Specification points

Cambridge Cambridge O Level Biology 5090

371 points in 19 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 Cells

1.1 Cell structure and function
1.1.1 Examining cells under the microscope
1.1.2 Drawing cells
1.1.3 Structures of an animal cell
1.1.4 Structures of a plant cell
1.1.5 Bacterial cell structure
1.1.6 Functions of cell structures
1.2 Specialised cells, tissues and organs
1.2.1 Specialised cells
1.2.2 Cells, tissues, organs and organisms
1.2.3 Magnification formula

2 Classification

2.1 Concept and use of a classification system
2.1.1 Classifying organisms by shared features
2.1.2 Species
2.1.3 Binomial naming system
2.1.4 Dichotomous keys
2.2 Features of organisms
2.2.1 The five kingdoms
2.2.2 Vertebrate and arthropod groups
2.2.3 Ferns and flowering plants
2.2.4 Classifying organisms
2.2.5 Features of viruses
2.2.6 Viruses replicate in living cells

3 Movement into and out of cells

3.1 Diffusion and osmosis
3.1.1 Water as a solvent
3.1.2 Energy for diffusion and osmosis
3.1.3 Diffusion
3.1.4 Factors affecting diffusion
3.1.5 Osmosis and water potential
3.1.6 Water pressure supporting plants
3.1.7 Effects of osmosis on tissues
3.1.8 Solutions and plant tissues
3.1.9 Investigating osmosis
3.2 Active transport
3.2.1 Active transport
3.2.2 Active transport in root hair cells

4 Biological molecules

4.1 Biological molecules
4.1.1 Elements in biological molecules
4.1.2 Large molecules from smaller units
4.1.3 Food tests

5 Enzymes

5.1 Enzyme action
5.1.1 Catalysts
5.1.2 Enzymes as biological catalysts
5.1.3 Enzyme action
5.1.4 Enzyme specificity and lock and key
5.2 Effects of temperature and pH
5.2.1 Following enzyme reactions
5.2.2 Temperature and pH on enzymes
5.2.3 Explaining temperature and pH effects

6 Plant nutrition

6.1 Photosynthesis
6.1.1 Photosynthesis
6.1.2 Chlorophyll in chloroplasts
6.1.3 Chlorophyll and energy transfer
6.1.4 Uses and storage of photosynthesis products
6.1.5 Photosynthesis equations
6.1.6 Investigating what photosynthesis needs
6.1.7 Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
6.1.8 Investigating rate of photosynthesis
6.1.9 Limiting factors of photosynthesis
6.2 Leaf structure
6.2.1 Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis
6.2.2 Leaf structure and adaptations
6.3 Mineral nutrition
6.3.1 Nitrate ions
6.3.2 Magnesium ions

7 Transport in flowering plants

7.1 Uptake and transport of water and ions
7.1.1 Root hair cells
7.1.2 Pathway of water through a plant
7.1.3 Tracing water in a cut stem
7.2 Transpiration and translocation
7.2.1 Transpiration
7.2.2 Evaporation and diffusion of water from leaves
7.2.3 Factors affecting transpiration and wilting
7.2.4 Investigating transpiration rate
7.2.5 Transpiration pull
7.2.6 Translocation
7.2.7 Tissues in roots and stems
7.2.8 Functions of xylem
7.2.9 Xylem structure and function

9 Human gas exchange

9.1 Human gas exchange
9.1.1 Features of gas exchange surfaces
9.1.2 Composition of atmospheric air
9.1.3 Inspired and expired air
9.1.4 Parts of the breathing system
9.1.5 Alveoli and gas exchange
9.1.6 Ribs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm
9.1.7 Mechanism of ventilation
9.1.8 Physical activity and breathing
9.1.9 Goblet cells, cilia and mucus

10 Respiration

10.1 Respiration
10.1.1 Respiration
10.1.2 Uses of energy in organisms
10.1.3 Temperature and yeast respiration
10.2 Aerobic respiration
10.2.1 Aerobic respiration
10.2.2 Aerobic respiration equations
10.3 Anaerobic respiration
10.3.1 Anaerobic respiration
10.3.2 Anaerobic respiration in humans
10.3.3 Anaerobic respiration in yeast
10.3.4 Lactic acid and oxygen debt
10.3.5 Removing the oxygen debt

12 Disease and immunity

12.1 Disease
12.1.1 Pathogens
12.1.2 Transmissible diseases
12.1.3 Transmission of pathogens
12.1.4 Barriers to pathogens
12.1.5 Mosquitoes as vectors
12.1.6 Malaria and its transmission
12.1.7 Controlling malarial mosquitoes
12.1.8 HIV
12.1.9 Transmission of HIV
12.1.10 HIV and AIDS
12.1.11 Controlling HIV
12.1.12 Cholera
12.1.13 Controlling the spread of cholera
12.1.14 Cholera toxin and its effects
12.1.15 Effects of alcohol
12.1.16 Effects of tobacco smoke
12.2 Antibiotics
12.2.1 Drugs
12.2.2 Antibiotics for bacterial infections
12.2.3 Antibiotics and viruses
12.2.4 Minimising antibiotic resistance
12.3 Immunity
12.3.1 Active immunity
12.3.2 Antigens
12.3.3 Antibodies
12.3.4 Antibody-antigen specificity
12.3.5 Gaining active immunity
12.3.6 Vaccination
12.3.7 Vaccination and disease control
12.3.8 Passive immunity
12.3.9 Breast-feeding and passive immunity
12.3.10 No memory cells in passive immunity
12.3.11 HIV and the immune system

13 Excretion

13.1 Excretion
13.1.1 Excretion
13.1.2 Excretion of carbon dioxide
13.1.3 Urea
13.2 Urinary system
13.2.1 Kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra
13.2.2 Need for excretion
13.2.3 Structure of a nephron
13.2.4 Function of a nephron
13.2.5 Liver and assimilation of amino acids
13.2.6 Deamination

14 Coordination and control

14.1 Mammalian nervous system
14.1.1 Role of the nervous system
14.1.2 Central and peripheral nervous systems
14.1.3 Sensory, relay and motor neurones
14.1.4 Electrical impulses in neurones
14.1.5 Reflex arcs
14.1.6 Reflex actions
14.1.7 Synapses
14.1.8 Structure of a synapse
14.1.9 Events at a synapse
14.1.10 One-way transmission at synapses
14.2 Mammalian sense organs
14.2.1 Sense organs
14.2.2 Structures of the eye
14.2.3 Functions of parts of the eye
14.2.4 Pupil reflex
14.2.5 Accommodation
14.3 Mammalian hormones
14.3.1 Hormones
14.3.2 Endocrine glands and hormones
14.3.3 Adrenaline
14.3.4 Nervous versus hormonal control
14.4 Homeostasis
14.4.1 Homeostasis
14.4.2 Negative feedback
14.5 Temperature control
14.5.1 Structures of the skin
14.5.2 Insulation and body temperature
14.5.3 Hypothalamus and temperature receptors
14.5.4 Processes maintaining body temperature
14.6 Blood glucose control
14.6.1 Need to control blood glucose
14.6.2 Control of blood glucose
14.6.3 Type 1 diabetes

15 Coordination and response in plants

15.1 Coordination and response in plants
15.1.1 Gravitropism
15.1.2 Phototropism
15.1.3 Auxin and shoot growth
15.1.4 Investigating tropisms

16 Development of organisms and continuity of life

16.1 Nuclear division
16.1.1 Chromosomes, DNA and genes
16.1.2 Haploid nucleus
16.1.3 Diploid nucleus
16.1.4 Chromosome pairs in diploid cells
16.1.5 Mitosis
16.1.6 Roles of mitosis
16.1.7 Stem cells
16.1.8 Meiosis and gametes
16.1.9 Meiosis
16.1.10 Cancer and uncontrolled cell division
16.2 Asexual and sexual reproduction
16.2.1 Asexual reproduction
16.2.2 Examples of asexual reproduction
16.2.3 Sexual reproduction
16.2.4 Asexual versus sexual reproduction
16.3 Sexual reproduction in plants
16.3.1 Parts of an insect-pollinated flower
16.3.2 Parts of a wind-pollinated flower
16.3.3 Flower structure and function
16.3.4 Insect- versus wind-pollinated flowers
16.3.5 Pollination
16.3.6 Effects of self- and cross-pollination on populations
16.3.7 Pollen tube and fertilisation
16.3.8 Seeds and fruit formation
16.3.9 Seed structure
16.3.10 Seed and fruit dispersal
16.3.11 Adaptations of dispersed fruits
16.3.12 Conditions for germination
16.3.13 Germination
16.4 Sexual reproduction in humans
16.4.1 Male reproductive system
16.4.2 Female reproductive system
16.4.3 Adaptations of sperm
16.4.4 Adaptations of egg cells
16.4.5 Human fertilisation
16.4.6 Comparing male and female gametes
16.4.7 Testosterone, oestrogen and puberty
16.4.8 The menstrual cycle
16.4.9 Hormones controlling the menstrual cycle
16.4.10 Early development and implantation
16.4.11 Amniotic sac and fluid
16.4.12 Placenta and umbilical cord
16.4.13 Viruses crossing the placenta

17 Inheritance

17.1 Variation
17.1.1 Variation
17.1.2 Continuous variation
17.1.3 Discontinuous variation
17.1.4 Causes of variation
17.1.5 Investigating variation
17.2 DNA
17.2.1 Structure of DNA
17.2.2 Genes
17.2.3 DNA controlling cell function
17.2.4 Base sequence and amino acid sequence
17.2.5 Amino acid sequence and protein shape
17.3 Inheritance
17.3.1 Inheritance
17.3.2 Alleles
17.3.3 Genetic terminology
17.3.4 Monohybrid crosses and ratios
17.3.5 Observed versus expected ratios
17.3.6 Pure-breeding
17.3.7 Codominance and ABO blood groups
17.3.8 Sex determination
17.3.9 Gene mutation and sickle cell anaemia
17.3.10 Chromosome mutation and Down's syndrome
17.3.11 Sources of genetic variation
17.3.12 Factors increasing mutation rate
17.4 Selection
17.4.1 Natural selection
17.4.2 Evolution by natural selection
17.4.3 Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
17.4.4 Artificial selection
17.4.5 Economic importance of artificial selection

18 Biotechnology and genetic modification

18.1 Biotechnology
18.1.1 Yeast in bread and ethanol production
18.1.2 Bacteria in biotechnology
18.1.3 Why bacteria are useful in biotechnology
18.1.4 Fermenters and controlled conditions
18.1.5 Enzymes in washing powders, juice and milk
18.2 Genetic modification
18.2.1 Genetic modification
18.2.2 Bacterial production of human insulin
18.2.3 Genetically modified crop plants
18.2.4 Pros and risks of genetic modification

19 Relationships of organisms with one another and with the environment

19.1 Energy flow
19.1.1 The Sun as energy source
19.1.2 Dependence on photosynthesis
19.1.3 Energy flow through food chains and webs
19.1.4 Constructing food chains
19.1.5 Producers, consumers and decomposers
19.1.6 Food webs
19.1.7 Inefficient energy transfer
19.1.8 Why food chains are short
19.1.9 Energy efficiency of eating crops versus livestock
19.1.10 Pyramids of numbers, biomass and energy
19.2 Nutrient cycles
19.2.1 The carbon cycle
19.2.2 The nitrogen cycle
19.2.3 Fungi and bacteria as decomposers
19.3 Ecosystems and biodiversity
19.3.1 Populations
19.3.2 Communities
19.3.3 Ecosystems
19.3.4 Biodiversity
19.3.5 Factors affecting population growth
19.3.6 Population growth and resource demand
19.4 Effects of humans on ecosystems
19.4.1 Causes and consequences of deforestation
19.4.2 Over-harvesting and non-native species
19.4.3 Water and air pollution
19.5 Conservation
19.5.1 Reasons for conservation
19.5.2 Conserving forests
19.5.3 Conserving fish stocks
19.5.4 Sustainable resources