aqa a level biology receptors essay

Receptors have two important features:

Specificity

• Temperature.
• This means that a receptor that responds to light will not respond to temperature or pressure.

Generator potentials

• Receptors connect with sensory neurones. When stimulated, the receptor creates a generator potential in the sensory neurone.
• An example where stimulation of the receptor creates a generator potential is in the Pacinian corpuscle.

The Pacinian Corpuscle

The Pacinian corpuscle is a mechanoreceptor found in the skin. Mechanoreceptors respond to changes in pressure to establish a generator potential. The receptor reacts in the following way:

Resting potential

• The Pacinian corpuscle consists of concentric rings of connective tissue that surround a sensory neurone.
• When the corpuscle is not being stimulated it is at resting state.
• At resting state, the charge inside the neurone is more negative than outside (-70mV). This is because there are more Na + ions outside the neurone than inside.
• A difference in charge across the cell membrane is called the potential difference.

Stimulation of the receptor

• When pressure is applied to the Pacinian corpuscle, the rings of connective tissue apply pressure on the sensory neurone.
• The sensory neurone has stretch mediated Na + channels, these channels normally restrict the movement of Na + ions.
• Applied pressure causes the stretch-mediated Na + channels to open.

Generator potential

• Na + ions flood into the sensory neurone through the open Na + channels.
• There are now more Na + ions inside the neurone than outside.
• The charge inside the neurone becomes more positive than outside, so the potential difference has changed.
• The generator potential has been established.

Action potential

• If the generator potential reaches the threshold level (about -50mV) then an action potential is produced in the sensory neurone.

1 Biological Molecules

1.1 Monomers & Polymers

1.1.1 Monomers & Polymers

1.1.2 Condensation & Hydrolysis Reactions

1.2 Carbohydrates

1.2.1 Structure of Carbohydrates

1.2.2 Types of Polysaccharides

1.2.3 End of Topic Test - Monomers, Polymers and Carbs

1.2.4 Exam-Style Question - Carbohydrates

1.2.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Carbohydrates

1.3.1 Triglycerides & Phospholipids

1.3.2 Types of Fatty Acids

1.3.3 Testing for Lipids

1.3.4 Exam-Style Question - Fats

1.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Lipids

1.4 Proteins

1.4.1 The Peptide Chain

1.4.2 Investigating Proteins

1.4.3 Primary & Secondary Protein Structure

1.4.4 Tertiary & Quaternary Protein Structure

1.4.5 Enzymes

1.4.6 Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity

1.4.7 Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

1.4.8 End of Topic Test - Lipids & Proteins

1.4.9 A-A* (AO3/4) - Enzymes

1.4.10 A-A* (AO3/4) - Proteins

1.5 Nucleic Acids

1.5.1 DNA & RNA

1.5.2 Polynucleotides

1.5.3 DNA Replication

1.5.4 Exam-Style Question - Nucleic Acids

1.5.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Nucleic Acids

1.6.1 Structure of ATP

1.6.2 End of Topic Test - Nucleic Acids & ATP

1.7.1 Structure & Function of Water

1.7.2 A-A* (AO3/4) - Water

1.8 Inorganic Ions

1.8.1 Inorganic Ions

1.8.2 End of Topic Test - Water & Inorganic Ions

2.1 Cell Structure

2.1.1 Introduction to Cells

2.1.2 Eukaryotic Cells & Organelles

2.1.3 Eukaryotic Cells & Organelles 2

2.1.4 Prokaryotes

2.1.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Organelles

2.1.6 Methods of Studying Cells

2.1.7 Microscopes

2.1.8 End of Topic Test - Cell Structure

2.1.9 Exam-Style Question - Cells

2.1.10 A-A* (AO3/4) - Cells

2.2 Mitosis & Cancer

2.2.1 Mitosis

2.2.2 Investigating Mitosis

2.2.3 Cancer

2.2.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - The Cell Cycle

2.3 Transport Across Cell Membrane

2.3.1 Cell Membrane Structure

2.3.2 A-A* (AO3/4) - Membrane Structure

2.3.3 Diffusion

2.3.4 Osmosis

2.3.5 Active Transport

2.3.6 End of Topic Test - Mitosis, Cancer & Transport

2.3.7 Exam-Style Question - Membranes

2.3.8 A-A* (AO3/4) - Membranes & Transport

2.3.9 A-A*- Mitosis, Cancer & Transport

2.4 Cell Recognition & the Immune System

2.4.1 Immune System

2.4.2 The Immune Response

2.4.3 Antibodies

2.4.4 Primary & Secondary Response

2.4.5 Vaccines

2.4.7 Ethical Issues

2.4.8 End of Topic Test - Immune System

2.4.9 Exam-Style Question - Immune System

2.4.10 A-A* (AO3/4) - Immune System

3 Substance Exchange

3.1 Surface Area to Volume Ratio

3.1.1 Size & Surface Area

3.1.2 A-A* (AO3/4) - Cell Size

3.2 Gas Exchange

3.2.1 Single-Celled Organisms

3.2.2 Multicellular Organisms

3.2.3 Control of Water Loss

3.2.4 Human Gas Exchange

3.2.5 Ventilation

3.2.6 Dissection

3.2.7 Measuring Gas Exchange

3.2.8 Lung Disease

3.2.9 Lung Disease Data

3.2.10 End of Topic Test - Gas Exchange

3.2.11 A-A* (AO3/4) - Gas Exchange

3.3 Digestion & Absorption

3.3.1 Overview of Digestion

3.3.2 Digestion in Mammals

3.3.3 Absorption

3.3.4 End of Topic Test - Substance Exchange & Digestion

3.3.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Substance Ex & Digestion

3.4 Mass Transport

3.4.1 Haemoglobin

3.4.2 Oxygen Transport

3.4.3 The Circulatory System

3.4.4 The Heart

3.4.5 Blood Vessels

3.4.6 Cardiovascular Disease

3.4.7 Heart Dissection

3.4.8 Xylem

3.4.9 Phloem

3.4.10 Investigating Plant Transport

3.4.11 End of Topic Test - Mass Transport

3.4.12 A-A* (AO3/4) - Mass Transport

4 Genetic Information & Variation

4.1 DNA, Genes & Chromosomes

4.1.2 Genes

4.1.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - DNA

4.2 DNA & Protein Synthesis

4.2.1 Protein Synthesis

4.2.2 Transcription & Translation

4.2.3 End of Topic Test - DNA, Genes & Protein Synthesis

4.2.4 Exam-Style Question - Protein Synthesis

4.2.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Coronavirus Translation

4.2.6 A-A* (AO3/4) - Transcription

4.2.7 A-A* (AO3/4) - Translation

4.3 Mutations & Meiosis

4.3.1 Mutations

4.3.2 Meiosis

4.3.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Meiosis

4.3.4 Meiosis vs Mitosis

4.3.5 End of Topic Test - Mutations, Meiosis

4.3.6 A-A* (AO3/4) - DNA,Genes, CellDiv & ProtSynth

4.4 Genetic Diversity & Adaptation

4.4.1 Genetic Diversity

4.4.2 Natural Selection

4.4.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Natural Selection

4.4.4 Adaptations

4.4.5 Investigating Natural Selection

4.4.6 End of Topic Test - Genetic Diversity & Adaptation

4.4.7 A-A* (AO3/4) - Genetic Diversity & Adaptation

4.5 Species & Taxonomy

4.5.1 Classification

4.5.2 DNA Technology

4.5.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Species & Taxonomy

4.6 Biodiversity Within a Community

4.6.1 Biodiversity

4.6.2 Agriculture

4.6.3 End of Topic Test - Species,Taxonomy& Biodiversity

4.6.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - Species,Taxon&Biodiversity

4.7 Investigating Diversity

4.7.1 Genetic Diversity

4.7.2 Quantitative Investigation

5 Energy Transfers (A2 only)

5.1 Photosynthesis

5.1.1 Overview of Photosynthesis

5.1.2 Light-Dependent Reaction

5.1.3 Light-Independent Reaction

5.1.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - Photosynthesis Reactions

5.1.5 Limiting Factors

5.1.6 Photosynthesis Experiments

5.1.7 End of Topic Test - Photosynthesis

5.1.8 A-A* (AO3/4) - Photosynthesis

5.2 Respiration

5.2.1 Overview of Respiration

5.2.2 Anaerobic Respiration

5.2.3 A-A* (AO3/4) - Anaerobic Respiration

5.2.4 Aerobic Respiration

5.2.5 Respiration Experiments

5.2.6 End of Topic Test - Respiration

5.2.7 A-A* (AO3/4) - Respiration

5.3 Energy & Ecosystems

5.3.1 Biomass

5.3.2 Production & Productivity

5.3.3 Agricultural Practices

5.4 Nutrient Cycles

5.4.1 Nitrogen Cycle

5.4.2 Phosphorous Cycle

5.4.3 Fertilisers & Eutrophication

5.4.4 End of Topic Test - Nutrient Cycles

5.4.5 A-A* (AO3/4) - Energy,Ecosystems&NutrientCycles

6 Responding to Change (A2 only)

6.1 Nervous Communication

6.1.1 Survival

6.1.2 Plant Responses

6.1.3 Animal Responses

6.1.4 Reflexes

6.1.5 End of Topic Test - Reflexes, Responses & Survival

6.1.6 Receptors

6.1.7 The Human Retina

6.1.8 Control of Heart Rate

6.1.9 End of Topic Test - Receptors, Retina & Heart Rate

6.2 Nervous Coordination

6.2.1 Neurones

6.2.2 Action Potentials

6.2.3 Speed of Transmission

6.2.4 End of Topic Test - Neurones & Action Potentials

6.2.5 Synapses

6.2.6 Types of Synapse

6.2.7 Medical Application

6.2.8 End of Topic Test - Synapses

6.2.9 A-A* (AO3/4) - Nervous Comm&Coord

6.3 Muscle Contraction

6.3.1 Skeletal Muscle

6.3.2 Sliding Filament Theory

6.3.3 Contraction

6.3.4 Slow & Fast Twitch Fibres

6.3.5 End of Topic Test - Muscles

6.3.6 A-A* (AO3/4) - Muscle Contraction

6.4 Homeostasis

6.4.1 Overview of Homeostasis

6.4.2 Blood Glucose Concentration

6.4.3 Controlling Blood Glucose Concentration

6.4.4 End of Topic Test - Blood Glucose

6.4.5 Primary & Secondary Messengers

6.4.6 Diabetes Mellitus

6.4.7 Measuring Glucose Concentration

6.4.8 Osmoregulation

6.4.9 Controlling Blood Water Potential

6.4.11 End of Topic Test - Diabetes & Osmoregulation

6.4.12 A-A* (AO3/4) - Homeostasis

7 Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

7.1 Genetics

7.1.1 Key Terms in Genetics

7.1.2 Inheritance

7.1.3 Linkage

7.1.4 Multiple Alleles & Epistasis

7.1.5 Chi-Squared Test

7.1.6 End of Topic Test - Genetics

7.1.7 A-A* (AO3/4) - Genetics

7.2 Populations

7.2.1 Populations

7.2.2 Hardy-Weinberg Principle

7.3 Evolution

7.3.1 Variation

7.3.2 Natural Selection & Evolution

7.3.3 End of Topic Test - Populations & Evolution

7.3.4 Types of Selection

7.3.5 Types of Selection Summary

7.3.6 Overview of Speciation

7.3.7 Causes of Speciation

7.3.8 Diversity

7.3.9 End of Topic Test - Selection & Speciation

7.3.10 A-A* (AO3/4) - Populations & Evolution

7.4 Populations in Ecosystems

7.4.1 Overview of Ecosystems

7.4.2 Niche

7.4.3 Population Size

7.4.4 Investigating Population Size

7.4.5 End of Topic Test - Ecosystems & Population Size

7.4.6 Succession

7.4.7 Conservation

7.4.8 End of Topic Test - Succession & Conservation

7.4.9 A-A* (AO3/4) - Ecosystems

8 The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

8.1 Mutation

8.1.1 Mutations

8.1.2 Effects of Mutations

8.1.3 Causes of Mutations

8.2 Gene Expression

8.2.1 Stem Cells

8.2.2 Stem Cells in Disease

8.2.3 End of Topic Test - Mutation & Gene Epression

8.2.4 A-A* (AO3/4) - Mutation & Stem Cells

8.2.5 Regulating Transcription

8.2.6 Epigenetics

8.2.7 Epigenetics & Disease

8.2.8 Regulating Translation

8.2.9 Experimental Data

8.2.10 End of Topic Test - Transcription & Translation

8.2.11 Tumours

8.2.12 Correlations & Causes

8.2.13 Prevention & Treatment

8.2.14 End of Topic Test - Cancer

8.2.15 A-A* (AO3/4) - Gene Expression & Cancer

8.3 Genome Projects

8.3.1 Using Genome Projects

8.4 Gene Technology

8.4.1 Recombinant DNA

8.4.2 Producing Fragments

8.4.3 Amplification

8.4.4 End of Topic Test - Genome Project & Amplification

8.4.5 Using Recombinant DNA

8.4.6 Medical Diagnosis

8.4.7 Genetic Fingerprinting

8.4.8 End of Topic Test - Gene Technologies

8.4.9 A-A* (AO3/4) - Gene Technology

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End of Topic Test - Reflexes, Responses & Survival

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The importance of receptors in living organism-A*/A A LEVEL BIOLOGY ESSAY

Subject: Biology

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Mastering aqa biology essays: strategies for a-level success.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5lGejJiPHY

Introduction

Welcome to a comprehensive guide on how to excel in AQA Biology A-Level essays, a component that accounts for a significant portion of your final grade. Preparing for these essays can seem daunting, but with the right approach and understanding, you can significantly enhance your performance and boost your overall grade.

The Importance of the AQA Biology Essay

The AQA A-Level Biology essay, particularly in Paper 3, is worth almost 10% of the total grade, making it a critical area for scoring high marks. Through detailed analysis of past essay titles across different specifications, we identify common themes and patterns to help students prepare effectively. While predictions of exact essay titles are not possible, focusing on recurring themes can guide your revision strategy.

Disclaimer on Essay Predictions

It's crucial to note that while this guide offers insights into potential essay titles based on past patterns, these are not predictions. Relying solely on these suggestions without a broader study could be misleading. The aim is to use these titles as a basis for practice and revision.

Key Essay Titles to Consider

Let's delve into three challenging essay titles that could enhance your revision efforts:

The Importance of Responses to Internal and External Environments in Organisms : This essay title focuses on how organisms adjust to changes in their environments, requiring a deep understanding of homeostasis, osmoregulation, and blood glucose control. For example, discussing the role of insulin in lowering blood glucose levels illustrates the complexity of internal environment responses.

The Importance of Energy Transfers Between and Within Organisms : Here, the focus shifts to energy transfer processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, and food chains. Students should emphasize the efficiency of energy transfers and the significance of energy loss at different trophic levels, applying A-Level concepts to demonstrate understanding beyond GCSE knowledge.

The Importance of the Control of Processes in Organisms : This title invites discussion on regulatory mechanisms within organisms, such as the role of spindle fibers in mitosis, transcription factors in gene expression, and ADH in osmoregulation. Highlighting the importance of these control processes is crucial to scoring high marks.

Strategies for Essay Success

• Understand the Mark Scheme : Familiarize yourself with the AQA mark scheme and examiner reports to grasp what distinguishes a high-scoring essay from a mediocre one.
• Practice with Purpose : Regularly practice writing essays on these themes, focusing on structuring your arguments coherently and including relevant A-Level content.
• Revise Broadly : While these essay titles are valuable for focused revision, ensure you cover the entire AQA Biology specification to prepare for any curveballs in the exam.

Essay Boot Camp

For students seeking additional support, consider enrolling in an essay boot camp course. These courses offer detailed guidance on essay writing skills, topic mastery, and techniques to maximize marks.

Mastering the AQA Biology essay requires a strategic approach to revision, an understanding of key themes, and practice. By focusing on the areas highlighted in this guide, you can approach your A-Level Biology exam with confidence, ready to tackle essays that showcase your knowledge and analytical skills.

For more detailed insights into each essay title and further resources, including the essay boot camp, check out the video linked below.

Watch the full video here

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