Key term
Edexcel A-Level Biology B 9BI0
Biological Molecules
Topic overviewMonosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharidesGlycosidic bonds and condensation reactionsStarch, glycogen and cellulose structureTriglycerides and phospholipidsSaturated and unsaturated fats and lipid propertiesAmino acid structure and the peptide bondPrimary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structureFibrous and globular proteinsThe structure of DNADNA replication and gene mutationsThe structure of RNATranscription and translationEnzymes as globular proteinsFactors affecting enzyme activityMeasuring the rate of enzyme activityUnits, uncertainty and experimental errorEnzyme inhibitionInorganic ionsThe properties of water
Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things
Topic overviewCell theory and eukaryotic cell structureProkaryotic cells and Gram stainingMicroscopy, magnification and resolutionSignificant figures, estimates and mathematical symbolsVirus structure and classificationThe lytic cycle and latencyTreating viral disease and the ethics of untested drugsThe cell cycle and its regulationMitosis and the behaviour of chromosomesMitosis in growth, repair and root tip squashesMeiosis, genetic variation and chromosome mutationsGametogenesis in mammalsFertilisation and early embryo developmentPollen and embryo sac formationDouble fertilisation in flowering plantsInvestigating pollen tube growth
Classification and Biodiversity
Exchange and Transport
Topic overviewSurface area to volume ratioThe fluid mosaic modelDiffusion, osmosis and facilitated diffusionActive transport, endocytosis and exocytosisGas exchange in insects, fish and mammalsDissecting the insect gas exchange systemGas exchange in flowering plantsThe structure of the heart and blood vesselsThe double circulatory systemThe cardiac cycleMyogenic stimulation and ECG tracesThe composition of bloodThe functions of blood and clottingAtherosclerosis and its risk factorsHaemoglobin and the Bohr effectOxygen dissociation curvesFormation of tissue fluidThe lymphatic systemXylem and phloem structureApoplastic and symplastic pathwaysThe cohesion-tension theoryMeasuring transpiration with a potometerTranslocation and the mass flow hypothesis
Energy for Biological Processes
Topic overviewAn overview of aerobic respirationGlycolysisThe link reaction and the Krebs cycleThe electron transport chainChemiosmosis and ATP yieldAnaerobic respiration and ATP yieldMeasuring respiration with a respirometerAbsorption and action spectraPhotosynthetic pigments and chromatographyChloroplast structure and the light-dependent stageThe Calvin cycleLimiting factors in photosynthesis
Microbiology and Pathogens
Topic overviewCulturing microorganisms and aseptic techniqueMeasuring bacterial growthThe bacterial growth curveBacteria as pathogensThe action of antibioticsAntibiotic resistanceOther pathogenic agentsControlling endemic diseasePhagocytosis and the humoral responseThe cell-mediated immune responseMemory cells and the secondary responseNatural and artificial immunityVaccination and herd immunity
Modern Genetics
Origins of Genetic Variation
Topic overviewMutation, meiosis and random fertilisationGenotype, phenotype and monohybrid inheritanceDihybrid crosses and pedigree diagramsAutosomal linkage and sex linkageThe chi-squared test in geneticsSelection pressures and allele frequencyGenetic drift and the founder effectThe Hardy-Weinberg equation
Control Systems
Topic overviewHomeostasis and negative feedbackChemical control in mammalsPlant growth substancesAuxins, cytokinins and apical dominancePhytochrome and photomorphogenesisThe organisation of the nervous systemBrain regions and divisions of the peripheral nervous systemThe autonomic nervous systemResting potential and the action potentialPropagation and saltatory conductionSynaptic transmissionEffects of drugs on the nervous systemThe structure of the retina and rhodopsinRods, cones and visual acuityControl of heart rateKidney structure and ultrafiltrationSelective reabsorption and the loop of HenleADH and osmoregulationThermoregulation in endotherms
Ecosystems
Topic overviewEcosystems, habitats and nichesPyramids of numbers, biomass and energyEcological techniques for measuring distributionChoosing the right ecological techniquePresenting data in tables and graphsStatistical tests in ecologyProductivity and energy transfer efficiencyDecomposers and nutrient cyclingSuccessionBiotic and abiotic factors in population changeHuman influences on ecosystemsSustainability, resource management and peer review
Control Systems
Synaptic transmission
- 1 thing to know
- Papers 2 and 3
Overview
Recall questions on the sequence at a cholinergic synapse, the role of calcium, and summation and inhibition.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What happens when an action potential arrives at the presynaptic membrane?
Model answer
Voltage-gated calcium channels open and Ca²⁺ ions diffuse into the presynaptic knob.
- 2
How does the influx of calcium ions lead to neurotransmitter release?
Model answer
Calcium ions cause synaptic vesicles to fuse with the presynaptic membrane and release neurotransmitter into the synaptic cleft by exocytosis.
- 3
Why are mitochondria abundant in the presynaptic knob?
Model answer
To provide ATP for processes such as neurotransmitter synthesis and vesicle recycling.
- 4
How is neurotransmitter removed from the synaptic cleft after it has bound to receptors?
Model answer
By enzymatic breakdown or reuptake into the presynaptic neurone.
- 5
Name the three structural components of a synapse.
Model answer
Presynaptic membrane, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane.
- 6
What is contained within the synaptic vesicles found in the presynaptic knob?
Model answer
Neurotransmitter molecules.
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