Biology Preliminary Syllabus Notes 

 
MODULE ONE - Cells as the Basis of Life  
 
TOPIC ONE - Cell Structure  
- Hooke ( 1665 )  
- Discovering cells  
- Made simple microscope  
- Observed fly eyes, fleas, bark from a cork tree  
 
● Investigate different cellular structure, including but not limited to: 
Cells: basic structural unit of all living things  
 
 
- Examining a variety of prokaryotic and 
eukaryotic cells  
 
PROKARYOTIC CELLS​ are defined as not containing a 
nucleus or any other membrane-bound organelles.  
- Unicellular organisms  
- Pro = before & karyo = nucleus  
Example: bacteria and archaea  
Structure: rectangular shape with tail type  
Size: SA:V = larger, 0.1-5.0um  
organelles : only ribosomes  
Reproduction: mostly binary fission  
 
EUKARYOTIC CELLS​ are defined as containing membrane-bound organelles; nucleus  
- Unicellular but majority are multicellular  
- Eu = proper / true  
Example: animals, plants, protists and fungi  
Structure: bigger, more rounded ball shape  
Size: SA:V = smaller, 10-100um  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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- Describe a range of technologies that are used to determine a cell’s structure and function  
 
Magnification​ - the act of enlarging something to see detail ( how much )  
Ex. 100X ( times )  
Resolution​ ( aka. Clarity ) - ability to see fine detail ( how well )  
Ex. distinguish between two points  
 
UNITS​ - smaller metric unit  
1 mm = 1000um ( micrometre )  
1 um = 1000nm ( nanometre )  
1 nm = 1000pm ( picometre )  
 
Technologies  
Tools​: fluorescence microscope, confocal microscope, transmission electron microscope, scanning 
electron microscope  

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Techniques​: whole mounts, smears, sections, stains, autoradiography, x-ray crystallography, isotopic 
tracers  
 
Light microscope VS electron microscope  
 
  light  electron 

Intro   Hooke, 1665  Range of scientists, 1926-1933 

Basic  Light from mirror is reflected  Use beams of electron, focused by 
workings  through specimen into lens   electric and magnetic fields, to form 
images  

Magnification  40X, 100X or 400X  500X, 1000X 

range  

Resolution   Lateral - 200nm   500nm 

Axial - 500nm  

Size range   1cm-1um   3mm-0.1um  

- Tissues, cells, 
organelles 
 
Light advantage​ - observe living cells, cheaper, colour, simple prep, small and portable  
Electron disadvantage​ - expensive, b&w, dead specimen, expert prep  
Electron advantage​ - higher magnification and resolution  
 
Binocular microscope Vs Minocular microscope  
 
  Binocal   Minocular  

Magnification range   20X - 40X   40X - 400X 

Resolution   Finer detail and various layers   All layers, colour 

Advantage   3D view, whole organisms,  Flexibility, highest M ( 3 types ), 

lighting, simple set up   see things otherwise invisible  

Disadvantage   Difficult focus, high skill level   requires training, heavy, limited 
focus, relatively expensive  
 
 
Using a light microscope  
 
 
 
 
 
 

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● Investigate a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures  
- Drawing scaled diagram of a variety of cells  
 
Magnification​ = eyepiece lens X objective lens  
Example - If the eyepiece lens has a magnification of 10X and the objective lens has a 
magnification of 40X then, the image would be magnified 10 X 40 = 400X  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drawing a specimen  
- Use a pencil  
- Draw only lines you see  
- No shading or colouring  
- Cells that are similar / repetitive draw only 4-5 
ALWAYS RECORD - magnification, name of specimen 
 
- Comparing and contrasting different cell organelles and arrangements ​\  
 
An ​organelle​ is an internal structure that has a specific job inside the cell.  
- Most of the cells organelles are in cytoplasm  
- Some are membrane bound ( eukaryotic cells )  

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 - Modelling the structure and function of the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane  
 
- It is selectively permeable barrier rather than an closed wall or an open gate  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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 TOPIC TWO - Cell Function 
 
● Investigate the way in which materials can move into and out of cells, including but not limited to 
: 
- Cell membrane plays a vital role in controlling the internal composition of the cell by regulating 
the entry and exit of materials  
- Movement of materials across membranes occurs via passive transport (e.g. diffusion, osmosis) 
and active transport ( e.g. endocytosis and exocytosis )  
- Factors that affect exchange of materials across membranes include: SA:V ratio, concentration 
gradients, and the nature of the materials being exchanged  
 
- Modelling diffusion and osmosis  
 
- Diffusion occurs in liquids when particles of a solution randomly move until they are spread 
through a solvent to form a solution  
- Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower 
solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.  
 
- Examining the roles of active /passive transport, endocytosis and exocytosis  
 
- Passive Movement:  
- Movement down the concentration gradient  
- No energy needed  
- High concentration  
- From higher concentration to lower concentration 
- Active Movement:  
- Movement up the concentration gradient  
- More energy needed  
- From lower concentration to higher concentration  
- Endocytosis  
- Process by which material is engulfed and ingested into the cell  
- Incoming material binds to the plasma membrane  
- Forms a vacuole or vesicle  
- Actively takes in the bulk molecules and materials that are too large to pass through the 
cellular membrane  
- Exocytosis  
- Cell secretion or excretion  
- Substances within the cell are enclosed within a vesicle  
- ‘Dock’ and ‘bind’ with the membrane,creating an opening through which the substance is 
expelled  
- Actively transports waste and other bulk substances out of the cell  
 
 
 
 

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- Relating the exchange of materials across membranes to the SA:V ratio, concentration 
gradients and characteristics of the materials being exchanged  
 
As Cell size increases, the SA:V ratio decreases and the cell becomes less efficient at diffusion of 
nutrients in and waste out.  
 
● Investigate cell requirements, including but not limited to: 
- Suitable forms of energy  
 
 
Light Energy  
- Absorbed by the green pigment ( chlorophyll ) in plants, some protists and bacteria in a process 
called photosynthesis  
- Organisms that use light energy to make their own ‘food’ are called autotrophs  
- Autotrophic organisms can utilise light energy from the sun by absorbing it in chloroplast and 
converting it into glucose ( chemical energy ), in the process of photosynthesis  
 
Chemical Energy  
- Organic substances such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins can be broken down to release 
energy by animals, some protists, fungi and some bacteria  
- Organisms that rely on taking in high-energy organic molecules as a source of energy are called 
heterotrophs  
- Heterotrophic organisms rely completely on chemical energy from consuming organisms 
containing glucose, in the process of cellular respiration. 
 
Autotrophs and Heterotrophs  
 

 
Similarities: needs energy for functioning and cellular respiration ( release energy )  
 
- Matter, including gases, simple nutrients and ions  
 
- Autotrophs require gases, simple nutrients and ions and water  
- Heterotrophs require gases, complex molecules and water  
 
Organic Molecules ( Carbon and relatively complex )  
 
Main Groups   Component  Basic  Functions   Examples  

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 Elements   Building 
Blocks  

Carbohydrates   C,H,O  CH20  Make cell walls, store energy,  Glucose, sucrose, 
power of cell   starch 

Lipids   C,H,O  CHO  Store energy, make a cell  Fats - animals  

membrane   Oils - plants  

Proteins   C,H,O,N  Amino  Make structures   Keratin  

acids   Haemoglobin  

Nucleic acids   C,H,O,N  Nucleotide   Sends messages and controls   DNA, RNA 
 
Inorganic Molecules ( relatively simple )  
 
Main Groups   Chemical  Source   Functions  
Formula  

Water   H20  Consumption   Hydration, controls sugar levels, PH and 

Absorption   body image 

3 gases   O2  Atmosphere  Cellular respiration  

- Oxygen  
- Carbon Dioxide   CO2  Atmosphere  Photosynthesis  
- Nitrogen  
N2  A - consume   Build proteins 
P - soils  

Mineral Ions   Calcium   A - consumer   Body functions  

P - roots  
 
- Removal of wastes  
- Chemical reactions in cells produce wastes. These are called metabolic wastes.  
- Metabolic wastes must be removed from cells because they are either toxic, take up too 
much space in the cell and/or create problems of osmoregulation. 
 
Waste Molecule   From cell type   Process of excretion  Via Structure  

Surplus ( O2 )   A / plant cells   Diffusion   Stomates 

Salts  Plant cells ( mangroves )   Active Transport  Specialist cells  

CO2  Animal cells / P   Diffusion  Respiratory system  

Urea - waste of  Animal   Active Transport  Kidneys 

protein breakdown 
 

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Lysosomes play a key role in digestion and waste removal, Lysosomes are organelles that contain 
digestive enzymes. They digest excess or worn out organelles, food particles and engulfed viruses or 
bacteria.  
 
● Investigate the biochemical process of photosynthesis , cell respiration and the removal of 
cellular products and wastes in eukaryotic cells  
 
Photosynthesis  
- Biochemical process in plant cells occurs in the chloroplast and uses light energy to synthesis 
organic compounds. 
- Uses light energy from the sun, water and carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen  
- Occurs in autotrophs ( e.g. plants, algae, bacteria) → containing photosynthetic pigment 
 

 
 
Cellular Respiration  
- Biochemical process that occurs in different locations in the cytosol and mitochondria  
- Converts high-energy compounds ( glucose ) to ‘lower’ energy compounds 
- Release energy from chemical energy  
- Occurs in every living thing   
 
 
 
  C6H1206 + 02 -> ATP + CO2 + H20  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Removal of cellular products and wastes in eukaryotic cells  
- Cellular waste products are formed as a by-product of metabolism  
- Often diffuses out of the cell  
 
● Enzymes in cells  
 
- Are proteins that catalyse biochemical reactions; this allows them to be carried out at a sufficient 
rate to support living cells  
- Can be denature. E.g. by high temperatures  
- Have specific substrates, reactions and environmental conditions for their activity  
- Activity various depending on the centration of the subtract ( reactant ) o

r products  

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