AQA GCSE Biology Notes
7 units
·
24 lessons
AQA GCSE Biology is a course offered by AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) in the United Kingdom for secondary school students typically aged 14–16. It is part of the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), which covers a wide range of subjects and serves as a qualification before students progress to further studies or employment.
In AQA GCSE Biology, students learn fundamental biological concepts and processes, such as:
- Cell Biology – Understanding cells, their structures, and processes such as cell division and specialization.
- Organisation – Studying the human body systems, organs, and how they’re organized.
- Infection and Response – Exploring pathogens, immunity, and how the body defends itself.
- Bioenergetics – Covering photosynthesis and respiration.
- Homeostasis and Response – Investigating how the body maintains internal stability, including hormonal responses.
- Inheritance, Variation, and Evolution – Discussing genetics, natural selection, and evolution.
- Ecology – Understanding ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact of human activity.
The course is assessed through exams at the end of the course, focusing on both theoretical knowledge and practical application of biology through experiments and data analysis.
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- 1.1.1 Eukaryotes Cell (Plant and animal cells)
- 1.1.2 Bacterial cells (prokaryotic cells)
- 1.1.3 Animal cells
- 1.1.4 Plant cells
- 1.1.5 Cell differentiation
- 1.1.6 History of Microscope
- 1.1.7 Types of Microscope
- 1.1.8 Magnification calculation
- 1.1.9 Subculturing Technique In Agar Slant/Agar Plate
- 1.1.10 Petri dishes
- 1.1.11 Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
- 1.1.12 Plant Cell vs. Animal Cell – Difference Between Plant and Animal Cell
- 1.1.13 Types of Plant Cell
- 1.1.14 Subculturing technique for Broth Culture
- 1.1.15 Spread Plate Method – Procedure, Principle, Purpose, Result.
- 1.1.16 Streak Plate Method – Patterns, Procedure, Principle
- 1.1.17 Pour Plate Method – Principle, Procedure, Objective, Result, Advantages
- 1.1.18 Culture Media Preparation, Maintenance and Preservation
- 1.1.19 Cell specialisation
- 1.1.20 How does the structure of a cell relate to its function within a tissue, organ, organ system, or the whole organism?
- 1.1.21 In what ways are cells specialized to carry out specific functions in multicellular organisms?
- 1.1.22 How is the structure of sperm cells adapted to their reproductive function in animals?
- 1.1.23 How do nerve cells’ structures enable them to effectively transmit signals in animals?
- 1.1.24 What structural features of muscle cells allow them to support movement in animal tissues?
- 1.1.25 How does the structure of root hair cells support their role in water and nutrient absorption in plants?
- 1.1.26 In what ways are xylem cells specialized for transporting water throughout a plant?
- 1.1.27 How do phloem cells’ structures enable them to transport nutrients within plant tissues?
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- 1.2.1 Chromosomes
- 1.2.2 Mitosis and the cell cycle
- 1.2.3 Stem cells
- 1.2.4 Cell Cycle – Definition, Phases, Checkpoints, Regulation
- 1.2.5 Checkpoints in the Cell Cycle – G1, G2, Metaphase (Spindle) Checkpoints
- 1.2.6 Cell Division – Definition, Types, Mitosis, Meiosis, Cell cycle
- 1.2.7 Stem cell culture – Definition, Types, Application, Preparation
- 1.2.8 Embryonic Stem Cells – Definition, Properties, Applications
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- 1.3.1 Diffusion
- 1.3.2 Osmosis
- 1.3.3 Active transport
- 1.3.4 Difference Between Simple Diffusion and Facilitated Diffusion – Simple diffusion vs facilitated diffusion
- 1.3.5 Facilitated Diffusion vs Active transport
- 1.3.6 Facilitated Diffusion – Definition, Principle, Examples
- 1.3.7 Simple Diffusion – definition, principle, examples, applications
- 1.3.8 Difference Between Active Transport and Passive Transport
- 1.3.9 Passive Transport – Definition, Types, Examples
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- 2.1.1 Cells are the basic building blocks of all living organisms. A tissue is a group of cells with a similar structure and function. Organs are aggregations of tissues performing specific functions. Organs are organised into organ systems, which work together to form organisms.
- 2.1.2 Biological Organization – History, Levels, Importance
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- 2.2.1 The human digestive system
- 2.2.2 The heart and blood vessels
- 2.2.3 Blood
- 2.2.4 Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease
- 2.2.5 How would you describe the relationship between health and disease?
- 2.2.6 The effect of lifestyle on some non-communicable diseases
- 2.2.7 Cancer
- 2.2.8 Conducting System of Heart Beat
- 2.2.9 Cancer Immunotherapy
- 2.2.10 What are the different types of diseases, and how can they interact with one another?
- 2.2.11 What factors can significantly affect both physical and mental health?
- 2.2.12 How do communicable and non-communicable diseases contribute to ill health?
- 2.2.13 In what ways can diet, stress, and life situations impact health?
- 2.2.14 Why are individuals with immune system defects more prone to infectious diseases?
- 2.2.15 How can viruses living in cells potentially lead to cancer development?
- 2.2.16 What immune reactions caused by pathogens might trigger allergies, such as skin rashes or asthma?
- 2.2.17 How can severe physical health issues contribute to mental health problems like depression?
- 2.2.18 How would you translate disease incidence information between graphical and numerical forms?
- 2.2.19 How can you use frequency tables, bar charts, and histograms to represent disease data?
- 2.2.20 What role do scatter diagrams play in identifying correlations between two variables in disease data?
- 2.2.21 What is the importance of understanding sampling principles in scientific and epidemiological data analysis?
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- 3.1.1 Communicable (infectious) diseases
- 3.1.2 Measles Virus – Structure, Genome, Replication, Pathogenesis [Viral diseases]
- 3.1.3 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) – Overview [Viral diseases]
- 3.1.4 Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) [Viral diseases]
- 3.1.5 Antibiotics and painkillers
- 3.1.6 Difference Between Communicable and non -communicable diseases
- 3.1.7 Mode of action of antibiotics and classification.
- 3.1.8 Difference Between Antiseptic and Antibiotic
- 3.1.9 Salmonella food poisoning (Bacterial diseases)
- 3.1.10 Gonorrhoea (Bacterial diseases)
- 3.1.11 What are the non-specific defence systems of the human body against pathogens?
- 3.1.12 What role does the skin play in the body’s defence against pathogens?
- 3.1.13 How does the nose help protect the body from pathogens?
- 3.1.14 What is the role of the trachea and bronchi in defending against pathogens?
- 3.1.15 How does the stomach contribute to the body’s defence against pathogens?
- 3.1.16 What is the role of the immune system in defending against disease?
- 3.1.17 What happens when a pathogen enters the body?
- 3.1.18 How do white blood cells help defend the body against pathogens?
- 3.1.19 What is phagocytosis, and how does it help defend the body?
- 3.1.20 How do white blood cells produce antibodies to defend against pathogens?
- 3.1.21 What is the process of discovery and development of potential new medicines?
- 3.1.22 What is the role of preclinical and clinical testing in drug development?
- 3.1.23 How were drugs traditionally extracted from plants and microorganisms?
- 3.1.24 Where does the heart drug digitalis originate from?
- 3.1.25 From which plant does the painkiller aspirin originate?
- 3.1.26 How was penicillin discovered, and who discovered it?
- 3.1.27 How are most new drugs synthesised in the pharmaceutical industry?
- 3.1.28 How does vaccination help prevent illness in an individual?
- 3.1.29 How can the spread of pathogens be reduced by immunizing a large proportion of the population?
- 3.1.30 What happens when small quantities of dead or inactive forms of a pathogen are introduced into the body during vaccination?
- 3.1.31 How do white blood cells respond when the same pathogen re-enters the body after vaccination?
- 3.1.32 What are fungal diseases, and how do they impact plant health and growth?
- 3.1.33 What is rose black spot, and what are its visible effects on plants?
- 3.1.34 How does rose black spot spread in the environment?
- 3.1.35 What treatment methods are available to control rose black spot?
- 3.1.36 How can developing specific skills help in effectively managing fungal diseases like rose black spot?
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- 3.3.1 What are some common signs that indicate a plant may be diseased?
- 3.3.2 What types of growth abnormalities might indicate the presence of a disease in plants?
- 3.3.3 How does discolouration and the presence of pests help in detecting plant disease?
- 3.3.4 What methods can be used to identify specific plant diseases?
- 3.3.5 How can gardening manuals or websites assist in identifying plant pathogens?
- 3.3.6 What role do laboratories play in diagnosing plant diseases?
- 3.3.7 How do testing kits with monoclonal antibodies work to identify plant diseases?
- 3.3.8 What are the common types of pathogens that can infect plants?
- 3.3.9 Which plant diseases are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens?
- 3.3.10 What is tobacco mosaic virus, and what type of pathogen is it?
- 3.3.11 What is black spot disease, and what kind of pathogen causes it?
- 3.3.12 How do aphids damage plants, and what type of organisms are they?
- 3.3.13 What ion deficiencies can affect plants, and what conditions do they cause?
- 3.3.14 How does nitrate deficiency lead to stunted growth in plants?
- 3.3.15 What is chlorosis, and how is it linked to magnesium deficiency?
- 3.3.16 Why are nitrate ions important for plant growth?
- 3.3.17 What are plant defense responses, and why are they important?
- 3.3.18 How do plants use physical defenses to resist invasion by microorganisms?
- 3.3.19 How does the cellulose in cell walls help protect plants from pathogens?
- 3.3.20 What role does the waxy cuticle on leaves play in plant defense?
- 3.3.21 How do layers of dead cells, like bark on trees, help protect plants?
- 3.3.22 What are chemical defense responses in plants, and how do they function?
- 3.3.23 How do antibacterial chemicals protect plants from pathogens?
- 3.3.24 In what ways do plants use poisons as a defense, and who are they intended to deter?
- 3.3.25 What mechanical adaptations do plants have to defend themselves?
- 3.3.26 How do thorns and hairs help deter animals from damaging plants?
- 3.3.27 Why do some plants have leaves that droop or curl when touched, and how does this defend the plant?
- 3.3.28 How does mimicry in plants work to protect them from animals?
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- 4.2.1 Aerobic respiration
- 4.2.2 Anaerobic respiration
- 4.2.3 Difference between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration – Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
- 4.2.4 What is cellular respiration and how is it classified in terms of energy transfer?
- 4.2.5 What energy does cellular respiration provide, and how is it used in living organisms?
- 4.2.6 How does respiration occur in cells, and what are the two types of respiration based on the presence of oxygen?
- 4.2.7 What are the key differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration regarding oxygen, products, and energy transfer?
- 4.2.8 What are some of the key functions that organisms need energy for?
- 4.2.9 What is the equation for aerobic respiration?
- 4.2.10 What are the chemical symbols for glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water?
- 4.2.11 What is the equation for anaerobic respiration in muscles?
- 4.2.12 Why is less energy transferred during anaerobic respiration compared to aerobic respiration?
- 4.2.13 What is the equation for anaerobic respiration in plant and yeast cells?
- 4.2.14 Why are sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, and glycerol important in the synthesis and breakdown of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids?
- 4.2.15 What is metabolism, and how does it relate to the reactions in cells or the body?
- 4.2.16 How is the energy transferred by respiration used in the processes of metabolism?
- 4.2.17 What role does metabolism play in the synthesis of new molecules in the body?
- 4.2.18 How is glucose converted into starch, glycogen, and cellulose in metabolism?
- 4.2.19 How are lipid molecules formed from glycerol and fatty acids in metabolism?
- 4.2.20 How are amino acids formed from glucose and nitrate ions, and what is their role in protein synthesis?
- 4.2.21 How does respiration fit into the overall metabolic processes?
- 4.2.22 How does the human body respond to the increased demand for energy during exercise?
- 4.2.23 What changes occur in heart rate, breathing rate, and breath volume during exercise, and why?
- 4.2.24 What happens when insufficient oxygen is supplied to muscles during exercise?
- 4.2.25 How does anaerobic respiration lead to the buildup of lactic acid in muscles?
- 4.2.26 What is oxygen debt, and how does it relate to lactic acid buildup during exercise?
- 4.2.27 Why do muscles become fatigued and stop contracting efficiently during long periods of vigorous activity?
- 4.2.28 How does blood flow through the muscles help manage lactic acid after exercise?
- 4.2.29 What role does the liver play in converting lactic acid back into glucose?
- 4.2.30 What is oxygen debt, and how does the body use extra oxygen after exercise to remove lactic acid?
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- 5.2.1 Structure and function
- 5.2.2 The brain (biology only)
- 5.2.3 The eye (biology only)
- 5.2.4 How is body temperature monitored and controlled in the body?
- 5.2.5 What role does the thermoregulatory center in the brain play in temperature regulation?
- 5.2.6 How do receptors in the thermoregulatory center respond to changes in blood temperature?
- 5.2.7 What is the function of temperature receptors in the skin, and how do they communicate with the thermoregulatory center?
- 5.2.8 What processes occur when body temperature is too high, and how do they help to reduce temperature?
- 5.2.9 What is vasodilation, and how does it contribute to cooling the body?
- 5.2.10 How does sweat production affect body temperature?
- 5.2.11 What mechanisms are triggered when body temperature is too low?
- 5.2.12 What is vasoconstriction, and how does it help to raise body temperature?
- 5.2.13 Why does shivering occur when the body is cold, and how does it affect temperature?
- 5.2.14 (For higher-tier students) How do the mechanisms of vasodilation, vasoconstriction, sweating, and shivering work to raise or lower body temperature in various situations?
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- 5.3.1 Human endocrine system
- 5.3.2 Feedback systems
- 5.3.3 What roles do hormones play in human reproduction and the menstrual cycle?
- 5.3.4 How do reproductive hormones affect the development of secondary sex characteristics during puberty?
- 5.3.5 What is the main female reproductive hormone, where is it produced, and what function does it serve at puberty?
- 5.3.6 What is the main male reproductive hormone, where is it produced, and what is its role?
- 5.3.7 Which hormones are involved in the menstrual cycle, and what are their specific roles?
- 5.3.8 How does Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) function in the menstrual cycle?
- 5.3.9 What role does Luteinising Hormone (LH) play in the release of an egg?
- 5.3.10 How does the pancreas regulate blood glucose concentration, and what roles do insulin and glucagon play in maintaining stable levels?
- 5.3.11 What happens when blood glucose levels are too high or too low, and how do insulin and glucagon act to bring these levels back to normal?
- 5.3.12 What are the key differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in terms of insulin production and response, and how are these conditions managed?
- 5.3.13 Why is obesity considered a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, and how might dietary and lifestyle changes help manage the condition?
- 5.3.14 How does the body maintain water and nitrogen balance, and what roles do the kidneys, lungs, and skin play in this process?
- 5.3.15 What is osmosis, and how can osmotic changes in body fluids affect cell function?
- 5.3.16 How does the body manage excess water, ions, and urea, and what role do the kidneys play in filtering and reabsorbing these substances?
- 5.3.17 (Higher tier) What happens to excess amino acids from protein digestion, and how does the liver process them for safe excretion?
- 5.3.18 How are hormones like FSH and LH used in fertility treatments, and how do they assist in helping a woman conceive naturally?
- 5.3.19 What is In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), and what steps are involved in this procedure?
- 5.3.20 How have advancements in microscopy contributed to the development of IVF treatments?
- 5.3.21 What social and ethical considerations are associated with IVF treatment?
- 5.3.22 What are the different hormonal and non-hormonal methods of contraception, and how do they work to control fertility?
- 5.3.23 How do oral contraceptives, injections, implants, and skin patches prevent egg maturation and release?
- 5.3.24 How do barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms prevent sperm from reaching an egg, and what role do spermicidal agents play in this?
- 5.3.25 How do intrauterine devices prevent embryo implantation or release hormones for contraception?
- 5.3.26 What are the effects of abstaining from intercourse during ovulation and surgical methods of male and female sterilization on fertility?
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- 5.4.1 How do plant hormones coordinate growth and responses to environmental factors like light and gravity?
- 5.4.2 What is the role of auxin in phototropism and gravitropism, and how does it affect plant growth rates?
- 5.4.3 (Higher tier) What role do gibberellins play in seed germination?
- 5.4.4 (Higher tier) How does ethene influence cell division and fruit ripening in plants?
- 5.4.5 Why is understanding the unequal distribution of auxin important in explaining plant growth patterns?
- 5.4.6 How are plant hormones used in agriculture and horticulture to control plant growth?
- 5.4.7 What are the different uses of auxins in plant management, including as weed killers, rooting powders, and growth promoters?
- 5.4.8 How is ethene used in the food industry, particularly for controlling fruit ripening during storage and transport?
- 5.4.9 What applications do gibberellins have in agriculture, such as ending seed dormancy, promoting flowering, and increasing fruit size?
- 5.4.10 How do the effects of auxins, ethene, and gibberellins benefit agricultural and horticultural practices?
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- 6.1.1 Sexual reproduction
- 6.1.2 Asexual reproduction
- 6.1.3 Meiosis
- 6.1.4 Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction
- 6.1.5 DNA structure
- 6.1.6 Genetic inheritance
- 6.1.7 What is DNA, and how is it structured within the cell?
- 6.1.8 How is genetic information organized in DNA, including the roles of chromosomes and genes?
- 6.1.9 What is the genome, and why is the study of the human genome significant?
- 6.1.10 How can understanding the human genome contribute to identifying genes associated with diseases and inherited disorders?
- 6.1.11 How are inherited disorders passed down through alleles?
- 6.1.12 What is polydactyly, and how does inheriting a dominant allele cause this condition?
- 6.1.13 What is cystic fibrosis, and why is it caused by a recessive allele?
- 6.1.14 What are the potential economic, social, and ethical considerations surrounding embryo screening for inherited disorders?
- 6.1.15 How might understanding of dominant and recessive alleles influence decisions on embryo screening?
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- 6.3.1 Theory of evolution
- 6.3.2 Speciation
- 6.3.3 Evidence for evolution
- 6.3.4 Fossils
- 6.3.5 Extinction
- 6.3.6 How did Gregor Mendel’s experiments contribute to our understanding of genetics, and what were his key findings?
- 6.3.7 Why was the significance of Mendel's work not recognized until after his death?
- 6.3.8 What was observed in the late 19th century about chromosomes during cell division, and how did this relate to Mendel's discoveries?
- 6.3.9 How did the observation of chromosomes and Mendel’s ‘units’ in the early 20th century lead to the understanding that genes are located on chromosomes?
- 6.3.10 How do bacteria evolve quickly, and how do mutations contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains?
- 6.3.11 Why do resistant strains, like MRSA, pose a significant challenge to treatment, and how do they spread?
- 6.3.12 What strategies can be used to reduce the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria?
- 6.3.13 Why is it important for patients to complete their prescribed course of antibiotics, and how does this help prevent resistance?
- 6.3.14 What are the challenges associated with developing new antibiotics, and why might it be difficult to keep up with emerging resistant strains?
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- 6.4.1 How did Carl Linnaeus classify living organisms, and what is the significance of the binomial system in naming species?
- 6.4.2 How has the Linnaean classification system evolved over time, and what role have improvements in microscopes and biochemical understanding played in this development?
- 6.4.3 What is the three-domain system developed by Carl Woese, and how does it categorize organisms into Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota?
- 6.4.4 How do evolutionary trees help scientists understand the relationships between living and extinct organisms?
- 6.4.5 What impact have advancements in scientific methods had on the development and refinement of classification systems?
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- 7.2.1 Levels of organisation
- 7.2.2 Decomposition
- 7.2.3 How do materials cycle through both the abiotic and biotic components of an ecosystem, and why is this process important for living organisms?
- 7.2.4 What is the role of the carbon cycle in returning carbon to the atmosphere, and how do plants use it in photosynthesis?
- 7.2.5 How does the water cycle provide fresh water for plants and animals, and what happens to the water once it drains into the seas?
- 7.2.6 What role do microorganisms play in cycling materials through an ecosystem, particularly in returning carbon and mineral ions to the atmosphere and soil?
- 7.2.7 How do environmental changes such as temperature, availability of water, and the composition of atmospheric gases impact the distribution of species in an ecosystem?
- 7.2.8 What are the different types of environmental changes that can affect species distribution, including seasonal, geographic, and human-induced changes?
- 7.2.9 How can human activities contribute to environmental changes that alter the distribution of species in ecosystems?
- 7.2.10 In what ways might species adapt or struggle to survive in response to shifts in environmental conditions?
- 7.2.11 How can the study of environmental changes help predict future impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem stability?
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- 7.3.1 Solid Waste Management
- 7.3.2 Biodiversity
- 7.3.3 Deforestation
- 7.3.4 Global warming
- 7.3.5 Liquid Waste Management
- 7.3.6 Sludge Wastes Treatment – Methods, Types, Factors, Uses
- 7.3.7 Waste Source, Definition, Types, Impacts
- 7.3.8 How do human activities like building, quarrying, farming, and waste disposal reduce the land available for other species?
- 7.3.9 What impact does the destruction of peat bogs have on biodiversity, and why are these areas important for plant, animal, and microorganism species?
- 7.3.10 How does the decay or burning of peat contribute to the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere?
- 7.3.11 What are the long-term environmental effects of reducing peat bogs and other natural habitats on global biodiversity and climate change?
- 7.3.12 What are some positive human actions taken to maintain biodiversity, such as breeding programs for endangered species and protecting rare habitats?
- 7.3.13 How can the reintroduction of field margins and hedgerows in agricultural areas help protect biodiversity in monoculture farming environments?
- 7.3.14 What role do governments play in maintaining biodiversity through policies like reducing deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions?
- 7.3.15 How does recycling and reducing landfill waste contribute to preserving ecosystems and biodiversity?
- 7.3.16 What are the negative human impacts on biodiversity, and how do they affect ecosystems and the variety of life within them?
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- 7.4.1 Trophic levels
- 7.4.2 Pyramids of biomass
- 7.4.3 Ecological Pyramids
- 7.4.4 Pyramid of Numbers
- 7.4.5 Energy Flow in Ecosystem
- 7.4.6 What is a pyramid of biomass, and how does it visually represent the amount of biomass at each trophic level in an ecosystem?
- 7.4.7 Why is only about 10% of the biomass transferred from one trophic level to the next?
- 7.4.8 What are the key reasons for biomass loss between trophic levels, such as incomplete absorption, waste production, and respiration?
- 7.4.9 How can the efficiency of biomass transfer between trophic levels be calculated, and what factors influence these calculations?
- 7.4.10 How does the loss of biomass at each trophic level affect the number of organisms in a food chain or ecosystem?
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- 7.5.1 How can farming techniques improve the efficiency of food production, and what are some methods for restricting energy transfer from food animals to the environment? Additionally, how does feeding animals high-protein foods contribute to their growth?
- 7.5.2 What is food security, and what biological factors can threaten it?
- 7.5.3 How does the increasing birth rate impact food security in some countries?
- 7.5.4 How do changing diets in developed countries affect food resources and their global distribution?
- 7.5.5 What role do new pests, pathogens, and environmental changes play in threatening food security?
- 7.5.6 Why are fish stocks in the oceans declining?
- 7.5.7 How can we maintain fish stocks at a level where breeding continues?
- 7.5.8 What could happen if certain fish species disappear from some areas?
- 7.5.9 How do controls on net size contribute to sustainable fish stocks?
- 7.5.10 How can biotechnology and genetic modification address the demands of a growing human population?
- 7.5.11 What modern biotechnology techniques are used to culture large quantities of microorganisms for food?
- 7.5.12 How is the fungus Fusarium used to produce mycoprotein, and what makes it suitable for vegetarians?
- 7.5.13 What conditions are required for the growth of Fusarium on glucose syrup?
- 7.5.14 How does a genetically modified bacterium produce human insulin, and how is it used to treat diabetes?
- 7.5.15 In what ways could genetically modified crops, such as golden rice, improve food supply and nutritional value?
Practice
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