What happens in cells (and what do cells need)? (B1.2) | OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) — Foundation (J247) | KnowledgeSet

What happens in cells (and what do cells need)?

Biology (Separate Science) · GCSE · OCR · OCR GCSE Biology A (Gateway Science) — Foundation (J247) · Specification point · B1.2 · Cell level systems

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B1.2 What happens in cells (and what do cells need)?

Summary Life processes depend on biological molecules whose structure is related to their function. Inside every cell is genetic material and this is used as a code to make proteins. Enzymes are important proteins in biology. Underlying knowledge and understanding Learners should have a simple understanding of the double helix model of DNA. Learners should be familiar with the idea of enzymes as biological catalysts. Common misconceptions Learners commonly hold the misconception that DNA is made of protein or sugar. Learners also think that all enzymes have an optimum temperature of 37°C (human body temperature). The range of optimum temperatures of enzymes should be introduced through the teaching of this topic and further addressed when considering homeostatic mechanisms for controlling temperature.

Reference	Mathematical learning outcomes	Mathematical skills
$BM1.2i$	$carry out rate calculations for chemical reactions$	$M1a and M1c$
$BM1.2ii$

Learning outcomes	To include	Working scientifically	Practical suggestions
$B1.2a describe DNA as a polymer$		$WS1.4a$	$Production of 3D models of DNA to illustrate its structure.$
$B1.2b describe DNA as being made up of two strands forming a double helix$
$B1.2c describe that DNA is made from ☑ four different nucleotides; each nucleotide consisting of a common sugar and phosphate group with one of four different bases attached to the sugar$	$the pairs of complementary bases (A-T and G-C)$	$WS1.4a, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c, WS2d$	$Production of 3D models of DNA to illustrate its structure. Investigation of DNA extraction from a living organism (e.g. kiwi, leek, onion, wheat germ). (PAG B2)$

Learning outcomes	To include	Maths	Working scientifically	Practical suggestions
$B1.2f describe experiments that can be used to investigate enzymatic reactions$		$M1a, M1c, M2g$	$WS1.1h, WS1.2b, WS1.2c, WS1.2e, WS1.3a, WS1.3b, WS1.3c, WS1.3d, WS1.3e, WS1.3f, WS1.3g, WS2a, WS2b, WS2c, WS2d$	$Investigations of enzyme activity, including numerical analysis of data and graphical representation of results. (PAG B2, PAG B4, PAG B6)$
$B1.2g explain the mechanism of enzyme action$	$the role of enzymes in metabolism, the role of the active site, enzyme specificity (lock and key hypothesis) and factors affecting the rate of enzyme controlled reactions (pH, temperature, substrate and enzyme concentration)$	$M1a, M1c, M3d, M4b$	$WS2a, WS2b, WS2c, WS2d$	$Investigation into the effect of amylase on a baby rice paste. (PAG B2, PAG B4, PAG B6) Investigation of enzyme controlled reactions. (PAG B2, PAG B4, PAG B6) Work out rate equations using simple algebraic equations. (PAG B4)$