Specification points
OCR GCSE Twenty First Century Science Suite - Biology B J257
318 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 You and your genes
- B1.1 What is the genome and what does it do?
- B1.1.1 Nucleus, genetic material and light microscopy
- B1.1.1a Nucleus and genetic material in cells
- B1.1.1b Observing cells with a light microscope
- B1.1.2 The genome
- B1.1.3 DNA as a double helix of nucleotides
- B1.1.4 Genome, environment and phenotype
- B1.1.5 Chromosome, gene, allele, genotype and phenotype
- B1.1.6 Amino acids and protein synthesis
- B1.1.7 Nucleotides: sugar, phosphate and bases
- B1.1.8 The genetic code and base triplets
- B1.1.9 Protein synthesis: mRNA and ribosomes
- B1.1.10 Variants arise from mutations
- B1.1.11 Variants in coding DNA
- B1.1.12 Variants in non-coding DNA
- B1.2 How is genetic information inherited?
- B1.2.1 Gamete, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive
- B1.2.2 Single gene inheritance and genetic diagrams
- B1.2.3 Predicting single gene crosses
- B1.2.4 Ratios in genetic crosses
- B1.2.5 Probability in genetic crosses
- B1.2.6 Features controlled by multiple genes
- B1.2.7 Development of genetics from Mendel to genome sequencing
- B1.2.8 Sex determination in humans
- B1.3 How can and should gene technology be used?
- B1.3.1 The human genome and medicine
- B1.3.2 Genetic engineering
- B1.3.3 Steps in genetic engineering
- B1.3.4 Gene technology: benefits and risks
B2 Keeping healthy
- B2.1 What are the causes of disease?
- B2.1.1 Health and disease
- B2.1.2 Types of disease
- B2.1.3 Spread of communicable diseases
- B2.1.4 Common human infections
- B2.1.5 Plant diseases
- B2.2 How do organisms protect themselves against pathogens?
- B2.2.1 Non-specific human defences
- B2.2.2 Platelets
- B2.2.3 Physical plant defences
- B2.2.4 The immune system
- B2.2.5 White blood cells
- B2.2.6 Chemical plant defences
- B2.3 How can we prevent the spread of infections?
- B2.3.1 Reducing the spread of communicable diseases
- B2.3.2 Vaccination
- B2.4 How can we identify the cause of an infection? (separate science only)
- B2.4.1 Detecting diseases and observing microorganisms
- B2.4.1a Detecting and identifying diseases
- B2.4.1b Observing microorganisms with a microscope
- B2.4.2 Aseptic culturing techniques
- B2.4.3 Areas of bacterial cultures and clear zones
- B2.4.4 Producing monoclonal antibodies
- B2.4.5 Monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis
- B2.5 How can lifestyle, genes and the environment affect health?
- B2.5.1 Risk factors for non-communicable diseases, with practical
- B2.5.1a Genetic and lifestyle risk factors
- B2.5.1b Practical: exercise and pulse rate
- B2.5.2 Lifestyle factors and incidence of disease
- B2.5.3 Data skills in the context of disease
- B2.5.3a Graphical and numerical forms
- B2.5.3b Frequency tables, bar charts and histograms
- B2.5.3c Sampling principles
- B2.5.3d Scatter diagrams and correlation
- B2.5.4 Interactions between diseases
- B2.6 How can we treat disease?
- B2.6.1 Medicines and antibiotics
- B2.6.2 Areas of bacterial cultures and clear zones
- B2.6.3 Treatments for cardiovascular disease
- B2.6.4 Discovering and testing new medicines
- B2.6.5 Monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer
B3 Living together – food and ecosystems
- B3.1 What happens during photosynthesis?
- B3.1.1 Photosynthesis, with practical investigations
- B3.1.1a The two stages of photosynthesis
- B3.1.1b Practical: requirements and products of photosynthesis
- B3.1.2 Chloroplasts and photosynthesis
- B3.1.3 Enzyme action, with practical investigations
- B3.1.3a Enzyme mechanism, specificity and rate factors
- B3.1.3b Practical: substrate, temperature and pH on enzymes
- B3.1.4 Factors affecting photosynthesis, with practical work
- B3.1.4a Factors affecting rate of photosynthesis
- B3.1.4b Practical: environmental factors and photosynthesis
- B3.1.5 Inverse square law and rate of photosynthesis
- B3.1.6 Limiting factors in photosynthesis
- B3.1.7 Data skills in the context of photosynthesis
- B3.1.7a Compound measures such as rate
- B3.1.7b Graphical and numerical forms
- B3.1.7c Plotting graphs with suitable scales
- B3.1.7d Information from graphs, charts and tables
- B3.2 How do producers get the substances they need?
- B3.2.1 Substances moving in and out of photosynthetic organisms
- B3.2.2 Diffusion, osmosis and active transport, with practical
- B3.2.2a Diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- B3.2.2b Practical: diffusion and osmosis
- B3.2.3 Membranes of plant and prokaryotic cells
- B3.2.4 Water and mineral uptake by root hair cells
- B3.2.5 Xylem and phloem, with microscopy
- B3.2.5a Xylem and phloem adapted to function
- B3.2.5b Observing xylem and phloem
- B3.2.6 Transpiration, translocation and stomata, with practical work
- B3.2.6a Transpiration, translocation and stomata
- B3.2.6b Observing stomata
- B3.2.6c Using a simple potometer
- B3.2.7 Water uptake by plants, with practical work
- B3.2.7a Environmental factors and water uptake
- B3.2.7b Practical: environmental factors and water uptake
- B3.2.8 Data skills in the context of water uptake
- B3.2.8a Compound measures such as rate
- B3.2.8b Rate calculations
- B3.2.8c Plotting and interpreting graphs
- B3.2.8d Percentage gain and loss of mass
- B3.3 How are organisms in an ecosystem interdependent?
- B3.3.1 Synthesis and breakdown of biological molecules, with tests
- B3.3.1a Sugars, fatty acids and amino acids in metabolism
- B3.3.1b Tests for biological molecules
- B3.3.2 Photosynthetic organisms as producers
- B3.3.3 Dissolved food molecules transported into organisms
- B3.3.4 Levels of organisation in an ecosystem
- B3.3.5 Interdependence and competition
- B3.3.6 Trophic levels
- B3.3.7 Pyramids of biomass and biomass loss
- B3.3.8 Efficiency of biomass transfer
- B3.3.9 Cycling of substances in ecosystems
- B3.3.10 Importance of the carbon and water cycles
- B3.3.11 Microorganisms in nutrient cycling
- B3.3.12 Percentage of mass in cycling
- B3.3.13 Factors affecting decomposition
- B3.3.14 Rate of decay calculations
- B3.4 How are populations affected by conditions in an ecosystem?
- B3.4.1 Factors affecting communities
- B3.4.2 Field investigations of distribution and abundance
- B3.4.3 Data skills in the context of populations
- B3.4.3a Arithmetic means
- B3.4.3b Fractions and percentages
- B3.4.3c Plotting graphs with suitable scales
- B3.4.3d Information from charts, graphs and tables
B4 Using food and controlling growth
- B4.1 What happens during cellular respiration?
- B4.1.1 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration compared
- B4.1.2 Why respiration is continuous
- B4.1.3 Mitochondria and respiration
- B4.1.4 Respiration as exothermic
- B4.1.5 Respiration in yeast, with rate calculations
- B4.1.5a Practical: substrates and yeast respiration
- B4.1.5b Rate calculations for respiration
- B4.2 How do we know about mitochondria and other cell structures?
- B4.2.1 Electron microscopy and cell structure
- B4.2.2 Data skills in the context of cells
- B4.2.2a Number, size, scale and units
- B4.2.2b Estimation
- B4.2.2c Standard form
- B4.3 How do organisms grow and develop?
- B4.3.1 The cell cycle and mitosis, with microscopy
- B4.3.1a The cell cycle in growth
- B4.3.1b Observing stages of mitosis
- B4.3.2 Cancer as uncontrolled cell division
- B4.3.3 Meiosis and gamete formation
- B4.3.4 Stem cells and meristems
- B4.3.5 Cell differentiation and gene switching
- B4.4 How is plant growth controlled? (separate science only)
- B4.4.1 Plant hormones, auxins and tropisms, with practical
- B4.4.1a Plant hormones, auxins and tropisms
- B4.4.1b Practical: auxin and phototropism
- B4.4.2 Effects of gibberellins and ethene
- B4.4.3 Uses of plant hormones
- B4.5 Should we use stem cells to treat damage and disease?
- B4.5.1 Stem cells in medicine: benefits, risks and ethics
B5 The human body – staying alive
- B5.1 How do substances get into, out of and around our bodies?
- B5.1.1 Substances transported into and out of the body
- B5.1.2 Membranes of animal cells
- B5.1.3 The circulatory system and linked systems
- B5.1.4 Structure of the heart
- B5.1.5 Arteries, veins and capillaries
- B5.1.6 Red blood cells and plasma
- B5.1.7 Exchange surfaces and transport systems
- B5.1.8 Surface area to volume ratios
- B5.2 How does the nervous system help us respond to changes?
- B5.2.1 How the nervous system works
- B5.2.2 Nerve cells and synapses
- B5.2.3 Reflex arcs, with practical work
- B5.2.3a Reflex arc structure and function
- B5.2.3b Practical: reflex actions
- B5.2.4 The brain and its regions
- B5.2.5 Difficulties of investigating the brain
- B5.3 How do hormones control responses in the human body?
- B5.3.1 Hormonal coordination and the endocrine system
- B5.3.2 Thyroxine, adrenaline and negative feedback
- B5.4 Why do we need to maintain a constant internal environment?
- B5.4.1 Maintaining a constant internal environment
- B5.4.2 Skin and body temperature, with practical work
- B5.4.2a Skin in temperature control
- B5.4.2b Practical: body temperature control
- B5.4.3 Responses to temperature challenges
- B5.4.4 Osmotic changes in body fluids
- B5.4.5 Kidneys and water balance
- B5.4.6 ADH and kidney tubules
- B5.4.7 Responses to osmotic challenges
- B5.4.8 Data skills in the context of homeostasis
- B5.4.8a Data from graphs, charts and tables
- B5.4.8b Numerical and graphical forms
- B5.5 What role do hormones play in human reproduction?
- B5.5.1 Hormones in reproduction and the menstrual cycle
- B5.5.2 FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone interactions
- B5.5.3 Hormonal and non-hormonal contraception
- B5.5.4 Hormones in infertility treatment
- B5.6 What can happen when organs and control systems stop working?
- B5.6.1 Insulin and blood sugar
- B5.6.2 Glucagon and insulin together
- B5.6.3 Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- B5.6.4 The eye, with practical work on the pupil
- B5.6.4a Structures of the eye and their functions
- B5.6.4b Practical: pupil response to light
- B5.6.5 Eye defects and their correction
- B5.6.6 Limits of treating nervous system damage
B6 Life on Earth – past, present and future
- B6.1 How was the theory of evolution developed?
- B6.1.1 Genetic variation within populations
- B6.1.2 Mutations and variants' effects on phenotype
- B6.1.3 Natural selection of variants
- B6.1.4 Competition and natural selection
- B6.1.5 Evolution over generations
- B6.1.6 Selective breeding
- B6.1.7 Fossil evidence for evolution
- B6.1.8 Darwin and Wallace
- B6.1.9 Modern evidence for evolution
- B6.1.10 Impact of evolutionary ideas
- B6.2 How do sexual and asexual reproduction affect evolution? (separate science only)
- B6.2.1 Asexual and sexual reproduction compared
- B6.3 Classifying the diversity of life
- B6.3.1 Developments in biology and classification
- B6.4 How is biodiversity threatened and how can we protect it?
- B6.4.1 Human impacts on biodiversity
- B6.4.2 Environmental change and distribution of organisms
- B6.4.3 Factors affecting food security
- B6.4.4 Maintaining local and global biodiversity
- B6.4.5 Biodiversity data from charts and tables
- B6.4.6 Biotechnological and agricultural solutions to food demand
B7 Ideas about Science
- IaS1 What needs to be considered when investigating a phenomenon scientifically?
- IaS1.1 Developing hypotheses and predictions
- IaS1.2 Choosing apparatus and techniques
- IaS1.3 Scientific quantities
- IaS1.4 Controlling variables
- IaS1.5 Sample size and range of values
- IaS1.6 Planning experiments
- IaS1.7 Hazards and minimising risk
- IaS1.8 Communicating investigation rationale and methods
- IaS2 What conclusions can we make from data?
- IaS2.1 Presenting observations and data
- IaS2.2 SI units and IUPAC names
- IaS2.3 Prefixes and powers of ten
- IaS2.4 Translating data between forms
- IaS2.5 Converting units
- IaS2.6 Significant figures
- IaS2.7 Displaying data on graphs
- IaS2.8 Analysing data: patterns, statistics and gradients
- IaS2.9 Evaluating data quality and errors
- IaS2.10 Evaluating and improving an experimental strategy
- IaS2.11 Interpreting data and drawing conclusions
- IaS2.12 Data and confidence in a hypothesis
- IaS3 How are scientific explanations developed?
- IaS3.1 Correlation and cause
- IaS3.1a Identifying a correlation
- IaS3.1b Correlation compared with cause
- IaS3.1c Factors raising the chance of an outcome
- IaS3.1d Individual cases as evidence
- IaS3.1e Plausible mechanisms and causal claims
- IaS3.2 How scientific theories develop
- IaS3.3 Peer review
- IaS3.4 Using models to solve problems and explain
- IaS4 How do science and technology impact society?
- IaS4.1 Applications of science that improved lives
- IaS4.2 Risks from new scientific advances
- IaS4.3 Weighing risks and benefits in a situation
- IaS4.3a Who gains and who bears risks
- IaS4.3b Choosing a course of action on risk
- IaS4.3c Why people accept risks
- IaS4.3d Perceived and calculated risk
- IaS4.4 Different decisions on the same issue
- IaS4.5 Scientific and non-scientific questions
- IaS4.6 Communicating science to different audiences
B8 Practical skills
5e Mathematical skills
- M1 Arithmetic and numerical computation
- M1a Decimal form
- M1b Standard form
- M1c Ratios, fractions and percentages
- M1d Estimating without a calculator
- 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