck, evidence from fossils, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and extinction
- B6.10Classification of living organisms: Linnaean system, three-domain system (Woese) and evolutionary trees
B7
Ecology
9 topics- B7.1Communities and ecosystems: levels of organisation, interdependence, abiotic and biotic factors, structural, behavioural and functional adaptations
- B7.2Organisation of an ecosystem: food chains, predator–prey cycles, sampling techniques (quadrats and transects)
- B7.3Cycling materials: water cycle, carbon cycle and decomposition, including factors affecting decay rate
- B7.4Decomposition (HT): rate of decay, compost and biogas generation, anaerobic digestion
- B7.5Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction: pollution, land use, deforestation and peat bog destruction
- B7.6Global warming: causes, evidence and consequences for biodiversity and ecosystems
- B7.7Maintaining biodiversity: conservation programmes, breeding programmes, reforestation and field margins
- B7.8Trophic levels and biomass transfer (HT): pyramids of biomass, calculating efficiency of biomass transfer between trophic levels
- B7.9Food security and modern farming: factors threatening food security, sustainable fisheries and biotechnology in food production