Specification points
OCR GCSE Gateway Science Suite - Biology A J247
262 points in 9 topics, with OCR's codes and titles.
Grade boundaries·OCR command words
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.
B1 Cell level systems
- B1.1 Cell structures
- BM1.1i Number, size, scale and units
- BM1.1ii Estimation
- BM1.1iii Standard form
- B1.1a Light microscopes and staining
- B1.1b Sub-cellular structures and their functions
- B1.1c Electron microscopy and cell structure
- B1.2 What happens in cells (and what do cells need)?
- BM1.2i Rate calculations for reactions
- BM1.2ii Compound measures such as rate
- B1.2a DNA as a polymer
- B1.2b The DNA double helix
- B1.2c Nucleotides: sugar, phosphate and bases
- B1.2d Protein synthesis
- B1.2e DNA structure and protein synthesis
- B1.2f Experiments on enzyme reactions
- B1.2g Mechanism of enzyme action
- B1.3 Respiration
- B1.3a Respiration supplying ATP
- B1.3b Respiration as an exothermic reaction
- B1.3c Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared
- B1.3d Sugars in carbohydrate synthesis and breakdown
- B1.3e Amino acids in protein synthesis and breakdown
- B1.3f Fatty acids and glycerol in lipid metabolism
- B1.4 Photosynthesis
- BM1.4i Compound measures such as rate
- BM1.4ii Graphical and numerical forms
- BM1.4iii Plotting graphs with suitable scales and axes
- BM1.4iv Information from graphs, charts and tables
- BM1.4v Inverse square law and light intensity
- B1.4a Photosynthetic organisms as producers
- B1.4b The process of photosynthesis
- B1.4c Photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction
- B1.4d Experiments on photosynthesis
- B1.4e Factors affecting rate of photosynthesis
- B1.4f Limiting factors in photosynthesis
B2 Scaling up
- B2.1 Supplying the cell
- BM2.1i Percentiles and percentage mass change
- B2.1a Diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- B2.1b Mitosis and the cell cycle
- B2.1c Cell differentiation
- B2.1d Where stem cells are found
- B2.1e Functions of stem cells and meristems
- B2.1f Embryonic and adult stem cells compared
- B2.2 The challenges of size
- BM2.2i Surface area to volume ratio
- BM2.2ii Compound measures such as rate
- BM2.2iii Rate calculations
- BM2.2iv Plotting and interpreting graphs
- B2.2a Exchange surfaces and transport systems
- B2.2b Substances transported into and out of organisms
- B2.2c The human circulatory system
- B2.2d Heart and blood vessels adapted to function
- B2.2e Red blood cells and plasma
- B2.2f Water and mineral uptake by root hair cells
- B2.2g Transpiration and translocation
- B2.2h Xylem and phloem adapted to function
- B2.2i Environmental factors and rate of water uptake
- B2.2j Using a potometer
B3 Organism level systems
- B3.1 Coordination and control – the nervous system
- BM3.1i Data from graphs, charts and tables
- B3.1a Structure of the nervous system
- B3.1b Coordinated responses by the nervous system
- B3.1c Reflex arc structure and function
- B3.1d Structures of the eye and their functions
- B3.1e Eye defects and their correction
- B3.1f Structure and function of the brain
- B3.1g Difficulties in investigating the brain
- B3.1h Limits of treating nervous system damage
- B3.2 Coordination and control – the endocrine system
- BM3.2i Data from graphs, charts and tables
- BM3.2ii Numerical and graphical forms
- B3.2a Hormonal coordination and the endocrine system
- B3.2b Thyroxine and adrenaline
- B3.2c Hormones in reproduction and the menstrual cycle
- B3.2d FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone interactions
- B3.2e Hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
- B3.2f Hormones in infertility treatment
- B3.2g Plant hormones, auxins and tropisms
- B3.2h Effects of auxins, gibberellins and ethene
- B3.2i Uses of plant hormones
- B3.3 Maintaining internal environments
- BM3.3i Data from graphs, charts and tables
- B3.3a Maintaining a constant internal environment
- B3.3b The skin and body temperature control
- B3.3c Insulin and blood sugar
- B3.3d Glucagon and insulin together
- B3.3e Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- B3.3f Osmotic changes in body fluids
- B3.3g Kidneys and water balance
- B3.3h Kidney and tubule structure
- B3.3i ADH and kidney tubule permeability
- B3.3j Responses to temperature and osmotic challenges
B4 Community level systems
- B4.1 Ecosystems
- BM4.1i Rate of decay calculations
- BM4.1ii Percentage of mass
- BM4.1iii Fractions and percentages
- BM4.1iv Plotting graphs with suitable scales
- BM4.1v Information from charts, graphs and tables
- B4.1a Cycling of materials in ecosystems
- B4.1b Microorganisms in nutrient cycling
- B4.1c Carbon and water cycles
- B4.1d Factors affecting rate of decomposition
- B4.1e Levels of organisation in an ecosystem
- B4.1f Abiotic and biotic factors affecting communities
- B4.1g Interdependence and competition
- B4.1h Trophic levels
- B4.1i Pyramids of biomass and biomass loss
- B4.1j Efficiency of biomass transfer
B5 Genes, inheritance and selection
- B5.1 Inheritance
- BM5.1i Ratios and proportions in genetic crosses
- BM5.1ii Probability in genetic crosses
- BM5.1iii Information from charts, graphs and tables
- B5.1a Key genetic terms
- B5.1b The genome
- B5.1c Genome, environment and phenotype
- B5.1d Mutations and variants' effects on phenotype
- B5.1e Variants in coding and non-coding DNA
- B5.1f Asexual and sexual reproduction compared
- B5.1g Haploid and diploid
- B5.1h Meiosis and gamete formation
- B5.1i Single gene inheritance
- B5.1j Predicting single gene crosses
- B5.1k Sex determination in humans
- B5.1l Features controlled by multiple genes
- B5.1m Development of understanding of genetics
- B5.2 Natural selection and evolution
- B5.2a Genetic variation within populations
- B5.2b Developments in biology and classification
- B5.2c Natural selection of variants
- B5.2d Evolution and formation of new species
- B5.2e Evidence for evolution
- B5.2f Darwin, Wallace and natural selection
B6 Global challenges
- B6.1 Monitoring and maintaining the environment
- BM6.1i Arithmetic means
- BM6.1ii Plotting graphs with suitable scales
- BM6.1iii Percentiles
- BM6.1iv Information from charts, graphs and tables
- BM6.1v Sampling principles for scientific data
- B6.1a Field investigations of distribution and abundance
- B6.1b Human impacts on biodiversity
- B6.1c Maintaining local and global biodiversity
- B6.1d Environmental change and distribution of organisms
- B6.2 Feeding the human race
- BM6.2i Information from charts, graphs and tables
- B6.2a Biological factors in food security
- B6.2b Agricultural solutions to population growth
- B6.2c Selective breeding
- B6.2d Genetic engineering
- B6.2e Steps in genetic engineering
- B6.2f Gene technology in agriculture: benefits and risks
- B6.2g Biotechnological solutions to population growth
- B6.3 Monitoring and maintaining health
- BM6.3i Graphical and numerical forms
- BM6.3ii Frequency tables, bar charts and histograms
- BM6.3iii Sampling principles for scientific data
- BM6.3iv Scatter diagrams and correlation
- BM6.3v Areas of bacterial cultures and clear zones
- B6.3a Health and disease
- B6.3b Types of disease
- B6.3c Interactions between diseases
- B6.3d Spread of communicable diseases
- B6.3e Reducing the spread of communicable diseases
- B6.3f Examples of human and plant infections
- B6.3g Physical plant defences
- B6.3h Chemical plant defences
- B6.3i Detecting and identifying plant diseases
- B6.3j White blood cells and platelets
- B6.3k Non-specific human defences
- B6.3l The immune system
- B6.3m Producing monoclonal antibodies
- B6.3n Uses of monoclonal antibodies
- B6.3o Vaccines and medicines
- B6.3p Aseptic culturing techniques
- B6.3q Discovering and developing new medicines
- B6.3r Multiple causes of non-communicable diseases
- B6.3s Treatments for cardiovascular disease
- B6.3t Lifestyle factors and non-communicable diseases
- B6.3u Cancer as uncontrolled cell division
- B6.3v Stem cells in medicine: benefits and risks
- B6.3w Gene technology in medicine: benefits and risks
- B6.3x The human genome and medicine
B7 Practical skills
5e Working scientifically
- WS1 Working scientifically assessed in written examinations
- WS1.1 Development of scientific thinking
- WS1.1a How scientific methods and theories develop
- WS1.1b Using models in science
- WS1.1c Power and limitations of science
- WS1.1d Ethical issues in science
- WS1.1e Applications of science
- WS1.1f Implications of science for society
- WS1.1g Evidence-based decision making
- WS1.1h Evaluating risks
- WS1.1i Peer review and communicating results
- WS1.2 Experimental skills and strategies
- WS1.2a Developing hypotheses
- WS1.2b Planning experiments
- WS1.2c Choosing techniques and apparatus
- WS1.2d Representative sampling
- WS1.2e Evaluating and improving methods
- WS1.3 Analysis and evaluation
- WS1.3a Presenting observations and data
- WS1.3b Translating data between forms
- WS1.3c Mathematical and statistical analysis
- WS1.3d Distributions of results and uncertainty
- WS1.3e Interpreting observations and data
- WS1.3f Reasoned explanations
- WS1.3g Accuracy, precision, repeatability and reproducibility
- WS1.3h Random and systematic errors
- WS1.3i Communicating investigations and conclusions
- WS1.4 Scientific vocabulary, quantities, units, symbols and nomenclature
- WS1.4a Scientific vocabulary and definitions
- WS1.4b Scientific quantities
- WS1.4c SI units and IUPAC names
- WS1.4d Prefixes and powers of ten
- WS1.4e Converting units
- WS1.4f Significant figures
- WS2 Working scientifically skills demonstrated
- WS2a Carrying out experiments
- WS2b Recording observations and measurements
- WS2c Presenting observations
- WS2d Communicating investigations and conclusions
5f Mathematical skills requirement
- M1 Arithmetic and numerical computation
- M1a Decimal form
- M1b Standard form
- M1c Ratios, fractions and percentages
- M1d Estimating results of calculations
- M2 Handling data
- M2a Significant figures
- M2b Arithmetic means
- M2c Frequency tables, bar charts and histograms
- M2d Sampling principles for scientific data
- M2e Simple probability
- M2f Mean, mode and median
- M2g Scatter diagrams and correlation
- M2h Order of magnitude calculations
- M3 Algebra
- M3a Mathematical symbols
- M3d Solving simple equations
- M4 Graphs
- M4a Graphical and numeric forms
- M4b Linear relationships: y = mx + c
- M4c Plotting two variables from data
- M4d Slope and intercept of a linear graph
- M5 Geometry and trigonometry
- M5c Areas, surface areas and volumes