Learning Checklist

1. Learning Checklist • learning outcomes – new specification 2011 I am able to:- GCSE Biology learning checklist

2. B1 1.1 balanced diet • I can… • describe a balanced diet • investigate the energy content of some foods • evaluate techniques and results • state the 7 food substances in a balanced diet and their functions • Define metabolic rate GCSE Biology learning checklist

3. B1 1.2 obesity • Explain the interactions between factors affecting metabolic rate & body mass • describe problems associated with obesity • Calculate BMI and consider its uses and limitations • Write a plan for an investigation (HSW) GCSE Biology learning checklist

4. B1 1.3 cholesterol • explain what cholesterol is • Describe effects of good and bad cholesterol • Evaluate information from graphs • Explain different ways to lower blood cholesterol • Explain how cholesterol levels depend on inherited factors as well as exercise GCSE Biology learning checklist

5. B1 1.4 Pathogens and Semmelweiss • define the term pathogen • Explain how pathogens cause disease • Describe & explain the work of Semmelweiss • Explain why scientists’ work may not be immediately accepted GCSE Biology learning checklist

6. B1 1.5 infections • explain the ways in which infections are spread • describe the ways in which the body prevents the entry of pathogens • describe and explain the role of white blood cells (in detail) GCSE Biology learning checklist

7. B1 1.6 medicines • explain what is meant by the term medicine • Describe how medicines may relieve symptoms but not kill pathogens • Describe how antibiotics kill bacteria without harming the patient • Explain why antibiotics are not used to treat viruses & the difficulty of developing antiviral drugs GCSE Biology learning checklist

8. B1 1.7 Growing bacteria • I can… • Grow an uncontaminated culture of bacteria • Explain why it is important to maintain sterile conditions • Explain the safety precautions used in school microbiology • Explain contamination GCSE Biology learning checklist

9. B1 1.8 changing pathogens • I can … • Describe how mutations in pathogens may give rise to resistant strains • Describe how natural selection causes the populations of resistant strains to increase • Describe epidemics and pandemics • Explain in detail how bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics • Evaluate the problems of preventing the spread of new diseases eg - mutated form of ‘flu GCSE Biology learning checklist

10. B1 1.9 immunity • I can …. • describe how the immune system responds to pathogens • Use terminology correctly – eg antigen, antibody • Explain how vaccines work GCSE Biology learning checklist

11. B1 1.10 vaccination • I can… • describe how science reporting should be checked for bias • Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of being vaccinated • Explain how the treatment of disease has changed over time • Describe how scientists are investigating the development of new medicines for the future • Plan an investigation GCSE Biology learning checklist

12. B1 2.1 Co-ordination • I can … • identify receptor cells and their organs • Describe how the nervous system works and its components • Investigate sensitivity of skin to touch (HSW) GCSE Biology learning checklist

13. B1 2.2 reflexes and synapses • I can … • explain what reflexes are and their importance • Describe the components of the reflex arc from stimulus to response • Explain how a synapse works GCSE Biology learning checklist

14. B1 2.3 hormones and the menstrual cycle • I can… • define hormones • Name the hormones that control the menstrual cycle • Describe where each hormone is secreted and its functions • Relate each hormone to the phases of the cycle, explaining their interactions GCSE Biology learning checklist

15. B1 2.4 controlling fertility • I can … • explain how oral contraceptives work • Explain how FSH treatment can increase fertility • Explain why FSH is used in IVF • Evaluate the ethical issues arising from the artificial control of fertility GCSE Biology learning checklist

16. B1 2.5 homeostasis • I can … • describe how temperature, blood glucose and the balance of water and ions are controlled • Explain why it is important to control the internal environment • Explain the effects of extremes of temperature on the human body GCSE Biology learning checklist

17. B1 2.6 plant hormones • I can … • understand that plants respond to changes in their environment • Describe how plants respond to light, moisture and gravity • Describe how plant hormones can be used in agriculture and horticulture • Explain how plant responses are due to uneven distribution of hormones causing unequal growth rates GCSE Biology learning checklist

18. B1 2.7 ethics of hormones • I can… • describe benefits and problems of using hormones to control human fertility • Evaluate how plant hormones are involved in food production GCSE Biology learning checklist

19. B1 3.1 testing medicines • I can … • Describe and explain the reasons for testing new drugs • Explain the dangers of using drugs that have not been tested • Describe and explain the stages used in testing new drugs • Explain the flaws in the original testing of thalidomide GCSE Biology learning checklist

20. B1 3.2 statins • I can … • describe the use of statins in lowering blood cholesterol • Compare/evaluate the benefits of statins with diet (eg soya, benecol etc) • Evaluate the claims of prescribed and non-prescribed medicines on health • Explain in detail how and why double-blind tests are used GCSE Biology learning checklist

21. B1 3.3- 3.6 Drugs • Give a definition of the term ‘drug’ • Explain what is meant by addiction • Describe some of the problems caused by drug abuse • Explain how the impact of drug abuse varies between individuals • List some common legal and illegal drugs • Explain why some people use illegal drugs GCSE Biology learning checklist

22. B1 3.3-3.6 Drugs • Describe the effects of cannabis • Explain why the use of legal drugs has a greater impact on health than the use of illegal drugs • Evaluate the impact of different types of drugs on society • Put drugs into various categories, eg narcotic, stimulants, hallucinogens, • Describe ways in which some recreational drugs are more harmful than others • Evaluate facts about the recreational use of cannabis, compare with alcohol and tobacco • Explain the nature of performance enhancing drugs in different sports • Describe some of the health risks associated with taking performance enhancing drugs • Consider the ethical implications of the use of drugs in sport GCSE Biology learning checklist

23. B1 4.1 Adapt and survive • Describe the materials that living organisms need in order to survive and reproduce • Explain that plants and animals are adapted to survive in their particular habitat • Explain that the adaptations of microorganisms enable them to survive in a wide range of conditions GCSE Biology learning checklist

24. B1 4.2 Adaptations in animals • Define the term adaptation • Describe how animals are adapted to survive in cold environments • Describe how animals are adapted to life in a dry environment • Explain how organisms are adapted to the conditions in which they live, when provided with appropriate information GCSE Biology learning checklist

25. B1 4.3 Adaptations in plants • Describe the adaptations shown by plants that live in dry environments • Explain how these adaptations reduce the quantity of water lost by the plant • Explain in detail the importance of water-storage tissues in desert plants GCSE Biology learning checklist

26. B1 4.4 Competition in plants and animals • Explain how competition is necessary for survival • Describe those characteristics which make an animal/plant a successful competitor • Suggest factors for which an animal/plant is competing in a given habitat • Describe some adaptations of organisms to unusual conditions • Apply knowledge to interpret the survival strategies of organisms GCSE Biology learning checklist

27. B1 4.7 Measuring environmental change • List some factors that affect distribution of living organisms • Describe some living and non-living factors that cause environmental changes • Measure some environmental changes using non-living indicators • Describe an example of a living organism that can be used as an indicator of pollution GCSE Biology learning checklist

28. B1 4.8 Impact of change • Explain that environmental changes can affect the distribution of living organisms • Describe some changes in both living and non-living factors that can affect distribution • Evaluate data concerned with environmental change on the distribution/behaviour of living organisms GCSE Biology learning checklist

29. B1 5.1 pyramids of biomass • Explain where biomass comes from • Describe what a pyramid of biomass is and how it can be constructed • Interpret pyramids of biomass and construct them • State that biomass is lost at each stage • (Higher)Explain in detail why all the biomass at one stage does not get passed on to the next stage. GCSE Biology learning checklist

30. B1 5.2 energy transfers • State why biomass and energy are reduced at each successive stage of a food chain • Explain why energy is transferred in movement and heating the surroundings • ( higher) Explain in detail why energy transfers by heating are particularly large in warm-blooded organisms (mammals and birds) GCSE Biology learning checklist

31. B1 5.3 decay • Explain the role of microorganisms in the process of decay • Explain why decay is important in the cycling of materials • (higher) Explain the factors which affect the rate of decay GCSE Biology learning checklist

32. B1 5.4 carbon cycle • Describe the processes in the carbon cycle • Explain the importance of the activities of the detritus feeders and microorganisms in the cycling of nutrients • (higher) Explain in detail the changes that occur in the carbon cycle. GCSE Biology learning checklist

33. B1 5.5 recycling • Give reasons for the recycling of garden waste • Describe the ways that organic waste is recycled • Evaluate the effectiveness of recycling schemes • (higher) Explain the benefits of reducing the amount of waste in landfill sites GCSE Biology learning checklist

34. B1 6.1 inheritance • State that the genetic information present in the gametes from each parent • Describe the relationship between chromosomes and genes • Identify where the chromosomes are located in cells • State that each gene affects a different characteristic • (higher)Recognise that genes are found in pairs on paired chromosomes GCSE Biology learning checklist

35. B1 6.2 types of reproduction • State the meaning of the term ‘clone’ • Describe why asexual reproduction produces identical offspring • Describe how variety is achieved in individuals produced by sexual reproduction • Explain the genetic differences between sexually and asexually produced offspring. GCSE Biology learning checklist

36. B1 6.3 Explain what makes them different to the rest of their family Explain why identical twins are not exactly the same in every way Evaluate evidence for the different characteristics caused by genetic and environmental effects GCSE Biology learning checklist

37. B1 6.4 Define a clone Explain the importance to gardeners and plant growers of cloning plants Describe cloning by tissue culture in plants Describe the process of embryo transplanting in animals and issues involving embryos Interpret information about the advantages and disadvantages of different cloning techniques Make informed judgements on the ethical and economic issues concerning embryo cloning GCSE Biology learning checklist

38. B1 6.5 Explain the processes of adult cell cloning and describe how Dolly the sheep was cloned List some of the benefits and disadvantages of cloning animals Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of cloning Discuss the ethical issues raised by adult cell cloning techniques GCSE Biology learning checklist

39. B1 6.6 Explain the term genetic engineering Describe how genes from one organism can be transferred into another organism List some advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering Explain the process of genetic engineering and the difference between genetically modified organisms which produce useful proteins and organisms which are improved themselves Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering GCSE Biology learning checklist

40. B1 6.7 Interpret information about cloning and genetic engineering techniques Describe some of the ethical problems associated with these techniques Make informed judgements about the issues Make balanced judgements, carefully explaining their reasons clearly, about the issues involved GCSE Biology learning checklist

41. B1 7.1 Theories of evolution State Darwin’s theory of evolution Describe some of the evidence that evolution has taken place Identify differences between Darwin’s theory of evolution and conflicting theories e.g Lamarck’s Suggest reasons for the different theories explaining life on Earth GCSE Biology learning checklist

42. B1 7.2 Evidence for evolution Explain why Darwin’s theories were only gradually accepted Explain why there was conflict with religious beliefs Describe some of the evidence that was lacking Explain why knowledge of genetics is necessary to understand how inheritance works GCSE Biology learning checklist

43. B1 7.3 Natural Selection Explain what is meant by natural selection Describe how mutation results in changes to genes Explain how mutation can affect the evolution of an organism GCSE Biology learning checklist

44. B1 7.4 Classification and evolution Define classification Describe some of the criteria used in the classification of organisms Explain how evolutionary trees are used to show relationships between organisms Describe how DNA evidence can be used to work out evolutionary relationships GCSE Biology learning checklist