Molecules
3.1.1 · Monomers and polymers
Count the bonds being made or broken, then explain the role of water.
AQA 7402 · OCR A H420
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AQA subject topics
Molecules
3.1.2 · Carbohydrates
Link carbohydrate structure with storage or support; keep sugars and polymers distinct.
Molecules
3.1.3 · Lipids
Explain how a lipid structure affects its interaction with water.
Molecules
3.1.4 · Proteins and enzymes
Connect amino-acid sequence, folding and enzyme activity.
- Learn: Enzymes
- Improve an answer: Interpreting a fall in enzyme activity
- Recall: Enzymes: active recall
- Recall: Biological molecules: active recall
- Practise: Rates and graph gradients
- Workbench: Enzymes: plan a pH comparison
- Apply: Enzymes: rates, plateaus and conclusions
- Guide: Enzyme practical data
- AQA bank: Proteins and enzymes
Molecules
3.1.5 · Nucleic acids: DNA and RNA
Distinguish backbone bonds from complementary base pairing.
Molecules
3.1.6 · ATP
Explain ATP hydrolysis and coupling to an energy-requiring process.
Molecules
3.1.7 · Water
Connect water’s molecular interactions with a biological property.
Molecules
3.1.8 · Inorganic ions
Give a specific biological role for an ion in a stated context.
A dedicated local recall deck or tool for this area is still to be added. Use the bank link and your specification for full revision.
Cells
3.2.1 · Cell structure: eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
Use cell structures to explain a process, then check the image scale.
Cells
3.2.2 · All cells arise from other cells
Distinguish chromosome movement, DNA replication and cell division.
Cells
3.2.3 · Transport across cell membranes
State the transported substance, gradient, protein and energy requirement.
- Learn: Membranes and transport
- Improve an answer: A pump inhibitor and glucose absorption
- Recall: Cell membranes: active recall
- Practise: Units and standard form
- Practise: Dilutions and solution concentrations
- Workbench: Osmosis: compare tissue and solution
- Workbench: Membranes: evaluate a pigment-leakage comparison
- Apply: Osmosis: from mass change to evidence
- Guide: Osmosis and water potential data
- Guide: Membrane permeability practical data
- AQA bank: Transport across cell membranes
Cells
3.2.4 · Cell recognition and the immune system
Trace recognition through lymphocyte activation to a specific response.
Exchange and transport
3.3.1 · Surface area to volume ratio
Calculate a ratio and explain why size affects exchange demands.
Exchange and transport
3.3.2 · Gas exchange
Link surface area, diffusion distance and maintained gradients to exchange.
Exchange and transport
3.3.3 · Digestion and absorption
Connect digestion with absorption across the intestinal epithelium.
Exchange and transport
3.3.4 · Mass transport in animals and plants
Explain the pressure or water-potential differences driving transport.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.1 · DNA, genes and chromosomes
Distinguish an allele, locus, chromosome and gene.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.2 · DNA and protein synthesis
Follow DNA information through transcription and translation.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.3 · Genetic diversity: mutations and meiosis
Explain how mutation, crossing over and segregation affect variation.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.4 · Genetic diversity and adaptation
Link inherited variation with differential reproductive success.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.5 · Species and taxonomy
Explain the evidence supporting a classification or species relationship.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.6 · Biodiversity within a community
Keep richness, evenness and a calculated index distinct.
Genetic information and diversity
3.4.7 · Investigating diversity
Choose comparable measurements and a justified interpretation of differences.
Energy
3.5.1 · Photosynthesis
Track carbon, electrons and energy through the two reaction stages.
- Learn: Photosynthesis
- Improve an answer: What a higher plateau shows
- Recall: Photosynthesis: active recall
- Practise: Rates and graph gradients
- Practise: Chromatography and Rf calculations
- Process: Photosynthesis: connect light to carbon fixation
- Workbench: Chloroplasts: separate light from another variable
- Guide: Photosynthesis practical data
- Guide: Chromatography practical data
- AQA bank: Photosynthesis
Energy
3.5.2 · Respiration
Trace carbon and reduced coenzymes to ATP production.
- Learn: Respiration
- Improve an answer: Why lack of oxygen affects earlier stages
- Recall: Respiration: active recall
- Practise: Respiration measurements and RQ
- Process: Respiration: follow carbon, electrons and ATP
- Workbench: Respiration: correct a displacement measurement
- Apply: Respiration: apparatus, controls and interpretation
- Guide: Respiration practical data
- AQA bank: Respiration
Energy
3.5.3 · Energy and ecosystems
Account for the given energy budget before calculating efficiency.
Energy
3.5.4 · Nutrient cycles
Explain how a named transformation moves a nutrient between reservoirs.
Responses and regulation
3.6.1 · Stimuli: internal and external responses
Connect detection of a stimulus with the type of response produced.
Responses and regulation
3.6.2 · Nervous coordination
Trace a signal through neurones and a synapse.
Responses and regulation
3.6.3 · Skeletal muscle
Explain filament movement and the roles of calcium ions and ATP.
Responses and regulation
3.6.4 · Homeostasis
Trace a disturbance through detection, signalling and negative feedback.
Genetics and ecosystems
3.7.1 · Inheritance
Write gametes and reference groups before applying a probability.
Genetics and ecosystems
3.7.2 · Populations
Separate allele, genotype and phenotype frequencies.
Genetics and ecosystems
3.7.3 · Evolution and speciation
Connect isolation, inherited differences and reproductive separation.
Genetics and ecosystems
3.7.4 · Populations in ecosystems
Match sampling to the question and avoid turning association into causation.
- Learn: Ecosystems, energy and nutrient cycles
- Improve an answer: Explaining a mark–recapture bias
- Practise: Exponential growth and logarithmic scales
- Recall: Ecosystems and nutrient cycles: active recall
- Practise: Ecological sampling calculations
- Practise: Statistical tests and conclusions
- Workbench: Field sampling: judge a habitat comparison
- Apply: Ecological sampling: estimates and causation
- Guide: Ecology sampling and transect data
- AQA bank: Populations in ecosystems
Gene expression
3.8.1 · Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA
Explain how a sequence change can affect expression or protein function.
Gene expression
3.8.2 · Gene expression is controlled
Distinguish transcriptional control from later processing and regulation.
Gene expression
3.8.3 · Using genome projects
Explain what sequence data can support and what requires other evidence.
Gene expression
3.8.4 · Recombinant DNA technology
Trace the role of each enzyme or vector in a stated DNA procedure.
OCR A course areas
Practical skills
1.1.1 · Planning
Identify the question, variables and comparison your investigation needs.
Practical skills
1.1.2 · Implementing
Match the measuring instrument and units to the quantity required.
Practical skills
1.1.3 · Analysis
Calculate and interpret a result while retaining appropriate precision.
Practical skills
1.1.4 · Evaluation
Distinguish uncertainty, sampling variation and a justified method improvement.
Practical endorsement
1.2.1 · Practical skills
Use your practical record and teacher’s feedback to develop observed competence.
A dedicated local recall deck or tool for this area is still to be added. Use the paper resources and your specification for full revision.
Practical endorsement
1.2.2 · Apparatus and techniques
Explain why a stated instrument or technique suits the measurement.
Foundations
2.1.1 · Cell structure
Use cell structures to explain a process, then check the image scale.
Foundations
2.1.2 · Biological molecules
Link carbohydrate structure with storage or support; keep sugars and polymers distinct.
Foundations
2.1.3 · Nucleotides and nucleic acids
Follow DNA information through transcription and translation.
Foundations
2.1.4 · Enzymes
Connect amino-acid sequence, folding and enzyme activity.
Foundations
2.1.5 · Biological membranes
State the transported substance, gradient, protein and energy requirement.
- Learn: Membranes and transport
- Improve an answer: A pump inhibitor and glucose absorption
- Recall: Cell membranes: active recall
- Practise: Units and standard form
- Practise: Surface area to volume ratio
- Workbench: Osmosis: compare tissue and solution
- Workbench: Membranes: evaluate a pigment-leakage comparison
- Apply: Osmosis: from mass change to evidence
- Guide: Osmosis and water potential data
- Guide: Membrane permeability practical data
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Foundations
2.1.6 · Cell division and organisation
Distinguish chromosome movement, DNA replication and cell division.
Exchange and transport
3.1.1 · Exchange surfaces
Link surface area, diffusion distance and maintained gradients to exchange.
- Learn: Exchange surfaces and transport
- Improve an answer: Maintaining oxygen uptake at an alveolus
- Recall: Exchange surfaces: active recall
- Practise: Surface area to volume ratio
- Practise: Rates and graph gradients
- Apply: Gas exchange and circulation: linking measurements
- Guide: Dissection: observations and explanations
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Exchange and transport
3.1.2 · Transport in animals
Explain the pressure or water-potential differences driving transport.
Exchange and transport
3.1.3 · Transport in plants
Link water movement and assimilate transport with the relevant gradients and structures.
Biodiversity, evolution and disease
4.1.1 · Disease and immunity
Trace recognition through lymphocyte activation to a specific response.
- Learn: Immunity and immune memory
- Improve an answer: Transferred antibodies and lasting protection
- Recall: Immunity: active recall
- Recall: Classification and evolution: active recall
- Process: Immune responses: connect recognition to action
- Guide: Antimicrobial investigations: interpreting evidence
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Biodiversity, evolution and disease
4.2.1 · Biodiversity
Keep richness, evenness and a calculated index distinct.
- Learn: Ecosystems, energy and nutrient cycles
- Recall: Ecosystems and nutrient cycles: active recall
- Practise: Biodiversity index calculations
- Practise: Averages, spread and mitotic index
- Workbench: Field sampling: judge a habitat comparison
- Apply: Ecological sampling: estimates and causation
- Guide: Ecology sampling and transect data
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Biodiversity, evolution and disease
4.2.2 · Classification and evolution
Explain the evidence supporting a classification or species relationship.
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.1.1 · Communication and homeostasis
Trace a disturbance through detection, signalling and negative feedback.
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.1.2 · Excretion and homeostatic control
Distinguish filtration, selective reabsorption and ADH-regulated water movement.
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.1.3 · Neuronal communication
Trace a signal through neurones and a synapse.
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.1.4 · Hormonal communication
Explain receptor specificity and the tissue response to a hormonal signal.
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.1.5 · Plant and animal responses
Connect detection of a stimulus with the type of response produced.
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.2.1 · Photosynthesis
Track carbon, electrons and energy through the two reaction stages.
- Learn: Photosynthesis
- Improve an answer: What a higher plateau shows
- Recall: Photosynthesis: active recall
- Practise: Rates and graph gradients
- Practise: Chromatography and Rf calculations
- Process: Photosynthesis: connect light to carbon fixation
- Workbench: Chloroplasts: separate light from another variable
- Guide: Photosynthesis practical data
- Guide: Chromatography practical data
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Communication, homeostasis and energy
5.2.2 · Respiration
Trace carbon and reduced coenzymes to ATP production.
- Learn: Respiration
- Improve an answer: Why lack of oxygen affects earlier stages
- Recall: Respiration: active recall
- Practise: Respiration measurements and RQ
- Process: Respiration: follow carbon, electrons and ATP
- Workbench: Respiration: correct a displacement measurement
- Apply: Respiration: apparatus, controls and interpretation
- Guide: Respiration practical data
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.1.1 · Cellular control
Distinguish transcriptional control from later processing and regulation.
Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.1.2 · Patterns of inheritance
Write gametes and reference groups before applying a probability.
- Learn: Inheritance and meiosis
- Improve an answer: A small family and an expected ratio
- Recall: Inheritance and meiosis: active recall
- Practise: Inheritance probabilities and genetic ratios
- Practise: Hardy–Weinberg calculations
- Practise: Chi-squared calculations
- Apply: Inheritance: expected counts and chi-squared
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.1.3 · Manipulating genomes
Trace the role of each enzyme or vector in a stated DNA procedure.
Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.2.1 · Cloning and biotechnology
Connect a biotechnology method to its intended product and evidence of success.
Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.3.1 · Ecosystems
Match sampling to the question and avoid turning association into causation.
- Learn: Ecosystems, energy and nutrient cycles
- Improve an answer: Explaining a mark–recapture bias
- Recall: Ecosystems and nutrient cycles: active recall
- Practise: Ecological sampling calculations
- Practise: Energy transfers and productivity
- Practise: Statistical tests and conclusions
- Workbench: Field sampling: judge a habitat comparison
- Apply: Ecological sampling: estimates and causation
- Guide: Ecology sampling and transect data
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
Genetics, evolution and ecosystems
6.3.2 · Populations and sustainability
Evaluate how population evidence informs conservation or sustainable management.
- Learn: Ecosystems, energy and nutrient cycles
- Practise: Exponential growth and logarithmic scales
- Recall: Ecosystems and nutrient cycles: active recall
- Recall: Classification and evolution: active recall
- Practise: Ecological sampling calculations
- Apply: Ecological sampling: estimates and causation
- Guide: Ecology sampling and transect data
- Official OCR A papers and mark schemes
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Full requirements: AQA specification · OCR A specification.