Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
2.51 understand why simple, unicellular organisms can rely on diffusion for movement of substances in and out of the cell
2.52 understand the need for a transport system in multicellular organisms
Flowering plants
2.53 describe the role of phloem in transporting sucrose and amino acids between the leaves and other parts of the plant
2.54 describe the role of xylem in transporting water and mineral ions from the roots to other parts of the plant
2.55B understand how water is absorbed by root hair cells
2.56B understand that transpiration is the evaporation of water from the surface of a plant
2.57B understand how the rate of transpiration is affected by changes in humidity, wind speed, temperature and light intensity
2.58B practical: investigate the role of environmental factors in determining the rate of transpiration from a leafy shoot
Contains exam questions
Designed for the new specification IGCSE CIE (Cambridge) course but can be used for other examination boards.
Powerpoint presentation covers:
Core
1 State the distinguishing properties of solids, liquids and gases
2 Describe the structures of solids, liquids and gases in terms of particle separation, arrangement and motion.
3 Describe changes of state in terms of melting, boiling, evaporating, freezing and condensing
Supplement
5 Explain changes of state in terms of kinetic particle theory, including the interpretation of heating and cooling curves
Designed for the new specification AQA GCSE course but can be modified for other exam boards.
29 slides covering Photosynthesis
By the end of the powerpoint students would have covered:
4.4.1.1 Photosynthetic reaction
Photosynthesis is represented by the equation:
carbon dioxide + water light glucose + oxygen
Students should recognise the chemical symbols: CO2, H2O, O2 and C6H12O6.
Students should be able to describe photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction in which energy is transferred from the environment to the chloroplasts by light.
4.4.1.2 Rate of photosynthesis
Students should be able to explain the effects of temperature, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and the amount of chlorophyll on the rate of photosynthesis.
Students should be able to:
measure and calculate rates of photosynthesis
extract and interpret graphs of photosynthesis rate involving one limiting factor
plot and draw appropriate graphs selecting appropriate scale for axes
translate information between graphical and numeric form.
(HT only) These factors interact and any one of them may be the factor that limits photosynthesis.
(HT only) Students should be able to explain graphs of photosynthesis rate involving two or three factors and decide which is the limiting factor.
(HT only) Students should understand and use inverse proportion – the inverse square law and light intensity in the context of photosynthesis.
(HT only) Limiting factors are important in the economics of enhancing the conditions in greenhouses to gain the maximum rate of photosynthesis while still maintaining profit.
**Required practical activity 6: investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic organism such as pondweed. **
4.4.1.3 Uses of glucose from photosynthesis
The glucose produced in photosynthesis may be:
used for respiration
converted into insoluble starch for storage
used to produce fat or oil for storage
used to produce cellulose, which strengthens the cell wall
used to produce amino acids for protein synthesis.
To produce proteins, plants also use nitrate ions that are absorbed from the
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
Flowering plants
2.70 understand the origin of carbon dioxide and oxygen as waste products of metabolism and their loss from the stomata of a leaf
Humans
2.71 know the excretory products of the lungs, kidneys and skin (organs of excretion)
2.72B understand how the kidney carries out its roles of excretion and osmoregulation
2.73B describe the structure of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra
2.74B describe the structure of a nephron, including the Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus, convoluted tubules, loop of Henle and collecting duct
2.75B describe ultrafiltration in the Bowman’s capsule and the composition of the glomerular filtrate
2.76B understand how water is reabsorbed into the blood from the collecting duct
2.77B understand why selective reabsorption of glucose occurs at the proximal convoluted tubule
2.78B describe the role of ADH in regulating the water content of the blood
2.79B understand that urine contains water, urea and ions
Designed for the new specification AQA GCSE course but can be modified for other exam boards.
32 slides covering Diffusion. (contains a optional practical)
By the end of the powerpoint students would have covered:
Substances may move into and out of cells across the cell membranes via diffusion.
Diffusion is the spreading out of the particles of any substance in solution, or particles of a gas, resulting in a net movement from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Some of the substances transported in and out of cells by diffusion are oxygen and carbon dioxide in gas exchange, and of the waste product urea from cells into the blood plasma for excretion in the kidney.
Students should be able to explain how different factors affect the rate of diffusion.
Factors which affect the rate of diffusion are:
the difference in concentrations (concentration gradient)
the temperature
the surface area of the membrane.
A single-celled organism has a relatively large surface area to volume ratio. This allows sufficient transport of molecules into and out of the cell to meet the needs of the organism.
Students should be able to calculate and compare surface area to volume ratios.
Students should be able to explain the need for exchange surfaces and a transport system in multicellular organisms in terms of surface area to volume ratio.
Students should be able to explain how the small intestine and lungs in mammals, gills in fish, and the roots and leaves in plants, are adapted for exchanging materials.
In multicellular organisms, surfaces and organ systems are specialised for exchanging materials. This is to allow sufficient molecules tobe transported into and out of cells for the organism’s needs. The effectiveness of an exchange surface is increased by:
having a large surface area
a membrane that is thin, to provide a short diffusion path
(in animals) having an efficient blood supply
(in animals, for gaseous exchange) being ventilated.
Designed for the new specification AQA GCSE( covers spec point 4.5.4.1) course but can be modified for other exam boards.
26 slides covering Plant hormones and response:
-Be able to describe how plants respond to light and gravity.
-Be able to investigate the effect of light or gravity on the growth of newly germinated seedlings.
-Be able to describe the effects of some plant hormones and the different ways people use them to control plant growth.
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(f) Respiration
2.34 understand how the process of respiration produces ATP in living organisms
2.35 know that ATP provides energy for cells
2.36 describe the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
2.37 know the word equation and the balanced chemical symbol equation for aerobic respiration in living organisms
2.38 know the word equation for anaerobic respiration in plants and in animals
2.39 practical: investigate the evolution of carbon dioxide and heat from respiring seeds or other suitable living organisms
Contains exam style questions.
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(a) Food production
Crop plants
5.1 describe how glasshouses and polythene tunnels can be used to increase the yield of certain crops
5.2 understand the effects on crop yield of increased carbon dioxide and increased temperature in glasshouses
5.3 understand how the use of fertiliser can increase crop yield
5.4 understand the reasons for pest control and the advantages and disadvantages of using pesticides and biological control with crop plants
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(d) Cloning
5.17B describe the process of micropropagation (tissue culture) in which explants are grown in vitro
5.18B understand how micropropagation can be used to produce commercial quantities of genetically identical plants with desirable characteristics
5.19B describe the stages in the production of cloned mammals involving the introduction of a diploid nucleus from a mature cell into an enucleated egg cell, illustrated by Dolly the sheep
5.20B understand how cloned transgenic animals can be used to produce human proteins
Designed for the new specification IGCSE edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(a) Reproduction
3.1 understand the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction
3.2 understand that fertilisation involves the fusion of a male and female gamete to produce a zygote that undergoes cell division and develops into an embryo
Flowering plants
3.3 describe the structures of an insect-pollinated and a wind-pollinated flower and explain how each is adapted for pollination
3.4 understand that the growth of the pollen tube followed by fertilisation leads to seed and fruit formation
3.5 practical: investigate the conditions needed for seed germination
3.6 understand how germinating seeds utilise food reserves until the seedling can carry
out photosynthesis
3.7 understand that plants can reproduce asexually by natural methods (illustrated by runners) and by artificial methods (illustrated by cuttings)
Designed for the new specification IGCSE edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
Humans
3.8 understand how the structure of the male and female reproductive systems are adapted for their functions
3.9 understand the roles of oestrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle
3.10B understand the roles of FSH and LH in the menstrual cycle
3.11 describe the role of the placenta in the nutrition of the developing embryo
3.12 understand how the developing embryo is protected by amniotic fluid
3.13 understand the roles of oestrogen and testosterone in the development of secondary sexual characteristics
Designed for the new specification AQA GCSE( covers spec point 4.7.1 ) course but can be modified for other exam boards.
38 slides covering adaptations :
4.7.1.1 Communities
4.7.1.2 Abiotic factors
4.7.1.3 Biotic factors
4.7.1.4 Adaptations
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(g) Gas exchange
Humans
2.46 describe the structure of the thorax, including the ribs, intercostal muscles, diaphragm, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and pleural membranes
2.47 understand the role of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm in ventilation
2.48 explain how alveoli are adapted for gas exchange by diffusion between air in the lungs and blood in capillaries
2.49 understand the biological consequences of smoking in relation to the lungs and the circulatory system, including coronary heart disease
2.50 practical: investigate breathing in humans, including the release of carbon dioxide and the effect of exercise
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(d) Human influences on the environment
4.12 understand the biological consequences of pollution of air by sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide
4.13 understand that water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are greenhouse gases
4.14 understand how human activities contribute to greenhouse gases
4.15 understand how an increase in greenhouse gases results in an enhanced greenhouse effect and that this may lead to global warming and its consequences
4.16 understand the biological consequences of pollution of water by sewage
4.17 understand the biological consequences of eutrophication caused by leached minerals from fertiliser
4.18B understand the effects of deforestation, including leaching, soil erosion, disturbance of evapotranspiration and the carbon cycle, and the balance of atmospheric gases
Designed for the new specification AQA GCSE course but can be modified for other exam boards.
24 slides covering Discovery and development of drugs
By the end of the powerpoint students would have covered:
Students should be able to describe the process of discovery and development of potential new medicines, including preclinical and clinical testing.
Traditionally drugs were extracted from plants and microorganisms.
• The heart drug digitalis originates from foxgloves.
• The painkiller aspirin originates from willow.
• Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming from the Penicillium mould.
Most new drugs are synthesised by chemists in the pharmaceutical industry. However, the starting point may still be a chemical extracted from a plant.
New medical drugs have to be tested and trialled before being used to check that they are safe and effective.
New drugs are extensively tested for toxicity, efficacy and dose.
Preclinical testing is done in a laboratory using cells, tissues and live animals.
Clinical trials use healthy volunteers and patients.
• Very low doses of the drug are given at the start of the clinical trial.
• If the drug is found to be safe, further clinical trials are carried out to find the optimum dose for the drug.
• In double blind trials, some patients are given a placebo.
Designed for the new specification IGCSE edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
Humans
2.86 describe how nervous and hormonal communication control responses and understand the differences between the two systems
2.87 understand that the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and is linked to sense organs by nerves
2.88 understand that stimulation of receptors in the sense organs sends electrical impulses along nerves into and out of the central nervous system, resulting in rapid responses
2.89 understand the role of neurotransmitters at synapses
2.90 describe the structure and functioning of a simple reflex arc illustrated by the withdrawal of a finger from a hot object
2.91 describe the structure and function of the eye as a receptor
2.92 understand the function of the eye in focusing on near and distant objects, and in responding to changes in light intensity
2.93 describe the role of the skin in temperature regulation, with reference to sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation
2.94 understand the sources, roles and effects of the following hormones: adrenaline, insulin, testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen
2.95B understand the sources, roles and effects of the following hormones: ADH, FSH and LH
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
(b) Feeding relationships
4.6 understand the names given to different trophic levels, including producers, primary, secondary and tertiary consumers and decomposers
4.7 understand the concepts of food chains, food webs, pyramids of number, pyramids of biomass and pyramids of energy transfer
4.8 understand the transfer of substances and energy along a food chain
4.9 understand why only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next
Designed for the new specification IGCSE Edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
The organism in the environment
4.1 understand the terms population, community, habitat and ecosystem
4.2 practical: investigate the population size of an organism in two different areas using
quadrats
4.3B understand the term biodiversity
4.4B practical: investigate the distribution of organisms in their habitats and
measure biodiversity using quadrats
4.5 understand how abiotic and biotic factors affect the population size and distribution of organisms
Designed for the new specification IGCSE edexcel course but can be used for other examination boards.
Covers:
2.80 understand how organisms are able to respond to changes in their environment
2.81 understand that homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment, and that body water content and body temperature are both examples of homeostasis
2.82 understand that a co-ordinated response requires a stimulus, a receptor and an effector
Flowering plants
2.83 understand that plants respond to stimuli
2.84 describe the geotropic and phototropic responses of roots and stems
2.85 understand the role of auxin in the phototropic response of stems