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Led by Robert Hooke Simulacrum
The first module of the OCR GCSE Biology A course — cell structures, DNA and protein synthesis, enzymes, respiration and photosynthesis. Hosted by Robert Hooke Simulacrum.
Led by Robert Hooke Simulacrum
The question
The structures inside cells — what microscopes reveal, what each structure does, and how the jump from light microscopy to electron microscopy changed the picture entirely. Covers eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the sub-cellular structures that keep a cell running (nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, cell membranes), and the calculation of magnification from micrograph data. Robert Hooke Simulacrum leads the work, starting from his own 1665 observation of cork.
Outcome
The student can describe the sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, explain how microscopy is used to examine them, and calculate magnification. (Cell biology foundations)
Sub-units
Led by Robert Hooke Simulacrum
The question
The structure of DNA and the mechanism by which it encodes proteins. Covers the double helix, the four nucleotides and their complementary base pairing, and the two-stage process of protein synthesis — transcription in the nucleus and translation in the cytoplasm. The triplet code, mRNA, and the relationship between gene sequence and amino acid sequence.
Outcome
The student can describe DNA structure as a double-stranded polymer with complementary base pairs and describe how protein synthesis works through transcription and translation. (Molecular biology)
Sub-units
Led by Robert Hooke Simulacrum
The question
How enzymes work and what affects them. Covers the lock and key model of enzyme action, enzyme specificity, the active site, and the four factors that affect the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions — temperature, pH, substrate concentration and enzyme concentration. Includes experimental design for investigating enzyme activity and rate calculations from data.
Outcome
The student can explain the mechanism of enzyme action using the lock and key model and describe how temperature, pH and concentration affect the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions. (Biochemistry)
Sub-units
Led by Robert Hooke Simulacrum
The question
Cellular respiration — the universal exothermic process by which cells release energy from organic molecules to make ATP. Covers the comparison of aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of conditions, substrates, products and ATP yield, anaerobic respiration in animals versus fermentation in yeast, and the roles of sugars, amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol in synthesising and breaking down the three classes of biological molecule.
Outcome
The student can describe cellular respiration as a universal exothermic process, compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and explain the roles of monomers in biological molecules. (Cell metabolism)
Sub-units
Led by Robert Hooke Simulacrum
The question
How green plants and algae trap light energy and convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen — the endothermic reaction that feeds every food chain on Earth. Covers the process of photosynthesis, its location in chloroplasts, and the effects of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration on its rate, including how these factors interact as limiting factors. Includes experimental approaches to investigating photosynthesis rates.
Outcome
The student can describe photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction in chloroplasts and explain how temperature, light intensity and CO₂ concentration affect its rate as limiting factors. (Plant biology)
Sub-units