GCSE Biology Paper 1 Topics

What is a Meristem?

A region in plants where new cells are produced through cell division.

What is Mitosis?

The process of cell division where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

What is Epidermal tissue?

A waterproof waxy surface layer on the upper epidermis which prevents water loss.

What is Spongy Mesophyll tissue?

Loosely packed with a large surface area and lots of air gaps, maximizing the rate of gas exchange for photosynthesis.

What is Palisade Mesophyll tissue?

Packed tightly with cells rich in Chloroplasts, maximizing light energy capture for photosynthesis.

What are Guard cells?

Cells that open and close the stomata.

What are Stomata?

Pores in the leaf that allow gases to diffuse through.

What is Transpiration?

The evaporation of water from the leaves

What is Translocation?

The movement of dissolved sugars and other molecules throughout the plant.

What is a Pathogen?

A microorganism that causes disease in animals or plants.

Name two types of Viruses.

Covid-19 and Flu.

Name two types of Bacteria.

Gonorrhoea and Salmonella.

Name one type of Fungus.

Rose black spot.

Name one type of Protist.

Malaria.

What is a Vector?

An organism that carries and transmits a disease.

What are Antibodies?

Proteins produced by the immune system to help fight off infections.

What are White Blood cells?

Cells in your immune system that defend against infections and diseases.

What are Red Blood cells?

Cells that transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

What are Veins?

Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart.

What are Capillaries?

Blood vessels where the exchange of substances with cells occurs.

What are Arteries?

Blood vessels that carry blood at high pressure away from the heart.

What is Deoxygenated blood?

Blood with low oxygen and high carbon dioxide.

What is Oxygenated blood?

Blood rich in oxygen.

Where is Bile produced?

In the Liver.

Where are Lipases produced?

In the Pancreas, mouth, and stomach.

Where are Proteases produced?

In the Small intestine, Pancreas, and Stomach.

Where are Amylases produced?

In the Small intestine, Pancreas, and Salivary glands.

What are Enzymes?

Biological catalysts that speed up the reaction without being consumed

What is the Lock and Key theory?

Enzymes have an active site that binds specifically to one type of molecule, called a substrate.

What is Active transport?

The movement of solute substances against a concentration gradient.

What is Osmosis?

The movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration

What is Diffusion?

The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

What is the process of cell division?

A process where replicated chromosomes separate to form two nuclei.

What is the function of Root hair cells?

To absorb water and mineral ions from the soil.

What is the function of Nerve cells?

To carry electrical impulses around the body.

What is the function of Muscle cells?

To produce movement.

What is the function of Sperm cells?

To carry genetic material to the egg cell.

What do Xylem cells do?

Transport water and mineral ions through the plant.

What do Phloem cells do?

Transport sugars made in leaves to the rest of the plant.

What is the function of the nucleus in the cell?

To control the activities of the whole cell.

What is the function of the mitochondria in the cell?

To release energy in respiration.

How many micrometres are in 1 mm?

1000 micrometres

Which part of the body causes the blood to clot?

Platelets.

Name two substances transported in the blood.

Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide.

What is the Photosynthesis equation?

Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen.

What is Lactic acid?

A waste product produced during anaerobic respiration.

How do plants use the glucose produced by photosynthesis?

Converts to starch and also used in respiration

How can a student test a drink for sugar?

Add Benedict's solution and heat it up.

What is the positive colour result for sugar?

Green, Yellow, Orange, or Blue.

How can a student test a drink for protein?

Add Biuret solution.

What is the positive colour result for protein?

Lilac/Purple.

What is an Independent variable?

The variable that is changed in an experiment.

What is a Dependent variable?

A variable that is observed for change in an experiment

What is a Control variable?

A variable that is kept the same in an experiment

Pepsin

Enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides

What helps the absorption of Glucose in the small intestine

Villi has a large surface area and many capillaries

How is Lactic Acid produced

Anaerobic respiration

Smallest to Largest

Gene, Chromosome, Nucleus

How do fossils give evidence for evolution

Fossils show change over time

What can help reduce the spread of antibiotic resitance

Patients taking antibiotics for the full prescribed course and prescribing antibiotics for serious bacterial infections

Placebo

A fake treatment that resembles a real one but doesn’t contain any active substance

In a double blind trial, who knows who is given the trial drug, and who is given the placebo

Only the researcher

Is Bacteria larger or smaller than animals and plant cells

Smaller

Which type of drug are used to relieve the symptoms of disease

Painkillers

What is the movement of cell sap ( a mixture of sugar and water) up and down the plant

Translocation

How do antibodies help defend against pathogens

They bind to pathogens and help immune cells destroy them

How does skin help to defend against disease

It covers the body preventing pathogens from entering and also produces and releases oils and antimicrobial substances that kill pathogens

Function of white blood cells

Produce antitoxins and antibodies and also Phagocytosis

How do root hair cells absorb water from the soil

Osmosis

Flagellum

Allows sperm cell to swim through the uterus and fallopian tube to reach the egg

What would happen if red blood cells were placed in water

Gain water and swell

Advantages of using stem cells

Replace damaged and diseased cells and tissue and can also divide and create more stem cells like themselves

Why does water loss slow down if a plant is put into a plastic bag

The humidity increases

Which part of the plant is glucose produced in? 

Leaves

Toxicity

how harmful a drug is such as how many side effects

Phagocytes

A cell that takes in and breaks down pathogens

Lymphocytes

Helps the body’s immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria

Haemoglobin

A protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body

Three factors that can affect the rate of photosynthesis

Light intensity, Temperature and Carbon dioxide concentration

Explain the role of enzymes in the digestive system

Breaks down large insoluble food molecules into smaller soluble ones that can be absorbed into the bloodstream

Describe two key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

Prokaryotic cells have no nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles while Eukaryotic cells have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

Which cells are generally larger and more complex

Eukaryotic cells

Which structures is found in plant cells but not in animal cells?

Cell wall and Chloroplasts

State the main function of chloroplasts in plant cells.

To perform photosynthesis

Which part of the cell contains chromosomes?

Nucleus

Chromosomes are made up of DNA and what other component?

Proteins

Define cytokinesis and explain its role in cell division.

It divides the cytoplasm of a parental cell into two daughter cells

During which phase of the cell cycle does the cell grow and replicate its DNA?

Interphase

Which type of stem cell can develop into any cell type in the human body?

Embryonic stem cells

In plants, stem cells are found in which specific area?

Meristems

State two potential uses of stem cells in medicine.

Replaces damaged cells and can also grow new tissues

Explain why stem cells from therapeutic cloning are less likely to be rejected by a patient's body.

Because they are genetically identical to the patient’s own cells

What structures in the small intestine increase its surface area for absorption?

Villi

Explain why active transport is necessary for plant growth.

It allows plants to absorb essential mineral ions from the soil

Explain the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms.

Unicellular organisms are made of just one cell, while multicellular organisms are made of many cells

Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygenated blood to the body?

Left ventricle

Describe what is meant by a double circulatory system.

A circulatory system where blood passes through the heart twice in one complete circuit of the body

Which tissue in plants is primarily responsible for photosynthesis?

Mesophyll tissue

Bacteria reproduce inside the human body by which process?

Binary fission

Explain why vaccination is an effective method for preventing the spread of certain diseases.

It creates antibodies that protect the immune system from diseases