Key term
CCEA A-Level Life and Health Sciences 0008
Experimental Techniques
Human Body Systems
Topic overviewBlood vessels, the heart and cardiac outputHeart sounds, ECG traces, pulse and blood pressureBody fluids, haemoglobin and the Bohr effectThe respiratory system, gas exchange and lung diseaseMonitoring breathing and lung volumesCellular respiration and ATPHomeostasis, blood glucose and thyroxineSodium, blood pH and oxygen saturationA balanced diet and nutritional needs through lifeCholesterol, minerals, vitamins, alcohol and exercise
Physical Chemistry in Industrial Processes
Topic overviewMoles, reacting masses and percentage yieldTitration types, indicators and standard solutionsTitration calculations and molarityEnthalpy changes and calorimetryHess's law and average bond enthalpiesCollision theory, rates and the Maxwell–Boltzmann distributionCatalysts, chemisorption and catalytic convertersReversible reactions, the Haber process and the Contact processScale-up, costs and siting a chemical plant
Brain ScienceDouble Award
Topic overviewBrain structure and frontal lobe damageNeurones, synapses and the endocrine systemAlzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease and stem cell therapySchizophrenia and mental health awareness in Northern IrelandThe biology of aggression and methods of studying the brainStress, the stress response and stress managementMemory models, forgetting and eyewitness testimonyAbnormality, phobias, depression and OCDExperiments, observations, self-report and research designHypotheses, sampling, ethics and descriptive statistics
Material ScienceDouble Award
Topic overviewMaterial properties and selectionStress, strain and the Young modulusStress–strain graphs, creep and fatigueDensity, hardness and conductivity testingMetals, ceramics, glasses, polymers and compositesAtomic and microscopic structure of materialsAlloys, annealing and biomaterialsSmart materialsNanomaterials and semiconductors
Medicine, Drugs and Clinical TrialsDouble Award
Topic overviewCategories of medicine and routes to drug discoveryMedicines from natural sources, drug names and the ATC systemDrug development, preclinical testing and the therapeutic indexPhases of clinical trials and trial designLicensing, UK regulators, Yellow Card and trial ethicsFormulations, routes of administration and drug absorptionDistribution, metabolism, elimination and sites of drug actionQuantitative analysis of medicines and antibacterial bioassays
Scientific Method, Investigation, Analysis and Evaluation
Topic overviewThe scientific method, literature reviews and Harvard referencingDescriptive statistics and the normal distributionNull hypotheses, significance and choosing a statistical testInvestigation design, Design of Experiments and project plansGood Laboratory Practice, risk assessment and COSHHExperimental error, scientific writing and evaluation
Organic Chemistry
Topic overviewOrganic formulae, homologous series and functional groupsIUPAC naming and types of organic reactionStructural isomerism and E/Z isomerismAlkanes from crude oil, combustion and halogenationVehicle pollutants, catalytic converters and biofuelsAlkenes, pi bonds and electrophilic additionClassifying alcohols, making ethanol and its effects as a drugOxidation of alcohols, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometryAddition polymers, plastic waste and nylonPreparing and purifying aspirin
Medical PhysicsA2 option
Topic overviewBody temperature and clinical thermometersBlood pressure readings and the sphygmomanometerHeart activity experiments and EEG tracesX-ray tubes, radiographs and CT scansFlexible endoscopes, optical fibres and lasersUltrasound A-scans, B-scans and acoustic impedanceMRI scanning and gamma camera imagingAlpha, beta and gamma radiation and half-lifeRadiopharmaceuticals, radiotherapy and radiation protection
Sound and LightA2 option
Topic overviewTransverse and longitudinal waves and wave graphsPhase difference and the electromagnetic spectrumOuter, middle and inner earSound intensity and the decibel scaleStanding waves, harmonics and resonance tubesHearing response, phons and equal loudness curvesStructure of the eye, rods and conesAccommodation, lens power and correcting long sightTotal internal reflection and fibre-optic communicationDipole antennas, wireless networks and radarAttenuation of radio waves and the Doppler effect
Genetics, Stem Cell Research and CloningA2 option
Topic overviewDNA structure and the evidence for the double helixRNA, genes and the triplet codeGenotype, phenotype and monohybrid inheritanceDihybrid crosses, epistasis and the chi-squared testDNA replication and the Meselson–Stahl experimentMeiosis and genetic variationInsulin, factor VIII and chymosin from genetically modified microbesRecombinant DNA technology and gene cloningGenetic engineering, food supply and ethicsGene therapy and cystic fibrosisGenetic disease, screening and counsellingGenetic fingerprinting and gel electrophoresisStem cells, therapeutic cloning and their ethics
MicrobiologyDouble Award
Topic overviewBacteria, fungi and protozoaViruses, viroids and prionsClassifying bacteria, fungi and virusesLight and electron microscopyLaboratory safety, biocontainment and quality assuranceAseptic technique, growth media and inoculationCounting and measuring microbial growthGrowth requirements and growth inhibitionAntibiotics, PCR, gene therapy and pharmaceutical microbiologyThe gut microbiome in health and disease
Oral Health and DentistryDouble Award
Histology and PathologyDouble Award
Topic overviewSpecimen processing, data protection and safety lawClinical biochemistry tests and electrophoresisBlood smears and identifying blood cellsBlood grouping, cross-matching and transfusionDiagnostic and surveillance work in hospital microbiologyPreparing and staining tissue sectionsRecognising tissues, atheroma and emphysema on slides
Analytical Chemistry TechniquesDouble Award
Topic overviewVolumetric analysis in industry and healthcareApplied titrations of vinegar, indigestion tablets and bleachRedox titration of iron tablets and evaluating titrationsPrinciples of colorimetryColorimetric analysis of copper ore, aspirin and ironThin-layer chromatography and its usesVisualising chromatograms and identifying painkillers and pigmentsCalorimetry and combustionMolar enthalpy and bond energy calculationsQualitative tests for cations and gases
Enabling TechnologyDouble Award
Topic overviewECG and EEG machines in patient monitoringUltrasound and IVF equipment in fertility treatmentProsthetic limbs, hearing aids and cochlear implantsWorkflow and equipment in a medical laboratoryOngoing monitoring of a long-term conditionHealth data collection, databases and data protection
Analytical Chemistry Techniques
- 10 subtopics
- 30 things to know
- A2 9
- A2 6 to A2 10, Double Award only, two of five
What Analytical Chemistry Techniques covers
Analytical Chemistry Techniques is examined in Unit A2 9, Analytical Chemistry Techniques — internally assessed, one of five Double Award optional units (two are taken). It covers volumetric analysis in industry and healthcare, applied titrations of vinegar, indigestion tablets and bleach, Redox titration of iron tablets and evaluating titrations, principles of colorimetry, colorimetric analysis of copper ore, aspirin and iron, thin-layer chromatography and its uses, visualising chromatograms and identifying painkillers and pigments, calorimetry and combustion, molar enthalpy and bond energy calculations and qualitative tests for cations and gases.
Where it is assessed
A2 9
Analytical Chemistry Techniques — internally assessed, Double Award, two of five.
Check the CCEA specification ↗The 10 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Volumetric analysis in industry and healthcareVolumetric analysis and where titrations are used, end point and equivalence point, titres and primary standards, choosing indicators, rough titrations, technique and risk assessment.Open →
- Applied titrations of vinegar, indigestion tablets and bleachTitrating vinegar with sodium hydroxide, back titration of indigestion tablets, iodometric titration of bleach with thiosulfate and starch, with equations and worked concentrations.Open →
- Redox titration of iron tablets and evaluating titrationsManganate(VII) titration of iron tablets and its self-indicating end point, the iron mass calculation, judging accuracy and reliability, percentage uncertainty, improvements and instrumental alternatives.Open →
- Principles of colorimetryHow colorimetry measures concentration, the Beer–Lambert relationship, complementary filters, preparing standards by dilution, reading a calibration curve with a worked value, and its limitations.Open →
- Colorimetric analysis of copper ore, aspirin and ironCopper in ore with ammonia and a worked percentage, aspirin with iron(III) after hydrolysis, iron in aluminium foil with thiocyanate, their equations, accuracy and improvements.Open →
- Thin-layer chromatography and its usesStationary and mobile phases, how components separate, where chromatography is used, preparing and running a TLC plate, two-way chromatography, and high-performance liquid and gas chromatography.Open →
- Visualising chromatograms and identifying painkillers and pigmentsUV and ninhydrin visualisation, identifying painkillers with Rf values and co-spotting, amino acids in a mixture, leaf pigments and carotene, impurities and improvements.Open →
- Calorimetry and combustionWhat calorimetry measures and where it is used, combustion in everyday life, simple, flame and bomb calorimeters, q = mcΔT, comparing alcohols and foods, and why food results fall short.Open →
- Molar enthalpy and bond energy calculationsStandard enthalpy of combustion, worked molar enthalpies for ethanol and methanol, mean bond enthalpies and worked calculations for methane and ethanol, and explaining discrepancies.Open →
- Qualitative tests for cations and gasesPrecipitates with sodium hydroxide and ammonia, the ammonium test, tests for hydrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and ammonia, sulfate, carbonate and nitrate tests, unknowns, limitations and modern instruments.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Numbers
State the equation used to calculate the heat energy transferred to water.
Numbers
Burning 0.46 g of ethanol heats 100 g of water by 30.0 °C. Calculate the molar enthalpy of combustion.
Numbers
Burning 0.64 g of methanol heats 250 g of water by 20.0 °C. Calculate the molar enthalpy of combustion.
Numbers
Using C–H 413, O=O 498, C=O 805 and O–H 464 kJ mol⁻¹, calculate the enthalpy of combustion of methane.
Key term
What is volumetric analysis?
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Why is potassium manganate(VII) used to find the iron content of iron tablets?
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What is colorimetry?
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How is copper ore prepared for colorimetric analysis?
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What is chromatography?
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Why must some chromatograms be visualised?
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What is qualitative analysis?
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Why is volumetric analysis described as an accurate method?
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Write the equation for the reaction of ethanoic acid with sodium hydroxide.
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Write the ionic equation for manganate(VII) reacting with iron(II) ions.
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Why is colorimetry an accurate way to find concentration?
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Write the equation for the formation of the deep blue copper–ammonia complex.
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Why is chromatography described as a method of identifying substances?
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How is UV light used to visualise a TLC plate?
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What is calorimetry?
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Where is qualitative analysis used in industry and forensic science? Give three examples.
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Where are titrations used in industry and healthcare? Give three examples.
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Why is vinegar usually diluted before it is titrated?
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How is the end point recognised in a manganate(VII) titration?
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How is absorbance related to concentration?
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Why is ammonia added before measuring copper by colorimetry?
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What are the stationary and mobile phases in thin-layer chromatography?
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Why must the dried plate be heated after spraying with ninhydrin?
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Where is calorimetry used in industry and food science? Give three examples.
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What colours of precipitate form when sodium hydroxide is added to Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions?
Take Analytical Chemistry Techniques further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
End point vs Equivalence point
End point: the moment the indicator changes colour during a titration. Equivalence point: the moment reactants have combined in exactly their equation ratio.
Back titration vs Direct titration
Back titration: titrating the unreacted excess of a reagent added to the sample. Direct titration: adding the reagent straight to the sample until it has all reacted.
Stationary phase vs Mobile phase
Stationary phase: the fixed layer, such as silica gel, that holds components back. Mobile phase: the solvent that moves and carries components with it.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is volumetric analysis?
Model answer
Volumetric analysis finds the amount of a substance from the volume of a solution that reacts with it exactly. The solution's concentration is known, and titration is the main method.
- 2
Why is volumetric analysis described as an accurate method?
Model answer
Burettes and pipettes measure volumes to within fractions of a cubic centimetre. Repeated titres that agree closely give a reliable result.
- 3
Where are titrations used in industry and healthcare? Give three examples.
Model answer
A food chemist checks the acid content of vinegar. A pharmaceutical chemist checks the iron content of tablets, and a water chemist measures chlorine in bleach or pool water.
- 4
What is the difference between the end point and the equivalence point of a titration?
Model answer
The equivalence point is where the reactants have reacted in exactly the ratio of the equation. The end point is where the indicator changes colour, which should match it closely.
- 5
What is a titre?
Model answer
A titre is the volume of solution added from the burette to reach the end point. The titre is found by subtracting the initial burette reading from the final reading.
- 6
What is a primary standard?
Model answer
A primary standard is a very pure, stable solid used to make a solution of exactly known concentration. Anhydrous sodium carbonate is a common primary standard.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Analytical Chemistry Techniques revision questions
- What does Analytical Chemistry Techniques cover in CCEA A-Level Life and Health Sciences?
- 10 subtopics: volumetric analysis in industry and healthcare, applied titrations of vinegar, indigestion tablets and bleach, redox titration of iron tablets and evaluating titrations, principles of colorimetry, colorimetric analysis of copper ore, aspirin and iron, thin-layer chromatography and its uses, visualising chromatograms and identifying painkillers and pigments, calorimetry and combustion, molar enthalpy and bond energy calculations and qualitative tests for cations and gases. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Analytical Chemistry Techniques organised?
- By the CCEA 0008 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Analytical Chemistry Techniques, on a schedule.
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