Specification points

OCR A-level Biology A H420

408 points in 8 topics, with OCR's codes and titles.

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

1 Development of practical skills in biology

1.1 Practical skills assessed in a written examination
1.1.1 Planning
1.1.1(a) Designing experiments to solve practical problems
1.1.1(b) Identifying variables to control
1.1.1(c) Judging whether a method suits the aims
1.1.2 Implementing
1.1.2(a) Using practical apparatus and techniques correctly
1.1.2(b) Units for measurements
1.1.2(c) Presenting observations and data
1.1.3 Analysis
1.1.3(a) Processing and interpreting experimental results
1.1.3(b) Maths skills for analysing quantitative data
1.1.3(c) Significant figures
1.1.3(d) Plotting and interpreting graphs of results
1.1.3(d)(i) Choosing and labelling graph axes
1.1.3(d)(ii) Gradients and intercepts from graphs
1.1.4 Evaluation
1.1.4(a) Evaluating results and drawing conclusions
1.1.4(b) Spotting anomalies in measurements
1.1.4(c) Limitations of experimental procedures
1.1.4(d) Precision, accuracy, errors and uncertainties
1.1.4(e) Improving experimental procedures and apparatus
1.2 Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement
1.2.1 Practical skills
1.2.1(a) Investigative approaches in practical work
1.2.1(b) Safe, correct use of practical equipment
1.2.1(c) Following written instructions
1.2.1(d) Making and recording observations and measurements
1.2.1(e) Keeping records of practical activities
1.2.1(f) Presenting information and data scientifically
1.2.1(g) Software and tools for data and research
1.2.1(h) Research skills using online and printed sources
1.2.1(i) Citing sources of information
1.2.1(j) Range of practical instruments and techniques
1.2.2 Use of apparatus and techniques
1.2.2(a) Apparatus for quantitative measurements such as mass and pH
1.2.2(b) Instruments such as colorimeters and potometers
1.2.2(c) Laboratory glassware and serial dilutions
1.2.2(d) Light microscopes and graticules
1.2.2(e) Annotated scientific drawings from observations
1.2.2(f) Reagent tests for biological molecules
1.2.2(g) Chromatography and electrophoresis of biological compounds
1.2.2(h) Safe, ethical use of organisms in measurements
1.2.2(h)(i) Measuring plant or animal responses
1.2.2(h)(ii) Measuring physiological functions
1.2.2(i) Aseptic microbiological techniques
1.2.2(j) Safe dissection of animal or plant organs
1.2.2(k) Fieldwork sampling techniques
1.2.2(l) ICT, modelling and data loggers for data

2 Foundations in biology

2.1 Foundations in biology
2.1.1 Cell structure
2.1.1(a) Microscopy of eukaryotic cells and cell structure
2.1.1(b) Preparing and examining microscope slides
2.1.1(c) Staining in light microscopy
2.1.1(d) Drawing cells seen under the light microscope
2.1.1(e) The magnification formula
2.1.1(f) Magnification and resolution
2.1.1(g) Ultrastructure of eukaryotic cells and organelle functions
2.1.1(h) Photomicrographs of cell components
2.1.1(i) Organelles in protein production and secretion
2.1.1(j) The cytoskeleton
2.1.1(k) Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells compared
2.1.2 Biological molecules
2.1.2(a) Hydrogen bonding and the properties of water
2.1.2(b) Monomers, polymers, condensation and hydrolysis
2.1.2(c) Chemical elements in biological molecules
2.1.2(d) Glucose and ribose structure
2.1.2(e) Glycosidic bonds in disaccharides and polysaccharides
2.1.2(f) Starch, glycogen and cellulose structure
2.1.2(g) Carbohydrate structure related to function
2.1.2(h) Triglycerides and phospholipids
2.1.2(i) Ester bonds in triglycerides
2.1.2(j) Lipid properties related to function
2.1.2(k) Amino acid structure
2.1.2(l) Peptide bonds in dipeptides and polypeptides
2.1.2(m) Levels of protein structure
2.1.2(n) Globular and conjugated proteins
2.1.2(o) Fibrous proteins
2.1.2(p) Inorganic ions in biological processes
2.1.2(q) Chemical tests for biological molecules
2.1.2(r) Quantitative methods for solution concentration
2.1.2(s) Chromatography of biological molecules
2.1.2(s)(i) Paper and thin layer chromatography principles
2.1.2(s)(ii) Practical chromatography of biological solutions
2.1.3 Nucleotides and nucleic acids
2.1.3(a) Nucleotide structure
2.1.3(b) Phosphodiester bonds in polynucleotides
2.1.3(c) ADP and ATP structure
2.1.3(d) DNA structure and purification
2.1.3(d)(i) DNA structure
2.1.3(d)(ii) Practical: purifying DNA by precipitation
2.1.3(e) Semi-conservative DNA replication
2.1.3(f) The genetic code
2.1.3(g) Transcription and translation
2.1.4 Enzymes
2.1.4(a) Enzymes and metabolism
2.1.4(b) Intracellular and extracellular enzymes
2.1.4(c) Mechanism of enzyme action
2.1.4(d) Factors affecting enzyme activity
2.1.4(d)(i) Effects of pH, temperature and concentration on enzymes
2.1.4(d)(ii) Practical: factors affecting enzyme activity
2.1.4(e) Coenzymes and cofactors
2.1.4(f) Enzyme inhibitors
2.1.5 Biological membranes
2.1.5(a) Roles of membranes
2.1.5(b) The fluid mosaic model
2.1.5(c) Membrane structure and permeability
2.1.5(c)(i) Factors affecting membrane permeability
2.1.5(c)(ii) Practical: factors affecting membrane permeability
2.1.5(d) Movement of molecules across membranes
2.1.5(d)(i) Transport of molecules across membranes
2.1.5(d)(ii) Practical: diffusion rates in model cells
2.1.5(e) Osmosis and water potential
2.1.5(e)(i) Osmosis and its effects on plant and animal cells
2.1.5(e)(ii) Practical: water potential and plant and animal cells
2.1.6 Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation
2.1.6(a) The cell cycle
2.1.6(b) Regulation of the cell cycle
2.1.6(c) Stages of mitosis
2.1.6(d) Plant tissue sections showing mitosis
2.1.6(e) Significance of mitosis in life cycles
2.1.6(f) Significance of meiosis in life cycles
2.1.6(g) Stages of meiosis
2.1.6(h) Specialised cells
2.1.6(i) Cells, tissues, organs and organ systems
2.1.6(j) Stem cells and differentiation
2.1.6(k) Erythrocytes and neutrophils from bone marrow stem cells
2.1.6(l) Xylem and phloem from meristem stem cells
2.1.6(m) Uses of stem cells in research and medicine

3 Exchange and transport

3.1 Exchange and transport
3.1.1 Exchange surfaces
3.1.1(a) Why specialised exchange surfaces are needed
3.1.1(b) Features of efficient exchange surfaces
3.1.1(c) The mammalian gas exchange system
3.1.1(d) Ventilation in mammals
3.1.1(e) Vital capacity, tidal volume and oxygen uptake
3.1.1(f) Ventilation and gas exchange in fish and insects
3.1.1(g) Dissecting fish or insect gas exchange systems
3.1.1(h) Microscope slides of exchange surfaces
3.1.2 Transport in animals
3.1.2(a) Why multicellular animals need transport systems
3.1.2(b) Types of circulatory system
3.1.2(c) Blood vessel structure and function
3.1.2(d) Formation of tissue fluid
3.1.2(e) Structure and dissection of the mammalian heart
3.1.2(e)(i) Structure of the mammalian heart
3.1.2(e)(ii) Dissecting and drawing the mammalian heart
3.1.2(f) The cardiac cycle
3.1.2(g) Initiation and coordination of heart action
3.1.2(h) Electrocardiogram (ECG) traces
3.1.2(i) Haemoglobin and gas transport
3.1.2(j) Oxygen dissociation curves, fetal and adult
3.1.3 Transport in plants
3.1.3(a) Why multicellular plants need transport systems
3.1.3(b) Vascular tissue in plants, with practical work
3.1.3(b)(i) Vascular system of dicotyledonous plants
3.1.3(b)(ii) Drawing stained sections showing xylem and phloem
3.1.3(b)(iii) Dissecting stems to show xylem vessels
3.1.3(c) Transpiration and its rate
3.1.3(c)(i) Transpiration and factors affecting its rate
3.1.3(c)(ii) Practical: estimating transpiration rates
3.1.3(d) Water transport through the plant
3.1.3(e) Plant adaptations to water availability
3.1.3(f) Translocation

4 Biodiversity, evolution and disease

4.1 Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
4.1.1 Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system
4.1.1(a) Pathogens causing communicable diseases
4.1.1(b) Transmission of communicable pathogens
4.1.1(c) Plant defences against pathogens
4.1.1(d) Primary non-specific defences in animals
4.1.1(e) Phagocytes and blood smears
4.1.1(e)(i) Phagocyte structure and action
4.1.1(e)(ii) Drawing cells from blood smears
4.1.1(f) B and T lymphocytes in specific immunity
4.1.1(g) Primary and secondary immune responses
4.1.1(h) Antibody structure and functions
4.1.1(i) Opsonins, agglutinins and anti-toxins
4.1.1(j) Types of immunity: active, passive, natural, artificial
4.1.1(k) Autoimmune diseases
4.1.1(l) Vaccination and preventing epidemics
4.1.1(m) Sources of medicines
4.1.1(n) Antibiotics: benefits and risks
4.2 Biodiversity
4.2.1 Biodiversity
4.2.1(a) Levels of biodiversity
4.2.1(b) Sampling to measure biodiversity, with fieldwork
4.2.1(b)(i) Sampling and measuring habitat biodiversity
4.2.1(b)(ii) Practical: random and non-random field sampling
4.2.1(c) Species richness and evenness
4.2.1(d) Simpson's Index of Diversity
4.2.1(e) Assessing genetic biodiversity
4.2.1(f) Factors affecting biodiversity
4.2.1(g) Reasons for maintaining biodiversity
4.2.1(h) In situ and ex situ conservation
4.2.1(i) Conservation agreements for species and habitats
4.2.2 Classification and evolution
4.2.2(a) Biological classification
4.2.2(b) The binomial naming system
4.2.2(c) Kingdoms, domains and classification evidence
4.2.2(c)(i) The five kingdoms and their features
4.2.2(c)(ii) Evidence for new classification systems such as domains
4.2.2(d) Classification and phylogeny
4.2.2(e) Evidence for evolution by natural selection
4.2.2(f) Types of variation
4.2.2(g) Types of adaptation
4.2.2(h) How natural selection changes populations
4.2.2(i) Evolution with implications for humans

5 Communication, homeostasis and energy

5.1 Communication and homeostasis
5.1.1 Communication and homeostasis
5.1.1(a) Why multicellular organisms need communication systems
5.1.1(b) Cell signalling
5.1.1(c) Principles of homeostasis
5.1.1(d) Temperature control in ectotherms and endotherms
5.1.2 Excretion as an example of homeostatic control
5.1.2(a) Excretion and its importance
5.1.2(b) The mammalian liver and its histology
5.1.2(b)(i) Liver structure and functions
5.1.2(b)(ii) Drawing stained sections of liver tissue
5.1.2(c) The mammalian kidney, dissection and histology
5.1.2(c)(i) Kidney structure and functions
5.1.2(c)(ii) Dissecting and drawing the kidney
5.1.2(c)(iii) Drawing stained sections of nephrons
5.1.2(d) Control of blood water potential
5.1.2(e) Kidney failure and its treatments
5.1.2(f) Excretory products in medical diagnosis
5.1.3 Neuronal communication
5.1.3(a) Sensory receptors and nerve impulses
5.1.3(b) Sensory, relay and motor neurones
5.1.3(c) Generation and transmission of nerve impulses
5.1.3(d) Synapses and neurotransmission
5.1.4 Hormonal communication
5.1.4(a) Hormones and endocrine communication
5.1.4(b) The adrenal glands
5.1.4(c) Pancreas histology
5.1.4(c)(i) Histology of the pancreas
5.1.4(c)(ii) Drawing stained sections of pancreatic endocrine tissue
5.1.4(d) Regulation of blood glucose
5.1.4(e) Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
5.1.4(f) Treatments for diabetes
5.1.5 Plant and animal responses
5.1.5(a) Plant responses and tropisms
5.1.5(a)(i) Types of plant response
5.1.5(a)(ii) Practical: phototropism and geotropism
5.1.5(b) Roles of plant hormones
5.1.5(c) Auxins and apical dominance: the evidence
5.1.5(d) Gibberellin, stem elongation and germination: the evidence
5.1.5(e) Practical: plant hormones and growth
5.1.5(f) Commercial uses of plant hormones
5.1.5(g) Organisation of the mammalian nervous system
5.1.5(h) The human brain and its parts
5.1.5(i) Reflex actions
5.1.5(j) Nervous and endocrine coordination
5.1.5(k) Control of heart rate
5.1.5(l) Muscle structure and contraction
5.1.5(l)(i) Mammalian muscle and muscular contraction
5.1.5(l)(ii) Examining sections of skeletal muscle
5.2 Energy for biological processes
5.2.1 Photosynthesis
5.2.1(a) Photosynthesis and respiration linked
5.2.1(b) Chloroplast structure and stages of photosynthesis
5.2.1(c) Photosynthetic pigments and their separation
5.2.1(c)(i) Photosynthetic pigments
5.2.1(c)(ii) Practical: separating pigments by TLC
5.2.1(d) The light-dependent stage
5.2.1(e) Carbon fixation and the light-independent stage
5.2.1(f) Uses of triose phosphate
5.2.1(g) Factors affecting photosynthesis, with practical work
5.2.1(g)(i) Limiting factors in photosynthesis
5.2.1(g)(ii) Practical: rate of photosynthesis
5.2.2 Respiration
5.2.2(a) Why cells respire
5.2.2(b) Mitochondrion structure
5.2.2(c) Glycolysis
5.2.2(d) The link reaction
5.2.2(e) The Krebs cycle
5.2.2(f) Coenzymes in respiration
5.2.2(g) Oxidative phosphorylation
5.2.2(h) Chemiosmotic theory
5.2.2(i) Anaerobic respiration, with yeast practical
5.2.2(i)(i) Anaerobic respiration in eukaryotes
5.2.2(i)(ii) Practical: yeast respiration rates
5.2.2(j) Energy values of respiratory substrates
5.2.2(k) Respiratory quotient (RQ)
5.2.2(l) Practical: factors affecting respiration rate

6 Genetics, evolution and ecosystems

6.1 Genetics and evolution
6.1.1 Cellular control
6.1.1(a) Gene mutations and their effects
6.1.1(b) Regulation of gene expression
6.1.1(c) Genetic control of body plans
6.1.1(d) Mitosis and apoptosis in body development
6.1.2 Patterns of inheritance
6.1.2(a) Sources of phenotypic and genetic variation
6.1.2(a)(i) Genetic and environmental causes of variation
6.1.2(a)(ii) Sexual reproduction and genetic variation
6.1.2(b) Inheritance, linkage and epistasis
6.1.2(b)(i) Genetic diagrams of inheritance
6.1.2(b)(ii) Phenotypic ratios, linkage and epistasis
6.1.2(c) The chi-squared test
6.1.2(d) Continuous and discontinuous variation
6.1.2(e) Factors affecting evolution of a species
6.1.2(f) The Hardy–Weinberg principle
6.1.2(g) Isolating mechanisms and speciation
6.1.2(h) Artificial selection and its ethics
6.1.2(h)(i) Artificial selection and its uses
6.1.2(h)(ii) Ethics of artificial selection
6.1.3 Manipulating genomes
6.1.3(a) DNA sequencing techniques
6.1.3(b) Uses of gene sequencing
6.1.3(b)(i) Genome-wide comparisons from gene sequencing
6.1.3(b)(ii) Predicting amino acid sequences from genes
6.1.3(b)(iii) Synthetic biology
6.1.3(c) DNA profiling
6.1.3(d) The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
6.1.3(e) Electrophoresis of nucleic acids and proteins
6.1.3(f) Genetic engineering principles and techniques
6.1.3(f)(i) Principles of genetic engineering
6.1.3(f)(ii) Genetic engineering techniques
6.1.3(g) Ethics of genetic manipulation
6.1.3(h) Gene therapy
6.2 Cloning and biotechnology
6.2.1 Cloning and biotechnology
6.2.1(a) Natural plant clones and cuttings
6.2.1(a)(i) Natural clones in plants and horticulture
6.2.1(a)(ii) Taking plant cuttings
6.2.1(b) Artificial plant cloning
6.2.1(b)(i) Micropropagation and tissue culture
6.2.1(b)(ii) Arguments about artificial plant cloning
6.2.1(c) Natural clones in animals
6.2.1(d) Artificial animal cloning
6.2.1(d)(i) Embryo twinning and somatic cell nuclear transfer
6.2.1(d)(ii) Arguments about artificial animal cloning
6.2.1(e) Microorganisms in biotechnology
6.2.1(f) Microorganisms in food production
6.2.1(g) Culturing microorganisms and fermentation
6.2.1(g)(i) Culturing microorganisms aseptically
6.2.1(g)(ii) Batch and continuous fermentation conditions
6.2.1(h) Microbial growth curves, with practical work
6.2.1(h)(i) Growth curve of a microorganism
6.2.1(h)(ii) Practical: factors affecting microbial growth
6.2.1(i) Immobilised enzymes and immobilisation methods
6.3 Ecosystems
6.3.1 Ecosystems
6.3.1(a) Ecosystems and biotic and abiotic factors
6.3.1(b) Biomass transfer through ecosystems
6.3.1(c) Recycling in ecosystems
6.3.1(d) Primary succession
6.3.1(e) Measuring distribution and abundance, with fieldwork
6.3.1(e)(i) Measuring distribution and abundance of organisms
6.3.1(e)(ii) Sampling methods for distribution and abundance
6.3.2 Populations and sustainability
6.3.2(a) Factors determining population size
6.3.2(b) Interactions between populations
6.3.2(c) Conservation and preservation compared
6.3.2(d) Sustainable ecosystem management
6.3.2(e) Managing environmental resources and human impacts

5c How Science Works (HSW)

HSW1 Theories and models to explain science
HSW2 Posing questions and presenting scientific arguments
HSW3 Methods, including ICT, to answer scientific questions
HSW4 Experimental work and risk management
HSW5 Analysing data, correlation and causation
HSW6 Evaluating methods, evidence and data
HSW7 How scientific knowledge develops over time
HSW8 Communicating science with correct terminology
HSW9 Applications, benefits and risks of science
HSW10 Ethical issues in science
HSW11 Scientific community and validating knowledge
HSW12 Science in society's decision making

5d Mathematical requirements

M0 Arithmetic and numerical computation
M0.1 Units in calculations
M0.2 Decimal and standard form
M0.3 Ratios, fractions and percentages
M0.4 Estimating results
M0.5 Powers, exponentials and logarithms on calculators
M1 Handling data
M1.1 Significant figures
M1.2 Arithmetic means
M1.3 Frequency tables, bar charts and histograms
M1.4 Simple probability
M1.5 Sampling principles for scientific data
M1.6 Mean, median and mode
M1.7 Scatter diagrams and correlation
M1.8 Order of magnitude calculations
M1.9 Choosing and using statistical tests
M1.10 Standard deviation and range
M1.11 Uncertainties in measurements and combined data
M2 Algebra
M2.1 Mathematical symbols
M2.2 Changing the subject of an equation
M2.3 Substituting values into equations
M2.4 Solving algebraic equations
M2.5 Logarithms for wide-ranging quantities
M3 Graphs
M3.1 Graphical, numerical and algebraic forms
M3.2 Plotting two variables from data
M3.3 Linear relationships: y = mx + c
M3.4 Intercepts of graphs
M3.5 Rate of change from a linear graph
M3.6 Tangents to curves as rates of change
M4 Geometry and trigonometry
M4.1 Circumference, surface area and volume of shapes