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AS Course
This course is divided into three Units. Units 1 and 2 are examined in a written test and Unit 3 includes a Visit or Issue Report and internal assessment of practical skills.
Theory presented in 4 topics
Topic 1: Lifestyle, health and risk
This topic builds on the knowledge and understanding which students bring to the course on the functioning of the circulatory system and the importance of lifestyle choices to health. The role of diet and other lifestyle factors in maintaining good health is considered with articular reference to the heart and circulation and to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The structures and functions of the carbohydrates and lipids are also detailed within this context. Ideas about correlation, causation and the concept of risks to health are covered.
Topic 2: Genes and health
This topic considers the following biology principles: the properties and transport of materials, across cell membranes and gas exchange surfaces, DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis and monohybrid inheritance through the context of the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF). The potential that gene therapy offers as treatment for CF is examined. The topic also allows for discussion of the social and ethical issues surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions.
Topic 3: The voice of the genome
This topic follows the story of the development of multicellular organisms form single cells to complex individuals. Cell structure and ultrastructure, cell differentiation, tissue orangisation, cell division, the importance of fertilization, the role of stem cells, gene expression are all considered within this topic, as is the role of the genotype and the effect of environment on phenotype.
Topic 4: Biodiversity and natural resources
The topic focuses on biodiversity and the wealth on natural resources used by humans. The meaning of biodiversity and how it can be measured, considered first and how all this diversity has come about through adaptation and natural selection. It has sections on both traditional and novel uses of plants and plant fibres and the use of chemical extracts from the animals and plants. The concern for disappearing biodiversity and loss of potential natural resources is used to highlight the need for biologists and loss of potential natural resources is used to highlight the need for biologists to identify the name and classify species. The topic finishes by looking at the role of zoos in conservation of endangered species. General biological principles covered include the relationship of plant anatomy to function and the structure and role of cellulose and starch.
This is examined in two external exams and one major piece of coursework on a visit or issue and continual practical assessment.
A2 course
Again four units, examined in two external exams and one individual practical project.
Topic 5: On the Wild Side
This topic builds on an appreciation that photosynthesis is the primary process that underpins the majority of ecosystems, and provides students with an understanding of how ecosystems work. The topic continues by looking at the weather climate change will lead to the extinction of species or evolution by natural selection, and looks at the evidence for global warming and its effects on plants and animals. By the end of the topic students should appreciate how scientific understanding can make us aware of our responsibilities as stewards of the environment.
Topic 6: Infection, immunity and forensics
This topic starts by the looking at forensics pathologists use a wide variety of analytical techniques to determine the identity of a person or other animal, and to establish the time and cause of death of an organism, including humans, It then considers how bacteria and viruses use a variety of routes into their hosts and how hosts have evolved barriers and internal mechanisms to combat infections. These protections are not always successful and many people in the world still die form infectious diseases. This topic also investigates the evolutionary battles that take place between invading pathogens and their hosts.
Topic 7: Run for your life
This topic is centered on the physiological adoptions that enable animals and humans, particularly sports people, and other animals to undertake strenuous exercise. It explores the links between an animals’ physiology and its performance. This topic summerises the biochemical requirements for respiration and looks at the links between homeostasis, muscle physiology and performance. It ends by looking at how medical technology is enabling more people to participate in sport by raising the issue as to whether the use of performance enhancing substances by athletes can be justified.
Topic 8: Grey matter
The scene is set by considering how the working of the nervous system enables us to see. Brain imaging and the regions of the brain are considered. The topic also demonstrates how an understanding of bran structure and functioning is relevant to such issues as the response to stimuli, the development of vision and learning. It investigates imbalances in brain chemicals may result in conditions sucha s Parkinson’s disease and its treatment with drugs are investigated. Student’s discuss the ethical issues raised by the Human genome Project and the risks and benefits of using the genetically modified organisms.