Biology: Genetics, research and the future of medicine

There is a great series of videos on the Guardian newspaper website about genetics and disease. These are relevant for Topic 2.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/video/2012/oct/13/genes-disease-video
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/video/2012/oct/25/breast-cancer-family-genetics-medicine-video?intcmp=239
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/video/2012/nov/09/brave-new-world-genomics-genetics-medicine-video

What is AS Level Biology?

This is normally a 1 year course. It is made of 3 units

Unit 1 Exam (40% of the total mark)
Topic 1 Lifestyle, Health and risk
Topic 2 Genes and Health

Unit 2 Exam (40% of the total mark)
Topic 3 Voice of the Genome
Topic 4 Biodiversity and Natural Resources

Unit 3 Coursework (20% of the total mark)
A written report on how biologists are using biology to address an issue, eg How biologists are using captive breeding to save an endangered species.
We will begin this in September and work on it throughout the year.

What is A2 level Biology?

This is normally a one year course taken after AS level Biology. Your A level mark is taken by adding your AS and A2 marks together. In the A2 year you can get an A* grade which is not available to AS students. This is awarded if you get an A overall in AS and A2 and 90% or more in A2.

A2 Biology is made up from 3 Units

Unit 4 Exam (40% of total mark)
Topic 5 On the wild side
Topic 6 Infection, immunity and forensics

Unit 5 Exam (40% of total mark)
Topic 7 Run for your life
Topic 8 Grey matter

Unit 6 Coursework (20% of total mark)
An individual practical investigation. You will need to choose, research, trial and plan a scientific investigation before carrying it out and writing it up in a format similar to a real scientific journal article.

AS CORE PRACTICALS

You WILL be asked about these in the exam

Unit 1
Effect of caffeine on Daphnia heart rate
Measuring Vitamin C concentration
Effect of temperature (or alcohol) on membrane permability (beetroot)
Effect of enzyme concentration on the rate of reaction (potato)

Unit 2
Observing mitosis (root tip squash)
Plant totipotency (cress in agar)
Plant fibre strength
Sick plants (NO3-, Ca2+ and Mg2+)
Antibacterial properties of plants (mint and garlic)

REVISE
- What are the independent and dependent variables?
- step by step method and why you do each step
- what is the control?
- what variables must you keep constant (temperature?)?
- how could you present the results?
- Safety
ALWAYS SAY YOU WOULD DO REPEATS

A2 CORE PRACTICALS

You WILL be asked about these in the exam

Unit 4
Ecology study (eg quadrats, transects, measuring abiotic factors)
Effect of temperature on the hatching of brine shrimp (or seedling growth)
PCR
Gel electrophoresis
Effect of different antibiotics on bacteria

Unit 5
Spirometer
Measuring the rate of respiration using a respirometer
Habituation in snails

REVISE
- What are the independent and dependent variables?
- step by step method and why you do each step
- what is the control?
- what variables must you keep constant (temperature?)?
- how could you present the results?
- Safety
ALWAYS SAY YOU WOULD DO REPEATS

Biology

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Friday 9 November 2012

Genetics, research and the future of medicine

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