Model Exam Question Booklet

Separate Science
Biology Paper 1
Topics in the Paper:
This booklet is split into 3 parts. Cell Structure and
B1
Part 1 Transport
A selection of short response questions and B2 Cell Division
answers that are likely to come in the exam
paper. Spend time learning the answers to Organisation and the
these questions, for example you could B3
Digestive System
produce flash cards. You should self quiz Organising Animals
yourself on these questions regularly! B4
and Plants
Part 2 Communicable
B5
Selection of extended response questions (4 Disease
to 6 marks) that are likely to be on your paper Preventing and
B6
this year, either because they have not been Treating Disease
assessed in the last couple of years, or Non-Communicable
because they come up most years in exams. B7
Disease
Prepare and practice your responses to these
questions. B8 Photosynthesis

Part 3 B9 Respiration
Required practical section. In this section you
will find step by step guidance for each
practical. This is followed by a page of short RP1 Light Microscope
response questions and answers to learn for
each of the practicals. There are also some RP2 Bacterial Growth
extended response questions (4 to 6 marks).
RP3 Osmosis

RP4 Qualitative Reagents

RP5 Enzymes

RP6 Light Intensity

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 Part 1
Short Response
Questions

@SinclairEducation 1
B1: Cell Structure Fold page here

1. What is a eukaryotic cell? 1. A plant or animal cell that has a cell membrane,
cytoplasm and its genetic material enclosed in a
nucleus.
2. What is a prokaryotic cell? 2. A cell in which the genetic material is not
enclosed in a nucleus. Its DNA is found as a loop
in the cell and there may be one or more
plasmids.
3. What is a plasmid? 3. A small ring of DNA.
4. What type of cell is a bacterial cell? 4. Prokaryotic cell.
5. How does the size of a prokaryotic cell compare 5. Much smaller.
to a eukaryotic cell?
6. What is the function of the nucleus? 6. Control the cell.
7. What is the function of the cytoplasm? 7. Site of chemical reactions.
8. What is the function of the cell membrane? 8. Controls what enters and leaves the cell.
9. What is the function of the mitochondria? 9. Site of respiration.
10. Wat is the function of ribosomes? 10. Site of protein synthesis.
11. What is the function of chloroplasts? 11. Site of photosynthesis.
12. What is the permanent vacuoles function? 12. Supports the cell and contains cell sap.
13. How is the cell wall strengthened? 13. Cellulose.
14. What are the common parts of an animal cell? 14. Nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm,
mitochondria and ribosomes.
15. What are the common parts of a plant cell? 15. Nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm,
mitochondria, ribosomes, chloroplasts, cell wall
and vacuole.
16. What is the function of a sperm cell? 16. Carry father’s genetic information and fertilise
the egg.
17. How is a sperm cell adapted? 17. Streamlined shape, nucleus contains 1 set of
chromosomes, lots of mitochondria for
respiration, contains digestive enzymes.
18. What is the function of a nerve cell? 18. Transmit electrical impulses around the body.
19. How is a nerve cell adapted? 19. Long, and lots of dendrites to make connections
with lots of other cells.
20. What is the function of a muscle cell? 20. Contract and relax to bring about movement.
21. How is a muscle cell adapted? 21. Lots of mitochondria for respiration.
22. What is the function of the root hair cells? 22. Absorb mineral ions and water from soil.
23. How is a root hair cell adapted? 23. Large surface area and lots of mitochondria for
respiration.
24. What is the function of the xylem? 24. Transport water around the plant.
25. How are the xylem adapted for their function? 25. Few cell structures and so they are dead for more
space and supported by lignin.
26. What are the function of phloem cells? 26. Transport sugars around the plant.
27. How are phloem cells adapted for their 27. Few cell structures and supported by companion
function? cells.
28. What are the advantages of electron 28. Higher magnification and higher resolution.
microscopes?
29. What have been the benefits of electron 29. Can be used to examine a cell in much finer detail
microscopes? and has led to a better understanding of sub
cellular structures.
30. What is the formula for magnification? 30. Magnification = Size of Image / Size of Real
Object

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B1: Cell Transport Fold page here

1. What is diffusion? 1. The spreading out of the particles of any

substance in solution, or particles of a gas,
causing a net movement from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration.
2. What substances in animals and plants are 2. Oxygen, carbon dioxide and urea.
transported in and out of cells by diffusion?
3. How does the difference in concentration affect 3. Increased concentration gradient increases the
the rate of diffusion? rate of diffusion.
4. How does the temperature affect the rate of 4. Increased temperature increases in the rate of
diffusion? diffusion because particles have more kinetic
energy and are moving faster.
5. How does the surface area of the membrane 5. Increased surface area increases the rate of
affect the rate of diffusion? diffusion.
6. How are single-cells organisms adapted for 6. It has a large surface area to volume ratio.
diffusion?
7. How is the small intestine adapted for 7. It is long and has villi for a large surface area, the
exchange? cell membranes are thin for a short diffusion
pathway, there is a rich blood supply to maintain
a steep concentration gradient and lots of
mitochondria.
8. How are the lungs adapted for exchange? 8. Lots of alveoli for a large surface area, thin
membrane for a short diffusion pathway and
good ventilation and blood supply to maintain a
steep concentration gradient.
9. How are the gills in a fish adapted for exchange? 9. Large surface area, thin membrane for a short
diffusion pathway and good ventilation and blood
supply to maintain a steep concentration
gradient.
10. How are the roots adapted for exchange? 10. Large surface area, thin surface membrane for a
short diffusion pathway and lots of mitochondria
for active transport.
11. How are the leaves adapted for exchange? 11. Large surface area and thin for short diffusion
pathway.
12. What is osmosis? 12. The movement of water from a dilute to
concentrated solution through a partially
permeable membrane.
13. What is active transport? 13. The movement of substances from a more dilute
solution to a more concentrated solution (against
the concentration gradient). It requires energy.
14. What is an example of active transport it 14. Absorption of sugar in the gut from a low to high
animals? concentration.
15. What is an example of active transport in 15. Absorption of mineral ions into plant root hairs.
plants?

@SinclairEducation 3
B2: Cell Division Fold page here

1. What does the nucleus contain? 1. Chromosomes made of DNA.

2. What are chromosomes made of? 2. DNA
3. What happens during the cell cycle? 3. The genetic material is doubled and then divided
into two identical cells.
4. How many stages are there are of the cell cycle? 4. 3
5. What are the stages of the cell cycle? 5. Growth, mitosis followed by cell division.
6. What happens to a cell in stage 1 before it 6. It needs to grow and increase the number of sub-
divides? cellular structures such as ribosomes and
mitochondria. The DNA replicates to make two
copies of each chromosome.
7. What happens to the nucleus during mitosis? 7. One set of chromosomes is pulled to each end of
the cell and the nucleus divides.
8. What happens in stage 3 of the cell cycle after 8. The cytoplasm and cell membrane divide to make
mitosis? two identical cells.
9. Why is cell division by mitosis important? 9. Needed for growth and development of
multicellular organisms.
10. What is a stem cell? 10. An undifferentiated cell which is able to
differentiate and divide to form lots of cells of the
same type.
11. What are meristems? 11. Plant stem cells that can differentiate into any
type of plant cell throughout the life of the plant.
12. What can plant stem cells be used for? 12. They can be used to make clones of plants quickly
and economically
13. What are the advantages of embryonic stem 13. Can develop into most other types of cells, each
cells? cell divides every 30 minutes, low chance of
rejection and painless.
14. What are the disadvantages of embryonic stem 14. Cause death to the embryo, unreliable and the
cells? embryos can’t give consent.
15. What are the advantages of adult stem cells? 15. Permission can be given to collect stem cells and
they are safe.
16. What are the disadvantages of adult stem cells? 16. Risk of infection from operation, painful to
donate stem cells and few types of cells.
17. Why do some scientists have concerns about the 17. Could cause cancer.
use of stem cells?
18. What are the sources of adult stem cells? 18. Bone marrow, umbilical cord, blood, skin.
19. Why might stem cells from embryos be more 19. Become more types of cells.
useful than adult stem cells?
20. What happens during the process of therapeutic 20. An embryo is produced with the same genes as
cloning? the patient.
21. What are the advantages of therapeutic cloning? 21. May cure diseases, produce replacement cells,
treat diabetes and paralysis. Cells unlikely to be
rejected, cells and tissues of any type can be
made, many cells are produced and reduces
waiting time for transplants.
22. What are the disadvantages of therapeutic 22. Potential life is killed, shortage of egg donors,
cloning? may transfer viral infection, poor success rate.
23. Why do most organisms have an even number 23. Chromosomes come in pairs.
of chromosomes in their body cells?

@SinclairEducation 4
B3: Digestion Fold page here

1. What is a tissue? 1. A group of cells with a similar structure and

function.
2. What is an organ? 2. A group of different tissues that perform a
specific function together.
3. What is an organ system? 3. A group of organs that work together to carry
out a process in the body.
4. What is the function of the digestive system? 4. An organ system in which several organs work
together to digest and absorb food.
5. What are enzymes? 5. Biological catalysts with a specific active site
that speed up reactions.
6. How do enzymes work? 6. The substrate fits into the active site of the
enzyme and the enzyme and substrate binds
together. The reaction happens quickly, and
the products are released.
7. What effect does temperature have on enzyme 7. At temperature increase the rate of reaction
activity? increases. At the optimum temperature, the
reaction works as fast as possible. After the
optimum temperature, the enzyme begins to
be denatured and so the enzyme stops
working.
8. How are enzymes are denatured by 8. The high temperature causes the protein chains
temperature? to unravel changing the shape of the active site.
9. Why do enzymes have an optimum pH? 9. The forces holding the protein chains in
position are affected by pH. A change in pH can
change the shape of the active site.
10. Where is amylase made in the body? 10. Salivary glands, small intestine and pancreas.
11. What is the function of amylase? 11. Break down starch into glucose.
12. Where is protease made in the body? 12. Stomach, small intestine and pancreas.
13. What is the function of protease? 13. Break down proteins into amino acids.
14. Where is lipase made in the body? 14. Pancreas and small intestine.
15. What is the function of lipase? 15. Break down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol.
16. What is the function of digestive enzymes? 16. Convert food into small soluble molecules that
can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
17. What are the products of digestion used for? 17. Build new carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
Some glucose is used in respiration.
18. Where is starch digested in the body? 18. Mouth and small intestine.
19. Where is protein digested in the body? 19. Stomach and small intestine.
20. Where are fats digested in the body? 20. Small intestine
21. Why is starch not digested in the stomach? 21. The stomach doesn’t produce amylase and the
conditions in the stomach are too acidic for the
amylase to work.
22. How can the mouth break down starchy foods? 22. The teeth break down the food and the saliva
contains amylase.
23. Where is bile made? 23. Liver
24. Where is bile stored? 24. Gall Bladder
25. What is the function of bile? 25. It is alkaline to neutralise hydrochloric acid
from the stomach. It also emulsifies fat to form
small droplets which increases the surface area.
This increases the breakdown of fat by lipase.

@SinclairEducation 5
B4: Organisation: Heart Fold page here
and Blood
1. What is the heart? 1. An organ that pumps blood around the body in
a double circulatory pump.
2. Why is the heart known as a double pump? 2. Blood enters the heart twice for one circuit
around the body.
3. What is the route of a blood cell through the 3. Body à Vena Cava à Right Atrium à Right
heart? Ventricle à Pulmonary Artery à Lungs à
Pulmonary Vein à Left Atrium à Left Ventricle
à Aorta à Body
4. What is the function of the right ventricle? 4. Pumps blood to the lungs where gas exchange
takes place.
5. What is the function of the left ventricle? 5. Pumps blood around the rest of the body.
6. What is the function of the aorta? 6. Transport oxygenated blood under high
pressure away from the left ventricle of the
heart.
7. What is the function of the vena cava? 7. Return deoxygenated blood from the body to
the right atrium of the heart.
8. What is the function of the pulmonary artery? 8. Transport deoxygenated blood from the heart
to the lungs.
9. What is the function of the pulmonary vein? 9. Transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to
the heart.
10. How is resting heart rate controlled? 10. Group of cells known as a pacemaker.
11. Where is the natural pacemaker found? 11. Right atrium.
12. What are artificial pacemakers? 12. Electrical devices used to correct irregularities
in the heart rate.
13. What is the function of the arteries? 13. Transport oxygenated blood under high
pressure from the heart to the body.
14. How are the arteries adapted for the function? 14. Narrow lumen, thick elastic walls to withstand
pressure.
15. What is the function of capillaries? 15. Transport blood to cells.
16. How are capillaries adapted for their function? 16. Narrow so that blood cells pass through them
one by one and have thin walls for a short
diffusion pathway.
17. What is the function of veins? 17. Transport deoxygenated blood under high
pressure from the body to the heart.
18. How are the veins adapted for their function? 18. Thin walls and large lumen due to low pressure.
They have valves to prevent backflow.
19. How can we calculate rate of blood flow? 19. Rate of Blood Flow = Volume of Blood /
Number of Minutes
20. What is blood? 20. A tissue made up of plasma in which red blood
cells, white blood cells and platelets are
suspended.
21. What are the components of blood? 21. Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and
platelets.
22. What is the function of plasma? 22. Transport blood cells and different substances
such as hormones around the body.
23. What is transported in blood plasma? 23. Carbon dioxide, urea, hormones, products of
digestion.
24. What is the function of red blood cells? 24. Transport oxygen around the body.
25. What is the function of white blood cells? 25. Defend the body from infection.
26. How do WBC defend from infection? 26. Phagocytosis, produce antibodies, produce
antitoxins.

@SinclairEducation 6
B4: Organisation: Plants Fold page here

1. What is the function of the epidermal tissue? 1. Cover the leaf.

2. What is the function of the palisade tissue? 2. Absorb light for photosynthesis.
3. How is the palisade tissue adapted for its 3. They are close towards the upper surface of the
function? leaf; they are packed with chloroplasts and are
arranged closely together.
4. What is the function of the spongy mesophyll? 4. Gas exchange
5. How is the spongy mesophyll adapted for its 5. Cells packed loosely to allow gaps between cells
function? and cells are covered by a thin layer of water
which gases dissolve in
6. What is the function of the xylem? 6. Transport water and dissolved minerals around
the plant.
7. How is the xylem adapted for its function? 7. They are a dead hollow tube strengthened by
lignin.
8. What is the function of the phloem? 8. Transport sugars around the plant.
9. How is the phloem adapted for its function? 9. The cells do not contain a nucleus and it is
supported by companion cells. The end of each
cell has a sieve plate to allow free movement of
substances from cell to cell.
10. What is the function of meristems? 10. Plant stem cells that differentiate into specialised
cells throughout the life of the plant.
11. Where are meristems found in the plant? 11. Shoots and roots
12. What are stomata? 12. Small pores on the underside of the lead that
allow gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and
water vapour to diffuse through.
13. What is the function of the guard cells? 13. Open and close the stomata to control water loss.
14. What is the function of the roots? 14. Anchorage and absorption of water and mineral
ions.
15. How are root har cells adapted for their 15. Large surface area, thin surface membrane for a
function? short diffusion pathway and lots of mitochondria.
16. What is absorbed by osmosis by the roots? 16. Water
17. What is absorbed by active transport by the 17. Mineral Ions
roots?
18. What is transpiration? 18. The transport of water through the xylem from
the roots to the leaf. It does not require energy.
19. What is translocation? 19. The transport of sugar through the phloem both
upwards and downwards. It required energy.
20. What happens to the rate of transpiration if 20. It increases because there is increased
temperature is increased and why? evaporation from cell surfaces and the rate of
diffusion of water molecules from the lead is
increased.
21. What happens to rate of transpiration if 21. It decreases. The increased humidity decreases
humidity decreases and why? the concentration gradient between water in the
leaf and water in the air and so rate of diffusion
of water from the leaf decreases.
22. What happens to the rate of transpiration if air 22. It increases. The air flow removes water vapour
movement increases and why? from leaf surfaces and so more water diffuses
from the leaf.
23. What happens to the rate of transpiration if light 23. It increases. The light intensity increases the rate
intensity increases and why? of photosynthesis and so stomata open so there
is increased diffusion of water out of the leaf.

@SinclairEducation 7
B5: Communicable Disease Fold page here

1. What is a communicable disease? 1. A disease caused by a pathogen that can be

spread from one person to another.
2. What is a non-communicable disease? 2. A disease that cannot be passed from one person
to another.
3. What is a pathogen? 3. Microorganisms that cause infectious disease.
4. How can pathogens be spread? 4. Direct contact, by water or by air.
5. How can we prevent the spread of 5. Good hygiene such as handwashing and use of
communicable diseases? disinfectants. By isolating infected people, by
destroying the vectors that transmit the disease
and by vaccination.
6. Why do bacterial infections cause us feel ill? 6. The bacteria produce poisons that damage
tissues and make us feel ill.
7. Why do viral infections cause us to feel ill? 7. The viruses live and reproduce inside living cells
which causes cell damage.
8. What is measles? 8. A viral disease that causes fever and a red skin
rash. It can be fatal. It is spread by droplets in
coughs and sneezes.
9. What is HIV? 9. A viral disease that initially causes flu-like
symptoms that then attacks the body’s immune
cells. It is spread by sexual contact or exchange of
body fluids.
10. What is AIDS? 10. Late stage HIV. It occurs when the body’s
immune system is so damaged it can no longer
deal with infections or cancers.
11. What is tobacco mosaic virus? 11. A plant pathogen that causes a discolouration of
leaves which affects growth as it causes less
photosynthesis. It affects lots of plants including
tomatoes.
12. What is salmonella? 12. A bacterial disease spread in food that causes
food poisoning. It can cause fever, cramps,
vomiting and diarrhoea.
13. What is gonorrhoea? 13. A sexually transmitted bacterial disease which
can cause a thick yellow discharge as well as pain
when urinating.
14. What is rose black spot? 14. A fungal disease in plants that causes purple or
black spots on leaves. It is spread by wind and
water.
15. What pathogen causes malaria? 15. Protists
16. What is malaria? 16. A disease caused by protists that can cause fever
and death.
17. How can the spread of malaria be prevented? 17. Preventing the mosquito from breeding and by
using mosquito nets to avoid being bitten.
18. How does the skin defend the body from 18. Acts as a barrier and makes antimicrobial
pathogens? secretions.
19. How does the nose defend the body from 19. Full of hairs and makes a sticky mucus. These
pathogens? trap particles that may contain pathogens.
20. How does the trachea and bronchi defend the 20. Secrete mucus that traps pathogens. The lining is
body from pathogens? also covered in cilia that waft the mucus to the
back of the throat to be swallowed.

@SinclairEducation 8
B6: Preventing and
Fold page here
Treating Disease
1. What does vaccination involve? 1. A small quantity of dead or inactive forms of a
pathogen are introduced into the body. The
white blood cells are stimulated to make white
blood cells.
2. Why does a vaccination protect someone from a 2. If the same pathogen re-enters the body the
disease? white blood cells respond quickly to produce the
correct antibodies, preventing infection.
3. What is an example of an antibiotic? 3. Penicillin.
4. What are antibiotics? 4. Medicines that help cure bacterial disease by
killing infective bacteria inside the body.
5. What are the advantages of using antibiotics? 5. They have greatly reduced death from infectious
bacterial infections.
6. What are the concerns around the use of 6. The emergence of strains of bacteria resistant to
antibiotics? the antibiotics.
7. Why is it difficult to develop drugs that kill 7. The drugs typically damage the body tissues also.
viruses?
8. Traditionally where were drugs extracted from? 8. Plants and microorganisms.
9. Where does the heart drug digitalis originate 9. Foxgloves.
from?
10. Where does the painkiller aspirin originate 10. Willow.
from?
11. Who discovered Penicillin? 11. Alexander Fleming.
12. Where does Penicillin originate from? 12. Penicillium mould.
13. How are most new drugs now synthesised? 13. By chemists in the pharmaceutical industry.
14. Why do new medical drugs have to be tested 14. To check they are safe and effective.
and trialled before being used?
15. What are new drugs tested for? 15. Toxicity, efficacy (if it works) and dose.
16. What does preclinical testing involve? 16. Testing is done in a lab using cells, tissues and live
animals.
17. What does clinical testing involve? 17. They use healthy volunteers, followed by
patients. Low doses of the drug are given at the
start of the trial to test for safety. If it is found to
be sage further trials are done to find the
optimum dose.
18. What is a double-blind trial? 18. It is a trial in which a group are given a placebo,
and another group are given the drug. Neither
the doctor nor the patient know who has been
given what.
19. Why are drugs tested using a placebo? 19. To prove that the drug is effective and to avoid
bias.
20. Why are drugs tested on animals? 20. To find if the drug is toxic.
21. What does the term dose mean? 21. The concentration of the drug to be used and
how often the drug should be given.
22. What does the term toxicity mean? 22. Side effects making the person ill.
23. What does the term efficacy mean? 23. Whether the dug works to treat the illness.

@SinclairEducation 9
B6: Preventing and
Fold page here
Treating Disease (H)
24. What produces monoclonal antibodies? 24. A single clone of cells.
25. Why are monoclonal antibodies able to target a 25. They are specific to one binding site on one
specific chemical or cell? protein antigen.
26. How are monoclonal antibodies produced? 26. A mouse lymphocyte is stimulated to make a
particular antibody. The lymphocytes are
combined with a tumour cell to make a
hybridoma which can divide and make an
antibody. The hybridoma are cloned to make the
same antibody. The antibodies are collected and
purified.
27. What are combined to make a hybridoma? 27. Lymphocyte and a tumour cell.
28. What are some uses for monoclonal antibodies? 28. Pregnancy tests, detecting pathogens, measuring
levels of hormones, to treat cancer.
29. How could monoclonal antibodies be used to 29. The monoclonal antibody is bound to a
trat cancer? radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical
which stops cells growing and dividing.
30. Why are monoclonal antibodies not used as 30. They create more side effects than expected.
widely as expected?
31. How can plant diseases be detected? 31. Stunted growth, spots of leaves, areas of decay,
growths, malformed stems or leaves,
discoloration, presence of bests
32. How can plant diseases be identified? 32. Reference to a gardening manual or website,
taking infected plants to a lab, using testing kits
that contain monoclonal antibodies
33. What can infect plants? 33. Viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens as well as by
insects.
34. What does a nitrate deficiency result in? 34. Stunted growth
35. What does a magnesium deficiency result in? 35. Chlorosis
36. What are nitrate ions needed for in plants? 36. Protein synthesis
37. What are magnesium ions needed for in plants? 37. To make chlorophyll
38. What physical defences do plants have to resist 38. Cellulose cell walls, tough waxy cuticle on leaves
invasion of microorganisms? and layers of dead cells around stems which fall
off.
39. What chemical defences do plants have? 39. Antibacterial chemicals and poisons to deter
herbivores.
40. What mechanical defences do plants have? 40. Thorns and hairs to deter animals, leaves which
droop or curl when touched, mimicry to trick
animals.

@SinclairEducation 10
B7: Non-Communicable
Fold page here
Disease
1. What is a non-communicable disease? 1. A non-infectious disease that can’t be caught
from another person.
2. What is a casual mechanism? 2. Something that explains how one factor
influences another
3. What are the risk factors of cardiovascular 3. Poor diet, smoking and lack of exercise
disease?
4. What are the risk factors of type 2 diabetes? 4. Obesity

5. What are the risk factors of lung cancer? 5. Smoking

6. What risk factors can affect an unborn baby? 6. Smoking and alcohol

7. What is meant by obesity? 7. Being overweight with a BMI over 25

8. What diseases are linked to obesity? 8. Arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes

9. What are risk factors of cancer? 9. Carcinogens and ionising radiation

10. What is cancer? 10. A non-communicable disease that is caused by a

change in cells that leads to uncontrolled growth
and division.
11. What are benign tumours? 11. Growths of abnormal cells which are contained
within one area by a membrane. They do not
invade other parts of the body.
12. What are malignant tumours? 12. Growths of abnormal cells which invade
neighbouring tissues and spread to other parts of
the body in the blood where they form secondary
tumours.
13. How does cancer travel around the body? 13. Cells break off and travel in the blood.
14. What is the difference between a malignant and 14. Benign tumours do not invade, malignant do.
benign tumour?
15. Why can smoking increase the risk of heart 15. It raises blood pressure, increases cholesterol and
disease? leads to thickening of the artery walls.
16. Why can smoking increase the risk of lung 16. The chemicals in smoke can cause mutations
cancer? leading to uncontrolled growth of cells.
17. Why can smoking increase the risk of 17. Smoking damages the alveoli causing the surface
emphysema? area to decrease. This causes shortness of
breath.
18. Why can smoking increase the risk of lung 18. Chemicals in the smoke damage the cilia which
infections? causes mucus production to increase, this causes
shortness of breath and increased risk of
infection.

@SinclairEducation 11
B8: Photosynthesis Fold page here

1. What is the word equation for photosynthesis? 1. Carbon Dioxide + Water Glucose + Oxygen
2. What is the formula for carbon dioxide? 2. CO2
3. What is the formula for water? 3. H2 O
4. What is the formula for oxygen? 4. O2
5. What is the formula for glucose? 5. C6H12O6
6. What is the balanced symbol equation for 6. 6CO2 + 6H2O à C6H12O6 + 6O2
photosynthesis?
7. What is photosynthesis? 7. It is an endothermic reaction in which energy is
transferred from the environment to the
chloroplasts by light.
8. What factors affect the rate of photosynthesis? 8. Temperature, Light Intensity, Carbon Dioxide
Concentration, Amount of Chlorophyll
9. How does temperature affect photosynthesis? 9. As temperature rises the rate of photosynthesis
increases, when temperature becomes too high
enzymes are denatured and so rate of
photosynthesis decreases until it stops
completely.
10. How does light intensity affect photosynthesis? 10. The brighter the light the greater the rate of
photosynthesis.
11. How does carbon dioxide concentration affect 11. The greater the concentration of carbon dioxide
photosynthesis? the greater the rate of photosynthesis.
12. How does the amount of chlorophyll affect 12. The more chlorophyll the greater the rate of
photosynthesis? photosynthesis.
13. How can you measure the rate of 13. Place the plant underwater and measure the
photosynthesis? volume of oxygen made or count the number of
bubbles in a given time. The more gas made, the
faster the rate of photosynthesis.
14. What can glucose be used for in a plant? 14. Respiration, make starch, make fats or oils, make
cellulose, make amino acids.
15. How do plants make proteins? 15. Amino acids made from glucose and plants
combine these with nitrate ions absorbed from
the soil to make proteins.
16. What is starch used for in the plant? 16. Storage
17. What are fats or oils used for in the plant? 17. Storage
18. What is cellulose used for in the plant? 18. Strengthen the cell wall
19. What are amino acids used for in the plant? 19. Protein synthesis
20. What is the name of the chemical that makes a 20. Chlorophyll
leaf look green?
21. How can you test if a plant for starch? 21. Boil in ethanol to destroy waxy cuticle and
remove the colour. Then add iodine to the leaf.
If the iodine turns blue it contains starch.
22. What cell part is needed for photosynthesis to 22. Chloroplast
take place?

@SinclairEducation 12
B9: Respiration Fold page here

1. What is the word equation for respiration? 1. Glucose + Oxygen à Carbon Dioxide + Water
2. What is the formula for carbon dioxide? 2. CO2
3. What is the formula for water? 3. H2 O
4. What is the formula for oxygen? 4. O2
5. What is the formula for glucose? 5. C6H12O6
6. What is the balanced symbol equation for 6. C6H12O6 + 6O2 -à 6CO2 + 6H2O
respiration?
7. What is respiration? 7. It is an exothermic reaction in which energy is
transferred.
8. What do organisms need energy for? 8. Chemical reactions to build larger molecules,
movement and keeping warm.
9. What is the word equation for anaerobic 9. Glucose à Lactic Acid
respiration in animals?
10. Why is less energy released through anaerobic 10. The oxidation of glucose is incomplete.
respiration compared to aerobic?
11. What are the differences between aerobic and 11. Aerobic respiration involves oxygen, anaerobic
anaerobic respiration in animals? doesn’t, aerobic respiration releases more
energy.
12. What is the word equation for anaerobic 12. Glucose à Ethanol + Carbon Dioxide
respiration in plant and yeast cells?
13. What is anaerobic respiration in yeast cells 13. Fermentation
otherwise known as?
14. Why is anaerobic respiration in yeast cells 14. Can be used to manufacture bread and alcoholic
important? drinks.
15. What changes happen to the body during 15. The heart rate, breathing rate and breath volume
exercise and why? increases during exercise to supply the muscles
with more oxygenated blood.
16. What happens during exercise if there is a 16. Anaerobic respiration takes place, this leads to a
insufficient oxygen? build up lactic acid and creates an oxygen dept.
17. What is oxygen dept? 17. The amount of extra oxygen the body needs after
exercise to remove the lactic acid from cells.
18. What is metabolism? 18. The sum of all the reactions in a cell or the body.
19. What are examples of metabolic reactions? 19. Converting glucose to starch and glycogen to
cellulose, the formation of lipids, the formation of
proteins, respiration and breakdown of proteins.

@SinclairEducation 13
 Part 2
Extended
Response
Questions

@SinclairEducation 14
 Topic B1 Cell Structure and Transport

Qu Explain how a ___________ cell is adapted for its function.

You could be asked this question for any of the following specialised cells:
• Sperm Cell
• Nerve Cell
• Muscle Cell
• Red Blood Cell
• Root Hair Cell
• Xylem
• Phloem
Info
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
1. Identify the function (job) of the specialised cell.
2. Describe an adaptation that the cell has.
3. Explain how this adaptation helps the cell complete its function.
4. Continue to describe another adaptation the cell has and explain how
this helps complete its function until you can think of no more
adaptations.

If you are explaining why a cell has lots of mitochondria use the following
phrase:
Top Tip
“The cell has lots of mitochondria, for respiration, to release more energy”

Explain how a sperm cell is adapted for its function.

The function of the sperm cell is to carry the father’s genetic information and
fertilise the egg. Adaptations the sperm cell have include that it is
streamlined to reduce the cells energy requirements to travel to the egg.
Model
Another adaptation is that the nucleus contains 1 set of chromosomes, this
Answer
preserves the chromosome number when the egg is fertilised. A third
adaptation is that the sperm cell has an acrosome that contains digestive
enzymes that enables the sperm cell to penetrate the egg. Finally, the
sperm cell has lots of mitochondria, for respiration, to release more energy
for the cell.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how the following cells
Practice
are adapted for their function: nerve cell, muscle cell, red blood cell,
root hair cell, xylem and phloem

@SinclairEducation 15
 Topic B1 Cell Structure and Transport

Qu Explain how ___________ is adapted for efficient exchange of ____.

You could be asked this question for any of the following exchange surfaces:
• The lungs and the exchange of gases.
• Gills of a fish and the exchange of gases.
• The leaf and the exchange or gases.
• The small intestine and absorption of nutrients.
• Roots and absorption of substances from the soil.
Info
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
1. Identify an adaptation.
2. Explain how it increases the exchange of substances
3. Identify the cell transport involved.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for as many adaptations that you can

If active transport is involved, then use the phrase:

Top Tip “Cells will have lots of mitochondria, for respiration, to release energy for
active transport.”

Explain how the lungs are adapted for the exchange of gases by diffusion.

The lungs have lots of alveoli which increase the surface area for diffusion to
Model take place. The alveoli walls are also very thin which provides a short diffusion
Answer pathway. The process of breathing keeps the lungs ventilated with the
removal of carbon dioxide and the entry of oxygen which provides a steep
concentration. Finally, the lungs have a good blood supply, which removes
oxygen oxygen and so there is a steep concentration gradient.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how the following
Practice
exchange surfaces are adapted for exchange: gills, leaf, roots, small
intestine.

@SinclairEducation 16
 Topic B2 Cell Division
Stem cells can be used to treat diseases such as ________. Evaluate the use
Qu
of adult and embryonic stem cells to treat ___________.

You could be asked this question for disease that can be treated using stem
cells including:
• Paralysis
• Diabetes
• Cancer

Info To answer this question you will need to do the following:

1. Describe the advantages of adult stem cells
2. Describe the disadvantages of adult stem cells
3. Describe the advantages of embryonic stem cells
4. Describe the disadvantages of embryonic stem cells
5. State a conclusion
6. Give at least 1 statement to support your conclusion

If they give you information in the exam question interpret it and discuss it,
but make sure that you use your own knowledge as well. This is important as
Top Tip
you won't get many marks (if any) by just repeating what they have given you
in the question.

Evaluate the use of stem cells from a patient’s own bone marrow instead of
stem cells from an embryo.

Advantages of stem cells from a patients own bone marrow include that the
patient can give consent for the procedure to take place, which removes any
ethical issues. As well as this the procedure is well tested and relatively safe.
Model
However, disadvantages of using stem cells from bone marrow include that
Answer
the procedure is painful and can cause infection. The advantages of using
stem cells from an embryo include that it is a painless procedure that can
treat many diseases. However, disadvantages of using stem cells from
embryos include it is an unreliable procedure that causes death to the embryo
that poses ethical issues as the embryo can’t give consent. In conclusion I
think that __________ because _____

1. Construct your own conclusion for this model answer.

Practice
2. Learn and practice the model answer above.

@SinclairEducation 17
 Topic B3 Digestion

Qu Describe how _______ is digested.

You could be asked this question to test for:

• Protein
• Starch
• Fat
• A combination of some/all of them
Info
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
1. Describe mechanical digestion in the mouth.
2. Identify the enzyme that helps digest it.
3. Identify where in the body this enzyme digests the molecule.
4. Identify what the food substance is broken down into.

Be careful with your enzyme names and sites of digestion. It is easy to mix up
Top Tip where the enzyme is made and where the enzyme acts. For examples
enzymes made by the pancreas digest food in the small intestine.

Explain how protein is digested.

Model The protein is firstly broken down mechanically into smaller pieces by chewing
Answer in the mouth before the food is swallowed. Protease enzymes break down the
protein in the stomach and small intestine. The protein is broken down into
amino acids.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

Practice 2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how starch, fat and a
combination of all three are broken down.

@SinclairEducation 18
 Topic B3 Digestion
Explain how bile helps the digestion of fats.
Qu Describe the roles of the liver and the pancreas in digestion.
Explain the ‘lock and key theory’ of enzyme action.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Explain how bile helps the digestion of fats.

Model
Bile is alkaline and so neutralises the digestive juices in the small intestine. It
Answer
also emulsifies fats which gives them a larger surface area. This means that
enzymes work more efficiently.

Describe the roles of the liver and the pancreas in digestion.

Model
The liver produces bile which is alkaline and neutralises digestive juices. It
Answer
also emulsifies fats which increases its surface area. The pancreas produces
digestive enzymes such as protease, lipase and amylase.

Explain the ‘lock and key theory’ of enzyme action

.
Model
The enzyme binds to the substrate because they are complimentary shapes.
Answer
The substrate is broken down and the products are released. The enzyme
remains unchanged.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

@SinclairEducation 19
 Topic B4 Organising Animals
Explain the function and structure of red blood cells.
Describe how the composition of blood changes as it flows from the lungs to
Qu
the body.
Describe the composition of blood.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Explain the function and structure of red blood cells.

Red blood cells are a biconcave disc shape and contain a pigment called
Model
haemoglobin. Oxygen combines with the haemoglobin to form
Answer
oxyhaemoglobin so that the red blood cells can transport oxygen from the
lungs around the body. So that there is more space for this haemoglobin the
cell does not have a nucleus.

Describe how the composition of blood changes as it flows from the lungs to
the body.
Model
Answer As blood flows from the lungs the amount of oxygen carried by the red blood
cells decreases while the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the plasma
increases.

Describe the composition of blood.

Model Blood is made up of four components. It contains red blood cells for
Answer transporting oxygen, white blood cells which help defend the body from
infection, platelets for blood clotting and plasma in which substances such as
carbon dioxide and urea dissolve into.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

@SinclairEducation 20
 Topic B4 Organising Animals

Qu Describe the function of ______ and explain how it is adapted for its function.

You could be asked this question for each of the different blood vessels:
• Arteries
• Capillaries
• Veins

Info To answer this question, you will need to do the following:

1. Identify what the blood vessel does.
2. Identify an adaptation that the blood vessel has.
3. Explain how this adaptation helps the blood vessel perform its function.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for as many adaptations that you can think of.

When answering this question some different adaptations to consider include

Top Tip the thickness of the blood vessel walls, the size of the lumen and if the blood
vessel has valves or not.

Describe the function of arteries and explain how it is adapted for its
function.
Model
The function of arteries is to pump oxygenated blood away from the heart to
Answer
the rest of the body under high pressure. To do this the blood vessel has some
adaptations. Firstly, it has thick elastic walls, this is to withstand the high
pressure. They also have a narrow lumen to maintain this high pressure.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

Practice 2. Prepare and learn model answers to describe the structure and
function of veins and arteries.

@SinclairEducation 21
 Topic B4 Organising Animals
Compare the structure of arteries and veins.
Qu Describe what coronary heart disease is and the problems it causes.
Describe and explain some of the treatments for coronary heart disease.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Compare the structure of arteries and veins.

Model
Arteries do not have valves, while veins do. The arteries also have a thicker
Answer
wall when compared to the vein. Finally, the artery has a narrower lumen
when compared to veins.

Describe what coronary heart disease is and the problems it causes

Model
Coronary heart disease is when layers of fat build up inside the coronary
Answer
arteries. This reduces the flow of blood through the arteries and can result in
a lack of oxygen for the heart muscle.

Describe and explain some of the treatments for coronary heart disease.

Model Stents can be used to keep the coronary artery open and statins can be used
Answer to lower cholesterol levels which slows down the deposit of fatty material. In
the event that the heart fails the patient may be able to have a heart
transplant.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

@SinclairEducation 22
 Topic B4 Organising Animals and Plants

Qu Explain how the plants ____ is adapted for its function

You could be asked in this question to explain the adaptations of:

• The leaf
• The roots
• The xylem
• The phloem

To answer this question you will need to do the following:

Info 1. Identify the overall function (job) of the plant organ.
2. Describe an adaptation that the organ has.
3. Explain how this adaptation helps the organ complete its function.
4. Continue to describe another adaptation the organ has and explain how
this helps complete its function until you can think of no more
adaptations.

If you are explaining why a cell has lots of mitochondria use the following
phrase:
Top Tip
“The cell has lots of mitochondria, for respiration, to release more energy”

Explain how the plants leaf is adapted for its function

The function of the leaf is to carry out photosynthesis. Adaptations the leaf
has include a large surface area to increase the absorption of light. Another
adaptation the leaf has is that it has a layer of palisade cells, they are close
towards the upper surface of the leaf; they are packed with chloroplasts
Model
and are arranged closely together. This means that there is increased
Answer
absorption of light for photosynthesis. Another adaptation the leaf has is
spongy mesophyll with gaps between the spaces, this maximises the
diffusion of gases. These spongy mesophyll have a layer of water covering
them so that gases can diffuse in and out of this. Finally, the leaf is very
thin to produce a short diffusion pathway.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

Practice 2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how the xylem, phloem
and roots are adapted for their function.

@SinclairEducation 23
 Topic B5 Communicable Diseases

Qu Describe what the disease _________ is and how its spread can be prevented.

You could be asked about the following diseases:

• Measles
• HIV
• Tobacco Mosaic Virus
• Salmonella
• Gonorrhoea
• Rose Black Spot
Info • Malaria

To answer this question, you will need to do the following:

1. Identify the type of microbe that causes the disease
2. Describe the symptoms
3. Describe how the disease is spread
4. Identify at least 2 appropriate ways of preventing the spread of the
disease.

For plant diseases you could also be asked to explain how the symptoms
affect growth. Use the following phrase to explain this:
Top Tip
“The symptoms of the plant disease lead to less absorption of light, which
leads to less photosynthesis and so there is less glucose produced by the
plant for respiration and growth.”

Describe what the disease salmonella is and how its spread can be
prevented.

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that causes symptoms including stomach

Model
cramps, vomiting and diarrhoea. People usually become infected from
Answer
Salmonella by eating contaminated/undercooked food. To prevent the spread
of Salmonella chickens are vaccinated. At home raw chicken should also be
kept away from uncooked food, surfaces and hands should also be washed.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to describe what measles, HIV,
Practice
tobacco mosaic virus, gonorrhoea, rose black spot and malaria are and
how their spread can be reduced.

@SinclairEducation 24
 Topic B5 Communicable Diseases

Explain how the human body defends itself from microorganisms.

Qu Explain how white blood cells protect us from disease.
Explain how a bacterial infection makes us feel ill.

At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.

Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Explain how the human body defends itself from microorganisms.

To prevent microbes from entering the body we have skin which is a dead
layer that is difficult to penetrate. In the nose we have hairs which trap dust
and microbes and, in the trachea, there is mucus that traps microbes that is
Model
produced, and cilia move the mucus up to the throat. The stomach also
Answer
contains acid which kills bacteria.

To defend the body against microbes that have entered the body we have
white blood cells which produce antibodies which help destroy pathogens and
they produce antitoxins which neutralise toxins the microbes produces.

Explain how white blood cells protect us from disease.

Model
The white blood cells which carry out phagocytosis and ingest the microbes,
Answer
they also produce antibodies which destroys pathogens, and produce
antitoxins which counteract poisons released by the microbes.

Explain how a bacterial infection makes us feel ill.

Model
Answer
The bacteria reproduce rapidly and produce poisons.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

@SinclairEducation 25
 Topic B6 Preventing and Treating Disease
Describe what a vaccination is and explain how they protect from infection.
Qu Describe the steps in the procedure to produce monoclonal antibodies.
Explain how monoclonal antibodies works to treat cancer.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).

Describe what a vaccination is and explain how they protect from infection.

A vaccination involves a dead or inactive pathogen being injected into the

Model person. This produces an immune response. The antigen on the vaccine
Answer stimulates the white blood cells to start making antibodies. The white blood
cells destroy the pathogen without risk of getting the disease. When a person
is re-infected the white blood cells produce antibodies more rapidly which
leads to the pathogen being destroyed.

Describe the steps in the procedure to produce monoclonal antibodies.

Model The virus is injected into a mouse which stimulates its lymphocytes to produce
Answer antibodies. The lymphocyte is combined with a tumour cell to form a
hybridoma. The hybridoma is then cloned and produces the required
antibodies.

Explain how monoclonal antibodies works to treat cancer.

Model The monoclonal antibody is attached to a toxin or radioactive substance. The

Answer monoclonal antibody will only attach to cancer cells and so the toxin or
radioactive substance will bind to the tumour and stop its dividing and destroy
the tumour.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

@SinclairEducation 26
 Topic B7 Non-Communicable Disease
Explain how a foetus may be affected if a mother smokes during pregnancy.
Qu Compare malignant and benign tumours.
Describe how smoking can affect health.
At least one of these questions is likely to come up. The examiner is going to
Info
be looking for a clear answer written in a logical sequence.
Be careful that you use key words/phrases accurately (these are in bold in
Top Tip
your model answers below).
Explain how a foetus may be affected if a mother smokes during pregnancy.

The cigarette smoke will contain carbon monoxide which occupies the
Model
mothers red blood cells and so reduces the amount of oxygen that the
Answer
mothers blood contains. This means that the foetus receives less oxygen
which reduces the rate of respiration in the foetus which causes the birth
mass of the baby to be less.
Compare malignant and benign tumours.

Both benign tumours and malignant tumours are growth of abnormal cells.
Model
However, benign tumours do not invade other areas of the body and are
Answer
enclosed in a membrane, while malignant tumours do invade other areas of
the body. Malignant tumours do this by some cells breaking off and travelling
through the blood to form a secondary tumour elsewhere.

Describe how smoking can affect health.

Firstly smoking raises blood pressure, increases cholesterol and leads to

thickening of the artery walls. This leads to increased risk of heart disease.
The chemicals in smoke can also cause mutations leading to uncontrolled
Model
growth of cells which can cause cancer. Smoking can also damage the
Answer
alveoli causing the surface area to decrease. This causes shortness of
breath and leads to a disease called emphysema. Finally the chemicals in
the smoke damage the cilia which causes mucus production to increase,
this causes shortness of breath and causes the person to be at an increased
risk of infection.

Practice 1. Learn and practice the model answers above.

@SinclairEducation 27
 Topic B8 Photosynthesis

Qu Explain how _________ affects the rate of photosynthesis.

You could be asked how the following factors affect the rate of
photosynthesis:
• Temperature
• Light Intensity
• Carbon Dioxide Concentration
Info
• Amount of Chlorophyll

To answer this question you will need to do the following:

1. Describe what happens as the factor increases.
2. Explain how increasing this factor affects the rate of photosynthesis.

As each factor increases the rate of photosynthesis does not continue to just
Top Tip
increase. Explain why.

Explain how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Model As temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis increases. This is

Answer because the reactant particles and enzymes collide more. When temperature
continues to increase further the rate of photosynthesis decreases. This is
because at the high temperature the enzyme begins to be denatured.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain the effect of light
Practice
intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and amount of chlorophyll on
the rate of photosynthesis.

@SinclairEducation 28
 Topic B9 Respiration

Qu Explain how the change in ______ during exercise helps an athlete.

You could be asked to explain why the following changes happen during
exercise:
• Increased stroke volume
• Increased heart rate
• Increased breathing rate
Info • Increased breathing depth

To answer this question you will need to do the following:

1. Identify the change that has happened.
2. Describe what this change involves
3. Explain how this change benefits the athlete.

If you are explaining why a change happens during exercise use the following
phrase:
Top Tip
“This change increases the supply of oxygen, which means that there is
more available for aerobic respiration so there is more energy released.”

Explain how the change in stroke volume during exercise helps an athlete.

Model An increase in stroke volume means that with each heart beat the heart
Answer pumps more blood around the body. This means that there is increased
supply of oxygen to the muscle cells and so there is more energy available for
the muscle cells.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how increased heart rate,
Practice
increased breathing rate and increased breathing depth benefit an
athlete.

@SinclairEducation 29
 Part 3
Required
Practical's

@SinclairEducation 30
 RP1 Light Microscope Required Practical
Preparing a Slide:
Add a drop of water to the microscope
slide.

Place a thin layer of tissue on the slide.

Stain the tissue with a couple of drops of

iodine solution.

Place the coverslip on top.

Observing a Slide:
Place the slide on the stage and use the lowest power objective
lens.

Turn the course focus wheel to bring the image into focus.

Increase the power of the objective lens to increase magnification.

Turn the fine focus wheel to bring the image into clearer focus.

Eyepiece
Course Objective
Focus Piece

Stage
Clips
Fine
Focus
@SinclairEducation 31
Required Practical: Using a
Fold page here
Light Microscope
1. What could you use to stain the sample cells? 1. Iodine

2. What is the risk of iodine? 2. May cause allergic reaction or skin rash.

3. How can the risk of using iodine be minimised? 3. Wear gloves and goggles. Clean up spills
immediately.

4. Why do you stain the sample cells? 4. So that you can see them.

5. What is the risk of using a sharp knife? 5. Cuts.

6. How can you minimise the risk of using a knife? 6. Cut away from the body and cut on a chopping
board.

7. Which lens do you use first when viewing a cell 7. Lowest power lens.
under a microscope?

8. How do you increase the magnification of the 8. Increase the power of the objective lens.
image?

9. How do you bring the image into a clearer 9. Turn the fine focus wheel to adjust the height of
focus? the stage.

10. What is the formula to calculate the real size of 10. Magnification = length of drawing/actual length
a cell? of cell.

11. What are the advantages of using an electron 11. Higher resolution and magnification.
microscope rather than a light microscope?

12. Suggest why ribosomes cant be seen through a 12. They are too small.
light microscope.

13. When measuring the length of a cell from an 13. mm

image what unit should you use?

14. How many µm are in a mm? 14. 1000

15. How do you convert from mm into µm? 15. Multiply by 1000

16. You have increased the magnification and the 16. Turn the fine focus wheel to bring the image into
image you can see is fuzzy. What should you do? focus.

@SinclairEducation 32
 Topic Required Practical 1: Microscopes

Qu Calculate the real length of the cell.

This is a common calculation question on a Biology exam paper and is often
Info worth 3 marks. It may require you to use a ruler and measure the size of the
image. Be careful with this and measure as accurately as you can in mm.
Watch out for units. You may be working in mm and be asked to convert into
Top Tip
µm. There are 1000µm in a mm.
The image of a cell is 30mm in length and the magnification is x200.
Calculate the actual size of the cell in µm.
30 x 1000 = 30,000µm Convert mm into µm

Magnification = Image length/actual length Write in the formula

Model
Answer Actual Length = Image Length/Magnification Rearrange the formula

Actual Length = 30,000 / 200 Substitute numbers

Actual Length = 150µm Show answer, round if

required, then add units

Complete the following calculations. Remember to show full working.

1. The image of a cell is 32mm in length and the magnification is x400.
Calculate the actual size of the cell in µm.
2. The image of a cell is 12mm in length and the magnification is x1000.
Calculate the actual size of the cell in µm.
3. The real length of a cell is 0.06mm while the image length is 24mm.
Calculate the magnification.
4. An image has a length of 40mm and has been magnified x500. Calculate
the actual size of the image.
5. The average diameter of a real red blood cell is 0.008 millimetres.
Practice
On the photograph, the diameter of the red blood cell is 100 millimetres.
Calculate the magnification of the photograph.
6. The image width of the cell was 40 mm. The real width of the cell was
0.1 mm. Calculate the magnification of the cell.
7. An image has a length of 45mm and has been magnified x400. Calculate
the actual size of the image.
8. An image has a length of 12mm and has been magnified x150. Calculate
the actual size of the image.
9. An image has a length of 22mm and has been magnified x1000. Calculate
the actual size of the image.

@SinclairEducation 33
RP2 Bacterial Growth Required Practical
1 2
Sterilise agar and Pass inoculating
petri dish before loop through
use. Disinfect the flame of Bunsen
bench. Burner.

4 3
Use the inoculating Remove lid of the
loop to remove some Petri dish and
of the bacteria from bottle containing
the bottle. the bacteria.

5
Spread the
bacteria over the
agar using the
loop and replace
lid as quickly as
possible.

6
Put the lid on the Petri
dish and secure lid
with tape.

7
Incubate at 25°C for
24 hours.
@SinclairEducation 34
Required Practical 2
Bacterial Growth Fold page here

1. What measurement would you need to take to 1. The radius of the clear area.
calculate the clear area of no bacterial growth?
2. How could you check if your results were 2. Repeat the experiment and compare results.
repeatable?
3. Why should apparatus be sterilised before use? 3. To kill bacteria and avoid contamination.
4. Describe how you could sterilise equipment 4. Heat over 100°C.
before use.
5. Why should the lid of the petri dish be replaced 5. To prevent microorganisms entering the dish.
quickly?
6. What precautions could you use to avoid 6. Sterilise, work near a flame, pass inoculating loop
contamination with microbes? through flame, minimise opening of containers.
7. What are aseptic techniques? 7. Name given to the laboratory procedures carried
out to prevent the contamination of pure
cultures of microorganisms.
8. How can a bacterial lawn be produced? 8. Dip inoculating loop into culture and spread
evenly across the agar plate.
9. Why should the lid be secured with pieces of 9. To prevent microbes in the air contamination the
tape? dish.
10. Why should the petri dish be stored upside 10. To prevent condensation falling on the agar plate
down. and disrupting growth of microbes.
11. Why is it important that the petri dish is not fully 11. So that there is a supply of oxygen into the petri
sealed? dish, preventing anaerobic respiration taking
place.
12. Why should be petri dishes be incubated at 12. Reduces the chance of growing harmful
25°C. pathogens.
13. How can you compare the effectiveness of 13. Soak disks in the substance, leave on the dish and
antibiotics or disinfectants? incubate for a couple of days. Measure the zone
of inhibition for each chemical.
14. Why should a control disk be used when testing 14. As a comparison to compare the effect of not
different chemicals and their effectiveness in using a chemical at all.
killing bacteria.
15. What is the zone of inhibition? 15. An area of no bacterial growth.
16. How can the size of the zone of inhibition be 16. Measure the radius and calculate the area using
determined? πr2
17. What is the value of π 17. 3.14

@SinclairEducation 35
 Topic Required Practical 2: Bacterial Growth

Qu Construct a method to compare the effectiveness of _____________

You could be asked this question to compare or determine the most effective
antibiotic or disinfectant in different scenarios. For example:

• Determining the best disinfectant to use of surfaces in a restaurant.

• Determining the most effective antibiotic to use to treat a particular
bacterial infection.
Info • Comparing the effectiveness of different herbal extracts to use as a
disinfectant.

To answer this question, you will need to do the following:

1. Construct a clear method.
2. Identify what you will measure.
3. Explain how you will use the results.

Make sure you include a disk that has not been soaked in anything to ensure
Top Tip
you have a control.

Construct a method to compare the effectiveness of different disinfectant

chemicals to kill e-coli on a workbench.
1. Prepare the petri dish by sterilising it and the agar. Pour the gel on the
dish and leave to set.
2. Sterilise the inoculating loop by passing through a Bunsen Burner flame.
3. Dip the loop into the e-coli culture and spread evenly over the agar dish.
4. Soak filter disks in 5 different disinfectants and place even distances
Model
apart on the agar dish.
Answer
5. Place a 6th disk that has not been soaked in anything as a control.
6. Seal and incubate at 25°C for 48 hours.
7. Measure the radius of the zone of inhibition for each disk.
8. Calculate the area of zone of inhibition
9. Compare the clear areas for each disinfectant. The one that produces
the largest clear area is the most effective
10. Control the concentration of each disinfectant used.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

Practice 2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how to compare the
effectiveness of different herbal extracts as a disinfectant.

@SinclairEducation 36
 RP3 Osmosis Required Practical

1. 2. 3.
Cut tubes of Trim the potato Record the mass of
potato using a cork cylinder so it is at a the potato
borer. controlled length. cylinder.

5
Remove the
cylinder and 4.
blot dry. Put the cylinder in
a boiling tube of
solution and leave
for a fixed period
of time.
6.
Record the mass of
the potato
cylinder. 7.
Measure and record the 8.
new length. Repeat two more
times to identify
outliers and calculate
an average.

10. 9.
Calculate percentage Repeat for different
change in mass. concentrations.
@SinclairEducation 37
Required Practical 3:
Fold page here
Osmosis
1. What piece of apparatus is used to measure 1. Balance
mass?

2. What piece of equipment is used to measure 2. Stopwatch

time?

3. What is osmosis? 3. The movement of water through a selectively

permeable membrane from an area of high water
concentration to a lower concentration of water.

4. Why would you dry the potato piece before 4. So that the excess water does not contribute to
weighing it again? the mass.

5. Why do you calculate the percentage change in 5. The samples would have been different masses.
mass?

6. What are some of the potential sources of error 6. Concentration of solutions, drying of pieces
when investigating osmosis? before weighing, accuracy of balance,
evaporation from tubes.

7. When would a potato piece left in solution 7. The solution would be more dilute than the
increase in mass? potato piece and so water has entered the potato
by osmosis.

8. When would a potato piece left in solution 8. The solution would be more concentrated than
decrease in mass? the potato piece and so water has left the potato
by osmosis.

9. When would a potato piece left in solution not 9. When the concentration of the solution is the
have a change in mass? same as the concentration of the potato.

10. What are the control variables when 10. Time in solution, surface area of potato piece,
determining the concentration of a potato volume of solution, amount of blotting dry
piece?

11. How could you increases the reliability of 11. Do repeats.

investigative data.

12. How do you calculate percentage change in 12. Divide the change in mass by the start mass and
mass? multiply by 100.

13. What does it mean if you get a negative 13. There has been a loss in mass.
percentage change in mass?

14. What does it mean if you get a positive 14. There has been a gain in mass.
percentage change in mass?

@SinclairEducation 38
 Topic Required Practical 3: Osmosis

Qu Construct a method to determine the concentration of a piece of _______

You could be asked this question to determine the concentration of lots of

different things. Some examples from the past include:
• A piece of potato
• A piece of carrot
• A chip
• An egg
Info
To answer this question, you will need to do the following:
1. Construct a clear method.
2. Identify what you will measure.
3. Identify control variables
4. Explain how you will use the results to determine the concentration.

Make sure you include 5 different concentrations with regular intervals

Top Tip
between them.

Construct a method to determine the concentration of a potato.

1. Cut a tube of potato using a cork borer.
2. Trim the potato to 5cm in length.
3. Weigh the potato piece.
4. Place the potato in 25cm3 of 0M solution and leave for 1 hour.
5. Remove the potato and blot dry.
Model 6. Reweigh the potato.
Answer 7. Calculate the change in mass.
8. Calculate the percentage change in mass.
9. Repeat for 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1M solutions
10. Plot a graph to show the percentage change in mass for each
concentration and draw a line of best fit.
11. To determine the concentration, find the point that the line crosses the x
axis and there is no change in mass

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

Practice 2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how to determine the
concentration of a piece of carrot, a chip and a piece of egg.

@SinclairEducation 39
 Topic Required Practical 3: Osmosis

Explain why ___________ changed in mass when placed in a _______

Qu
solution

You could be asked this question to explain the change in mass of different
substances when placed in dilute or concentration solutions.

To answer this question, you will need to do the following:

Info
1. Compare the concentration inside and outside the cells of the substance
that was given in the question.
2. Identify the direction of the movement of water by osmosis.
3. Identify what this will do to the mass.

Remember a concentrated solution has little water while a dilute solution has
Top Tip lots of water. Water will move from a dilute solution to a concentrated
solution.

Explain why a peeled potato changed in mass when placed in a dilute

solution.
Model
Answer The potato piece is more concentrated than the surrounding solution. This
means that water will move into the potato piece by osmosis and so the
potato piece will increase in mass.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn a model answer to explain what will happen to a
potato piece when placed in a concentrated solution.
Practice
3. Prepare and learn a model answer to explain what you predict would
happen to a potato piece with a concentration of 0.55M when placed
in the following solutions; 0M, 0.2M, 0.4M and 0.6M

@SinclairEducation 40
 RP4 Food Tests Required Practical

Testing for Proteins

Preparation
If the food is already in solution (such as milk) no further preparation
is needed. If the food is solid it needs to be ground up using a pestle
and mortar and added to water to make a solution.

Add Biuret
Reagent to the If there is no
food sample. protein the
sample
remains blue.

Biuret Food
Reagent Sample If there is
protein the
sample turns
purple.
@SinclairEducation 41
 RP4 Food Tests Required Practical

Testing for Starch

Preparation
If the food is already in solution (such as milk) no further preparation
is needed. If the food is solid it needs to be ground up using a pestle
and mortar and added to water to make a solution.

Add iodine to
the food If there is no
sample. starch the
sample
remains
yellow.

Iodine Food
Solution Sample If there is
starch the
sample turns
blue/black.
@SinclairEducation 42
 RP4 Food Tests Required Practical

Testing for Glucose

Preparation
If the food is already in solution (such as milk) no further preparation
is needed. If the food is solid it needs to be ground up using a pestle
and mortar and added to water to make a solution.

If there is
Add Benedicts no glucose
Reagent to the the
food sample. sample
remains
blue.

HEAT
If there is glucose
the sample turns
red, orange, yellow,
brown or green.
Benedicts Food
Reagent Sample

@SinclairEducation 43
Required Practical 4: Testing
Fold page here
Foods
1. How do you prepare a solid food sample to test 1. Grind up using a pestle and mortar and then add
for nutrients? water to form a solution.
2. What reagent is used to test for proteins? 2. Biuret solution
3. What colour change indicates a positive result 3. Colour change to purple.
for protein?
4. How do you test for protein? 4. Add biuret solution and look for a colour change
to purple.
5. What reagent is used to test for starch? 5. Iodine
6. What colour change indicates a positive result 6. Colour changes to blue/black
for starch?
7. How do you test for starch? 7. Add iodine and look for a colour change to
blue/black.
8. What reagent is used to test for glucose? 8. Benedicts
9. What colour change indicates a positive result 9. A colour change to red/green/orange/yellow
for glucose?
10. How do you test for glucose? 10. Add Benedicts, heat and look for colour change
to red/green/orange/yellow.
11. What are examples of carbohydrates? 11. Starch and glucose
12. Which reagents would you use to test for 12. Amylase for starch and Benedicts for glucose
carbohydrates?

@SinclairEducation 44
 Topic Required Practical 4: Testing Foods

Qu Explain how to test a substance for the presence of _________

You could be asked this question to test for:

• Starch
• Glucose
• Proteins
• A combination of some/all of them

Info To answer this question you will need to do the following:

1. Identify the chemical you would use to test for the food substance.
2. Describe what you would do.
3. Identify the positive result
4. Repeat steps 1-3 for another food substance if the exam question is
asking about more than one substance in the food.

Be careful with your colour changes. Marks will be awarded for identifying
Top Tip the colour that shows a positive result, not for the start colour. If you don’t
know the start colour, don’t include it as it could lose you marks.

Explain how to test a substance for the presence of glucose.

Model
Add Benedict's solution to your sample of food in solution and heat it. A
Answer
positive test for glucose would be the solution turning red. If the solution does
not change colour no glucose is present.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

2. Prepare and learn model answers to explain how to test for starch,
Practice lipids and proteins.
3. Prepare and learn a model answer to explain how to test 1 food for
the presence of glucose, starch and proteins

@SinclairEducation 45
 RP5 Investigating Enzymes

1.
Add a few drops of iodine
solution to each dimple in a
spotting tile.

Water bath at set temperature

2.
Add a fixed volume of starch,
amylase and pH buffer solutions
to a water bath at a set
temperature. Leave for 5 minutes.

Starch pH 3.
Solution Amylase Buffer Mix the starch solution
Solution Solutions and amylase solution
together.
4.
Every 30 seconds add a few
drops to the spotting tile.
Repeat until the iodine does
not turn blue/black.

5.
Repeat for different pH’s or
@SinclairEducation different temperatures. 46
RP5: Investigating Enzymes Fold page here

1. What indicator would you use to test for the 1. Iodine

presence of starch?

2. What would be a positive test result for starch? 2. A blue/black colour change.

3. What would be a negative test result for starch? 3. No colour change.

4. What enzyme breaks down starch? 4. Amylase

5. If amylase were added to a starch solution, what 5. It should be broken down.

would you expect to happen to the starch?

6. What piece of equipment would you use to 6. Thermometer

measure temperature?

7. What piece of equipment would you use to 7. Stopwatch

measure time?

8. What piece of equipment would you use to keep 8. Water bath

your solutions at a certain temperature?

9. Around what temperature would you expect 9. 37°C which is the temperature of the human body.
amylase to work best and why?

10. Around what pH does amylase work best? 10. 7

11. How frequently should you test your mixture for the 11. 30 seconds
presence of starch?

12. At high temperatures why would you expect for no 12. The enzyme would have been denatured.
starch to be broken down?

13. At low and high pH’s why would you expect for no 13. The enzyme would have been denatured.
starch to be broken down?

14. Why should you leave the solutions in the water 14. To allow the solutions time to get to the same
bath for at least 5 minutes before testing? temperature.

15. Why would you expect it to take a longer for starch 15. Molecules have low kinetic energy and so fewer
to disappear at low temperatures? collisions between starch and amylase.

16. How could you use this experiment to determine 16. Look for the quickest time that iodine stopped
the temperature or pH amylase works best? turning blue/black.

@SinclairEducation 47
 Topic Required Practical 5: Investigating Enzymes
Qu Explain the results obtained when investigating enzymes.
You could be given data for testing enzymes at different temperatures or pH’s
and be asked to explain and interpret it.
To answer this question you will need to do the following:
Info 1. Identify the lowest value and explain the result.
2. Describe and explain the overall trend to the point enzyme activity is at
its greatest.
3. Explain why after this point enzyme activity starts to decrease.
When you are describing a trend in data make sure you identify all points in
Top Tip
which the trend changes. Refer to the data as much as you can.
Describe and explain the results below
when amylase was added to starch at
different temperatures.
At 5°C the starch was not broken down.
This is because at this low temperature
the molecules have low kinetic energy Temp Time taken until iodine
and so there have been fewer collisions. (°C) solution remains yellow (min)
As temperature continues to increase, 5 Did not turn yellow
Model
enzyme activity increases also and peaks 20 5
Answer
at 35°C when it took 2 mins for the starch
35 2
to be broken down. As temperature
50 7
continues to increase enzyme activity falls
again. This is because at warmer 65 14
temperatures the enzyme is denatured. 80 Did not turn yellow
At 80°C the starch has not been broken
down because the enzyme has been
completely denatured.

1. Construct your own answer in 2. Construct your own answer

which you interpret and explain in which you interpret and
explain data of enzyme
data of enzyme activity using the
activity using the data below.
data below.
Temp Time taken until iodine Time taken until iodine
pH
(°C) solution remains yellow (min) solution remains yellow (min)
Practice 0 Did not turn yellow 5 Did not turn yellow
20 4 5 3
40 2 7 1
60 8 9 9
80 Did not turn yellow 11 Did not turn yellow

@SinclairEducation 48
 RP6 Investigating Photosynthesis
1.
Set up equipment as shown in the diagram with the pondweed in a
beaker of water.

2.
Place the beaker 10cm away from the light source.

3.
Turn the light on and leave the pondweed for 5 minutes.

4.
Count the number of bubbles produced in a fixed period of time or
measure how much gas is collected in a fixed period of time.

5.
Repeat to identify outliers and calculate averages.

6. Bubbles
Repeat for different distances/temperatures.
Lamp

Pondweed

Practical Video Ruler

Beaker

@SinclairEducation 49
RP6: Photosynthesis Practical Fold page here

1. When investigating the rate of photosynthesis what 1. Light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide
are the possible variables (one that will be changed, concentration, type of plant, surface are a of leaf,
the others that will need to be controlled)? colour of plant, pH.
2. Why do you leave the pondweed 5 minutes after 2. Gives the pondweed time to acclimatise.
the lamp has been turned on before counting any
bubbles?
3. What piece of equipment would you use to change 3. Ruler
the distance of the lamp?
4. What would you use as a light source? 4. Lamp with an LED bulb.
5. Why should you use an LED bulb when investigating 5. It does not heat up and raise the temperature of the
the rate of photosynthesis? water.
6. What piece of equipment would you use to 6. Stopwatch
measure time?
7. Why might sodium hydrogen carbonate be added to 7. To ensure that there is an excess of carbon dioxide
the water? and that this does not become a limiting factor.
8. Why are bubbles produced by the pondweed during 8. Number of bubbles produced in a given time.
the photosynthesis experiment?
9. What is the dependent variable when investigating 9. Oxygen is a product of photosynthesis and so when
photosynthesis? the pondweed photosynthesises it makes bubbles of
the gas that we can count.
10. Why is it important to use a thermometer when 10. It is used to measure the temperature, to check the
investigating the rate of photosynthesis? temperature isn’t changing. This is important as
temperature needs to be controlled.
11. How can we change the light intensity when 11. Change the distance the lamp is from the plant.
investigating how light intensity affects the rate of
photosynthesis?
12. How can the temperature be controlled in the 12. Add the pondweed sample to a beaker of water, this
experiment? helps maintain the temperature.
13. Why is it better to count the number of bubbles in 13. You can see outliers and so improves reliability.
every minute for 3 minutes rather than just count
the bubbles for 3 minutes?
14. What two measurements need to be taken when 14. The number of bubbles produced, in a certain time.
investigating the rate of photosynthesis?
15. An alternative method is to put discs of 15. They have made oxygen, which causes them to float
pondweed/seaweed in a beaker and measure the to the surface.
time to rise to the surface, why would the discs rise
to the surface?

@SinclairEducation 50
 Topic Required Practical 6: Light Intensity and Photosynthesis

Construct a method to investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of

Qu
photosynthesis.

You could be asked this question to investigate the effect of light intensity on
the rate of photosynthesis for lots of different plants. As you will be collecting
gases the plants will all be plants that can survive and photosynthesise under
water.
Info
To answer this question, you will need to do the following:
1. Construct a clear method.
2. Identify what you will measure.
3. Identify control variables.

To change light intensity, you will change the distance the light is from the test
Top Tip plant. Make sure you include 5 different distances with regular intervals
between them.

Construct a method to investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of

photosynthesis.
1. Add a piece of pondweed to a boiling tube filled with water.
2. Place this 10cm away from a light source and turn the light on.
Model 3. Weight 5 minutes for the pondweed to acclimate.
Answer 4. Count the number of bubbles produced in 1 minute.
5. Repeat step 4 twice more to identify outliers and calculate an average.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 at 20cm, 30cm, 40cm and 50cm.
7. Control variables include the colour of light and the type and size of
pondweed used.

1. Learn and practice the model answer above.

Practice 2. Prepare and learn model answers to investigate the effect of
temperature and light colour on the rate of photosynthesis.

@SinclairEducation 51