GCSE Biology Paper 1 Topics

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

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

Epidermal tissue: An outer layer of cells that protect the leaf. It has a waterproof waxy surface layer on the upper epidermis which prevents water loss.

Spongy Mesophyll tissue: Loosely packed with a large surface area and lots of air gaps. This maximises the rate of gas exchange for photosynthesis and allows gases to diffuse easily through the leaf.

Palisade Mesophyll tissue: Cell shape allows them to be tightly packed. It is rich in Chloroplasts and maximises the amount of light energy that can be captured in Photosynthesis.

Guard cells: Open and closes the stomata

Stomata: Pores in the leaf that gases can diffuse through

Transpiration: The process of plants absorbing water from the soil, circulate it and vapourise through pores in their leaves

Translocation: The movement of dissolved sugars and other molecules throughout the plant

Pathogen: A microorganism that caused disease in animals or plants

Two types of Viruses: Covid 19 and Flu

Two types of Bacteria: Gonorrhoea and Salmonella

One type of Fungus: Rose black spot

One type of Protist: Malaria

Vector: An organism that carries and gives a disease

Antibodies: Proteins produced by the immune system to help fight off infections

White Blood cells: Cells in your immune system that defends against infections and diseases.

Red Blood cells: Transport oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body

Veins: Blood vessels that carry blood back to the heart

Capillaries: Exchange of substances with cells

Arteries: Carry blood at high pressure away from the heart

Deoxygenated blood: Low oxygen and high concentration of carbon dioxide

Oxygenated blood: Blood rich in oxygen

Where is Bile produced: Liver

Where are Lipase produced: Pancreas, mouth and stomach

Where are Protease produced: Small intestine, Pancreas and Stomach

Where are Amylase produced: Small intestine, Pancreas and Salivary glands

Enzymes: Biological catalysts that speed up the rate of a reaction without being consumed.

Lock and Key theory: Enzymes have an area called an active site that has the correct shape to bind to one type of molecule. This molecule is called the substrate. Enzymes catalyse specific reactions according to the shape of their active site.

Active transport: Moves solute substances against a concentration gradient

Osmosis: The diffusion of water from a dilute solution to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane.

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

A process of cell division and where replicated chromosomes separate to form two nuclei

Root hair cell: Absorbs water and mineral ions from soil

Nerve cell: To carry electrical impulses around the body:

Muscle cell: To produce movement

Sperm cell: To carry genetic material to the egg cell

Xylem cells: Transport water and mineral ions through the plant

Phloem cells: Transports 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

1 mm in micrometres= 1000μm

Which part of the body causes the blood to clot: Platelets

Name two substances transported in the blood: Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Photosynthesis equation: Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

Lactic acid: A waste product produced during anaerobic respiration

Two ways plants use the glucose produced by photosynthesis: It converts to starch and also used for respiration

How can a student test the 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 the drink for protein: Add Biuret solution.

What is the positive colour result for protein: Lilac/Purple

Independent variable: When a person changes something in an experiment

Dependent variable: When we wait for something to change or happen

Control variable: Something that is kept the same during an experiment