Biology AS level AQA Exam Spec: BIOL1
From the official AQA exam specification for A level Biology
Unit 1 BIOL1 Biology and Disease
1.1 Disease may be caused by infectious pathogens or may reflect the effects of lifestyle.
1.2 The digestive system provides an interface with the environment. Digestion involves enzymic hydrolysis producing smaller molecules that can be absorbed and assimilated.
1.3 Substances are exchanged between organisms and their environment by passive or active transport across exchange surfaces. The structure of plasma membranes enables control of the passage of substances across exchange surfaces.
1.4 The lungs of a mammal act as an interface with the environment. Lung function may be affected by pathogens and by factors relating to lifestyle.
The biological basis of lung disease
1.5 The functioning of the heart plays a central role in the circulation of blood and relates to the level of activity of an individual. Heart disease may be linked to factors affecting lifestyle.
Heart structure and function
The biological basis of heart disease
1.6 Mammalian blood possesses a number of defensive functions.
Proteins and polysaccharides are made up of monomers that are linked by condensation.
Many of the functions of proteins may be explained in terms of molecular structure and shape.
Enzymes are proteins and their rates of reaction are influenced by a range of factors: temperature, the presence of inhibitors, pH and substrate concentration.
Substances are exchanged by passive or active transport across exchange surfaces. The structure of plasma membranes enables control of the passage of substances across exchange surfaces.
Investigative and practical skills
Use your knowledge and understanding to pose scientific questions and define scientific problems
Carry out investigative activities, including appropriate risk management, in a range of contexts
Analyse and interpret data you have collected to provide evidence
Evaluate your methodology, evidence and data, resolving conflicting evidence
Consider the effect of a specific variable on the rate of reaction of an enzyme-controlled reaction
Consider the effect of a specific variable on human heart rate or pulse rate
Consider the effect of solute concentration on the rate of uptake of water by plant tissue
