AQA A level biology essay plans
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_bq6jzu
1. The importance 1.) Na+ ions in cotransport of glucose
of ions in biology - importance: Na+ ion concentration gradient is what drives the movement of
glucose into cell - utilising energy efficiently
2.) Na+ ions in osmoregulation
- Loop of Henle - maintains Na+ ion gradient
- importance: ensures water can leave glomerular filtrate - concentrating urine -
less H2O lost
3.) Ca2+ in synaptic transmission
- importance: stimulates vesicles containing neurotransmitter to move to & fuse
with presynaptic membrane
- Na+ in depolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane - so action potentials can
be generated
4.) H+ in respiration & photosynthesis
- process of oxidative phosphorylation
- H+ electrochemical gradient
- importance: vital to ensure chemiosmosis - which drives ATP synthesis
2. The importance 1) DNA probes
of the applica- - what they are, how produced, importance in genetic screening
tions of the study - e.g. of DNA microarray and example to illustrate: HER-2 proto-oncogene mutation
of genes and & Herceptin drug
DNA Importance: allows identification of genetic disorders & also better treatment,
reducing overprescribing costs
2.) Recombinant DNA technology in treating conditions
- what is it, why important?
- somatic gene therapy in treating CF - process
- production of human insulin in vitro cloning (restriction endonuclease use)
3.) Epigenetics
- what is it? Uses - developing new drugs - epigenetic changes reversible, better
treatment of cancer
- e.g. of hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes
4.) Genetic fingerprinting
, AQA A level biology essay plans
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_bq6jzu
- VNTRs, gel electrophoresis - uses in forensic science, animal & plant breeding
- determining genetic variability in a population (comparison of amino acid se-
quences in updating classification systems)
3. Water and the 1.) Osmoregulation
regulation of wa- - water reabsorption at DCT, collecting duct - importance: ensuring not too much
ter content are fluid lost
important to or- - Loop of Henle in maintaining a Na+ ion gradient
ganisms - ADH and its affect on water reabsorption
2.) Water potential gradients & osmosis
- Importance of osmosis - plasma membrane structure - diffusion of polar water
molecules
- plant cells & osmosis - turgor pressure - maintaining structure
3.) Mass transport in plants - translocation
- process, importance: transport of essential solutes to where they're needed
- Link on hydrotropism's in plants - ensures plants take up as much water as
possible for photosynthesis
4.) Formation of tissue fluid
- process - hydrostatic pressure differences
- importance: tissue fluid supplies glucose, O2, amino acid - respiratory substrates
to cells
4. Importance of re- 1.) Control of blood glucose
ceptors in living - insulin, glucagon, adrenaline via 2nd messenger - maintenance of a stable blood
organisms. glucose concentration
- link to receptors in osmoregulation - osmoreceptors & ADH
2.) Control of heart rate
- baroreceptors & chemoreceptors - returning pH or BP back to normal
3.) Nerve impulses
- synaptic transmission Ach receptors - neuromuscular junctions
- off spec link: Myasthenia gravis - autoimmune disorder - antibodies destroy Ach
receptors at NMJ leading to muscle weakness
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_bq6jzu
1. The importance 1.) Na+ ions in cotransport of glucose
of ions in biology - importance: Na+ ion concentration gradient is what drives the movement of
glucose into cell - utilising energy efficiently
2.) Na+ ions in osmoregulation
- Loop of Henle - maintains Na+ ion gradient
- importance: ensures water can leave glomerular filtrate - concentrating urine -
less H2O lost
3.) Ca2+ in synaptic transmission
- importance: stimulates vesicles containing neurotransmitter to move to & fuse
with presynaptic membrane
- Na+ in depolarisation of the postsynaptic membrane - so action potentials can
be generated
4.) H+ in respiration & photosynthesis
- process of oxidative phosphorylation
- H+ electrochemical gradient
- importance: vital to ensure chemiosmosis - which drives ATP synthesis
2. The importance 1) DNA probes
of the applica- - what they are, how produced, importance in genetic screening
tions of the study - e.g. of DNA microarray and example to illustrate: HER-2 proto-oncogene mutation
of genes and & Herceptin drug
DNA Importance: allows identification of genetic disorders & also better treatment,
reducing overprescribing costs
2.) Recombinant DNA technology in treating conditions
- what is it, why important?
- somatic gene therapy in treating CF - process
- production of human insulin in vitro cloning (restriction endonuclease use)
3.) Epigenetics
- what is it? Uses - developing new drugs - epigenetic changes reversible, better
treatment of cancer
- e.g. of hypermethylation of tumour suppressor genes
4.) Genetic fingerprinting
, AQA A level biology essay plans
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_bq6jzu
- VNTRs, gel electrophoresis - uses in forensic science, animal & plant breeding
- determining genetic variability in a population (comparison of amino acid se-
quences in updating classification systems)
3. Water and the 1.) Osmoregulation
regulation of wa- - water reabsorption at DCT, collecting duct - importance: ensuring not too much
ter content are fluid lost
important to or- - Loop of Henle in maintaining a Na+ ion gradient
ganisms - ADH and its affect on water reabsorption
2.) Water potential gradients & osmosis
- Importance of osmosis - plasma membrane structure - diffusion of polar water
molecules
- plant cells & osmosis - turgor pressure - maintaining structure
3.) Mass transport in plants - translocation
- process, importance: transport of essential solutes to where they're needed
- Link on hydrotropism's in plants - ensures plants take up as much water as
possible for photosynthesis
4.) Formation of tissue fluid
- process - hydrostatic pressure differences
- importance: tissue fluid supplies glucose, O2, amino acid - respiratory substrates
to cells
4. Importance of re- 1.) Control of blood glucose
ceptors in living - insulin, glucagon, adrenaline via 2nd messenger - maintenance of a stable blood
organisms. glucose concentration
- link to receptors in osmoregulation - osmoreceptors & ADH
2.) Control of heart rate
- baroreceptors & chemoreceptors - returning pH or BP back to normal
3.) Nerve impulses
- synaptic transmission Ach receptors - neuromuscular junctions
- off spec link: Myasthenia gravis - autoimmune disorder - antibodies destroy Ach
receptors at NMJ leading to muscle weakness
