Key term
CCEA A-Level Biology 1010
Biological Molecules
Topic overviewWater as a solventInorganic ions and their rolesMonosaccharides and the glycosidic bondDisaccharides and polysaccharidesLipids, triglycerides and phospholipidsAmino acids and protein structureProtein shape, conjugated proteins and prionsNucleic acids: nucleotides, DNA and RNADNA replication and the Meselson–Stahl experimentBiochemical tests and paper chromatography
Enzymes
Topic overviewEnzymes as globular proteins and the active siteSpecificity, cofactors and coenzymesActivation energy and models of enzyme actionThe effect of temperature and pHThe effect of substrate and enzyme concentrationCompetitive and non-competitive inhibitionEnzymes as biomarkers of disease and inhibitors as drugsImmobilised enzymes and biosensors
Viruses and Cell Structure
Topic overviewBacteriophage and HIV structureViral replication in host cellsProkaryotic and eukaryotic cells comparedMembrane structure: the fluid mosaic modelFunctions of membrane componentsMitochondria and chloroplastsRibosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and lysosomesThe nucleus, the cytoskeleton and plasmodesmataPlant, fungal and animal cellsMicroscopy, cell measurement and cell fractionation
Cell Physiology and Transport
Continuity of Cells
Topic overviewThe cell cycle: interphase and the gap phasesControl points in the cell cycle and cancerChromosome structure, haploidy and diploidyMitosis: the events of the four stagesCytokinesis and the significance of mitosisAnticancer drugs and the cell cycleMeiosis I and the first divisionMeiosis II and the significance of meiosisPreparing and examining slides of cell division
Tissues and Organs
Exchange Surfaces and Gas Exchange
Topic overviewSurface area, volume and the surface area to volume ratioFeatures of efficient exchange surfacesThe need for mass transport systemsFick's law and the rate of gas exchangeGas exchange in plants and the compensation pointGas exchange at the alveolusThe respiratory tree and the mechanism of ventilationThe effects of smoking on the breathing systemUsing a respirometer to measure gas exchange
Transport in Plants
Topic overviewEpidermis, endodermis and the tissues of the rootXylem vessels and their lignification patternsPhloem: sieve-tube elements and companion cellsWater and mineral ion uptake by root hairsThe apoplast and symplast pathwaysTranspiration and the factors affecting its rateCohesion-tension theory and the transpiration streamTranslocation of organic solutes in the phloemXerophytes and hydrophytes
The Circulatory System in Mammals
Topic overviewDouble circulation and the major blood vesselsThe structure and function of arteries, veins and capillariesAtherosclerosis, atheroma and the investigation of blood vesselsThe structure of the mammalian heartThe cardiac cycle and the operation of the valvesMyogenic stimulation and the electrocardiogramBlood cells and the stained blood filmPlasma, tissue fluid and blood clottingHaemoglobin and the oxygen dissociation curveThe Bohr effect, myoglobin and altitude
Adaptation and Biodiversity
Topic overviewAdaptation and the ways organisms meet environmental challengesEcological factors and the ecological nicheSampling procedures and sampling devicesEstimating abundance, density, frequency and percentage coverThe biochemical basis of life and the levels of biodiversityMeasuring species diversity with Simpson's indexHandling data: averages, spread and the t-testTaxonomy, nomenclature and the binomial systemThe concept of a speciesThe taxonomic hierarchy from genus to kingdomPhylogenetic taxonomy and molecular evidenceThe five kingdom system: prokaryotae, protoctista and fungiPlantae, animalia and alternative classification systems
Human Impact on Biodiversity
Topic overviewMonoculture, polyculture and intensive agricultureCrop rotation and hedgerow conservationPredator strips, pesticides and integrated pest managementOrganic pollution of waterways by slurry and silage effluentEutrophication and fertiliser run-offBiological oxygen demand and reducing aquatic pollutionConservation initiatives and habitat protectionGlobal warming, climate change and biodiversity
Homeostasis and Excretion
Topic overviewPrinciples of homeostasis and negative feedbackExcretion, osmoregulation and nitrogenous wasteGross structure of the kidney and the urinary systemStructure of the nephron and its blood supplyEpithelia of the nephron and their adaptationsThe glomerular filterUltrafiltration and the forces that drive itSelective reabsorption in the proximal convoluted tubuleThe loop of Henlé and the medullary salt gradientADH, osmoreceptors and the control of water balance
Immunity
Topic overviewNatural barriers to infectionAntigens, antibodies and the antigen–antibody reactionAntibody-mediated immunity and B-lymphocytesCell-mediated immunity and T-lymphocytesActive immunity, passive immunity and vaccinationTransplant rejection and immunosuppressionBlood group polymorphism and the rhesus factorTransfusion compatibility and its consequencesAntibiotic resistance and the search for new antimicrobialsELISA and the detection of disease biomarkers
Co-Ordination and Control
Topic overviewPhytochromes and the control of floweringPlant growth substances and stem elongationThe structure of a neuroneResting potential, threshold and the action potentialImpulse propagation and the speed of conductionSynapse structure and chemical transmissionExcitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic potentialsGross structure of the eye and accommodationThe retina, rods and conesSkeletal muscle and the sliding filament theory
Populations and Communities
Topic overviewPopulation growth curves, carrying capacity and environmental resistancer-selected and K-selected speciesInteractions between populationsBiological control of pest speciesPopulation dynamics and changes in population sizeEstimating population size in the field and the laboratoryCommunities and ecosystemsSuccession and climax communities
Ecological Energetics and Nutrient Cycling
Topic overviewFood chains, food webs and detritus food chainsTrophic levels, gross and net primary productionEcological pyramids and their usefulnessEnergy transfer efficiency between trophic levelsWhy energy is lost at each trophic levelImplications for agriculture and intensive farmingThe carbon cycleThe nitrogen cycle and the role of bacteria
Respiration
Topic overviewATP and the ATP/ADP cycleGlycolysisThe mitochondrion and the sites of aerobic respirationThe link reaction and the Krebs cycleThe electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylationATP yield from one molecule of glucoseAnaerobic respiration in animals, plants and fungiAerobic and anaerobic respiration compared, and oxygen debtRespiratory quotient and measuring respiration
Photosynthesis
Topic overviewChloroplast structure and the sites of photosynthesisPhotosynthetic pigments and paper chromatographyAbsorption spectra and action spectraPhotosystems, photoactivation and the Z-schemePhotolysis of water, reduced NADP and redox indicatorsCarbon dioxide fixation and rubiscoReduction of glycerate phosphate and regeneration of ribulose bisphosphateLimiting factors, the compensation point and measuring photosynthesis
DNA as the Genetic Code
Topic overviewGenes and the nature of the genetic codeExons, introns and RNA splicingComparing DNA and RNATranscription and RNA polymeraseTransfer RNA, ribosomes and the sites of translationTranslation and polypeptide synthesisOne gene, one polypeptide and the control of the phenotypeEpigenetics, methylation and histone modification
Gene Technology
Topic overviewThe polymerase chain reactionDNA probes and genetic markersMicroarrays, pharmacogenetics and personalised medicineGenetic fingerprinting and gel electrophoresisThe stages of gene transferGenetically modified microorganismsTransgenic animals and plantsGene therapyGenome sequencing and the Human Genome ProjectGene inactivation and knockout organismsSocial, ethical and ecological issues of gene technology
Genes and Patterns of Inheritance
Topic overviewGenotype, phenotype and the environmentChromosomes, genes and allelesMonohybrid inheritance and Mendel's first lawCodominance, multiple alleles and lethal allelesTest crossesDihybrid inheritance and Mendel's second lawAutosomes, sex chromosomes and sex determinationGene interaction and epistasisPolygenic inheritance and continuous variationThe chi-squared test
Population Genetics and Evolution
Evolutionary Trends in Plants
Respiration
- 9 subtopics
- 27 things to know
- Unit A2 2
What Respiration covers
Respiration is examined in Unit A2 2, Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends, and drawn on again in Unit A2 3, the practical skills examination. It covers ATP and the ATP/ADP cycle, glycolysis, the mitochondrion and the sites of aerobic respiration, the link reaction and the Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation, ATP yield from one molecule of glucose, anaerobic respiration in animals, plants and fungi, aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared, and oxygen debt and respiratory quotient and measuring respiration.
Where it is assessed
Unit A2 2
Biochemistry, Genetics and Evolutionary Trends, and again in Unit A2 3, Practical Skills in Biology.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 9 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- ATP and the ATP/ADP cycleThree components of a molecule of ATP, enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP and ATP/ADP cycle.Open →
- GlycolysisFormed when fructose bisphosphate is split, produced as each triose phosphate is converted to pyruvate and net yield of ATP from glycolysis per molecule of glucose.Open →
- The mitochondrion and the sites of aerobic respirationHow the cristae increase the rate of ATP production and stalked particles seen on the inner mitochondrial membrane.Open →
- The link reaction and the Krebs cycleWhat happens to pyruvate in the link reaction, oxidative decarboxylation and role of coenzyme A in respiration.Open →
- The electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylationUltimate hydrogen acceptor in aerobic respiration, why reduced flavoprotein yields less ATP than reduced NAD and oxidative phosphorylation.Open →
- ATP yield from one molecule of glucoseRecall questions on the ATP produced at each stage, the yield from each reduced NAD and reduced FAD, the total from one glucose molecule, and why the figure actually achieved in a cell is lower than the theoretical one.Open →
- Anaerobic respiration in animals, plants and fungiWhy NAD⁺ must be regenerated for anaerobic respiration to continue, enzyme that converts pyruvate to lactate and fate of pyruvate in a yeast cell respiring anaerobically.Open →
- Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared, and oxygen debtValue of anaerobic respiration to plants and fungi, oxygen debt and two fates of lactate once oxygen is available again.Open →
- Respiratory quotient and measuring respirationRecall questions on the ratio of carbon dioxide produced to oxygen used, the values expected for carbohydrate, lipid and protein, working the calculation from experimental figures, and using a respirometer with its controls.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
State the yield of one turn of the Krebs cycle.
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State the total yield of reduced coenzymes and ATP obtained from one molecule of pyruvate by the link reaction and the Krebs cycle together.
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Explain why the Krebs cycle is called a focal point of metabolism.
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Explain why lactate is a less wasteful end product than ethanol.
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In which part of the cell does glycolysis take place?
Process
Name the four stages of aerobic respiration in the order in which they occur.
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Where is the electron transport chain found in the mitochondrion?
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Write the balanced equation for the complete aerobic respiration of glucose.
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Compare the ATP yields of aerobic and anaerobic respiration from one molecule of glucose.
Numbers
Give the formula used to calculate the respiratory quotient.
Key term
Name the three components of a molecule of ATP.
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What happens to glucose in the first phase of glycolysis?
Process
Which stage of aerobic respiration happens outside the mitochondrion?
Key term
Name the carriers of the electron transport chain in the order electrons pass along them.
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State the theoretical total yield of ATP from the complete aerobic respiration of one molecule of glucose.
Process
Which stage of respiration continues when no oxygen is available?
Key term
What is the one condition that aerobic respiration depends on and anaerobic respiration does not?
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Use the equation for the aerobic respiration of glucose to show the respiratory quotient of a carbohydrate.
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What is the name of the unit formed when adenine is joined to ribose in ATP?
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How many molecules of ATP are used in phosphorylating glucose to fructose bisphosphate?
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Where in the mitochondrion does the link reaction take place?
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Why are the carriers of the electron transport chain arranged in the order they are?
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How many molecules of ATP are made directly, without the electron transport chain, during the respiration of one glucose molecule?
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Explain why NAD⁺ must be regenerated for anaerobic respiration to continue.
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Define oxygen debt.
Key term
State the approximate respiratory quotient of a lipid substrate.
Take Respiration further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Name the three components of a molecule of ATP.
Model answer
ATP is built from the nitrogenous base adenine, the pentose sugar ribose and a chain of three phosphate groups.
- 2
What is the name of the unit formed when adenine is joined to ribose in ATP?
Model answer
Adenine joined to ribose forms adenosine, and adding three phosphate groups to adenosine gives adenosine triphosphate.
- 3
Which bond is broken when ATP releases energy for cellular work?
Model answer
The bond attaching the terminal or third phosphate group is hydrolysed, and this releases roughly 30.5 kJ per mole of ATP.
- 4
Write a word equation for the hydrolysis of ATP.
Model answer
ATP plus water gives ADP plus inorganic phosphate, with the release of usable energy.
- 5
Name the enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP.
Model answer
ATPase catalyses the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and inorganic phosphate.
- 6
Why is ATP described as the universal energy currency of the cell?
Model answer
Every type of cell in every organism uses the same molecule to transfer energy from respiration to the reactions that need it, so ATP acts as a common intermediate in the way money acts as a common medium of exchange.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Respiration revision questions
- What does Respiration cover in CCEA A-Level Biology?
- 9 subtopics: atp and the atp/adp cycle, glycolysis, the mitochondrion and the sites of aerobic respiration, the link reaction and the krebs cycle, the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation, atp yield from one molecule of glucose, anaerobic respiration in animals, plants and fungi, aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared, and oxygen debt and respiratory quotient and measuring respiration. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Respiration organised?
- By the CCEA 1010 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Respiration, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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