Biology Core Topics

Cells and organisms structure of plant and animal cells and

organelles, differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and
between plant and animal cells (it is worthwhile making a table of
these).*Water potential and osmosis, diffusion, facilitated diffusion,
active transport. *
Organic molecules structure and properties of carbohydrates,
proteins, lipids and water.
Enzymes activation energy, lock and key hypothesis, induced fit, coenzymes and co-factors, inhibitors. Effects of changes in temperature
and pH.
Transport in mammals circulation, single circulation systems,
double circulation systems, structure of veins, capillaries and arteries,
*structure of human heart and circulatory system.* Types and
functions of blood cells.
Transport in plants xylem, phloem, cohesive forces, transpiration.
Heterotrophic nutrition: structure of alimentary canal and function of
various parts. Understanding of role of various digestive enzymes. (Do
not bother learning long lists of enzymes and what they each do.)
Autotrophic nutrition: Photosynthesis, leaf structure, photosynthetic
pigments, photosystems 1 & 2, light dependent and independent
reactions. Environmental factors affecting rate of photosynthesis.
Reproduction - knowledge of structure of male and female
reproductive systems, oogenesis, spermatogenesis, the menstrual cycle
and embryonic development.
*Meiosis / Mitosis stages and compare and contrast. * Make sure
you can identify from pictures of a cell what stage it is in.
Respiration Aerobic and anaerobic. Lung structure, ATP, glycolysis,
Krebs cycle, electron transport chain. Respiratory quotient.
Homeostasis Sensors, effectors, feedback loops. De-amination,
ornithine cycle, structure and function of kidneys. Temperature control.
Blood glucose control, insulin, glucagon.
Nervous co-ordination Central nervous system, peripheral nervous
system, voluntary and autonomic systems. Reflex arcs. Types and
structure of neurones. Generation of impulses in neurones and factors
affecting speed of transmission. Synapses and neurotransmitters.
Sensitivity & responses Structure of eye and retina. Rods and
cones. Light sensitive pigments. Reflexes, kineses, taxes.
*Genetics Meiosis, Mendelian genetics. Punnet squares,
calculation of various genetic crosses. *
Questions are likely to ask you to calculate the results of various
crosses, make sure you can do this quickly and can use the HardyWeinberg equation.

Chemistry Core Topics

Periodicity & the Periodic Table, trends within the
Periodic Table, ionisation energy, electron affinity,
electronegativity, atomic & ionic radii.
Symbols, Formulae & Equations, calculation of
percentage yield.
Shapes of Molecules, electron pair repulsion theory.
Chemical Bonding, ionic, covalent & metallic
bonding.
*Oxidation & Reduction, common oxidizing and
reducing agents, using ionic equations, oxidation
numbers. Electrochemical cells, electrode potential,
calculating e.m.f of a cell, feasibility of reactions. *
Gases, Boyles Law, Charless Law, Daltons Law,
Avogadros hypothesis, Grahams law of Diffusion,
Ideal Gas Equation.
Solutions, Raoults law and deviations from.
Colligative Properties, lowering of vapour pressure,
elevation of boiling point, depression of freezing point.
Energetics, 1st Law of Thermodynamics, enthalpy of
reaction, standard enthalpy change of formation and
combustion, standard enthalpy of neutralization.
Measuring enthalpy changes, Hesss law, bond
enthalpies, *Gibbs free energy G, spontaneity of
reactions. *
*Kinetics, physical state of reactants, concentration,
catalysts, the rate equation, orders of reaction, value
and units of k. *
Equilibrium, the equilibrium constant, Le Chateliers
Principle
*Acids & Bases, definitions of, pH, weak acids and
bases, the dissociation constant, indicators, buffer
solutions. *

Organic Chemistry
Hydrocarbons, alkanes, alkenes, common
reactions, naming of hydrocarbons
*Isomers, structural, geometric, optical
isomerism, chirality, Fischer projections. *
Haloalkanes, SN1, SN2 mechanisms,
reactions with NaOH, KCN, NH3, Grignard
reagents.
Alcohols, primary, secondary, tertiary,
reactions, testing for an OH group.
Carbonyls (Aldehydes & Ketones)
preparation, oxidation and reduction reactions,
nucleophilic addition with HCN, optical
isomerism, detection.
Acids, Esters, & Acid Chlorides, test for
acids, reduction, esterification, nucleophilic
addition-elimination mechanism and reactions.
Amines (Organic Nitrogen Compounds),
basicity, properties, diazonium compounds,
nitriles, nitrile hydrolysis and reduction,
Hofmann degradation.
Aromatic Compounds, benzene, stability of,
electrophilic substitution of, Friedel-Crafts,
sulphonation.