Specification points

Cambridge Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology 9700

323 points in 20 topics, with Cambridge's codes and titles.

Grade boundaries·Cambridge command words

Codes and titles are read by a script from Cambridge's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Cambridge’s specification.

1 Cell structure

1.1 The microscope in cell studies
1.1.1 Preparing slides for light microscopy
1.1.2 Drawing cells
1.1.3 Calculating magnification and actual size
1.1.4 Eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer
1.1.5 Resolution and magnification
1.2 Cells as the basic units of living organisms
1.2.1 Eukaryotic organelles and their functions
1.2.2 Interpreting images of plant and animal cells
1.2.3 Comparing plant and animal cells
1.2.4 ATP for energy-requiring processes
1.2.5 Structure of prokaryotic cells
1.2.6 Comparing prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
1.2.7 Structure of viruses

2 Biological molecules

2.1 Testing for biological molecules
2.1.1 Biochemical tests
2.1.2 Semi-quantitative Benedict's test
2.1.3 Test for non-reducing sugars
2.2 Carbohydrates and lipids
2.2.1 Alpha- and beta-glucose
2.2.2 Monomers, polymers and saccharides
2.2.3 Covalent bonds in polymers
2.2.4 Reducing and non-reducing sugars
2.2.5 Forming glycosidic bonds
2.2.6 Hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds
2.2.7 Starch and glycogen
2.2.8 Cellulose and plant cell walls
2.2.9 Structure of triglycerides
2.2.10 Functions of triglycerides
2.2.11 Structure of phospholipids
2.3 Proteins
2.3.1 Amino acids and peptide bonds
2.3.2 Levels of protein structure
2.3.3 Bonds in protein shape
2.3.4 Globular and fibrous proteins
2.3.5 Structure of haemoglobin
2.3.6 Haemoglobin structure and function
2.3.7 Structure of collagen
2.3.8 Collagen structure and function
2.4 Water
2.4.1 Hydrogen bonding and properties of water

3 Enzymes

3.1 Mode of action of enzymes
3.1.1 Intracellular and extracellular enzymes
3.1.2 Mode of action of enzymes
3.1.3 Measuring rates of enzyme reactions
3.1.4 Colorimeters for enzyme reactions
3.2 Factors that affect enzyme action
3.2.1 Factors affecting enzyme activity
3.2.2 Vmax and the Michaelis–Menten constant
3.2.3 Competitive and non-competitive inhibition
3.2.4 Immobilised enzymes

4 Cell membranes and transport

4.1 Fluid mosaic membranes
4.1.1 Fluid mosaic model
4.1.2 Cholesterol, glycolipids and glycoproteins
4.1.3 Roles of membrane components
4.1.4 Cell signalling
4.2 Movement into and out of cells
4.2.1 Membrane transport processes
4.2.2 Investigating diffusion and osmosis
4.2.3 Surface area to volume ratio
4.2.4 Surface area to volume ratio and diffusion
4.2.5 Estimating water potential of tissues
4.2.6 Water potential and plant and animal cells

5 The mitotic cell cycle

5.1 Replication and division of nuclei and cells
5.1.1 Structure of a chromosome
5.1.2 Importance of mitosis
5.1.3 The mitotic cell cycle
5.1.4 Role of telomeres
5.1.5 Stem cells in repair
5.1.6 Tumour formation
5.2 Chromosome behaviour in mitosis
5.2.1 Chromosome behaviour during mitosis
5.2.2 Identifying stages of mitosis

6 Nucleic acids and protein synthesis

6.1 Structure of nucleic acids and replication of DNA
6.1.1 Structure of nucleotides and ATP
6.1.2 Purines and pyrimidines
6.1.3 Structure of DNA
6.1.4 Semi-conservative replication
6.1.5 Structure of mRNA
6.2 Protein synthesis
6.2.1 Genes and polypeptides
6.2.2 The universal genetic code
6.2.3 Transcription and translation
6.2.4 Template and non-transcribed strands
6.2.5 RNA splicing
6.2.6 Gene mutation
6.2.7 Substitution, deletion and insertion mutations

7 Transport in plants

7.1 Structure of transport tissues
7.1.1 Plan diagrams of stems, roots and leaves
7.1.2 Distribution of xylem and phloem
7.1.3 Drawing xylem and phloem cells
7.1.4 Structure and function of xylem and phloem
7.2 Transport mechanisms
7.2.1 Transport of dissolved substances in plants
7.2.2 Apoplast and symplast pathways
7.2.3 Transpiration
7.2.4 Cohesion-tension and adhesion
7.2.5 Xerophytic leaf adaptations
7.2.6 Assimilates moving from sources to sinks
7.2.7 Companion cells loading phloem
7.2.8 Mass flow in phloem

9 Gas exchange

9.1 The gas exchange system
9.1.1 Structure of the gas exchange system
9.1.2 Distribution of tissues in airways
9.1.3 Recognising airway tissues
9.1.4 Recognising and drawing airway sections
9.1.5 Keeping the gas exchange system healthy
9.1.6 Functions of airway tissues
9.1.7 Gas exchange in the alveoli

10 Infectious diseases

10.1 Infectious diseases
10.1.1 Infectious diseases and pathogens
10.1.2 Pathogens causing named diseases
10.1.3 Transmission of cholera, malaria, TB and HIV
10.1.4 Preventing and controlling infectious diseases
10.2 Antibiotics
10.2.1 Penicillin and antibiotics
10.2.2 Antibiotic resistance

11 Immunity

11.1 The immune system
11.1.1 Phagocytes
11.1.2 Self and non-self antigens
11.1.3 Primary immune response
11.1.4 Memory cells and secondary response
11.2 Antibodies and vaccination
11.2.1 Antibody structure and function
11.2.2 Hybridoma method
11.2.3 Monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis and treatment
11.2.4 Types of immunity
11.2.5 Vaccines
11.2.6 Vaccination programmes

13 Photosynthesis

13.1 Photosynthesis as an energy transfer process
13.1.1 Chloroplast structure and function
13.1.2 ATP and reduced NADP in the Calvin cycle
13.1.3 Sites of photosynthesis stages
13.1.4 Chloroplast pigments
13.1.5 Absorption and action spectra
13.1.6 Chromatography of chloroplast pigments
13.1.7 Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation
13.1.8 Cyclic photophosphorylation
13.1.9 Non-cyclic photophosphorylation
13.1.10 Photophosphorylation and chemiosmosis
13.1.11 The Calvin cycle
13.1.12 Uses of Calvin cycle intermediates
13.2 Investigation of limiting factors
13.2.1 Limiting factors of photosynthesis
13.2.2 Effects of limiting factors
13.2.3 Investigating photosynthesis with redox indicators
13.2.4 Investigating photosynthesis in whole plants

14 Homeostasis

14.1 Homeostasis in mammals
14.1.1 Homeostasis
14.1.2 Principles of homeostasis
14.1.3 Urea production
14.1.4 Structure of the kidney
14.1.5 Structure of a nephron
14.1.6 Formation of urine
14.1.7 Bowman's capsule and proximal tubule
14.1.8 Osmoregulation
14.1.9 Cell signalling and glucagon
14.1.10 Negative feedback and blood glucose
14.1.11 Glucose test strips and biosensors
14.2 Homeostasis in plants
14.2.1 Stomatal responses to conditions
14.2.2 Daily rhythms of stomata
14.2.3 Guard cells and stomatal opening
14.2.4 Abscisic acid and stomatal closure

15 Control and coordination

15.1 Control and coordination in mammals
15.1.1 Features of the endocrine system
15.1.2 Nervous versus endocrine systems
15.1.3 Sensory, motor and intermediate neurones
15.1.4 Sensory receptor cells
15.1.5 Action potential in a taste receptor
15.1.6 Resting and action potentials
15.1.7 Saltatory conduction
15.1.8 Refractory period
15.1.9 Cholinergic synapses
15.1.10 Stimulating contraction in striated muscle
15.1.11 Ultrastructure of striated muscle
15.1.12 Sliding filament model
15.2 Control and coordination in plants
15.2.1 Venus fly trap response
15.2.2 Auxin and elongation growth
15.2.3 Gibberellin in barley germination

17 Selection and evolution

17.1 Variation
17.1.1 Genetic and environmental variation
17.1.2 Discontinuous and continuous variation
17.1.3 Genetic basis of variation
17.1.4 The t-test
17.2 Natural and artificial selection
17.2.1 Natural selection
17.2.2 Stabilising, disruptive and directional selection
17.2.3 Founder effect and genetic drift
17.2.4 Antibiotic resistance as natural selection
17.2.5 Hardy–Weinberg principle
17.2.6 Selective breeding
17.2.7 Examples of selective breeding
17.3 Evolution
17.3.1 Theory of evolution
17.3.2 DNA sequences and evolutionary relationships
17.3.3 Allopatric and sympatric speciation