Specification points

OCR A-level Biology B (Advancing Biology) H422

464 points in 7 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 Cells, chemicals for life, transport and gas exchange

2.1 Cells and chemicals for life
2.1.1 Cells and microscopy
2.1.1(a) Microscopy, cell theory and blood smears
2.1.1(a)(i) Microscopy and the cell theory
2.1.1(a)(ii) Preparing blood smears
2.1.1(b) Differential staining
2.1.1(c) Animal cells seen in blood smears
2.1.1(c)(i) Blood cells under the light microscope
2.1.1(c)(ii) Drawing cells in a blood smear
2.1.1(d) Cell dimensions and the magnification formula
2.1.1(e) Practical: haemocytometer cell counts
2.1.1(f) Flow cytometry in blood analysis
2.1.1(g) Ultrastructure of an animal cell
2.1.1(h) Plant and prokaryotic cell ultrastructure compared
2.1.1(h)(i) Ultrastructure of plant and prokaryotic cells
2.1.1(h)(ii) Plant, animal and prokaryotic cells compared
2.1.1(i) Practical: measuring cells with a graticule
2.1.1(j) Lipids in the plasma membrane
2.1.1(k) The fluid mosaic model
2.1.1(l) Movement of molecules across membranes
2.1.1(m) Practical: diffusion rates in cells
2.1.1(n) Roles of membranes
2.1.1(o) Organelles in protein production and secretion
2.1.2 Water and its importance in plants and animals
2.1.2(a) Properties of water
2.1.2(b) Water in cells, fluids and transport
2.1.2(b)(i) Importance of water in living organisms
2.1.2(b)(ii) Secondary data on water as a solvent
2.1.2(c) Detecting and measuring sugars and proteins
2.1.2(c)(i) Detecting sugars and proteins in fluids
2.1.2(c)(ii) Biuret, Benedict's tests and colorimetry
2.1.2(d) Hydrolysis and condensation in metabolism
2.1.2(e) Alpha-glucose and lactose structure
2.1.2(f) Polysaccharides and the starch test
2.1.2(f)(i) Polysaccharide formation by condensation
2.1.2(f)(ii) Testing for starch
2.1.2(g) Osmosis and water potential gradients
2.1.2(h) Practical: factors affecting osmosis
2.1.3 Proteins and enzymes
2.1.3(a) Amino acids, peptide bonds and chromatography
2.1.3(a)(i) Amino acid structure and peptide bonds
2.1.3(a)(ii) Chromatography of amino acids
2.1.3(b) Structure of globular proteins
2.1.3(c) Globular protein structure and enzyme specificity
2.1.3(d) Rate of enzyme-catalysed reactions
2.1.3(d)(i) Factors affecting enzyme reaction rates
2.1.3(d)(ii) Practical: enzyme reaction rates
2.1.3(e) Blood clotting and first aid
2.1.3(e)(i) Proteins in blood clotting
2.1.3(e)(ii) First aid for bleeding
2.1.3(f) Enzymes and inhibitors in medicine
2.1.3(g) Blood donation and blood products
2.1.4 Nucleic acids
2.1.4(a) Nucleotide structure
2.1.4(b) ADP and ATP structure
2.1.4(c) DNA structure and purification
2.1.4(c)(i) DNA structure and Chargaff's rules
2.1.4(c)(ii) Practical: purifying DNA by precipitation
2.1.4(d) Semi-conservative DNA replication
2.1.4(e) The genetic code
2.1.4(f) RNA structure compared with DNA
2.1.4(g) Transcription and translation
2.2 Transport and gas exchange systems
2.2.1 The heart and monitoring heart function
2.2.1(a) Why mammals need mass transport
2.2.1(b) Structure and dissection of the heart
2.2.1(b)(i) Structure of the mammalian heart
2.2.1(b)(ii) Dissecting and drawing the heart
2.2.1(c) The cardiac cycle
2.2.1(d) Initiation and coordination of heart action
2.2.1(e) Practical: factors affecting heart rate
2.2.1(f) Heart rate and cardiac output
2.2.1(g) Measuring and interpreting pulse rate
2.2.1(h) Electrocardiograms (ECG)
2.2.1(i) Emergency treatment for heart attack or cardiac arrest
2.2.2 Transport systems in mammals
2.2.2(a) The closed double circulatory system
2.2.2(b) Blood vessels and their sections
2.2.2(b)(i) Blood vessel structure and function
2.2.2(b)(ii) Microscope sections of blood vessels
2.2.2(c) Tissue fluid
2.2.2(d) Measuring and comparing blood pressure
2.2.2(d)(i) Measuring blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
2.2.2(d)(ii) Comparing blood pressure readings
2.2.2(e) Interpreting blood pressure measurements
2.2.3 Gas exchange in mammals and plants
2.2.3(a) Gas exchange system tissues and microscopy
2.2.3(a)(i) Cells, tissues and organs of gas exchange
2.2.3(a)(ii) Microscopy of gas exchange tissues
2.2.3(b) Gas exchange in the alveoli
2.2.3(c) Factors affecting pulmonary ventilation
2.2.3(d) Expired air resuscitation
2.2.3(e) Gas exchange in plants
2.2.3(f) Stomata: structure and appearance
2.2.3(f)(i) Stomatal structure, opening and closing
2.2.3(f)(ii) Stomata under the microscope
2.2.4 Transport systems in plants
2.2.4(a) Why multicellular plants need transport systems
2.2.4(b) Vascular tissue in roots, stems and leaves
2.2.4(c) Plant tissue sections and dissection
2.2.4(c)(i) Drawing stained plant tissue sections
2.2.4(c)(ii) Dissecting plant organs to show vascular tissue
2.2.4(d) Water uptake and transport in plants
2.2.4(e) Transpiration and its rate
2.2.4(e)(i) Transpiration and factors affecting its rate
2.2.4(e)(ii) Practical: estimating transpiration rates
2.2.4(f) Translocation

3 Cell division, development and disease control

3.1 Cell division and development
3.1.1 The developing cell: cell division and cell differentiation
3.1.1(a) The cell cycle
3.1.1(b) Mitosis in plant and animal cells
3.1.1(b)(i) Nuclear and cell changes during mitosis
3.1.1(b)(ii) Cells undergoing mitosis under the microscope
3.1.1(c) Stages and features of apoptosis
3.1.1(d) Apoptosis and mitosis in growth and repair
3.1.1(e) Stem cells: differentiation and uses
3.1.1(e)(i) Differentiation of stem cells
3.1.1(e)(ii) Applications of stem cells
3.1.2 The developing individual: meiosis, growth and development
3.1.2(a) Meiosis, sexual reproduction and gametes
3.1.2(b) Stages of meiosis
3.1.2(c) Genetic variation from meiosis
3.1.2(d) Antenatal care in the UK
3.1.2(e) Diet in pregnancy
3.1.2(f) Alcohol, smoking and fetal development
3.1.2(g) Measuring fetal growth
3.1.2(g)(i) Ultrasound to measure fetal growth
3.1.2(g)(ii) Fetal growth chart data
3.1.2(h) Techniques for assessing fetal development
3.1.2(i) Karyotypes
3.1.3 The development of species: evolution and classification
3.1.3(a) Classification and the species concept
3.1.3(b) Evidence for classification and changing theories
3.1.3(c) DNA barcoding in classification
3.1.3(d) Phylogenetic trees and genetic relatedness
3.1.3(e) Adaptations to the environment, with practical work
3.1.3(e)(i) Types of adaptation: behavioural, physiological, anatomical
3.1.3(e)(ii) Practical: plant adaptations to environment
3.1.3(f) Evolution of language: competing theories
3.1.3(g) Adaptation and selection in evolution
3.1.3(h) Defining and measuring biodiversity
3.1.3(i) Genetic diversity calculations
3.2 Pathogens, immunity and disease control
3.2.1 Pathogenic microorganisms
3.2.1(a) Pathogens and communicable disease
3.2.1(b) Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS
3.2.1(c) Structure of HIV
3.2.1(d) Identifying bacteria and Gram staining
3.2.1(d)(i) Identifying bacteria by Gram stain and morphology
3.2.1(d)(ii) Culturing bacteria and Gram staining
3.2.1(e) Changing incidence and prevalence of disease
3.2.1(f) Incidence, prevalence and mortality rates
3.2.1(g) Using epidemiological data
3.2.1(h) Notifiable diseases and public health reporting
3.2.1(i) Controlling HIV/AIDS and TB
3.2.2 The immune system
3.2.2(a) Primary and non-specific defences
3.2.2(b) How phagocytes act
3.2.2(c) B and T lymphocytes
3.2.2(d) Secondary response and memory cells
3.2.2(e) Antibody structure and function
3.2.2(f) Testing for TB and HIV
3.2.2(g) Types of immunity: active, passive, natural, artificial
3.2.2(h) Allergies and hypersensitivity
3.2.3 Controlling communicable diseases
3.2.3(a) Principles of vaccination
3.2.3(b) Vaccination programmes and epidemics
3.2.3(c) Problems in developing vaccines
3.2.3(d) Ethics of vaccines
3.2.3(e) Antibiotics for communicable disease
3.2.3(f) Antibiotic misuse and resistant bacteria
3.2.3(g) Practical: antibiotics on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
3.3 Non-communicable diseases
3.3.1 The cellular basis of cancer and treatment
3.3.1(a) Risk factors for non-communicable diseases
3.3.1(b) Cellular basis of cancer
3.3.1(c) Proto-oncogene mutations and cancer
3.3.1(d) Tumour suppressor gene mutations and cancer
3.3.1(e) Evaluating evidence on cancer risk factors
3.3.1(f) Detecting cancer
3.3.1(g) Ethics and economics of cancer screening
3.3.1(h) Treating cancer
3.3.2 Respiratory diseases and treatment
3.3.2(a) Pollutants and the respiratory system
3.3.2(b) COPD, asthma and lung cancer
3.3.2(c) Acute and chronic diseases compared
3.3.2(d) Treating asthma
3.3.2(e) Plants as sources of medicines
3.3.2(f) Clinical trials
3.3.2(g) The role of NICE

4 Energy, reproduction and populations

4.1 Energy, metabolism and exercise
4.1.1 Cellular respiration
4.1.1(a) Glycolysis outline
4.1.1(b) Link reaction outline
4.1.1(c) Krebs cycle outline
4.1.1(d) Oxidative phosphorylation outline
4.1.1(e) Anaerobic respiration in muscle and yeast
4.1.1(f) Energy values of respiratory substrates
4.1.1(g) Investigating respiration rates
4.1.1(g)(i) Respirometers and measuring respiration rate
4.1.1(g)(ii) Practical: factors affecting respiration rate
4.1.2 Metabolism and exercise
4.1.2(a) Effects of exercise on the body
4.1.2(b) Factors affecting aerobic fitness
4.1.2(c) Practical: heart rate, breathing and recovery
4.1.2(d) Training and aerobic fitness
4.1.2(d)(i) Improving aerobic fitness by training
4.1.2(d)(ii) Practical: F.I.T.T. factors and fitness measures
4.1.2(e) Supplementary methods of enhancing performance
4.1.2(f) VO₂ max
4.1.2(g) Haemoglobin and oxygen transport
4.1.2(h) Oxygen dissociation curves of respiratory pigments
4.1.2(i) Factors affecting oxygen dissociation
4.1.2(j) Oxygen deficit and oxygen debt (EPOC)
4.1.2(k) Skeletal muscle histology and ultrastructure
4.1.2(k)(i) Skeletal muscle structure
4.1.2(k)(ii) Observing muscle tissue and its responses
4.1.2(l) Sliding filament theory
4.2 Mammalian reproduction
4.2.1 Fertility and assisted reproduction
4.2.1(a) Male and female urinogenital systems
4.2.1(b) Ovaries and testes histology
4.2.1(b)(i) Histology of ovaries and testes
4.2.1(b)(ii) Microscope observations of ovaries and testes
4.2.1(c) Gametogenesis
4.2.1(d) Secondary oocyte and sperm structure
4.2.1(e) Hormones in gametogenesis
4.2.1(f) Hormones and the menstrual cycle
4.2.1(g) Fertilisation
4.2.1(h) Monoclonal antibodies in pregnancy tests
4.2.1(i) Infertility: biological and ethical issues
4.2.1(j) Assisted reproduction
4.2.2 The effects of ageing on the reproductive system
4.2.2(a) Ageing and the female reproductive system
4.2.2(b) Managing effects of female reproductive ageing
4.2.2(c) Ageing and the male urinogenital system
4.3 Photosynthesis, food production and populations
4.3.1 Photosynthesis, food production and management of the environment
4.3.1(a) Chloroplast ultrastructure and pigment separation
4.3.1(a)(i) Chloroplast ultrastructure
4.3.1(a)(ii) Practical: paper chromatography of pigments
4.3.1(b) The light-dependent stage
4.3.1(c) The light-independent stage (Calvin cycle)
4.3.1(d) Practical work on photosynthesis
4.3.1(d)(i) Practical: factors affecting photosynthesis
4.3.1(d)(ii) Practical: Hill reaction with DCPIP
4.3.1(e) Products made from TP and GP
4.3.1(f) Respiration's dependence on photosynthesis
4.3.1(g) Compensation point and crop production
4.3.1(g)(i) Compensation point significance for crops
4.3.1(g)(ii) Data on compensation points in crops
4.3.1(g)(iii) Practical: comparing leaf compensation points
4.3.1(h) Microorganisms, the nitrogen cycle and root nodules
4.3.1(h)(i) Microorganisms and the nitrogen cycle
4.3.1(h)(ii) Culturing Rhizobium in vitro
4.3.1(h)(iii) Root nodules in legumes
4.3.1(i) Biomass transfer in food production
4.3.1(j) Efficiency and sustainability of biomass transfer
4.3.1(k) Ruminants in the human food chain
4.3.1(l) Farms, agriculture and conservation
4.3.1(l)(i) Farms as ecosystems
4.3.1(l)(ii) Agriculture and conservation conflicts
4.3.1(m) Deflected succession and biodiversity sampling
4.3.1(m)(i) Land management and deflected succession
4.3.1(m)(ii) Practical: comparing biodiversity by sampling
4.3.2 The impact of population increase
4.3.2(a) Birth and death rates in human populations
4.3.2(b) Human population growth and biodiversity
4.3.2(c) Importance of species biodiversity
4.3.2(d) Global food security
4.4 From flowers to food
4.4.1 Plant reproduction
4.4.1(a) Control of flowering
4.4.1(b) Flower adaptations for pollination
4.4.1(c) Fertilisation and seed formation
4.4.1(d) Seed germination and its factors
4.4.1(d)(i) Seed germination
4.4.1(d)(ii) Investigating factors affecting germination
4.4.1(e) Cereals as staple foods

5 Genetics, control and homeostasis

5.1 Genetics in the twenty first century
5.1.1 Patterns of inheritance
5.1.1(a) Monohybrid inheritance
5.1.1(b) Gene mutations
5.1.1(c) Codominance and multiple alleles
5.1.1(d) Sex linkage and autosomal linkage
5.1.1(e) Model organisms in inheritance studies
5.1.1(f) Chromosome mutations in humans
5.1.1(g) Genetic counselling and its ethics
5.1.2 Population genetics and epigenetics
5.1.2(a) Natural selection and allele frequencies
5.1.2(b) Amino acid changes and protein properties
5.1.2(c) Hardy–Weinberg equations
5.1.2(d) Other sources of genetic biodiversity
5.1.2(e) Isolation and the formation of species
5.1.2(f) Epigenetics and gene expression
5.1.3 Gene technologies
5.1.3(a) Post-transcriptional editing of mRNA
5.1.3(b) Genetically modified bacteria making human proteins
5.1.3(c) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
5.1.3(d) Agarose gel electrophoresis
5.1.3(e) Haplotypes, SNPs and VNTRs in genome studies
5.1.3(f) Genetic engineering in eukaryotic cells
5.1.3(g) Somatic and germ line gene therapy
5.1.3(h) RNA interference
5.2 Nervous control
5.2.1 The nervous system and the identification and consequences of damage
5.2.1(a) Human nervous system organisation, with microscopy
5.2.1(a)(i) Somatic and autonomic nervous systems
5.2.1(a)(ii) Observing nervous tissue under the microscope
5.2.1(b) The human brain
5.2.1(c) Motor, sensory and relay neurones
5.2.1(d) Resting potential and action potential
5.2.1(e) Synapses and integration of responses
5.2.1(f) Reflexes and reaction times
5.2.1(f)(i) Reflex arcs compared with reactions
5.2.1(f)(ii) Practical: human reflexes
5.2.1(f)(iii) Practical: factors affecting reaction time
5.2.1(g) Brain scans for brain and spinal injury
5.2.1(h) Effects of brain and spinal cord damage
5.2.1(i) Drugs that modify brain activity
5.2.1(j) Psychological and physical drug dependency
5.2.2 Monitoring visual function
5.2.2(a) Structure of the eye
5.2.2(b) The retina and sections of the eye
5.2.2(b)(i) Structure of the retina
5.2.2(b)(ii) Observing sections through the eye
5.2.2(c) The retina as receptor and transducer
5.2.2(d) Routine eye tests
5.2.3 The effect of ageing on the nervous system
5.2.3(a) Alzheimer's disease
5.2.3(b) Ageing and the nervous system, with practical work
5.2.3(b)(i) Effects of ageing on the nervous system
5.2.3(b)(ii) Practical: ageing, reaction times and memory
5.3 Homeostasis
5.3.1 The principles and importance of homeostasis
5.3.1(a) Principles of homeostasis
5.3.1(b) Nervous and hormonal control of heart rate
5.3.1(c) Control of body temperature
5.3.1(d) Thyroxine and metabolic rate
5.3.1(e) Measuring core body temperature
5.3.1(f) Hypothermia and hyperthermia
5.3.2 The hormonal control of blood glucose and the management of diabetes
5.3.2(a) The pancreas as an endocrine gland, with microscopy
5.3.2(a)(i) Structure and function of the endocrine pancreas
5.3.2(a)(ii) Observing pancreatic tissue slides
5.3.2(b) Negative feedback control of blood glucose
5.3.2(c) Types of diabetes
5.3.2(d) Blood glucose tests and biosensors
5.3.2(e) Managing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes
5.3.2(f) Health professionals in diabetes care
5.3.2(g) Future impact of diabetes
5.3.3 Kidney functions and malfunctions
5.3.3(a) Why excretory products must be removed
5.3.3(b) The kidney in the excretory system
5.3.3(c) The nephron and urine production, with practical work
5.3.3(c)(i) Nephron function: ultrafiltration and reabsorption
5.3.3(c)(ii) Practical: composition of mock urine and plasma
5.3.3(d) The kidney and osmoregulation
5.3.3(e) The kidney as an endocrine gland
5.3.3(f) Kidney failure: causes, diagnosis and effects
5.3.3(g) Haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
5.3.3(h) Kidney transplants
5.3.3(i) The future of transplant surgery

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