OCR AS-level Biology
Free OCR AS-level Biology revision for OCR Biology A (H020): 12 topics and 352 short lessons, each with R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and a quiz. The topics follow the OCR specification.
1. Components of Living Systems
- Development of Cell Theory
- The Light Microscope
- Preparing Samples
- Staining
- Gram Stain
- Acid-Fast Technique
- Magnification
- Resolution
- The Eyepiece Graticule
- Electron Microscopy
- Transmission Electron Microscope
- Scanning Electron Microscope
- Sample Preparation for Electron Microscopes
- Differences Between Light and Electron Microscopes
- Scientific Drawings
- Artefacts
- Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy
- Fluorescent Tags
- Atomic Force Microscopy
- Super Resolved Fluorescence Microscopy
- Relative Sizes
2. Cell Structure
- Eukaryotic Cell Structure
- Compartmentalisation
- Nucleus
- Nucleolus
- Mitochondria
- Vesicles
- Lysosomes
- The Cytoskeleton
- Cell Movement
- Centrioles
- Cilia and Flagella
- Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Ribosomes
- Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum
- Golgi Apparatus
- Plant Cells
- Cellulose Cell Wall
- Vacuole
- Chloroplasts
- Prokaryotic Cells
- DNA
- Ribosomes
- Cell Wall
- Flagella
- The Theory of Endosymbiosis
- Comparison with Eukaryotic Cells
3. Biological Molecules
- Elements
- Bonding
- Ions
- Biological Molecules
- Polymers
- Water
- Hydrogen Bonding and Boiling Point of Water
- Density of Water
- Cohesion, Adhesion and Surface Tension
- Specific Heat Capacity of Water
- Water as a Solvent
- Carbohydrates
- Glucose
- Other Monosaccharides
- Condensation Reactions
- Hydrolysis
- Disaccharides
- Test for Reducing Sugars
- Test for Non-Reducing Sugars
- Starch
- Test for Starch
- Colorimetry
- Glycogen
- Cellulose
- Biosensors
- Lipids
- Triglycerides
- Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids
- Phospholipids
- Sterols
- Roles of Lipids
- Test for Lipids
- Lipids and Health
- Amino-acids
- Thin Layer Chromatography
- Polypeptides
- Protein Structure
- Hydrolysis of Peptides
- Globular Proteins
- Insulin
- Conjugated Proteins
- Haemoglobin
- Catalase
- Fibrous Proteins
- Keratin
- Elastin
- Collagen
- Test for Proteins
- Nucleotides
- DNA
- RNA
- DNA Extraction
- Role of RNA
- DNA Replication
- Continuous and Dis-continuous Replication
- Replication Errors
- The Genetic Code
- Protein Synthesis
- The role of tRNA, mRNA and rRNA
- Transcription
- Splicing
- Translation
- ATP
4. Enzymes
- The Role of Enzymes
- The Mechanism of Enzyme Action
- Lock and Key Hypothesis
- Induced-Fit Hypothesis
- Intracellular Enzymes
- Extracellular Enzymes
- Amylase
- Proteases
- Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
- Temperature Extremes
- Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity
- Enzyme Concentration
- Substrate Concentration
- Competitive Inhibition
- Non-competitive Inhibition
- End-Product Inhibition
- Cofactors
- Coenzymes
- Prosthetic Groups
- Precursor Activation
5. Plasma Membrane
- Membrane Structure
- Fluid Mosaic Model
- Membrane Proteins
- Glycoproteins
- Glycolipids
- Extrinsic Proteins
- Cholesterol
- Sites of Chemical Reactions
- Effect of Temperature
- Solvents
- Diffusion
- Diffusion Across Membranes
- Facilitated Diffusion
- Active Transport
- Bulk Transport
- Osmosis
- Osmosis in Animal Cells
- Osmosis in Plant Cells
6. Cell Division
- The Cell Cycle
- Interphase
- Mitosis
- Control of the Cell Cycle
- Cancer
- Chromosomes
- Prophase
- Metaphase
- Telophase
- Cytokinesis
- Meiosis
- Homologous Chromosomes
- The Stages of Meiosis
- Prophase 1
- Metaphase 1
- Anaphase 1
- Telophase 1
- Meiosis 2
- Specialised Cells and Tissues
- Epithelial Cells
- Specialised Plant Cells
- Organs and Organ Systems
- Stem Cells
- Stem Cell Potency
- Differentiation
- Replacement of Red and White Blood Cells
- Sources of Animal Stem Cells
- Sources of Plant Stem Cells
- Uses of Stem Cells
- Ethics
- Anaphase
7. Exchange Surfaces and Breathing
- The Need for Specialised Exchange Surfaces
- Surface Area to Volume Ratio
- Specialised Exchange Surfaces
- The Human Gas Exchange System
- The Lungs
- Mechanism of Breathing
- Inspiration
- Expiration
- Alveoli
- Role of Alveoli in Gas Exchange
- Asthma
- The First Breath
- Measuring Lung Capacity
- Lung Volume
- Breathing Rate and Ventilation Rate
- Gas Exchange in Unicellular Organisms
- Gas Exchange in Insects
- Diffusion Gradient
- Mass Transport
- Increasing the Rate of Diffusion
- Limitations of the Tracheal System
- Gas Exchange in Fish
- Structure of the Gills
- Counter Current Exchange
8. Transport in Animals
- Specialised Transport Systems
- Features of a Transport System
- Types of Circulatory System
- Open Circulatory Systems
- Closed Circulatory Systems
- Single Closed Circulatory Systems
- Double Closed Circulatory Systems
- Blood Vessels
- Arteries
- Arterioles
- Veins and Venules
- Capillaries
- Tissue Fluid
- Return of Tissue Fluid to Blood
- Chloride Shift
- Human Heart
- Structure and Function of the Heart
- Cardiac Cycle
- Heart Sounds
- Basic Rhythm of the Heart
- Electrocardiograms
- Aortic Aneurysms
9. Mass Transport in Plants
- Specialised Plant Cells
- Transpiration
- Movement of Water into the Root Hair Cells
- Movement of Water across the Roots
- Movement of Water Up the Stem
- Movement of Water Across the Leaf
- Movement of Water Through the Stomata
- Translocation
- Phloem Loading
- Mass Flow through Sieve Tube Elements
- Mass Flow Model
- Phloem Unloading
- Ringing Experiments
- Tracer Experiments
- Evidence for Translocation in Phloem
- Xerophytes
- Limiting Water Loss in Plants
- Hydrophytes
10. Classification and Evolution
- Classification
- Classifying Organisms
- Naming Organisms
- The Five Kingdoms
- Prokaryotae
- Protictista
- Fungi
- Plantae
- Animalia
- Classification
- The Three Domain System
- Archaebacteria and Eubacteria
- Phylogeny
- Advantages of Phylogenetic Classification
- Theory of Evolution
- Evidence for Evolution
- Palaeontology
- Comparative Anatomy
- Comparative Biochemistry
- Types of Variation
- Genetic Causes of Variation - Mutation
- Genetic Causes of Variation - Meiosis and Chance
- Environmental Causes of Variation
- Discontinuous Variation
- Continuous Variation
- Normal Distribution
- Standard Deviation
- Student T-test
- Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient
- Adaptations
- Anatomical Adaptations
- Courtship Behaviour
- Physiological Adaptations
- Convergent Evolution
- Natural Selection
- Modern Examples of Natural Selection
11. Biodiversity
- Importance of Biodiversity
- Measuring Biodiversity
- Habitat Biodiversity
- Species Biodiversity
- Genetic Biodiversity
- Sampling
- Random Sampling
- Non-Random Sampling
- Reliability
- Sampling Animals
- Sampling Plants
- Species Richness
- Species Evenness
- Frame Quadrats
- Estimating Population Size
- Measuring Abiotic Factors
- Simpson's Index of Diversity
- The Importance of Genetic Diversity
- Factors Affecting Genetic Biodiversity
- Measuring Genetic Biodiversity
- Human Influence of Biodiversity
- Deforestation
- Agriculture
- Climate Change
- Reasons for Maintaining Biodiversity
- Aesthetic Reasons
- Economic Reasons
- Ecological Reasons
- Human Activity and Biodiversity
- Maintaining Biodiversity
- In Situ Conservation
- Ex Situ Conservation
- Conservation Agreements
12. Communicable Diseases
- Types of Pathogens
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Protoctists
- Fungi
- Modes of Action
- Plant Diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Bacterial Meningitis
- HIV/AIDS
- Influenza
- Zoonotic Influenza
- Malaria
- Fungal Diseases
- Transmission of Pathogens
- Factors Affecting Transmission in Animals
- Transmission of Pathogens Between Plants
- Plant Defences against Pathogens
- Mammals - non-Specific Defences
- Blood Clotting
- Inflammatory Response
- Fevers
- Phagocytosis
- Counting Blood Cells
- Cytokines
- Opsonins
- Antibodies
- How Antibodies Work
- Lymphocytes
- Cell-Mediated Immunity
- Humoral Immunity
- Auto-Immune Diseases
- Natural Immunity
- Artificial Passive Immunity
- Artificial Active Immunity
- Vaccines
- Sources of Medicines
- Drug Design
- Antibiotic Resistance
- MRSA and C. difficile