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DOWNLOAD the FREE biology syllabus here. This was effective from 2008 so this is the most recent syllabus. Both Unit 1 and Unit 2 are included

Biology Module 1 - 4.enzymes 4.4 explain the effects of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors on enzyme activity

4.4 explain the effects of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors on enzyme activity




competitive inhibitor - this slow or stop enzyme controlled reaction


this inhibitor has a similar shape to the enzyme substrate so binds to the enzyme briefly so there will be competition for the active site.

Biology Module 1 - 4.enzymes 4.3 explain the effects of pH, temperature, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration on enzyme action

4.3 explain the effects of pH, temperature, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration on enzyme action





pH - most enzymes have an optimum pH of 7

If the pH is too low there is too much hydrogen ions and if the pH is high there is too little hydrogen ions. In both of these situations the shape of the enzyme is changed thus causing the enzyme to be denatured.

Biology Module 1 - 4.enzymes 4.2 explain the mode of action of enzymes in terms of an active site, enzyme and/or substrate complex, lowering activation energy and enzyme specificity

4.2 explain the mode of action of enzymes in terms of an active site, enzyme and/or substrate complex, lowering activation energy and enzyme specificity

• enzyme catalyses reactions where substrates are broken down to products. Enzyme has an active site which is a pocket in an enzyme molecule and it is shaped so that the substrate can fit closely into it. This is the idea of lock and key.

• as a substrate molecule fits into the active site the

Biology Module 1 - 4.enzymes 4.1 explain that enzymes are globular proteins that catalyse metabolic reactions

 4.1 explain that enzymes are globular proteins that catalyses metabolic reactions



Enzymes are biological catalyst which speeds up metabolic reactions without itself being used up.


metabolism - chemical reactions that take place within an organism

Biology Module 1 - 3.membrane structure and function 3.3 investigate the effects on plant cells of immersion into solutions of different water potentials

3.3 investigate the effects on plant cells of immersion into solutions of different water potentials



high water potential outside and low water potential inside plant cell

• there is osmotic uptake of water where water diffuses into the cell through the partially permeable membrane

• cell contents expands and pressure of the cell content increase and push out on the cell wall

Biology Module 1 - 3.membrane structure and function 3.2 explain processes of diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis and exocytosis

3.2 explain processes of diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, endocytosis and exocytosis 



Passive process - when is substances do not require energy to move up to concentration gradient. Example diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis

Active transport - substances require energy to move up their concentration gradient


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A symport allows two substances to pass through at the same time 

Biology Module 1 - 3.membrane structure and function 3.1 explain the fluid mosaic model of the membrane structure

3.1 explain the fluid mosaic model of the membrane structure


Cell surface membrane is called the fluid mosaic structure because molecules are in constant motion which makes the structure fluid and when viewed from above the pattern of protein molecules look mosaic 


Diagram of phospholipid bilayer  

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Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.7 explain the concepts of tissue and organ using as an example the dicotyledonous root

2.7 explain the concepts of tissue and organ using as an example the dicotyledonous root



Tissues are groups of similar cells that carry out the same function


Organs are structures composed of different tissues that

Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.6 compare the structure of prokaryotic cells with that of eukaryotic cells

2.6 compare the structure of prokaryotic cells with that of eukaryotic cells 





Eukaryotic cell                              Prokaryotic cell 

Nucleus - present                          -  no nucleus, nuclear                                                                                               envelope and nucleolus

Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.5 describe the structure of a prokaryotic cell

2.5 describe the structure of a prokaryotic cell 

diagram of prokaryotic cell

Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.4 compare the structure of typical animal and plant cells

2.4 compare the structure of typical animal and plant cells 





                       Plant cell                   Animal cell

cell wall            present                      absent

storage          starch grain              glycogen granules

Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.3 outline the functions of the membrane systems and the organelles

2.3 outline the functions of the membrane systems and the organelles

Functions of cell

• store and receive genetic information

• produce biological molecules

• excrete genetic information

Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.2 describe and interpret drawings and electron micrographs of the structure of membrane systems and organelles of typical animals and plant cells

2.2 describe and interpret drawings and electron micrographs of the structure of membrane systems and organelles of typical animals and plant cells

Animal cell and plant cell electron micrographs

Biology Module 1 - 2.cell structure 2.1 make drawings of typical animal and plant cells as seen under the light microscope

2.1 make drawings of typical animal and plant cells as seen under the light microscope


Animal cell as seen under light microscope

iology Module 1 - 1.aspects of biochemistry 1.10 carry out tests for reducing and non reducing sugar, strach lipids and proteins

1.10 carry out tests for reducing and non reducing sugar, starch lipids and proteins



Test for reducing sugar

add an equal volume of benedict's solution to equal volume of test solution. Then boil in water bath and observe colour changes.

Biology Module 1 - 1.aspects of biochemistry 1.9 outline the molecular structure of haemoglobin as an example of a globular protein and of collagen as an example of a fibrous protein

1.9 outline the molecular structure of haemoglobin as an example of a globular protein and of collagen as an example of a fibrous protein


Haemoglobin is a globular protein found inside red blood cells. Since it is globular it is therefore soluble in water and folded into a complex 3D structure.

Biology Module 1 - 1.aspects of biochemistry 1.8 explain the meanings of the terms primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins

1.8 explain the meanings of the terms primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structures of proteins


Diagrams of structures



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Biology Module 1 - 1.aspects of biochemistry 1.7 describe the generalised structure of an amino acid and the formation and breakage of a peptide bond

1.7 describe the generalised structure of an amino acid and the formation and breakage of a peptide bond


Amino acids consists of 

• amino group
• hydrogen 
• carboxyl group
• R group which varies which therefore determines the type of amino acids and its properties

Biology Module 1 - 1.aspects of biochemistry 1.6 describe the structure of phospholipids and their role in membrane structure and function

1.6 describe the structure of phospholipids and their role in membrane structure and function


A phospholipid has two fatty acids, a glycerol and phosphate. The phosphate head is soluble and hydrophyillic but the fatty acid tails are insoluble and hydrophobic.

Diagram of phospholipid