Key term
WJEC AS-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
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
Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C)
- 15 subtopics
- 44 things to know
- All units
What Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C) covers
Mathematical Requirements (appendix C) is assessed throughout WJEC Biology and in the unit 5 practical examination rather than in one unit of its own. 155 recall questions across 15 subtopics.
Where it is assessed
All units
Skills assessed throughout, and in the unit 5 practical examination.
Check the WJEC specification ↗The 15 subtopics
Each one has its own page. WJEC AS Biology students sit this topic in the first year.
- Arithmetic and Numerical Computation: Appropriate Units, Decimal and Standard FormRecall questions on Appropriate Units, Decimal and Standard Form.Open →
- Arithmetic and Numerical Computation: Ratios, Percentages and Estimating ResultsRecall questions on Ratios, Fractions, Percentages and Estimating Results.Open →
- Arithmetic and Numerical Computation: Power, Exponential and Logarithmic FunctionsExponential growth of bacteria, calculating numbers after successive divisions, why bacterial growth is plotted on a logarithmic scale, and reading and using base-10 logarithms.Open →
- Handling Data: Significant Figures, Arithmetic Means and MeanRecall questions on Significant Figures, Arithmetic Means and Mean.Open →
- Handling Data: Median, Frequency Tables and HistogramsRecall questions on Median, Mode, Frequency Tables, Bar Charts and Histograms.Open →
- Handling Data: Scatter DiagramsRecall questions on Scatter Diagrams.Open →
- Probability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Simple Probability and SelectingRecall questions on Simple Probability, Principles of Sampling and Selecting.Open →
- Probability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Using the Chi-squared TestRecall questions on Using the Chi-squared Test and Student's t-test.Open →
- Probability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Correlation CoefficientRecall questions on Correlation Coefficient.Open →
- Probability, Sampling, Statistical Tests and Uncertainty: Standard DeviationRecall questions on Standard Deviation, Range and Percentage Error in Combined Measurements.Open →
- Algebra and Magnification: Mathematical Symbols and Changing the Subject of an EquationRecall questions on Mathematical Symbols, Order of Magnitude Calculations and Changing the Subject of an Equation.Open →
- Algebra and Magnification: Substituting Values, Solving Equations and Using LogarithmsRecall questions on Substituting Values, Solving Equations and Using Logarithms.Open →
- Graphs: Translating Between Graphical, Plotting Two Variables and Linear RelationshipsRecall questions on Translating Between Graphical, Numerical, Algebraic Forms, Plotting Two Variables and Linear Relationships.Open →
- Graphs: Intercepts, Rate of Change and Slope of a Tangent to a CurveRecall questions on Intercepts, Rate of Change and Slope of a Tangent to a Curve.Open →
- Geometry: Circumferences, Surface Areas and Volumes of Regular ShapesRecall questions on Circumferences, Surface Areas and Volumes of Regular Shapes.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Your recallNot started
Key term
Why is the logarithm of bacterial number plotted rather than the number itself?
Numbers
When is the median a more useful summary than the mean?
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How are magnification, image size and actual size related, and what does the symbol ~ indicate before a value?
Numbers
State the formulae for the circumference and area of a circle, and for the volume and surface area of a block.
Numbers
Convert 0.02 mm to micrometres.
Numbers
Express a 3:1 phenotypic ratio as percentages.
Numbers
Which equation relates the final and initial numbers of bacteria to the number of divisions?
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Distinguish between a bar chart and a histogram.
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What should be included when describing data from a table or graph in an answer?
Numbers
What do you conclude if a calculated test statistic exceeds the critical value at p = 0.05?
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Why must chi-squared be calculated from actual counts rather than from percentages?
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What does a large value of t indicate about two sets of measurements?
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Distinguish between the product-moment correlation coefficient and the rank correlation coefficient.
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Why is standard deviation usually a better measure of dispersion than the range?
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Why should units be written down at every step when substituting into an equation?
Numbers
Why is the point halfway between 10³ and 10⁴ on a logarithmic axis not 5.5 × 10³?
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What two things must each axis of a graph show?
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What do m and c represent in the equation y = mx + c?
Numbers
State the formulae for the volume and total surface area of a cylinder.
Numbers
A potato cylinder falls from 5.20 g to 4.68 g. Calculate the percentage change in mass.
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What rule governs the number of significant figures in a calculated result?
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A distance of 12.5 mm is divided by a time of 4.0 s. Give the speed to an appropriate number of significant figures.
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Describe what a negative correlation looks like on a scatter diagram.
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Define probability and state the range of values it can take.
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Why would you select a correlation coefficient rather than a t-test?
Numbers
Calculate the standard deviation of the values 4, 6 and 8.
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If the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction ∝ substrate concentration, what happens when the concentration is doubled?
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Why is a tangent needed to find the rate of change on a curved graph?
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Why is the initial rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction compared, rather than the rate later on?
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Convert 250 mm³ to cm³.
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Why is percentage change in mass, rather than change in mass, plotted in an osmosis investigation?
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What is meant by exponential growth of a bacterial population?
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Find the mean, median and mode of the values 12, 14, 14, 15 and 20.
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Why are the points of a scatter diagram not joined in order?
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Two heterozygous parents are crossed for a single gene. State the probability that an offspring is homozygous recessive.
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When should the chi-squared test be selected?
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Why can a coefficient close to +1 still fail to be significant?
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Two means have error bars showing one standard deviation, and the bars overlap considerably. What does this suggest?
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How is magnification related to image size and actual size?
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State the two equations used in the Hardy-Weinberg principle.
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Which variable belongs on each axis of a graph of experimental results?
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Explain why a graph of product formed against time levels off.
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State the formula for the area of a circle.
Take Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C) further
The same content, four other ways.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
How many cubic millimetres are there in one cubic centimetre?
Model answer
There are 1000 mm³ in 1 cm³, because each of the three linear dimensions is ten times larger.
- 2
Convert 250 mm³ to cm³.
Model answer
250 mm³ is 0.25 cm³.
- 3
Convert 0.02 mm to micrometres.
Model answer
0.02 mm is 20 μm, since 1 mm contains 1000 μm.
- 4
How are metres, micrometres and nanometres related?
Model answer
One metre contains 10⁶ μm, and one micrometre contains 1000 nm.
- 5
Express 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ m in micrometres.
Model answer
It is 25 μm.
- 6
How is the unit of a rate worked out?
Model answer
It is the unit of the quantity being measured divided by the unit of time, so a breathing rate is in breaths min⁻¹ and a transpiration rate might be in cm³ h⁻¹.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C) revision questions
- Is Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C) examined at AS in WJEC Biology?
- Yes. It sits in All units, which you take in the first year, so it is on the AS paper as well as counting towards the full A level.
- What does Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C) cover in WJEC AS-Level Biology?
- 15 subtopics: arithmetic and numerical computation: appropriate units, decimal and standard form, arithmetic and numerical computation: ratios, percentages and estimating results, arithmetic and numerical computation: power, exponential and logarithmic functions, handling data: significant figures, arithmetic means and mean, handling data: median, frequency tables and histograms, handling data: scatter diagrams, probability, sampling, statistical tests and uncertainty: simple probability and selecting, probability, sampling, statistical tests and uncertainty: using the chi-squared test, probability, sampling, statistical tests and uncertainty: correlation coefficient, probability, sampling, statistical tests and uncertainty: standard deviation, algebra and magnification: mathematical symbols and changing the subject of an equation, algebra and magnification: substituting values, solving equations and using logarithms, graphs: translating between graphical, plotting two variables and linear relationships, graphs: intercepts, rate of change and slope of a tangent to a curve and geometry: circumferences, surface areas and volumes of regular shapes. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C) organised?
- By the WJEC 601-5290-0 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Mathematical Requirements (Appendix C), 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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