Process
WJEC A-Level Biology 601-5290-0
Chemical Elements Are Joined Together to Form Biological Compounds
Topic overviewInorganic IonsBiological Importance of WaterCarbohydrates: Monosaccharides and DisaccharidesCarbohydrates: Polysaccharides and Alpha/Beta Glucose IsomerismLipids: Triglycerides and PhospholipidsLipids: Saturated and Unsaturated Fat in Human HealthAmino Acids and Proteins: Primary to Quaternary StructureAmino Acids and Proteins: Fibrous and Globular FormsCondensation and Hydrolysis: Peptide and GlycosidicFood Tests for Biological Molecules
Cell Structure and Organisation
Topic overviewEukaryotic Cell Ultrastructure: OrganellesEukaryotic Cell Ultrastructure: FunctionsProkaryotic Cells, Viruses and Cell Theory: Comparing Cell StructuresProkaryotic Cells, Viruses and Cell Theory: Electron MicrographsLevels of Organisation and Light Microscopy: Tissues and OrgansLevels of Organisation and Light Microscopy: Organ Systems and Microscope CalibrationLevels of Organisation and Light Microscopy: Magnification and Scientific Drawing
Cell Membranes and Transport
Topic overviewPlasma Membrane Structure and Permeability: Fluid-Mosaic ModelPlasma Membrane Structure and Permeability: Factors Affecting PermeabilityTransport Across Membranes: Diffusion, Osmosis and Water PotentialTransport Across Membranes: Facilitated Diffusion, Active Transport and PinocytosisTransport Across Membranes: Phagocytosis and Exocytosis
Biological Reactions Are Regulated by Enzymes
Topic overviewEnzymes as Biological Catalysts: Metabolism, Extracellular Action and Induced FitEnzymes as Biological Catalysts: Activation EnergyFactors Affecting Enzyme Activity: Temperature and SubstrateFactors Affecting Enzyme Activity: Enzyme Concentration, Denaturation and BuffersEnzyme InhibitionImmobilised Enzymes in Industry
Nucleic Acids and Their Functions
Topic overviewNucleotides, Chemical Energy and ATP: StructureNucleotides, Chemical Energy and ATP: Role as Energy CarrierDNA and RNA StructureSemi-conservative Replication, Meselson and Stahl experimentThe Genetic Code: Triplet CodeThe Genetic Code: Exons and IntronsProtein Synthesis: Transcription, Translation and tRNAProtein Synthesis: One Gene-One Polypeptide and Polypeptide Modification
Genetic Information Is Copied and Passed on to Daughter Cells
Topic overviewThe Cell Cycle and Mitosis: Interphase and StagesThe Cell Cycle and Mitosis: Cytokinesis, Significance in Renewal and RepairThe Cell Cycle and Mitosis: Root Tip Squash and Mitotic IndexMeiosis: Meiosis I and Meiosis II, crossing over and independent assortmentMeiosis: differences from mitosis
All Organisms Are Related Through Their Evolutionary History
Topic overviewClassification: Hierarchical Groups, Need and Tentative NatureClassification: Three Domains and Five KingdomsAssessing RelatednessSpecies Concept and Binomial SystemBiodiversity and Its Assessment: Habitat LevelBiodiversity and Its Assessment: Genetic Level and Molecular LevelNatural Selection as the Source of Biodiversity and Anatomical, Physiological and Behavioural Adaptations
Adaptations for Gas Exchange
Topic overviewSurface Area to Volume Ratio and Gas Exchange in Small Organisms: AmoebaSurface Area to Volume Ratio and Gas Exchange in Small Organisms: Flatworm and EarthwormSpecialised Respiratory Surfaces and Ventilation in Bony Fish: Counter-currentSpecialised Respiratory Surfaces and Ventilation in Bony Fish: Parallel FlowGas Exchange in Terrestrial Animals: Human Breathing SystemGas Exchange in Terrestrial Animals: VentilationGas Exchange in Terrestrial Animals: the Insect Tracheal SystemThe Angiosperm Leaf: StructureThe Angiosperm Leaf: Photosynthetic RoleThe Angiosperm Leaf: Stomatal Control of Gas Exchange
Adaptations for Transport
Topic overviewVascular Systems Across Animal Groups: Earthworm and InsectVascular Systems Across Animal Groups: Fish and MammalThe Mammalian Heart and Circulation: Blood Vessels and Cardiac CycleThe Mammalian Heart and Circulation: Sino-atrial Node, Purkyne Fibres and ElectrocardiogramsBlood and the Transport of Respiratory Gases: Erythrocytes, Plasma and Dissociation CurvesBlood and the Transport of Respiratory Gases: Bohr Effect and Chloride ShiftTransport of Nutrients, Hormones, Excretory Products and HeatTissue Fluid, Lymph and OedemaWater Uptake and Movement Through the Root: Dicotyledon Root Structure and ApoplastWater Uptake and Movement Through the Root: Symplast, Vacuolar Pathways and EndodermisXylem, the Transpiration Stream and Plant Water Adaptations: Cohesion-Tension TheoryXylem, the Transpiration Stream and Plant Water Adaptations: Hydrophytes and XerophytesPhloem Structure and Translocation from Source to Sink: Mass Flow ModelsPhloem Structure and Translocation from Source to Sink: Experimental Evidence
Adaptations for Nutrition
Topic overviewModes of Nutrition: Autotrophic, Heterotrophic and HolozoicModes of Nutrition: Parasitic, and Digestion in Amoeba and Hydra to Tube GutsThe Human Gut: Adaptations to an Omnivorous DietThe Human Gut: EnzymesThe Human Gut: ConditionsHerbivore, Carnivore and Parasite Adaptations: Guts and DentitionHerbivore, Carnivore and Parasite Adaptations: Ruminants, Taenia and Pediculus
Importance of ATP
Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules
Topic overviewChloroplasts and Light Harvesting: Distribution and TransductionChloroplasts and Light Harvesting: Pigments and WavelengthsChloroplasts and Light Harvesting: Chromatography of PigmentsThe Light-dependent Stage: Cyclic and Non-cyclic PhotophosphorylationThe Light-dependent Stage: Photolysis and Reduction of NADPThe Light-independent Stage: Rubisco, Glycerate-3-phosphate and Triose PhosphateThe Light-independent Stage: RuBP Regeneration, Synthesis of Carbohydrates and Amino AcidsLimiting Factors in PhotosynthesisInvestigating the Rate of Photosynthesis and the Role of NitrogenMagnesium in Plant Metabolism
Respiration Releases Chemical Energy in Biological Processes
Topic overviewGlycolysis, Acetyl Coenzyme A and the Krebs Cycle: Triose Phosphate and PyruvateGlycolysis, Acetyl Coenzyme A and the Krebs Cycle: Reduced NAD, FAD as Electron and Proton SourcesEnergy Budgets of Aerobic and Anaerobic Glucose BreakdownUse of Lipids and Amino Acids in RespirationMeasuring the Rate of Respiration in Yeast
Microbiology
Population Size and Ecosystems
Topic overviewPopulation Growth and Its Regulation: Birth and ImmigrationPopulation Growth and Its Regulation: Emigration, Competition and Carrying CapacityPopulation Growth and Its Regulation: Density Dependent and Density Independent FactorsSampling Techniques for the AbundanceDistribution of Organisms in a HabitatHabitats, Communities and Sun as Energy SourceBiomass, Productivity and Transfer Through Trophic LevelsSuccession: Secondary Succession and PioneersSuccession: Seres and Climax CommunitiesNutrient Cycles and Human Impact: Organic Breakdown and Carbon CycleNutrient Cycles and Human Impact: Climate Change, Nitrogen Cycle and NitrificationNutrient Cycles and Human Impact: Fertilisers and Eutrophication
Human Impact on the Environment
Homeostasis and the Kidney
Topic overviewHomeostasis: Dynamic Equilibrium, Negative Feedback and Positive FeedbackKidney and Nephron Structure and Function: Nephron Structure and UltrafiltrationKidney and Nephron Structure and Function: Selective ReabsorptionKidney and Nephron Structure and Function: Nitrogenous Excretion and Kidney Practical WorkHormonal Control of Water Balance: ADH and OsmoreceptorsThe Loop of Henle, Excretory Adaptations and Kidney FailureTreating Kidney Failure: Dialysis and Transplants
The Nervous System
Topic overviewOrganisation of the Nervous Response: Receptors to Effectors and Spinal CordOrganisation of the Nervous Response: Spinal Nerves, Dorsal and Ventral RootsOrganisation of the Nervous Response: Simple Reflex Arc and the Cnidarian Nerve Net ComparedNeurones and the Nerve Impulse: Motor Neurone Structure and NatureNeurones and the Nerve Impulse: Transmission of the Impulse and Oscilloscope TracesNeurones and the Nerve Impulse: Speed of ConductionSynapses: Structure and Synaptic TransmissionSynapses: Effects of Organophosphates and Psychoactive Drugs
Sexual Reproduction in Humans
Topic overviewHuman Reproductive Systems and Gametogenesis: Ovary and Testis HistologyHuman Reproductive Systems and Gametogenesis: Spermatogenesis and OogenesisHuman Reproductive Systems and Gametogenesis: Fertilisation and ImplantationEndocrine Control of Reproduction: Menstrual CycleEndocrine Control of Reproduction: Menstruation, Pregnancy and BirthEndocrine Control of Reproduction: Birth, Lactation and Role of the Placenta
Sexual Reproduction in Plants
Inheritance
Topic overviewMendelian Inheritance: AllelesMendelian Inheritance: Monohybrid Crosses with CodominanceMendelian Inheritance: Dihybrid Crosses with LinkageTesting Genetic Outcomes and Sex Linkage: Chi-squared TestTesting Genetic Outcomes and Sex Linkage: Haemophilia and Duchenne Muscular DystrophyMutation and Control of Gene Expression: Sickle Cell AnaemiaMutation and Control of Gene Expression: Down's Syndrome and MutagensMutation and Control of Gene Expression: Carcinogens, Oncogenes and Epigenetics
Variation and Evolution
Topic overviewVariation and Selection Pressures: Genetic, Environmental Causes and ContinuousVariation and Selection Pressures: Discontinuous, Non-heritable Variation and Intra-specific CompetitionVariation and Selection Pressures: Selective AgenciesPopulation Genetics: Gene Pool, Genetic Drift and Changing Allele FrequenciesPopulation Genetics: Hardy-Weinberg PrincipleIsolationSpeciation and Darwin's Theory of Evolution
Application of Reproduction and Genetics
Topic overviewGenome Sequencing and Its Ethics: Human Genome Project and 100K Genome ProjectGenome Sequencing and Its Ethics: Genomes of Other Organisms and Screening of EmbryosGenetic Fingerprinting and Recombinant DNA TechnologyGenetic Fingerprinting and Recombinant DNA Technology: Electrophoresis and Bacterial PlasmidsGenetic Fingerprinting and Recombinant DNA Technology: Insulin and GM CropsGene TherapyGenomics in Future Healthcare and Use of Stem Cells
DiseaseOption A
AntibioticsOption A
Immune ResponseOption A
Topic overviewNon-specific Defences: Skin Flora, Connective Tissue and InflammationNon-specific Defences: Phagocytosis, Clotting and Ciliated EpitheliumSpecific Immunity: Development of Responses to Foreign Antigens and HumoralSpecific Immunity: Cell-mediated Immunity, Roles of T and B LymphocytesActive and Passive ImmunityImmunisation Programmes, Effectiveness and Ethics
Skeletal TissuesOption B
Topic overviewCartilage and Compact Bone: Hyaline and Yellow ElasticCartilage and Compact Bone: White Fibrous Cartilage, Organic and Inorganic Matrix ComponentsCartilage and Compact Bone: Haversian SystemsBone Remodelling and Bone Disorders: Osteoblasts, Osteoclasts and RicketsBone Remodelling and Bone Disorders: Osteomalacia, Osteoporosis and Brittle Bone DiseaseSkeletal Muscle: Structure and UltrastructureSkeletal Muscle: Sliding Filament Theory and FastSkeletal Muscle: Slow Twitch Fibres and Creatine PhosphateSkeletal Muscle: Lactic Acid and Energy Sources
Structure and Function of Human SkeletonOption B
JointsOption B
The BrainOption C
Topic overviewStructure and Functions of the Human Brain: Cerebrum, Hypothalamus and HippocampusStructure and Functions of the Human Brain: Cerebellum and Medulla OblongataSympathetic Nervous SystemParasympathetic Nervous System and Hypothalamus as the Nervous-Endocrine LinkThe Cerebral Cortex: Sensory and Motor AreasThe Cerebral Cortex: Motor Homunculi, Language and Speech Areas
NeuroscienceOption C
BehaviourOption C
Topic overviewInnate and Learned Behaviour: Escape Reflexes and KinesesInnate and Learned Behaviour: Taxes in WoodliceInnate and Learned Behaviour: Habituation, Imprinting and Operant ConditioningSocial Behaviour: Primate Societies, Advantages and Disadvantages of Group LivingSocial Behaviour: Insect Caste Systems and Vertebrate Dominance HierarchiesTerritorial and Courtship BehaviourRole of Sexual Selection in Their Evolution
Working Scientifically: Practical Skills
Topic overviewThe A2 Unit 5 Practical Examination Tasks: Experimental TaskThe A2 Unit 5 Practical Examination Tasks: Practical Analysis TaskIndependent Thinking and Use of Scientific Methods and Practices: Solving Problems in Practical ContextsIndependent Thinking and Use of Scientific Methods and Practices: Identifying and Following InstructionsIndependent Thinking and Use of Scientific Methods and Practices: Making and Keeping RecordsIndependent Thinking and Use of Scientific Methods and Practices: Presenting DataNumeracy in Practical Contexts, Research and Referencing: Plotting, Interpreting Graphs and ProcessingNumeracy in Practical Contexts, Research and Referencing: Analysing Data, Margins of Error and AccuracyNumeracy in Practical Contexts, Research and Referencing: Precision and OnlineNumeracy in Practical Contexts, Research and Referencing: Offline Research Skills
Use of Apparatus and Techniques
Topic overviewMeasurement and Laboratory Technique: Quantitative ApparatusMeasurement and Laboratory Technique: InstrumentationMeasurement and Laboratory Technique: Glassware Including Serial DilutionsMicroscopy, Scientific Drawing and Separation and Identification Techniques: Light MicroscopeMicroscopy, Scientific Drawing and Separation and Identification Techniques: Annotated Drawings and Food TestsMicroscopy, Scientific Drawing and Separation and Identification Techniques: ChromatographyWorking with Organisms and Aseptic TechniqueViable Counts, Dissection and Fieldwork SamplingMark-Release-Recapture, Quadrats and ICT for Data Collection
Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C)
Topic overviewArithmetic and Numerical Computation: Appropriate Units, Decimal and Standard FormArithmetic and Numerical Computation: Ratios, Percentages and Estimating ResultsArithmetic and Numerical Computation: Power, Exponential and Logarithmic FunctionsHandling Data: Significant Figures, Arithmetic Means and MeanHandling Data: Median, Frequency Tables and HistogramsHandling Data: Scatter DiagramsProbability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Simple Probability and SelectingProbability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Using the Chi-squared TestProbability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Correlation CoefficientProbability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Standard DeviationAlgebra and Magnification: Mathematical Symbols and Changing the Subject of an EquationAlgebra and Magnification: Substituting Values, Solving Equations and Using LogarithmsGraphs: Translating Between Graphical, Plotting Two Variables and Linear RelationshipsGraphs: Intercepts, Rate of Change and Slope of a Tangent to a CurveGeometry: Circumferences, Surface Areas and Volumes of Regular Shapes
How Science Works (Appendix D)
Topic overviewDeveloping and Communicating Scientific Explanations: Using Theories, Models and IdeasDeveloping and Communicating Scientific Explanations: Posing Scientific QuestionsScientific Methodology, Evidence and Evaluation: Appropriate Methodology Including ICTScientific Methodology, Evidence and Evaluation: Analysing and Conflicting DataScience, Society and Ethics: How Scientific Knowledge Develops Over TimeScience, Society and Ethics: Risks, Ethical Treatment of Humans and Other OrganismsScience, Society and Ethics: Environment and How Society Uses Science
Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules
- 10 subtopics
- 29 things to know
- A2 Unit 3
What Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules covers
Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules is examined on A2 Unit 3 of WJEC Biology, Energy, Homeostasis and the Environment. 105 recall questions across 10 subtopics.
The 10 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- Chloroplasts and Light Harvesting: Distribution and TransductionRecall questions on Distribution and Transduction.Open →
- Chloroplasts and Light Harvesting: Pigments and WavelengthsRecall questions on Pigments and Wavelengths.Open →
- Chloroplasts and Light Harvesting: Chromatography of PigmentsSeparating photosynthetic pigments by chromatography: preparing the origin and spot, running and marking the solvent front, calculating Rf values, and identifying pigments from them.Open →
- The Light-dependent Stage: Cyclic and Non-cyclic PhotophosphorylationRecall questions on Cyclic and Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation.Open →
- The Light-dependent Stage: Photolysis and Reduction of NADPRecall questions on Photolysis and Reduction of NADP.Open →
- The Light-independent Stage: Rubisco, Glycerate-3-phosphate and Triose PhosphateRecall questions on Rubisco, Glycerate-3-phosphate and Triose Phosphate.Open →
- The Light-independent Stage: RuBP Regeneration, Synthesis of Carbohydrates and Amino AcidsRecall questions on RuBP Regeneration, Synthesis of Carbohydrates, Lipids and Amino Acids.Open →
- Limiting Factors in PhotosynthesisRecall questions on Limiting Factors in Photosynthesis.Open →
- Investigating the Rate of Photosynthesis and the Role of NitrogenMeasuring the rate of photosynthesis with pondweed, controlling light, carbon dioxide and temperature, and why plants need nitrogen, the symptoms of deficiency and its effect on photosynthesis.Open →
- Magnesium in Plant MetabolismRecall questions on Magnesium in Plant Metabolism.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Name the carbon dioxide acceptor and the enzyme that fixes carbon dioxide, and say what is formed first.
Key term
What is the first carbohydrate of photosynthesis, how is hexose made from it, and what proportion regenerates ribulose bisphosphate?
Key term
How many turns of the Calvin cycle are needed to produce one molecule of glucose, and why?
Key term
How would you investigate the effect of a lack of magnesium on plant growth?
Key term
Why do leaves appear green?
Numbers
State the wavelength of maximum absorption for the reaction centres of Photosystem I and Photosystem II.
Key term
Why must the solvent level in the tank be below the origin line?
Key term
Why does cyclic photophosphorylation not involve photolysis?
Key term
On which side of the thylakoid membrane is NADP reduced?
Numbers
A well-lit plant is suddenly placed in darkness. Predict what happens to the concentrations of glycerate-3-phosphate and ribulose bisphosphate.
Numbers
Why does a shortage of carbon dioxide reduce the rate of photosynthesis?
Key term
What are the symptoms of nitrogen deficiency in a plant?
Key term
Why is the nutrient solution aerated in a water-culture investigation of mineral deficiency?
Key term
How do the shape and arrangement of palisade cells help light to reach the chloroplasts?
Key term
How are the internal membranes of a chloroplast arranged?
Key term
Why is the origin line on a chromatogram drawn in pencil?
Key term
Define photophosphorylation.
Key term
On a graph of photosynthesis rate against light intensity, what can you conclude about the plateau?
Key term
Why is counting bubbles a less reliable measure than collecting the gas produced?
Evaluation
What is the advantage of having several different accessory pigments in a light-harvesting cluster?
Key term
Why is the spot of extract applied repeatedly and dried between applications?
Key term
What path does an electron follow during non-cyclic photophosphorylation?
Key term
Define photolysis.
Key term
Name the five-carbon acceptor molecule that takes up carbon dioxide.
Key term
What is needed for the regeneration of ribulose bisphosphate from triose phosphate?
Key term
How would raising the carbon dioxide concentration change a graph of photosynthesis rate against light intensity?
Key term
State two variables to control when the rate of photosynthesis of pondweed is measured at different light intensities
Key term
In which form is magnesium absorbed, and what is its main role?
Take Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
In which leaf tissue are chloroplasts most abundant, and why?
Model answer
They are most abundant in the palisade mesophyll just below the upper epidermis, because this is where the light intensity is greatest.
- 2
How do the shape and arrangement of palisade cells help light to reach the chloroplasts?
Model answer
The cells are long cylinders packed closely together with their long axes vertical, so light passing down into the leaf crosses very few cross walls that would reflect or absorb it.
- 3
How can a single cell adjust the light its chloroplasts receive?
Model answer
Chloroplasts are moved around the cell by cytoplasmic streaming, taking up positions that catch the most light in dim conditions and turning edge-on or moving to the sides when the light is very intense.
- 4
Why is it an advantage for chloroplasts to turn edge-on in very bright light?
Model answer
It reduces the area of pigment exposed, protecting the chlorophyll from being bleached and damaged by excessive light.
- 5
How are the internal membranes of a chloroplast arranged?
Model answer
Flattened membranous sacs called thylakoids are stacked into grana, and the grana are joined to one another by intergranal lamellae running through the stroma.
- 6
What is the advantage of the thylakoids being stacked into grana?
Model answer
Stacking provides a very large membrane surface area to hold the photosynthetic pigments, electron carriers and ATP synthetase.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules revision questions
- What does Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules cover in WJEC A-Level Biology?
- 10 subtopics: chloroplasts and light harvesting: distribution and transduction, chloroplasts and light harvesting: pigments and wavelengths, chloroplasts and light harvesting: chromatography of pigments, the light-dependent stage: cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation, the light-dependent stage: photolysis and reduction of nadp, the light-independent stage: rubisco, glycerate-3-phosphate and triose phosphate, the light-independent stage: rubp regeneration, synthesis of carbohydrates and amino acids, limiting factors in photosynthesis, investigating the rate of photosynthesis and the role of nitrogen and magnesium in plant metabolism. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules organised?
- By the WJEC 601-5290-0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Photosynthesis Uses Light Energy to Synthesise Organic Molecules, on a schedule.
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