YEAR 9 Spring 2026: 30 Mark Assessment Checklist

Key Terms You Must Remember

1. Eyepiece Lens

   • Definition: The part of the microscope that you look down into.

2. Magnification

   • Definition: How much larger something appears compared to its actual size.

3. Objective Lens

   • Definition: The part of the microscope that is closest to the specimen.

4. Resolution

   • Definition: The smallest change that can be measured by an instrument. For example, in a microscope, it is the smallest distance between two points that can be seen as two distinct points rather than blurred into one point.

5. Cell (Surface) Membrane

   • Definition: The membrane that controls what enters and exits a cell. It is referred to as the cell surface membrane since eukaryotic cells contain other structures that also have membranes.

6. Cell Wall

   • Definition: A tough layer of material surrounding some cells, providing protection and support. It is stiff and composed of cellulose in plant cells, while in bacteria, it is flexible.

7. Chloroplasts

   • Definition: Green discs containing chlorophyll found in plant cells; they are the sites where glucose is synthesized through the process of photosynthesis.

8. Nucleus

   • Definition: The cellular structure within a eukaryotic cell that houses the DNA/chromosomes.

9. Ribosome

   • Definition: Tiny sub-cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.

10. Respiration

    • Definition: A series of biochemical reactions occurring in all living cells where glucose is broken down to release energy.

11. Photosynthesis

    • Definition: A series of biochemical reactions occurring in the green parts of plants, where carbon dioxide and water are combined to produce glucose and oxygen. This process requires energy from sunlight.

12. Biotic Factor

    • Definition: Living components within an ecosystem, which include plants, animals, and microorganisms.

13. Abiotic Factor

    • Definition: Non-living components in an ecosystem, such as temperature, light, and space.

14. Adaptation

    • Definition: Features in an organism (e.g., plant or animal) that enable it to survive or perform specific functions.

15. Stem Cells

    • Definition: Undifferentiated cells that have not yet specialized. These cells retain the potential to differentiate into various cell types.

16. Meristems

    • Definition: Regions located at the tips of roots and shoots in plants, composed of unspecialized cells that can undergo cell division.

17. Myelin Sheath

    • Definition: A fatty, insulating layer encasing nerve cells, which facilitates the rapid transmission of electrical impulses.

18. Synapse

    • Definition: The gap between two neurons where neurotransmitters diffuse, allowing signals to be transmitted from one neuron to another.

Equations You Must Remember

1. Image Size Calculation

   • Formula: $I = A \times M$

     • Where:

     • I = Image Size

     • A = Actual Size

     • M = Magnification

2. Total Magnification Calculation

   • Formula: Total Magnification = Eyepiece Lens Magnification x Objective Lens Magnification

Content from Your Textbook

• Active Learn Sections:

  • CB1a: Microscopes

  • CB1b: Plant and Animal Cells

  • CB1c: Specialised Cells

  • CB1h: Transporting Substances

  • CB2a: Mitosis

  • CB2d: Stem Cells

  • CB2e: The Nervous System

  • CB2f: Neurotransmission Speeds

Revision Resources

• If you need ideas on where to start revising, consider these links:

  • GCSE Biology (Single Science) - Edexcel - BBC Bitesize

  • Edexcel GCSE Biology Revision - PMT (physicsandmathstutor.com) – offers revision notes and tools, as well as past papers

  • Free Science Lessons - YouTube – features short videos; search by topic

  • Edexcel GCSE Biology (9-1) Course Overview - YouTube – provided by Mr Exham Biology; search by topic

  • Cognito - YouTube – search by topic