Module 2.1.2: Biological molecules (OCR A-level Biology A)

The biological molecules sub-module is incredibly important, not just because it is found near to the start of the course, but also because of its detailed content which must be well understood to promote success with most of the other OCR A-level Biology A modules. Many hours of intricate planning have gone into the design of all of the 13 lessons that are included in this bundle to ensure that the content is covered in detail, understanding is constantly checked and misconceptions addressed and that engagement is high. This is achieved through the wide variety of tasks in the PowerPoints and accompanying worksheets which include exam-style questions with clear answers, discussion points, differentiated tasks and quick quiz competitions.

The following specification points are covered by the lessons within this bundle:

• The relationship between the properties of water and its roles for living organisms
• The concept of monomers and polymers and the importance of condensation and hydrolysis reactions
• The chemical elements that make up biological molecules
• The ring structure and properties of glucose and structure of ribose
• The synthesis and breakdown of a disaccharide and a polysaccharide
• The relationship between the structures, properties and functions of starch, glycogen and cellulose
• The structure of a triglyceride and a phospholipid as macromolecules
• The synthesis and breakdown of triglycerides
• The relationship between the properties and functions of triglycerides, phospholipids and cholesterol
• The general structure of an amino acid
• The synthesis and breakdown of dipeptides and polypeptides
• The levels of protein structure
• The structure and function of globular proteins
• The properties and functions of fibrous proteins
• The key inorganic ions that are involved in biological processes
• How to carry out and interpret the results of the chemical tests for proteins, reducing and non-reducing sugars, starch and lipids

Due to the detail of each of these lessons, it is estimated that it will take in excess of 6 weeks of allocated teaching time to cover the content.

If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the properties of water, glucose & ribose, amino acids and dipeptides and polypeptides lessons as these have been shared for free