B4 (Biology): The Processes of Life
This section shows links to revision materials Biology B4 - Processes of Life. Topics include
Overview of Module
Biological processes that take place in cells involve chemical reactions catalysed by enzymes.Photosynthesis and respiration are examples of these processes, and these reactions take place in specialised structures within cells. The conditions for optimum enzyme action require temperature and pH to be controlled.Anaerobic respiration of microorganisms and yeast provides humans with useful products, including biogas, bread and alcohol.
The first topic considers some of the most fundamental chemical reactions that occur within cells and highlights the crucial role that enzymes play in these processes. The highly specific nature of enzymes is explored, along with sensitivity of enzymes to their environment. The lock and key model provides an accessible example of how models and analogy can enhance understanding of scientific processes.
The second topic focuses in more detail on photosynthesis and the processes plants utilise to take in and transport water and nutrients, necessary to produce the complex molecules required for plant growth.
The processes of plant growth are also fundamental to providing the glucose and complex sugars that many animal and microbial life forms depend upon for respiration. Respiration is explored in more detail in the third topic.
Biology
B4 - Processes of Life (click on the links below for general headings or look below for more detail on what you may be tested on)
- Chemical reactions in living things,
- How plants make food,
- Obtaining energy
B4.1 How do chemical reactions take place in living things?
1. understand that the basic processes of life carried out by all living things depend on chemical reactions within cells that require energy released by respiration
2. understand the role of photosynthesis in making food molecules and energy available to living organisms through food chains
3. describe photosynthesis as a series of chemical reactions that use energy from sunlight to build large food molecules in plant cells and some microorganisms (e.g. phytoplankton)
4. describe respiration as a series of chemical reactions that release energy by breaking down large food molecules in all living cells
5. recall that enzymes are proteins that speed up chemical reactions
6. recall that cells make enzymes according to the instructions carried in genes
7. understand that molecules have to be the correct shape to fit into the active site of the enzyme (the lock and key model)
8. understand that enzymes need a specific constant temperature to work at their optimum, and that they permanently stop working (denature) if the temperature is too high
9. explain that enzyme activity at different temperatures is a balance between:
- a. increased rates of reaction as temperature increases
- b. changes to the active site at higher temperatures, including denaturing
- NOTE: Candidates are not expected to explain why rates of reaction increase with temperature
10. recall that an enzyme works at its optimum at a specific pH
11. explain the effect of pH on enzyme activity in terms of changes to the shape of the active site.
B4.2 How do plants make food?
1. recall the names of the reactants and products of photosynthesis, and use the word equation:
light energy
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
2. recall the formulae of the reactants and products of photosynthesis, and use the symbol equation:
light energy
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
3. recall the main stages of photosynthesis:
- a. light energy absorbed by the green chemical chlorophyll
- b. energy used to bring about the reaction between carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose (a sugar)
- c. oxygen produced as a waste product
4. recall that glucose may be:
- a. converted into chemicals needed for growth of plant cells, for example cellulose, protein and chlorophyll
- b. converted into starch for storage
- c. used in respiration to release energy
5. recall the structure of a typical plant cell, limited to chloroplasts, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, vacuole and cell wall
6. understand the functions of the structures in a typical plant cell that have a role in photosynthesis, including:
- a. chloroplasts contain chlorophyll and the enzymes for the reactions in photosynthesis
- b. cell membrane allows gases and water to pass in and out of the cell freely while presenting a barrier to other chemicals
- c. nucleus contains DNA which carries the genetic code for making enzymes and other proteins used in the chemical reactions of photosynthesis
- d. cytoplasm where the enzymes and other proteins are made
7. recall that minerals taken up by plant roots are used to make some chemicals needed by cells, including nitrogen from nitrates to make proteins
8. understand that diffusion is the passive overall movement of molecules from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration
9. recall that the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of leaves during photosynthesis occurs by diffusion
10. understand that osmosis (a specific case of diffusion) is the overall movement of water from a dilute to a more concentrated solution through a partially permeable membrane
11. recall that the movement of water into plant roots occurs by osmosis
12. understand that active transport is the overall movement of chemicals across a cell membrane requiring energy from respiration
13. recall that active transport is used in the absorption of nitrates by plant roots
14. understand that the rate of photosynthesis may be limited by:
- a. temperature
- b. carbon dioxide
- c. light intensity
15. interpret data on factors limiting the rate of photosynthesis
16. describe and explain techniques used in fieldwork to investigate the effect of light on plants, including:
- a. using a light meter
- b. using a quadrat
- c. using an identification key
17. understand how to take a transect.
B4.3 How do living organisms obtain energy?
1. understand that all living organisms require energy released by respiration for some chemical reactions in cells, including chemical reactions involved in:
- a. movement
- b. synthesis of large molecules
- c. active transport
2. understand that synthesis of large molecules includes:
- a. synthesis of polymers required by plant cells such as starch and cellulose from glucose in plant cells
- b. synthesis of amino acids from glucose and nitrates, and then proteins from amino acids in plant, animal and microbial cells
3. recall that aerobic respiration takes place in animal and plant cells and some microorganisms, and requires oxygen
4. recall the names of the reactants and products of aerobic respiration and use the word equation:
- glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water (+ energy released)
5. recall the formulae of the reactants and products of aerobic respiration and use the symbol equation:
- C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
6. recall that anaerobic respiration takes place in animal, plant and some microbial cells in conditions of low oxygen or absence of oxygen, to include:
- a. plant roots in waterlogged soil
- b. bacteria in puncture wounds
- c. human cells during vigorous exercise
7. recall the names of the reactants and products of anaerobic respiration in animal cells and some bacteria, and use the word equation:
- glucose → lactic acid (+ energy released)
8. recall the names of the reactants and products of anaerobic respiration in plant cells and some microorganisms including yeast, and use the word equation:
- glucose → ethanol + carbon dioxide (+ energy released)
9. understand that aerobic respiration releases more energy per glucose molecule than anaerobic respiration
10. recall the structure of typical animal and microbial cells (bacteria and yeast) limited to:
- a. nucleus
- b. cytoplasm
- c. cell membrane
- d. mitochondria (for animal and yeast cells)
- e. cell wall (for yeast and bacterial cells)
- f. circular DNA molecule (for bacterial cells)
11. understand the functions of the structures in animal, plant, bacteria and yeast cells that have a role in respiration, including:
- a. mitochondria contain enzymes for the reactions in aerobic respiration (in animals, plants and yeast)
- b. cell membrane allows gases and water to pass in and out of the cell freely while presenting a barrier to other chemicals
- c. nucleus or circular DNA in bacteria contains DNA which carries the genetic code for making enzymes used in the chemical reactions of respiration
- d. cytoplasm where enzymes are made and which contains the enzymes used in anaerobic respiration
12. describe examples of the applications of the anaerobic respiration of microorganisms, including the production of biogas and fermentation in bread making and alcohol production.
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