November Tests Revision Guide

Examination Logistics and Administration

  • Instructor: Julie Brennan

  • Announcement Date: Nov 4

  • Assessment Title: November Tests

  • Examination Date: Tuesday 10th November 2026

  • Allocated Exam Duration: 2 hrs2\,\text{hrs}

Required Examination Materials and Equipment

  • Calculator: Required for quantitative calculations, data evaluation, and numerical analysis.

  • Ruler: Required for measuring, constructing tables, and plotting graphs.

  • Pencils: Required for diagrammatic representations, sketches, and graphing work.

  • Pens: Required for written explanations, definitions, structured responses, and general writing.

  • Additional Supplies (etc.): Any further essential writing and drafting stationery necessary to complete the assessment.

Scientific Methodology and Foundation of Life

  • Nature of science (definitions and experimental techniques):

    • Definitions: Theoretical terminology, core scientific principles, and scientific vocabulary.

    • Experimental techniques: Practical procedures, laboratory protocols, methodology, experimental design, controls, variables, and safety considerations.

  • Characteristics of life:

    • Fundamental biological criteria, vital functions, and defining properties of living organisms.

Cellular Biology and Biological Molecules

  • Cells:

    • Cellular ultrastructure, organelle morphology, organelle functions, and cytological principles.

  • Biomolecules:

    • Organic macromolecules, biochemical constituents of organisms, structural categories, and biomolecular testing procedures.

  • Transport Across Membranes:

    • Mechanisms of cellular transport across biological membranes, selective permeability, passive transport, active transport, and concentration gradient dynamics.

  • Cell division:

    • Nuclear and cellular replication processes, stages of division, cytokinesis, and their significance in growth, repair, and reproduction.

Biochemical Reactions and Genetics

  • Enzymes:

    • Biological catalysts, enzymatic mechanisms, enzyme-substrate specificity, active sites, and factors influencing catalytic activity.

  • Photosynthesis*:

    • Designated with an asterisk (*) indicating specific focus or syllabus conditions.

    • Light absorption, pigments, photosynthetic stages, metabolic reactions, and related practicals.

  • DNA, RNA, Genetic Code:

    • Nucleic acid molecular architecture, nucleotide structure, and double-helix geometry.

    • Information coding, triplet codons, transcription, translation, and protein synthesis.

  • Microorganisms:

    • Morphological types, classification, biological characteristics, growth patterns, and ecological roles of microscopic entities.

Animal Physiology and Environmental Systems

  • Digestive System:

    • Anatomy of the digestive tract, mechanical and chemical breakdown of substances, enzymatic action, nutrient absorption, and egestion.

  • Circulatory System:

    • Vascular anatomy, cardiac structure, heart dynamics, circulatory fluid composition, and systemic transport routes.

  • Ecology (including nutrient cycles):

    • Ecological interactions, environmental interdependencies, community structures, trophic relationships, and habitats.

    • Nutrient cycles: Compulsory coverage of biogeochemical cycling pathways (e.g., carbon and nitrogen cycles) facilitating nutrient flow through ecosystems.