OCR A A-level Biology Year 12 revision

Topic 1: Development of practical skills in biology

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Practical and maths skills, and takes it further.

There are 7 parts: we start with planning and designing investigations, and finish with drawing conclusions and evaluating methods, evidence and sources.

1. 1.1Planning and designing investigations: variables, controls, risk assessment and ethicsFree 35 questions
2. 1.2Apparatus and techniques: measurement, serial dilution, colorimetry, chromatography and vitamin C (DCPIP) titration26 questions
3. 1.3Processing and presenting data: tables, graphs, rates, gradients and percentage change67 questions
4. 1.4Mathematical skills: SI units, standard form, ratios, logarithms, surface area and volume, and magnification calculations49 questions
5. 1.5Statistical tests: mean, standard deviation, error bars, t-test, chi-squared and correlation (Spearman's rank)59 questions
6. 1.6Uncertainty, accuracy, precision, validity and reliability32 questions
7. 1.7Drawing conclusions and evaluating methods, evidence and sources36 questions

Topic 2.1.1: Cell structure

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Cell level systems, and takes it further.

There are 6 parts: we start with microscopy, and finish with cell fractionation and ultracentrifugation.

1. 2.1.1.1Microscopy: magnification, resolution and light, TEM, SEM and laser scanning microscopes70 questions
2. 2.1.1.2Practical: preparing temporary slides, using a light microscope and calibrating an eyepiece graticuleFree 61 questions
3. 2.1.1.3Cell structureFree 71 questions
4. 2.1.1.4The cytoskeleton, centrioles and how cells make and secrete proteins60 questions
5. 2.1.1.5Prokaryotic cells and binary fissionFree 67 questions
6. 2.1.1.6Cell fractionation and ultracentrifugation39 questions

Topic 2.1.2: Biological molecules

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Cell level systems, and takes it further.

There are 5 parts: we start with water and inorganic ions, and finish with biochemical tests for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (Benedict's, iodine, biuret, emulsion).

1. 2.1.2.1Water and inorganic ions29 questions
2. 2.1.2.2Monomers, polymers and carbohydratesFree 35 questions
3. 2.1.2.3Lipids28 questions
4. 2.1.2.4Proteins and enzyme action67 questions
5. 2.1.2.5Biochemical tests for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (Benedict's, iodine, biuret, emulsion)39 questions

Topic 2.1.3: Nucleotides and nucleic acids

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Cell level systems and Genes, inheritance and selection, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with nucleic acids and ATP, and finish with DNA and protein synthesis.

1. 2.1.3.1Nucleic acids and ATP28 questions
2. 2.1.3.2DNA, genes and chromosomesFree 26 questions
3. 2.1.3.3DNA and protein synthesis27 questions

Topic 2.1.4: Enzymes

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Cell level systems, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with the practical on investigating factors affecting the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions, and finish with enzyme cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups.

1. 2.1.4.1Practical: investigating factors affecting the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions60 questions
2. 2.1.4.2Enzyme cofactors, coenzymes and prosthetic groups69 questions

Topic 2.1.5: Biological membranes

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Scaling up, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with transport across cell membranes, and finish with cell signalling and the role of membrane receptors.

1. 2.1.5.1Transport across cell membranes31 questions
2. 2.1.5.2Practical: effect of temperature or solvent on cell membrane permeability (beetroot)53 questions
3. 2.1.5.3Practical: dilution series and calibration curve to determine water potential of plant tissue21 questions
4. 2.1.5.4Cell signalling and the role of membrane receptors39 questions

Topic 2.1.6: Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Scaling up, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with cell division and the cell cycle, and finish with cell differentiation, stem cells, tissues, organs and organ systems.

1. 2.1.6.1Cell division and the cell cycle51 questions
2. 2.1.6.2Practical: root tip squash, observing mitosis and calculating mitotic index69 questions
3. 2.1.6.3Genetic diversity: mutation and meiosis25 questions
4. 2.1.6.4Cell differentiation, stem cells, tissues, organs and organ systems73 questions

Topic 3.1.1: Exchange surfaces

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Scaling up, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with surface area to volume ratio and gas exchange, and finish with the practical on dissection of a gas exchange or mass transport system (fish gills, insect trachea, lungs, heart, plant stem).

1. 3.1.1.1Surface area to volume ratio and gas exchangeFree 33 questions
2. 3.1.1.2Lung disease, risk factors and interpreting lung function data82 questions
3. 3.1.1.3Practical: dissection of a gas exchange or mass transport system (fish gills, insect trachea, lungs, heart, plant stem)51 questions

Topic 3.1.2: Transport in animals

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Scaling up, and takes it further.

There are 4 parts: we start with mass transport in animals, and finish with cardiovascular disease.

1. 3.1.2.1Mass transport in animals33 questions
2. 3.1.2.2Control of the heartbeat: SAN, AVN, Purkyne tissue and ECG interpretation71 questions
3. 3.1.2.3Blood, tissue fluid, lymph and blood clotting61 questions
4. 3.1.2.4Cardiovascular disease: risk factors, correlation and causation35 questions

Topic 3.1.3: Transport in plants

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Scaling up, and takes it further.

There are 2 parts: we start with mass transport in plants, and finish with the practical on transpiration with a potometer and stomatal density.

1. 3.1.3.1Mass transport in plants31 questions
2. 3.1.3.2Practical: transpiration with a potometer and stomatal density25 questions

Topic 4.1.1: Communicable diseases, disease prevention and the immune system

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Global challenges, and takes it further.

There are 8 parts: we start with viruses, and finish with the practical on aseptic technique and the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial growth.

1. 4.1.1.1Viruses: structure, replication and HIV30 questions
2. 4.1.1.2Pathogens, transmission and named diseases (TB, HIV/AIDS, malaria, ringworm, potato blight)26 questions
3. 4.1.1.3Plant defences against pathogens24 questions
4. 4.1.1.4Non-specific animal defences: barriers, inflammation and phagocytosis33 questions
5. 4.1.1.5Cell recognition and the immune system36 questions
6. 4.1.1.6Clonal selection, vaccination, herd immunity, monoclonal antibodies and autoimmune disease20 questions
7. 4.1.1.7Antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and controlling the spread of disease31 questions
8. 4.1.1.8Practical: aseptic technique and the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial growth42 questions

Topic 4.2.1: Biodiversity

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Global challenges, and takes it further.

There are 6 parts: we start with investigating biodiversity, and finish with balancing human needs and conservation.

1. 4.2.1.1Investigating biodiversity: random sampling, transects, mark-release-recapture and Simpson's index67 questions
2. 4.2.1.2Genetic diversity, adaptation and biodiversity23 questions
3. 4.2.1.3Why biodiversity matters: ecological, economic, ethical and aesthetic reasonsFree 27 questions
4. 4.2.1.4Human activities that reduce biodiversity: agriculture, deforestation and climate change22 questions
5. 4.2.1.5Conservation methods: in situ, ex situ, seed banks and international agreements (CITES, CBD)31 questions
6. 4.2.1.6Balancing human needs and conservation: evaluating data and management strategies67 questions

Topic 4.2.2: Classification and evolution

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Genes, inheritance and selection, and takes it further.

There are 3 parts: we start with species, binomial nomenclature and the taxonomic hierarchy, and finish with natural selection, evidence for evolution and speciation.

1. 4.2.2.1Species, binomial nomenclature and the taxonomic hierarchy31 questions
2. 4.2.2.2Phylogeny, the three domains and five kingdoms, and molecular evidence for relationships36 questions
3. 4.2.2.3Natural selection, evidence for evolution and speciation34 questions

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