A-level Biology Essay Titles Paper 3, Study notes of Biology

Download A-level Biology Essay Titles Paper 3 and more Study notes Biology in PDF only on Docsity! This resource lists essay titles and the indicative content from the mark schemes, featured in the previous specifications. It prepares students for the essay in A-level Biology Paper 3. Biology 2410 (BIOL5) Year Question Title 2013 10 a The membranes of different types of cells are involved in many different functions 2013 10 b There are many different types of relationships and interactions between organisms 2014 10 a Cells and organisms carry out exchanges with their external environment to maintain their internal environment 2014 10 b How energy is transferred within and between organisms 2012 10 a The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms 2012 10 b How bacteria can affect the lives of humans and other organisms 2011 10 a Using DNA in science and technology 2011 10 b A cycle is a biological pathway or process in which the end product of one cycle becomes the starting point for the next. Write an essay about cycles in biology 2010 10 a Carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly. Describe and explain these effects 2010 10 b The causes of disease in humans Legacy Biology Spec B Year Question Title 2010 4 a The movement of substances within living organisms 2010 4 b Cycles in Biology 2009 4 a Ions and organisms 2009 4 b DNA and the transfer of information 2008 A The part played by the movement of substances across cell membranes in the functioning of different organs and organ systems 2008 B The part played by enzymes in the functioning of different cells, tissues and organs 2007 A Movements inside cells 2007 B Transfers through ecosystems Legacy Biology Spec A Year Question Title 2010 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems 2010 B Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different in appearance 2009 A The uses of water in living organisms 2009 B The transfer of energy within and between organisms 2008 A Hydrogen bonds and their importance in living organisms 2008 B How nitrogen-containing substances are made available to and are used 2007 A Carbon dioxide in organisms and ecosystems 2007 B Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different in appearance BIOL5 2013 You should write your essay in continuous prose. Your essay will be marked for its scientific accuracy. It will also be marked for your selection of relevant material from different parts of the specification and for the quality of your written communication. The maximum number of marks that can be awarded is:  Scientific content: 16  Breadth of knowledge: 3  Relevance: 3  Quality of written communication: 3. Write an essay on one of the following topics. BIOL5 June 2014 10 (a) Cells and organisms carry out exchanges with their external environment to maintain their internal environment (25 marks) Marking guidance Mark Comments Cells and organisms carry out exchanges with their external environment to maintain their internal environment. Topic areas:  Homeostasis (concept of)  Digestion and absorption  Cells  Lung function  Gas exchange  Passage of water through plant  Nutrient cycles  Response to stimuli  Neurones  Temperature control  Tissue fluid and its formation  Control of blood glucose concentration  Negative feedback  Gene expression The topics listed contain material that could be made relevant to the title. Writing about these topics in a general sense may not address the question. Candidates may make correct use of material from other topics. A* includes where candidates use information about a topic in the specification but go beyond what is expected for our A level. 10 (b) How energy is transferred within and between organisms Marking guidance Mark Comments How energy is transferred within and between organisms. Topic areas:  Photosynthesis  Energy transfer through ecosystems  Food production  Digestion (as in fuel)  Absorption (by cells)  Mass transport  Respiration  ATP  Stimuli and responses  Muscle contraction  Nerve impulses The topics listed contain material that could be made relevant to the title. Writing about these topics in a general sense may not address the question. Candidates may make correct use of material from other topics. A* includes where candidates use information about a topic in the specification but go beyond what is expected for our A level. BIOL5 June 2012 10 (a) The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms Marking guidance Mark Comments Proteins & Enzymes:  3.1.2 Enzyme properties and digestion  3.1.2 Protein structure  3.1.3 Plasma membrane structure and cell transport  3.1.6 Antigens, antibodies, B cells & T cells  3.1.6 Vaccines Nucleic Acids:  3.2.2 Structure of DNA  3.2.5 DNA Replication (not PCR)  3.5.7 Transcription & translation  3.5.8 Transcriptional factors, oestrogen, siRNA  3.5.8 Restriction enzymes Physiology:  3.2.4 Haemoglobin  3.5.2 Action potentials & synaptic transmission  3.5.3 Muscle contraction  3.5.4 Control of blood glucose concentration  3.5.5 Control of mammalian oestrous cycle 25 Essay B. 10 (b) A cycle is a biological pathway or process in which the end product of one cycle becomes the starting point for the next. Write an essay about cycles in biology Marking guidance Mark Comments Ecological cycles Nutrient cycles Carbon cycle Nitrogen cycle Biochemical cycles Enzyme action Synthesis of ATP from ADP Light-independent reaction The Krebs cycle Physiological and genetic cycles The mechanism of breathing The cardiac cycle The cell cycle Muscle contraction Oestrous cycle 25 BIOL5 June 2010 Write an essay on one of the following topics. Essay A. A carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly. Describe and explain these effects Marking guidance Mark Comments Carbon dioxide affects the physiology of organisms:  Pulmonary ventilation and the mechanism of breathing  Light-independent reaction of photosynthesis. Limiting factors  Role of chemoreceptors in controlling heart rate The direct effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentration:  Respiration, photosynthesis and human activity giving rise to short-term fluctuations and long-term change.  Yield of crop plants  Carbon cycle Indirect effects of increasing carbon dioxide concentration:  Role of carbon dioxide in producing global warming  Life cycles and number of insect pests  Distribution of animals and plants  Effect of temperature on enzymes 25 Essay B. The causes of disease in humans Marking guidance Mark Comments Pathogens:  Pathogens include bacteria, viruses and fungi  Pathogens cause disease by damaging cells and producing toxins  Cholera bacteria produce toxins resulting in diarrhoea  Symptoms and transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis  Horizontal gene transmission and MRSA Lifestyle:  Risk factors associated with cancer and coronary heart disease  The effects of fibrosis, asthma and emphysema on lung function  The biological basis of heart disease Genetics:  Differences in bases may lead to non-functional enzymes  Relationship between the cell cycle and cancer  Proto-oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes  Gene mutations 25 Spec B June 2009 Unit 6/7/8 4 (a) Ions and organisms Marking guidance Mark Comments Topic areas for assessment of scientific content: 1 Osmosis and turgor 2 Haemoglobin dissociation, pH and carbon dioxide 3 Uptake/movement of water/mineral ions by/in plants 4 Ions in biological molecules 5 Hydrogen, photosynthesis and respiration 6 Anaerobic respiration and lactate 7 Nerve impulses and synaptic transmission 8 Regulation of blood water potential/kidney function 9 Muscle contraction 10 Nitrogen cycle 11 Eutrophication 12 Movement across membranes 13 Cystic fibrosis 25 4 (b) DNA and the transfer of information Marking guidance Mark Comments 1 Genes/how information is carried on DNA 2 Replication of DNA 3 Cell division - Mitosis and meiosis 4 Transcription and translation 5 Mutation 6 Genetic engineering 7 Gene therapy 8 Genetically modified organisms 9 Variation (in populations) 10 Evolution 11 Inheritance 25 Any other sensible example of the transfer of information involving DNA should be credited. Spec B June 2008 Unit 6/7/8 (25 marks) Essay A. The part played by the movement of substances across cell membranes in the functioning of different organs and organ systems Marking guidance Mark Comments 1 Plasma membranes and movement across 2 Gaseous exchange system/lungs 3 Digestive system/small intestine 4 Blood vascular system 5 Transpiration/root/stem 6 Mass flow/leaf/stem 7 Nervous system/eye 8 Excretory system/kidney 9 Muscle systems 12 Liver, blood glucose 11 Root mineral ions 10 Lungs cystic fibrosis 25 Any other sensible example of the movement of substances across cell membranes in the functioning of different organs and organ systems should be credited. Essay B. The part played by enzymes in the functioning of different cells, tissues and organs Marking guidance Mark Comments 1 Action of enzymes 2 Enzyme properties 3 Extracellular digestion 4 Nutrient cycles 5 Digestion in humans 6 Replication of DNA 7 Protein and enzyme synthesis 8 Metabolic pathways 9 Mutations 10 Coenzymes and enzyme action 25 Any other sensible example of the part played by enzymes in the functioning of different cells, tissues and organs should be credited. Essay B. Why the offspring produced by the same parents are different in appearance Marking guidance Mark Comments Genes:  11.3 Genes incorporate coded information which influence phenotype  14.2 Gene mutation Environment:  14.2 Environment variation  15.7 Dietary requirements of insects Chromosomes and cells:  11.2 and 14.1 Meiosis  14.1 Principles of Mendelian inheritance  14.2 Polygenetic inheritance  Gametes and gamete formation. Fertilisation 16.1 25 Spec A Biology and Human Biology June 2009 Paper 8/9 Essay A. The uses of water in living organisms Marking guidance Mark Comments Water in chemical reactions:  10.4 Condensation and hydrolysis  14.6 Photolysis  16.4 Digestion and absorption Water and physiology:  10.7 Circulation  Tissue fluid and its circulation  16.11 Temperature control  16.2 The fetus in its uterine environment 25 Water and Osmosis:  10.3 Water potential and osmosis  10.2 Cell walls and support in plants  16.11 Urine formation (Biology only) Essay B. The transfer of energy within and between organisms Marking guidance Mark Comments Autotrophic nutrition:  14.6 Photosynthesis  11.6 Factors that limit the rate of photosynthesis Energy transfer:  14.9 Carbon cycle  14.10 The influence of deforestation of carbon cycling  14.7 Ecological pyramids and the transfer of energy  16.4 Digestion and absorption Energy loss:  14.8 Respiration and ATP  10.3 Active transport  15.9 Receptors convert stimuli into nerve impulses 25 Spec A Biology and Human Biology June 2008 Paper 8/9 Essay A. Hydrogen bonds and their importance in living organisms Marking guidance Mark Comments Hydrogen bonds associated with the properties of water: 15.1 The passage of water through a plant and cohesion tension Hydrogen bonds associated with secondary and tertiary structure:  10.4 The structure of proteins, starch and cellulose  10.5 Enzymes Hydrogen bonds associated with nucleic acids:  11.3 DNA as genetic material, structure of nucleic acids  11.4 Gene technology 25 Essay B. How nitrogen-containing substances are made available to and are used Marking guidance Mark Comments Nutrient cycling:  Nitrogen cycle  The influence of deforestation of nitrogen cycling The uses of proteins:  Proteins as biological molecules  Enzymes and enzyme action  Haemoglobin and the exchange of respiratory gases  The use of membrane proteins in the nervous system The uses of nucleic acids and other nitrogen-containing substances: 25