Key term
Edexcel GCSE Biology 1BI0
Key Concepts in Biology
Topic overviewEukaryotic and prokaryotic cellsSpecialised cells and their adaptationsMicroscopes and magnification calculationsSize, scale and units in cell biologyEnzyme action and denaturationFactors affecting enzyme activityEnzymes in synthesis and digestion, and rate calculationsFood tests and the energy in foodDiffusion, osmosis and active transportOsmosis in potatoes and percentage change in mass
Cells and Control
Topic overviewMitosis and the cell cycleWhy mitosis matters: growth, repair and cancerGrowth, differentiation and percentile chartsStem cells and their use in medicineThe structure and function of the brainNeurones, receptors and the reflex arcThe structure and function of the eyeEye defects and how they are corrected
Genetics
Topic overviewAsexual and sexual reproductionMeiosis and the formation of gametesDNA structure, genes and the genomeExtracting DNA from fruitMendel's work and the inheritance of blood groupsAlleles, genotype and phenotypeMonohybrid crosses and sex determinationProbability and ratios from genetic crossesCauses of variation: genes and environmentThe Human Genome ProjectGenetic variation and the effects of mutation
Natural Selection and Genetic Modification
Topic overviewDarwin, Wallace and the theory of evolutionNatural selection and antibiotic resistanceFossil evidence for human evolutionStone tool evidence for human evolutionThe pentadactyl limb and the three domainsSelective breedingTissue cultureGenetic engineering and modern agricultureBenefits and risks of GM organisms
Health, Disease and the Development of Medicines
Topic overviewHealth, disease and susceptibilityPathogens and common infectionsHow pathogens spread, and the virus life cycleSexually transmitted infectionsHow plants defend themselvesPhysical barriers and chemical defencesThe immune system, immunisation and herd immunityAntibiotics and developing new medicinesAseptic technique in culturing microorganismsTesting antiseptics and antibiotics on bacterial culturesLifestyle factors and non-communicable diseaseTreatments for cardiovascular disease
Plant Structures and Their Functions
Topic overviewPhotosynthesis as an endothermic reactionLimiting factors in photosynthesisLight intensity and the rate of photosynthesisRoot hair cells, xylem and phloemTranspiration and translocationLeaf structure for photosynthesis and gas exchangeFactors affecting the rate of transpirationPlant adaptations to extreme environmentsPlant hormones, phototropism and gravitropism
Animal Coordination, Control and Homeostasis
Topic overviewHormones, endocrine glands and homeostasisThe menstrual cycle and its hormonesHormonal and barrier contraceptionHomeostasis and thermoregulationControlling blood glucose, and type 1 diabetesType 2 diabetes and body massThe urinary system and the production of ureaThe nephron, filtration and selective reabsorptionTreating kidney failure: dialysis and transplants
Exchange and Transport in Animals
Topic overviewWhy multicellular organisms need exchange surfacesAlveoli and gas exchangeRate of diffusion and Fick's lawThe blood and its componentsArteries, veins and capillariesThe heart and the circulatory systemCellular respiration as an exothermic reactionAerobic and anaerobic respiration comparedInvestigating the rate of respirationCardiac output, stroke volume and heart rate
Ecosystems and Material Cycles
Topic overviewLevels of organisation and interdependenceAbiotic and biotic factors in a communityParasitism and mutualismSampling with quadrats and transectsEstimating population size from field dataEnergy transfer between trophic levelsHuman impact on ecosystems and biodiversityFood securityThe carbon cycleThe water and nitrogen cyclesFactors affecting the rate of decompositionCalculating the rate of decay
Ecosystems and Material Cycles
Factors affecting the rate of decomposition
- 3 things to know
- Paper 2
Overview
The warmth, water and oxygen that decay microorganisms need, how refrigeration, freezing, drying, salting, vacuum packing and canning preserve food, and how turning, heat, moisture, shredding and temperature affect the rate of decay in a compost heap.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
Explain how surface area and temperature affect the rate of decay in a compost heap.
Key term
Which organisms are responsible for food decaying?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
Which organisms are responsible for food decaying?
Model answer
Decomposer bacteria and fungi.
- 2
State the three conditions needed by decay microorganisms that food preservation methods aim to remove.
Model answer
Warmth, water and oxygen.
- 3
Explain how keeping food in a refrigerator slows spoiling.
Model answer
The low temperature slows the enzymes of the decay microorganisms, so they grow and reproduce much more slowly.
- 4
Explain why frozen food keeps for months.
Model answer
Below 0 °C the water is frozen and unavailable, and microorganisms cannot grow or reproduce, so decay virtually stops.
- 5
Explain why dried foods such as pasta and dried fruit do not decay.
Model answer
Without water the decay microorganisms cannot grow or use their enzymes to break the food down.
- 6
Explain how packing food in a large amount of salt or sugar preserves it.
Model answer
The concentrated solution draws water out of the microorganisms by osmosis, so they cannot grow.
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