BTEC National Applied Science Revision Guide

Parkinson's disease

A neurodegenerative disorder affecting movement control.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter involved in movement and mood.

L-dopa

A precursor to dopamine used in Parkinson's treatment.

Brain chemicals

Substances that influence brain function and behavior.

Calculate questions

Exam questions requiring numerical answers and workings.

CO2 as refrigerant

Carbon dioxide used due to low climate impact.

Density of CO2

1.977 kg m−3 at 0 °C and atmospheric pressure.

Ideal gas equation

Equation relating pressure, volume, and temperature of gases.

Symptoms of Parkinson's disease

Muscle tremors, stiffness, slow movement, and balance issues.

Dopamine-secreting neurons

Neurons responsible for producing dopamine in the brain.

Imbalances of brain chemicals

Disruptions in neurotransmitter levels affecting mental health.

Treatment of Parkinson's disease

Methods aimed at increasing dopamine concentration in the brain.

External revision guide

Resource designed to assist with exam preparation.

Publisher's note

Advisory on accuracy and updates of qualification information.

Assessment guidance materials

Documents providing instructions for qualification assessments.

Contemporary Issues in Science

Unit exploring current scientific debates and challenges.

Extended diploma

Advanced qualification covering more extensive scientific topics.

Foundation diploma

Basic level qualification in applied science.

Extended certificate

Intermediate qualification with a focus on applied science.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter controlling movement and emotions.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reward.

Clinical Depression

Prolonged sadness, anxiety, and loss of interest.

Ecstasy (MDMA)

Drug preventing serotonin reuptake, enhancing mood.

Synaptic Vesicle

Stores neurotransmitters for release into synapse.

Neurotransmitter

Chemical messenger transmitting signals across synapses.

Density Formula

Density, ρ = mass (m) / volume (V).

Ideal Gas Equation

pV = nkT relates pressure, volume, and temperature.

Calcium Ion (Ca2+)

Essential for neurotransmitter release in synapses.

Sodium Ion (Na+)

Involved in action potentials and synaptic transmission.

Presynaptic Membrane

Membrane releasing neurotransmitters into the synaptic cleft.

Postsynaptic Membrane

Membrane receiving neurotransmitters from the synaptic cleft.

Synaptic Cleft

Gap between presynaptic and postsynaptic membranes.

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

Inhibits serotonin reabsorption, increasing synaptic levels.

Prozac

Example of an SSRI used for depression.

Dopamine Agonists

Mimic dopamine, useful for treating Parkinson's.

Volume Calculation

V = m / ρ for density-related problems.

Work Done Formula

W = pressure (p) × change in volume (ΔV).

Total Internal Energy Change (ΔU)

Energy change during phase transitions or reactions.

Pressure of CO2

Saturated vapor pressure at 2.0 MPa.

Volume at 0°C

V273 = 0.100 kg / 1.977 kg/m³ = 0.0506 m³.

Volume at 18°C

V291 = V273 × (291/273) = 0.054 m³.

Significant Figures

Reflect uncertainty in least precise data.

Describe questions

Require detailed explanation of a topic.

Discuss questions

Involve presenting arguments for and against.

Compare questions

Highlight similarities and differences between topics.

Hypothesis

Testable prediction based on observations.

Risk assessments

Evaluating potential hazards in an investigation.

Variables

Factors that can change in an experiment.

Method

Step-by-step procedure for conducting an investigation.

Recording data

Documenting observations and measurements systematically.

Processing data

Organizing and analyzing collected information.

Interpreting data

Making sense of analyzed information to draw conclusions.

Evaluating an investigation

Assessing the effectiveness and reliability of a study.

Enzymes

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions.

Active sites

Regions on enzymes where substrates bind.

Factors affecting enzyme activity

Temperature, pH, and concentration influence enzyme function.

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

Kinetic theory

Explains behavior of particles in matter.

Plant growth

Increase in size and mass of plants over time.

Sampling techniques

Methods for selecting representative samples from populations.

Units of energy

Measured in joules or calories.

Power equations

Relate power, energy, and time in calculations.

Statistical tests

Methods for analyzing data to draw conclusions.

Chi-squared test

Statistical test for independence in categorical data.

t-test

Statistical test comparing means of two groups.

Displaying data

Visual representation of information for clarity.

Correlation analysis

Examining relationship between two variables.

Electromagnetic waves

Waves that carry electromagnetic energy through space.

Unit 1 exam

Assessment covering foundational biology concepts.

Calculate questions

Problems requiring numerical solutions and computations.

Explain questions

Questions needing detailed descriptions and reasoning.

Cardiac cycle

Sequence of events in heart contraction and relaxation.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD)

Health conditions affecting heart and blood vessels.

Daphnia heart rate

Measurement of heart rate in water flea species.

Lung ventilation

Process of air movement in and out of lungs.

Osmoregulation

Regulation of water and solute balance in organisms.

Passive transport

Movement of substances across membranes without energy.

Active transport

Energy-requiring movement of substances against concentration gradient.

Metal oxides

Compounds formed from metals and oxygen.

Electrolysis of brine

Process producing chlorine, hydrogen, and sodium hydroxide.

Alkanes

Saturated hydrocarbons with single carbon-carbon bonds.

Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one double bond.

Enthalpy change

Heat content change during a chemical reaction.

Energy conservation

Principle stating energy cannot be created or destroyed.

Fluid dynamics

Study of fluids in motion and their forces.

Non-Newtonian fluids

Fluids whose viscosity changes under stress.

Quantitative evidence

Data expressed in numerical form for analysis.

Validity of data

Accuracy and truthfulness of collected information.

Presentation of science

How scientific information is communicated to audiences.

Microscopes

Instruments used to magnify small objects for viewing.

Total magnification

Calculated as eyepiece magnification times objective magnification.

Coverslip

Protects specimen and lens during microscopy.

Stains

Enhance contrast to distinguish specimen features.

Electron Microscope

Allows high magnification, examines only dead material.

Magnification

Ratio of image size to real object size.

Light Microscope

Uses light to view live specimens.

Electron Micrograph

Image produced by an electron microscope.

Mitosis

Process of nuclear division in cells.

Onion Root Tip

Common specimen for observing mitosis.

Scale in Eyepiece

Used for measuring structures under microscope.