Biology

Course summary

OCR Biology A Level develops students biological understanding in a holistic way, developing core concepts and then applying them to whole organisms. Concepts covered include: 1. The structure and function of cells and organelles in plants animals and prokaryotes. 2. The division, differentiation and specialisation of cells and the modern use of stem cells in research and treatment of disease. 3. The problem of increasing size in organisms leading to requirement for exchange surfaces and transport systems (in mammals and plants). 4. The structure and function of key biological molecules, carbohydrates, lipids, DNA and proteins. 5. That health is a complex subject and not just the absence of disease, including the effect of lifestyle on health. 6. The theory of evolution and its importance in the development of the flora and fauna found on earth today. 7. The structure and function of the nervous system in monitoring the internal and external environment. 8. That hormones are important in homeostasis, and a study of diabetes as an example of result of it going wrong. 9. The biochemistry of photosynthesis and respiration. 10. How genes are expressed in cells including the details transcription and translation. 11. Biotechnology and the application of cloning in plants and animals. 12. How organisms respond to the environment and animal behaviour.