Essay Topics

3.1.4.1 - Protein structure OR 3.4.2 - DNA and protein synthesis → mutation in haemoglobin, less oxygen to respiring tissues

3.1.5.2 - DNA replication → enables cell division in mitosis for repair/growth (for example foetuses in the womb)

3.2.4 - Cell recognition and the immune system → protects against viruses like that would replicate

3.3.3 - Digestion and absorption → absorbs glucose/lipids/AAs to increase low blood glucose conc.

3.3.4.2 - Mass transport in plants → water for photolysis in light dependent photosynthesis

3.3.4.1 - Mass transport (cardiac cycle) → oxygen to respiring cells to be terminal electron acceptor OR glucose to respiring cells to release energy for muscle contraction

3.5.1 - Photosynthesis → enables light dependent reaction releasing energy for growth from glucose OR produces glucose converted to cellulose prevents bursting due to osmotic pressure OR enables light independent to occur

3.5.2 - Respiration → provides ATP for metabolic processes (absorption of glucose/AAs)

3.5.4 - Nutrient cycles (nitrogen) → used in DNA replication/eutrophication

3.6.1.3 - Control of heart rate → prevents denaturing of proteins/enzymes in exercise due to increased CO₂ (and therefore carbonic acid)

3.6.2.2 - Synaptic transmission → enables reflex arc prevents damage to tissues (hot, enzyme denaturation)

3.6.3 - Skeletal muscle contraction → circular and radial muscles of eye: In high light conditions, it is vital that the circular muscles in the eye contract therefore constricting the pupil. If this did not happen too much light could enter the eye reaching the retina and causing damage.

3.6.4.2 - Control of blood glucose concentration (glucagon) → ensures enough glucose available to produce ATP to be used in cell processes (mitosis, translation) OR (insulin) cells could s     hrivel, damaged organelles (no protein synth)

3.6.4.2 - Control of blood water potential → enables desert animals to reabsorb more water, prevents cells shrivelling, metabolic processes

3.7.3 - Evolution may lead to speciation (natural selection) - enables organisms to be adapted to environmental changes (e.g. temp.)

3.8.2.2 - Regulation of transcription and translation (oestrogen on transcriptional factors) - expression of TSG (out of spec?)

OR 3.8.2.2 - siRNA gene silencing

3.8.4.3 - Genetic fingerprinting → tracking animal parental relationships in conservation, prevents inbreeding