STPM Biology 964 study plan

Draw and label the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane from memory, then annotate the functions of phospholipids, cholesterol, integral and peripheral proteins, and glycolipids

Compare facilitated diffusion, active transport, and osmosis by constructing a table of direction, energy requirement, carrier involvement, and one named example each

Explain how surface area to volume ratio constrains cell size and justify why cells remain small or become compartmentalised

Describe the structure of starch, glycogen, cellulose, and a named protein, and relate each structure to its biological role

Label the ultrastructure of a plant and an animal cell from memory and state one function each for mitochondria, chloroplast, rough ER, Golgi apparatus, lysosome, and ribosome

Describe the stages of mitosis and identify each stage from a description of chromosome behaviour

Explain the roles of enzymes as catalysts using induced fit and lock-and-key models, and interpret the effect of temperature, pH, and inhibitor concentration on rate

Outline the reactions of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation in terms of location, inputs, and outputs

Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of ATP yield, location, and final electron acceptor

Explain the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis and state where each occurs

Describe the structure of DNA and RNA and state three differences between them

Explain semi-conservative replication, naming the roles of helicase, DNA polymerase, and ligase

Outline transcription and translation, including mRNA processing, codons, anticodons, and the role of tRNA and ribosomes

Use a codon table to deduce an amino acid sequence from a DNA template strand and identify the effect of a substitution, deletion, and insertion mutation

Explain the lac operon as a model of gene regulation in prokaryotes

Solve monohybrid and dihybrid crosses including test crosses and codominance, and calculate phenotypic ratios

Analyse a pedigree to determine the mode of inheritance and calculate probabilities for offspring

Explain sex linkage and solve a sex-linked inheritance problem

Define and distinguish gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, locus, and linkage

Explain how mutation, meiosis, and fertilisation generate genetic variation, and link this variation to natural selection and allele frequency change

Trace the mammalian cardiac cycle, naming the chambers, valves, and vessels, and relate the pressure and volume changes to the ECG and heart sounds

Compare the transport systems of a dicotyledonous stem and root by drawing labelled transverse sections and identifying xylem and phloem positions

Explain transpiration, cohesion-tension, and translocation, and interpret the effect of humidity, wind, and temperature on transpiration rate

Describe gas exchange in the alveolus and in a named insect and fish, and relate each structure to its environment

Explain the countercurrent multiplier in the nephron and the roles of ADH and aldosterone in osmoregulation

Explain the sliding filament model of muscle contraction and the roles of calcium ions, troponin, and ATP

Describe the transmission of a nerve impulse, including resting potential, action potential, saltatory conduction, and synaptic transmission

Outline the roles of named hormones in the menstrual cycle and explain how negative and positive feedback regulate it

Describe gametogenesis in the testis and ovary and compare oogenesis and spermatogenesis

Outline the stages of fertilisation, cleavage, and implantation in a mammal

Define and distinguish population, community, ecosystem, niche, and habitat using one named example each

Explain energy flow and trophic levels, and calculate the efficiency of energy transfer between two named levels

Describe the carbon and nitrogen cycles, naming the organisms responsible for each key step

Interpret a line graph, bar chart, and table of ecological data, and identify one source of error and one improvement for each

Design a controlled experiment for a named variable, stating hypothesis, independent and dependent variables, controls, and a suitable statistical test

Compare the five-kingdom and three-domain classifications and justify the placement of a named organism in each system

Describe the evidence for evolution from fossils, comparative anatomy, and molecular data, and explain one example of each

Explain natural selection, allopatric and sympatric speciation, and the role of isolation in forming new species

Explain the Hardy-Weinberg principle and calculate allele and genotype frequencies from given data

Evaluate one named conservation strategy and one named biodiversity threat using ecological and economic criteria