Key term
Eduqas A-Level Biology A400QS
Biological Molecules
Cell Structure and Organisation
Cell Membranes and Transport
Enzymes
Nucleic Acids and Their Functions
Importance of ATP
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Microbiology
Population Size and Ecosystems
Topic overviewPopulation growth and its measurementThe population growth curve and carrying capacityDensity dependent and density independent factorsSampling abundance and distributionEcosystems, habitats and communitiesEnergy transfer and pyramids of biomassSuccessionDecomposition and the carbon cycleThe nitrogen cycle and human interventionEutrophication and the effects of drainage
Human Impact on the Environment
Classification and Biodiversity
Topic overviewThe need for classification and the taxonomic hierarchyThe three domain and five kingdom systemsCharacteristic features of the five kingdomsAssessing relatedness by physical features and biochemistryThe species concept and the binomial systemBiodiversity, adaptation and natural selectionMeasuring biodiversity in a habitatGenetic and molecular measures of biodiversity
Mitosis and Meiosis
Sexual Reproduction in Humans
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
Inheritance
Variation and Evolution
Application of Reproduction and Genetics
Topic overviewThe Human Genome Project, other sequenced genomes and genomics in healthcareScreening embryos, stem cells and the ethical issuesGenetic fingerprinting, PCR and electrophoresis in forensic workRecombinant DNA and the production of human insulinGenetically modified crops and gene therapy
Adaptations for Gas Exchange
Topic overviewSurface area to volume ratio and gas exchange in small organismsSpecialised respiratory surfaces and the need for ventilationGills and counter current flow in bony fishThe human breathing system and its histologyVentilation and gas exchange in humansThe insect tracheal systemThe angiosperm leaf, stomata and gas exchange
Adaptations for Transport
Topic overviewVascular systems compared across animal groupsThe mammalian heart and blood vesselsThe cardiac cycle and its controlBlood, haemoglobin and dissociation curvesThe Bohr effect, chloride shift and tissue fluidThe root and the uptake of waterThe endodermis and the entry to the xylemXylem, transpiration and cohesion-tensionThe potometer and xerophytes and hydrophytesPhloem and translocation
Adaptations for Nutrition
Homeostasis and the Kidney
The Nervous System
Immunology and Disease: Disease and Its TransmissionImmunology
Immunology and Disease: AntibioticsImmunology
Immunology and Disease: The Immune ResponseImmunology
Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy: Skeletal TissuesMusculoskeletal
Topic overviewCartilage and its three typesThe composition and functions of compact boneBone remodelling and the Haversian systemRickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis and brittle bone diseaseThe structure of skeletal muscleThe sliding filament theoryFast and slow twitch fibres, and energy for contraction
Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy: Structure and Function of the SkeletonMusculoskeletal
Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy: JointsMusculoskeletal
Neurobiology and Behaviour: The BrainNeurobiology
Neurobiology and Behaviour: NeuroscienceNeurobiology
Microbiology
- 5 subtopics
- 15 things to know
- Component 1
What Microbiology covers
Microbiology is examined in Component 1, Energy for Life. It covers bacterial shape and cell wall structure, the Gram stain, culturing microorganisms in the laboratory, conditions for growth and aseptic technique and Monitoring population growth and the milk investigation.
Where it is assessed
Component 1
Energy for Life, whose Core Concepts are also assessed in the other two papers.
Check the Eduqas specification ↗The 5 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Bacterial shape and cell wall structureFour shapes by which bacteria are classified, shape of a coccus and shape of a bacillus.Open →
- The Gram stainPurpose of the Gram stain, how a smear is prepared for staining and function of the iodine in the Gram stain.Open →
- Culturing microorganisms in the laboratoryTwo main physical forms of culture medium, four things a nutrient medium must supply and growth factors.Open →
- Conditions for growth and aseptic techniqueFive conditions that bacteria require in order to grow, obligate aerobe and obligate anaerobe.Open →
- Monitoring population growth and the milk investigationRecall questions on total against viable counts, serial dilution and the calculation of colony-forming units, the haemocytometer, turbidity as an indirect measure, and the resazurin or methylene blue milk test with its controls.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Describe how a tenfold serial dilution is prepared.
Key term
Describe how the numbers of bacteria in fresh and stale milk are compared.
Key term
Name the four shapes by which bacteria are classified.
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Describe how a smear is prepared for staining.
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Name the two main physical forms of culture medium.
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What is meant by a streptococcus arrangement?
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Why is the smear heat-fixed?
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What is agar, and why is it used as the setting agent?
Key term
Name five conditions that bacteria require in order to grow.
Key term
What is meant by a staphylococcus arrangement?
Process
Give the four staining steps of the Gram technique in order.
Key term
Name four things a nutrient medium must supply.
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Explain why temperature affects the rate at which a bacterial population grows.
Key term
Distinguish a total count from a viable count.
Take Microbiology further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Name the four shapes by which bacteria are classified.
Model answer
Coccus, bacillus, spirillum and vibrio.
- 2
Describe the shape of a coccus.
Model answer
It is spherical or nearly spherical.
- 3
Describe the shape of a bacillus.
Model answer
It is a straight rod, longer than it is wide, with rounded ends.
- 4
Describe the shape of a spirillum.
Model answer
It is a rigid helix, coiled like a corkscrew.
- 5
Describe the shape of a vibrio.
Model answer
It is a short curved rod, shaped like a comma.
- 6
What is meant by a streptococcus arrangement?
Model answer
Spherical cells that remain attached in a chain after dividing repeatedly in the same plane.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Microbiology revision questions
- What does Microbiology cover in Eduqas A-Level Biology?
- 5 subtopics: bacterial shape and cell wall structure, the gram stain, culturing microorganisms in the laboratory, conditions for growth and aseptic technique and monitoring population growth and the milk investigation. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Microbiology organised?
- By the Eduqas A400QS specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Microbiology, 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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