: Module 5 - Communication and homeostasis
It is important that organisms, both plants and animals are able to respond to stimuli. This is achieved by communication within the body, which may be chemical and/or electrical. Both systems are
covered in detail in this module. Communication is also fundamental to homeostasis with control of temperature, blood sugar and blood water potential being studied as examples.
Practical activities are embedded within the learning outcomes of the course to encourage practical activities in the classroom which contribute to the achievement of the Practical Endorsement. The PAGs assessed in this unit are PAG1 Microscopy and PAG11 Investigation into the measurement of plant or animal responses. After completing this unit, students will sit a 20 minute test covering 5.1.1 Communication and homeostasis, 5.1.2 Excretion as an example, 5.1.3 Neuronal communication, 5.1.4. Hormonal communication and 5.1.5 Plant and animal responses (AO1, AO2, AO3).
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: Module 5 - Energy for biological processes
This unit is about photosynthesis and respiration. Photosynthesis is the process whereby light from the Sun is harvested and used to drive the production of chemicals, including ATP, and used to synthesise large organic molecules from inorganic molecules. Respiration is the process whereby energy stored in complex organic molecules is transferred to ATP. ATP provides the immediate source of energy for biological processes.
Practical activities are embedded within the learning outcomes of the course to encourage practical activities in the classroom which contribute to the achievement of the Practical Endorsement. The PAGs assessed in this unit are PAG4 Rates of enzyme controlled reactions, PAG6 Chromatogrpahy or electrophoresis, PAG10 Investigation using a data logger, and PAG11 INvestigation into the measurement of plant or animal responses. After completing this unit, students will sit a 20 minute test covering 5.2.1 Photosynthesis and 5.2.2 Respiration (AO1, AO2, AO3).
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: Module 6 - Genetics and evolution
This module covers the role of genes in regulating and controlling cell function and development. Heredity and the mechanisms of evolution and speciation are also covered. Some of the practical techniques used to manipulate DNA such as sequencing and amplification are
considered and their therapeutic medical use. The use of microorganisms in biotechnology is also covered. Both of these have associated ethical considerations and it is important that learners develop a balanced understanding of such issues.
Practical activities are embedded within the learning outcomes of the course to encourage practical activities in the classroom which contribute to the achievement of the Practical Endorsement. The PAGs assessed in this unit are PAG6 Chromatography or electrophoresis and PAG10 Investigation using a data logger. After completing this unit, students will sit a 20 minute test covering 6.1.1. Cellular control, 6.1.2 Patterns of inheritance and 6.1.3. Manipulating genomes (AO1, AO2, AO3).
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: Module 6 - Cloning and biotechnology
Farmers and growers exploit “natural” vegetative propagation in the production of uniform crops. Artificial clones of plants and animals can now be produced. Biotechnology is the industrial use of living organisms (or parts of living organisms) to produce food, drugs or
other product.
Practical activities are embedded within the learning outcomes of the course to encourage practical activities in the classroom which contribute to the achievement of the Practical Endorsement. The PAGs assessed in this unit are PAG2 Dissection, PAG4 Rates of enzyme controlled reactions and PAG7 Microbial techniques. After completing this unit, students will sit a 20 minute test covering 6.2.1. Cloning and biotechnology (AO1, AO2, AO3).
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: Module 6 - Ecosystems
Organisms do not live in isolation but engage in complex interactions, not just with other organisms but also with their environment. The efficiency of biomass transfer limits the number of organisms that can exist in a particular ecosystem. Ecosystems are dynamic and tend towards some form of climax community.
Practical activities are embedded within the learning outcomes of the course to encourage practical activities in the classroom which contribute to the achievement of the Practical Endorsement. The PAG assessed in this unit is PAG3 Sampling techniques. After completing this unit, students will sit a 20 minute test covering 6.3.1. Ecosystems and 6.3.2 Populations and sustainability (AO1, AO2, AO3)
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