Ms Cooper's IGCSE Biology: mastering the first 7 topics
Topics 1-7 from the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum
Ratings 4.43 / 5.00
What You Will Learn!
- CHARACTERISTICS AND CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING ORGANISMS
- Describe and define the 7 characteristics of living organisms
- State how organisms are classified based on the features that they share
- Define and describe the binomial system of naming
- Define species
- Describe the hierarchy of classification
- Explain that classification systems aim to reflect evolutionary relationships
- Explain that classification is traditionally based on studies of morphology and anatomy
- Explain that the sequences of bases in DNA and of amino acids in proteins are used as a more accurate means of classification
- Explain that organisms which share a more recent ancestor (are more closely related) have base sequences in DNA that are more similar than those that share only a distant ancestor
- Use the pentadactyl limb as an example to explain the anatomical similarities between different organisms
- Describe and compare the structure of a plant cell with an animal cell, as seen under a light microscope
- State the functions of the structures seen under the light microscope in the plant cell and in the animal cell
- ORGANISATION OF THE ORGANISM
- Describe the features that put organisms into one of the 5 kingdoms
- Describe the structure of a virus and how a virus replicates
- State the properties of bacteria, fungi and protista
- List the features of ferns and flowering plants
- State the differences between monocotyledons and dicotyledons
- List the characteristics of the 5 classes of vertebrates in the animal kingdom
- Describe the features of crustaceans, insects, arachnids, myriapods that are used to classify them into groups
- Construct and use simple dichotomous keys based on easily identifiable features 
- Describe and compare the structure of a plant cell with an animal cell, as seen under a light microscope
- State the functions of the structures seen under the light microscope in the plant cell and in the animal cell
- State that the cytoplasm contains ribosomes on rough endoplasmic reticulum
- State that aerobic respiration occurs in mitochondria
- Identify the specialised cells and Describe the feature that makes it adapted to its function.
- Identify the different levels of organisation in drawings, diagrams and images
- Calculate magnification and size of biological specimens, using millimetres and micrometres
- MOVEMENT IN AND OUT OF CELLS
- Define diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- Give examples of diffusion in the laboratory
- State how substances move into and out of the cell through the cell membrane by diffusion
- Describe diffusion of gases in the leaf and lungs, and food in the small intestines
- State how the alveolus is adapted for gaseous exchange
- State how the villus is adapted for absorption of nutrients
- Describe the factors that affect the rate of diffusion
- Relate how these factors link to diffusion in living organisms
- Explain how to demonstrate osmosis using a partially permeable membrane
- Define water potential
- Explain the importance of water potential and osmosis on animal and plant tissues
- Explain what will happen when you put plant and animal cells into solutions of different concentrations
- Explain how plants are supported by the turgor pressure in cell walls
- Describe an experiment to test how plant tissue is affected by different solutions
- Discuss the importance of active transport as a process for movement across membranes
- Explain how protein molecules move particles across a membrane during active transport
- State the differences between active transport and diffusion
- BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
- State the elements that make up carbohydrates, fats and proteins
- List the food sources of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins and their functions
- List the properties of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides
- State what a hydrolysis reaction is and condensation reaction is
- Explain how the sequence of amino acids determines the protein’s shape
- Explain why the shape of the protein is so important in enzymes and antibodies
- Describe the test for reducing sugars, starch, lipids, proteins and Vitamin C
- Plan and describe an experiment to test if fresh lemon juice has more vitamin C compared to bottled lemon juice.
- Use food tests to identify what nutrients are in 5 different solutions
- State what chromatin, chromosomes and genes are
- State which bases pair together in DNA
- Describe the structure of DNA
- Explain how the information from the gene is transferred from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm
- ENZYMES
- Define the terms catalyst and enzyme
- Describe why enzymes are important in all living organisms.
- Describe how an enzyme works with reference to active site, enzyme-substrate complex and product.
- Explain the “lock and key” model.
- State the 5 properties of enzymes.
- State how to measure the activity of an enzyme
- Explain the effect of changes in temperature and pH on enzyme activity
- Design an experiment to test how temperature and pH affects the rate of a reaction.
- PLANT NUTRITION
- Write the word and chemical equation for photosynthesis
- Define photosynthesis
- State where the raw materials for the reaction come from
- Explain that chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical energy in molecules, for the synthesis of carbohydrates
- State the uses of sugars in plants
- Describe how to test for oxygen
- Draw and label a leaf
- Identify and label the different tissue layers inside a leaf
- Explain how leaves are adapted for photosynthesis
- Describe how the stomata open and close
- Describe how to test a leaf for starch, explaining what each step does
- Describe how test for each of the factors necessary for photosynthesis
- Define the rate limiting factor
- Describe how to investigate the effect of varying temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis
- Draw the graph of results and describe them
- Describe the effect of increasing light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis at 2 concentrations of carbon dioxide
- Explain the use of carbon dioxide enrichment, optimum light and temperature in a glasshouse system and how these factors are controlled
- Describe the importance of nitrate ions and magnesium ions in plant nutrition
- Explain the effects of nitrate and magnesium deficiency on plants
- Explain how leguminous plants improve the nitrogen content in soil
- Describe an experiment to test which nutrients are needed for plant growth
- Explain the difference between chemical and natural fertilisers and the advantages and disadvantages of each.
- Use hydrogen carbonate indicator solution to investigate gaseous exchange of an aquatic plant kept in the light and in the dark
- HUMAN NUTRITION
- Define nutrition and balanced diet
- State the 7 nutrients needed in a balanced diet and what these nutrients are needed for
- Describe the effect that age, sex, activity, pregnancy and breast feeding have on dietary requirements
- State how saturated fat is linked to high cholesterol and heart disease
- Describe how the lack of fibre is linked to bowel cancer
- State how fibre is linked to reducing the risk of heart disease.
- State what the unit of energy is
- Use the body mass index to tell if someone is obese
- State what diseases are linked to obesity
- Describe the difference between malnutrition and starvation
- State the importance of Vitamin C, D, iron and calcium and the deficiency symptoms that results from a lack of them.
- Define ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation, egestion
- Define and label where chemical and mechanical digestion take place
- Identify and name the 4 types of teeth and what they are used for,
- Describe the structure of a tooth
- Explain how plaque is formed and the steps in tooth decay
- Describe the proper care of teeth, and the use of fluoride
- Describe the events that occur in the mouth
- State what saliva comprises
- Describe swallowing
- Describe peristalsis, including the contraction of the circular and longitudinal muscles
- Describe the digestion of food in the stomach
- State what the sphincter muscles do
- State what chyme is
- Describe where bile is made, stored and released and how it helps with digestion
- Describe what is in pancreatic juice and what the different enzymes do
- State what the 3 parts of the small intestine are called, discussing digestion in the duodenum and absorption in the ileum
- Explain the structure of a villus
- Explain how the ileum is adapted for absorption
- State the functions of the liver and how the liver is involved in assimilation
- Describe the large intestine and its function
- Explain how cholera is transmitted and how it causes diarrhoea and dehydration
- Explain what oral rehydration therapy is and how it works.
- At the end of my course, students will be able to...
Description
Are you wanting a clear, easy way to learn Biology? Are you wanting to brush up on revision before exams? Are you studying Biology at home? If so, this course is for you!
Learn and Master Biology so that you are confident in the exam
The topics covered include:
- Characteristics and classification of living organisms
- Organisation of the organism
- Movement in and out of cells
- Biological molecules
- Enzymes
- Plant nutrition
- Human nutrition.
Together with my teaching experience, passion for Biology and love of creating videos that make Biology come alive, you will find a high quality course that is easy to understand. The video lectures have information linking to real life so that you can see why the topic is beneficial to learning.
By the end of this course, you'll have valuable skills that will help you to draw the key concepts from the content and retain the knowledge more easily. You'll know how to describe, list, calculate, explain, draw and interpret necessary information.
What to expect
I designed this course in the same way that I teach in the classroom, honing in on key points. You will find over 40 teaching videos that explain the content relevant to the syllabus and linking it to real life. You will also be able to download, print and cut out flash cards of questions and terminology that will help you to learn a difficult topic easily. You can carry these questions in your pocket and use them to study anywhere. At the end of each section is a short quiz for you to check that you are on track.
There are clear learning outcomes at the beginning of each lecture. The videos are short and to the point, honing in on the key points that are important. This means that you can press pause, grab something to drink and watch it again if necessary. I've used real life examples so that you can link the concepts together.
This course is for you if you are studying the Cambridge IGCSE syllabus or an equivalent board. Check the curriculum to see if the content overlaps with what you are studying!
Enjoy and all the best with your revision! :)
Who Should Attend!
- This course is perfect if you want to go through the different sections in your own time and fill in any gaps that you might be missing from class
- It you are preparing for the Cambridge IGCSE Biology exam or an equivalent board, you will find this exam really useful
