Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development

Cells, Tissues and Organ SystemsSign up

know that all living organisms are made of cells, sharing some common features · understand how the cells of multicellular organisms are organised into tissues, tissues into organs, and organs into organ systems

Eukaryotic Ultrastructure and Organelle FunctionSign up

know the ultrastructure of eukaryotic cells: nucleus, nucleolus, ribosomes, rough and smooth ER, mitochondria, centrioles, lysosomes, Golgi apparatus · understand the function of each organelle listed above · understand the role of the rough ER and Golgi apparatus in protein transport, including formation of extracellular enzymes · recognise these organelles in electron microscope (EM) images

Prokaryotic Cells and MicroscopySign up

know the ultrastructure of prokaryotic cells: cell wall, capsule, plasmid, flagellum, pili, ribosomes, circular DNA, and the function of each · know how magnification and resolution can be achieved using light and electron microscopy; understand the importance of staining specimens · CORE PRACTICAL 5: use a light microscope to make observations and labelled drawings of suitable animal cells; use a graticule to make measurements and understand scale

Meiosis, Gametes and Genetic VariationSign up

know that a locus is the location of a gene on a chromosome; understand the linkage of genes on a chromosome · understand the role of meiosis in producing non-identical gametes via independent assortment in metaphase I and crossing over in prophase I (stage names of prophase not required) · understand how mammalian gametes are specialised for their functions (acrosome in sperm, zona pellucida in the egg)

Fertilisation in Mammals and Flowering PlantsSign up

know the process of fertilisation in mammals: acrosome reaction, cortical reaction, fusion of nuclei · know the process of fertilisation in flowering plants: pollen tube growth and fusion of nuclei

Mitosis and the Cell CycleSign up

understand the role of mitosis and the cell cycle in producing genetically identical daughter cells for growth and asexual reproduction · CORE PRACTICAL 6: prepare and stain a root tip squash to observe the stages of mitosis · calculate mitotic indices

Stem Cells and Differential Gene ExpressionSign up

understand the terms stem cell, pluripotent, totipotent, morula and blastocyst; discuss societal uses of stem-cell knowledge in medical therapies · understand how cells become specialised through differential gene expression, producing active mRNA that drives synthesis of proteins controlling cell processes or structure · understand how one gene can give rise to more than one protein via post-transcriptional changes to mRNA

Phenotype, Epigenetics and Polygenic InheritanceSign up

understand how phenotype results from the interaction of genotype and environment · know how epigenetic modification (DNA methylation, histone modification) can alter gene activation and be passed on following cell division · understand how phenotypes are affected by multiple alleles for the same gene, by polygenic inheritance, and by the environment, giving rise to continuous variation