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I

                                                                    IBDP BIOLOGY

TOPIC :1

CELL BIOLOGY

1.1:  INTRODUCTION TO CELLS

 

 

  • Cell Theory

  • Functions of Life

  • SA : Vol Ratio

  • Magnification

  • Emergent Properties

  • Cell Differentiation

  • Stem Cells

  • Stem Cell Therapy

  • Cell Theory History

  • Microscopes

  • Cell Scale

 

 

     1.2:  ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CELL

 

  • Prokaryotic Cells

  • Eukaryotic Cells

  • Organelles

  • Microscopy

  • Cell Micrographs

  • Types of Bacteria

  • Animal versus Plant Cells

 

 

1.3:  MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

 

  • Phospholipid Bilayer

  • Membrane Proteins

  • Cholesterol

  • Fluid-Mosaic Model

  • Membrane Models

  • Phospholipids

  • Membrane Fluidity

  • Extracellular Matrix

 

 

 TOPIC 2

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

2.1:  MOLECULES OF METABOLISM

 

  • Molecular Biology

  • Organic Compounds

  • Organic Subunits -glucose, ribose and fatty  and amino acids

  • Organic Polymers -sugars and lipids

  • Falsifying Vitalism

  • Metabolism

  • Anabolism and Catabolism

  • Periodic Table

  • Types of Bonding

  • Trace Elements

 

 

2.2:  WATER

  • Water Structure

  • Hydrogen Bonding

  • Thermal Properties

  • Cohesive and Adhesive Properties

  • Solvent Properties

  • Significance of Water

  • Water Cycle

 

 

2.3:  CARBOHYDRATES AND LIPIDS

  • Sugar Subunits

  • Sugar Polymers

  • Types of Fatty Acids

  • Triglycerides

  • Lipid Health Risks

  • Sugars versus Lipids

  • Body Mass Index

  • Functions of Lipids

  • Lipoproteins

  • Lipid Absorption

 

 

2.4:  PROTEINS

  • Amino Acids

  • Peptide Bonds

  • Protein Structure

  • Denaturation

  • Gene ⇒ Polypeptide

  • Proteome

  • Protein Functions

  • The pH Scale

  • Fibrous vs Globular Proteins

  • Amino Acid Polarity

 

 

2.5:  ENZYMES

  • Enzyme & Substrate

  • Enzyme Catalysis

  • Enzyme Specificity

  • Enzyme Activity

  • Enzyme Experiments

  • Enzymes in Industry

  • Models of Action

  • Types of Enzymes

  • Lactose Intolerance

 

  •  

 

 TOPIC: 3

GENETICS

3.1:  GENES

  • Genes and Loci

  • Alleles

  • Mutations

  • Genome

  • Gene Comparisons

  • Types of Mutations

  • Sickle Cell versus Malaria

  • Genome Structure

  • Pseudogenes

 

 

3.2:  CHROMOSOMES

 

  • Prokaryotic Genetics

  • Eukaryote Genetics

  • Identifying Genes

  • Homologous Pairs

  • Diploid versus Haploid

  • Autosome versus Heterosome

  • Karyograms

  • Chromosome Size

  • Chromosome Number

  • Genome Size

  • Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA

  • Chromosome Types

  • Block Mutations

  • Sex Determination

 

 

3.3:  MEIOSIS

  • Meiotic Division

  • Sister Chromatids

  • Stages of Meiosis

  • Crossing Over

  • Random Assortment

  • Sexual Life Cycle

  • Genetic Variation

  • Non-Disjunction

  • Karyotyping

  • Drawing Meiosis

  • Mitosis versus Meiosis

  • Somatic vs Germline Mutations

  • Polyploidy


  •  

 

TOPIC 4

ECOLOGY

4.1:  SPECIES COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEMS

  • Species

  • Ecology Terms

  • Modes of Nutrition

  • Autotrophs

  • Heterotrophs

  • Nutrient Cycling

  • Mesocosms 

  • Chi Squared Test

  • Types of Metabolism

  • Species Interactions

  • Niches

  • Chi Squared Table

 

 

4.2:  ENERGY FLOW

  • Energy Source

  • Energy Flow

  • Energy Loss

  • Energy Efficiency

  • Pyramids of Energy

  • Ecological Productivity

  • Food Webs

  • Ecological Pyramids

  • Bio magnification

 

 

4.3:  CARBON CYCLING

  • Carbon Cycle

  • Carbon Compounds

  • Aquatic Conversions

  • Methane

  • Fossil Fuels

  • Combustion

  • Carbon Fluxes

  • Biogeochemical Cycles

  • Ocean Acidification

  • Biofuels

 

 

4.4:  CLIMATE CHANGE

  •  Greenhouse Gases

  • Greenhouse Effect

  • CO2 Concentrations

  • Climate Changes

  • Ocean Acidification

  • Greenhouse Debate

  • Water Cycle

  • Precautionary Principle

  • Carbon Footprint

  • Greenhouse Impacts

 

TOPIC 5

EVOLUTION AND BIODIVERSITY

5.1:  EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION

  • Evolution

  • Fossil Record

  • Selective Breeding

  • Comparative Anatomy

  • Speciation

  • Evolution Example

  • Other Evidence

  • Fossilisation

  • Geological Time Scale

  • Radioactive Dating

 

 

5.2:  NATURAL SELECTION

  • Natural Selection

  • Variation

  • Competition

  • Adaptations

  • Allele Frequency

  • Adaptive Radiation

  • Antibiotic Resistance

  • Theories of Evolution

  • Selection Pressures

  • Species Diversification

  • Artificial Gene Transfer

 

 

5.3:  CLASSIFICATION OF BIODIVERSITY

  • Binomial System

  • Domains of Life

  • Hierarchy of Taxa

  • Classification

  • Plant Phyla

  • Animal Phyla

  • Vertebrate Classes

  • Dichotomous Keys

  • Past Nomenclatures

  • Archaea vs Eubacteria

  • Animal Complexity

  • Virus Classification

 

 

5.4:  CLADISTICS

  • Clades

  • Cladograms

  • Molecular Evidence

  • Structural Evidence

  • Clade Reclassification

  • In Situ Hybridisation

  • Mitochondrial DNA

 

                                                           TOPIC 6

                                                 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

6.1:  DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION

  • Digestive System

  • Mechanical Digestion

  • Chemical Digestion

  • Small Intestine

  • Absorption

  • Starch Digestion

  • Modelling Digestion

  • Stages of Digestion

  • Lipid Digestion

  • Lipid Absorption

  • Sections of the Gut

 

 

6.2:  THE BLOOD SYSTEM

  • Circulation

  • Arteries

  • Capillaries

  • Veins

  • Vessel Comparison

  • Heart Structure

  • Heart Beat

  • Heart Rate

  • Cardiac Cycle

  • Heart Disease

  • Blood Composition

  • Blood Pressure

  • Electrocardiograph

 

 

6.3:  DEFENCE AGAINST INFECTION DISEASES

  • Surface Barriers

  • Clotting

  • Phagocytes

  • Lymphocytes

  • Antibiotics

  • Penicillin

  • HIV Infection

  • Pathogens

  • Lines of Defence

  • Inflammation

  • Types of Leukocytes

  • Haemophilia

  • Immunity Analogy

 

 

6.4:  GAS EXCHANGE

  • Ventilation

  • Lung Structure

  • Pneumocystis’

  • Mechanism of Breathing

  • Respiratory Muscles

  • Lung Disorders

  • Spirometry

  • Lung Capacity

  • Effect of Exercise

  • More Lung Disorders

 

 

6.5:  NEURONS AND SYNAPSES

  • Neurons

  • Resting Potential

  • Action Potential

  • Nerve Impulses

  • Oscilloscope Traces

  • Myelination

  • Synaptic Transfer

  • Neurotransmitters

  • Graded Potentials

  • Nervous System

  • Stimulus-Response

  • Reflex Actions

  • Summation

  • Types of Neurotransmitters

 

 

6.5:  HORMONES HOMEOSTASIS AND REPRODUCTION

  • Insulin and Glucagon

  • Thyroxin

  • Leptin

  • Melatonin

  • Sexual Reproduction

  • Sex Development

  • Male Reproductive System

  • Female Reproductive System

  • Menstrual Cycle

  • In Vitro Fertilisation

  • Homeostasis

  • Feedback Loops

  • Endocrine System

  • Types of Hormones

  • Gender Issues

  • Menstrual Events

 

  •                                          Additional Higher Level (AHL) Topics

 

                                                                          Topic 7:

                                                                   NUCLEIC ACIDS

7.1:  DNA STRUCTURE AND REPLICATION

  • Hershey and Chase

  • Structure of DNA

  • DNA Replication (HL)

  • Okazaki Fragments

  • DNA Sequencing

  • Non-coding DNA

  • Nucleosomes

  • DNA Experiments

  • Origins of Replication

  • Supercoiling

  • Genes versus Repetitive DNA

  • Telomerase

 

 

7.2:  TRANSCRIPTION AND GENE EXPRESSION

  • Sections of a Gene

  • Transcription (HL)

  • Messenger RNA

  • Gene Expression

  • Epigenetics

  • Types of RNA

  • Operons

  • RNA Interference

  • Reverse Transcription

  • Microarrays

 

 

7.3:  TRANSLATION

  • Ribosomes and tRNA

  • tRNA Activation

  • Translation (HL)

  • Polysomes

  • Protein Destinations

  • Protein Structure

  • Protein Modification

  • Protein Expression

  • Amino Acid Polarity

  • Fibrous vs Globular Proteins

  • Visualising Proteins

 

                                                                 TOPIC:8

                                    METABOLISM, CELL RESPIRATION PHOTOSYNTHESIS

8.1:  METABOLISM

  • Metabolic Pathways

  • Activation Energy

  • Enzyme Inhibition

  • Feedback Inhibition

  • Enzyme Kinetics

  • Rational Drug Design

  • Models of Action

  • Allosterism

  • Yeast-2-Hybrid System

 

 

8.2:  CELL RESPIRATION

  • Energy Conversions

  • Glycolysis

  • Link Reaction

  • Krebs Cycle

  • Electron Transport Chain

  • Aerobic Overview

  • Mitochondria

  • Uses of ATP

  • Energy Sources

  • Anaerobic versus Aerobic Respiration

  • Phosphagen System

 

 

8.3:  PHOTOSYNTHESIS

  • Photosynthesis

  • Light Dependent Reactions

  • Photophosphorylation

  • Light Independent Reactions

  • Calvin Cycle

  • Chloroplast

  • Photosynthesis vs Respiration

  • Accessory Pigments

  • C3, C4 and CAM Plants

  • Global Artificial Photosynthesis Project (GAP project) 

 

                                                             TOPIC: 9

                                                      PLANT BIOLOGY

9.1:  TRANSPORT IN THE XYLEM OF PLANTS

  • Transpiration

  • Evaporation

  • Transpiration Stream

  • Root Uptake

  • Xylem Structure

  • Water Conservation

  • Plant Experiments

  • Leaf Tissue

  • Stem Tissue

  • Root Tissue

 

 

9.2:  TRANSPORT IN  PHLOEM OF PLANTS

  • Active Translocation

  • Phloem Structure

  • Phloem Loading

  • Mass Flow

  • Translocation Rate

  • Xylem versus Phloem

  • Storage Organs

  • Fungal Hyphae

 

 

9.3:  GROWTH IN PLANTS

  • Meristems

  • Apical Growth

  • Auxin

  • Tropisms

  • Micropropagation

  • Lateral Growth

  • Plant Hormones

 

 

9.2:  REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS

  • Plant Reproduction

  • Flowering

  • Flower Structure

  • Photoperiodism

  • Seed Structure

  • Germination

  • Monocots versus Dicots

  • Germination Stages

 

                                                          TOPIC : 10

                                           GENETICS AND EVOLUTION

10.1:  MEIOSIS

  • Interphase

  • Stages of Meiosis

  • Random Assortment

  • Chiasmata

  • Crossing Over

  • Drawing Meiosis

  • Meiosis vs Mitosis

  • Stages of Prophase

  • Mendel and Meiosis

 

 

10.2:  INHERITANCE

  • Dihybrid Crosses

  • Linked Genes

  • Recombinants

  • Chi Squared Test

  • Chi Squared Table

  • Polygenic Traits

  • Test Cross

  • Centimorgan

 

 

10.3:  GENE POOLS AND SPECIATION

  • Evolution

  • Allele Distribution

  • Types of Selection

  • Isolation Barriers

  • Speciation

  • Pace of Speciation

  • Species Caveats

  • Allopolyploidy

  • Extinction

  • Polymorphisms

  • Hardy-Weinberg Principle

 

                                                                               TOPIC: 11

                                                                   ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

11.1:  ANTIBODY PRODUCTION AND VACCINATION

  • Self versus Non-Self

  • Pathogenesis

  • Clonal Selection

  • Antibodies

  • Immunity

  • Allergens

  • Vaccination

  • Monoclonal Antibodies

  • Lymphatic System

  • Immune Pathways

  • Types of Immunity

  • Immune Disorders

 

 

11.2:  MOVEMENT

  • Skeletal Framework

  • Joints

  • Muscles

  • Muscle Fibres

  • Sarcomeres

  • Muscle Contraction

  • State of Contraction

  • Types of Levers

  • Types of Muscles

  • Slow vs Fast Twitch

 

 

11.3:  THE KIDNEY AND OSMOREGULATION

  • Excretory Systems

  • Malpighian Tubules

  • Kidneys

  • Nephrons

  • Ultrafiltration

  • Selective Reabsorption

  • Osmoregulation

  • Water Balance

  • Kidney Disease

  • Kidney Stones

  • Renin

 

 

11.4:  ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

  • Gametogenesis

  • Reproductive Tissue

  • Egg and Sperm

  • Animal Fertilization

  • Human Fertilization

  • Embryo Development

  • Human Chorionic Gonadotropin

  • Placenta

  • Birth Process

  • Gestation Periods

  • Semen Production

  • Amniotic Sa

 

  • OPTIONAL TOPICS

OPTION A

 

  •  

NEUROBIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOR

(CORE TOPICS)

A:1 NEURAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Neurulation

  • Spina Bifida

  • Neuron Development

  • Synaptic Formation

  • Neuroplasticity

  • Strokes

  • Gastrulation

  • Types of Neuroglia

 

 

A:2 THE HUMAN BRAIN

  • Brain Formation

  • Brain Sections

  • Brain Functions

  • Cerebral Cortex

  • Cerebral Hemispheres

  • Autonomic Control

  • Brain Damage

  • Encephalization

  • Brain Metabolism

  • Brain Matter

  • Sensorimotor Areas

  • Blood-Brain Barrier

 

 

A:3 PERCEPTION OF STIMULI

  • Sensory Perception

  • Sensory Structures

  • Photoreception

  • Visual Processing

  • Hearing

  • Vestibular System

  • Olfaction

  • Perception Issues

  • Types of Vision

  • Edge Enhancement

  • Gustation

 

  • OPTION A: NEUROBIOLOGY AND BEHAVIOUR (ADDITIONAL HIGHER LEVEL TOPICS)

 

A:4 INNATE AND LEARNED BEHAVIOUR

  • Innate Behaviour

  • Reflex Arcs

  • Learned Behaviour

  • Conditioning

  • Birdsong Development

  • Memory

  • Habituation

  • Insight Learning

 

 

A:5 NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

  • Synaptic Transmission

  • Neuromodulators

  • Psychoactive Drugs

  • Anesthetics

  • Endorphins

  • Addiction

  • Types of Neurotransmitters

  • Anti-Drug Vaccines

 

 

A:6 ETHOLOGY

  • Ethology

  • Migration

  • Altruism

  • Foraging

  • Breeding Behaviours

  • Innate versus Learned Behaviour

  • Social Hierarchies

  • Sexual Dimorphism

 

  • OPTION B: BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS (CORE TOPICS)

 

B:1 MICROBIOLOGY: ORGANISMS IN INDUSTRY

  • Microorganisms

  • Gram Staining

  • Bactericides

  • Fermenters

  • Batch versus Continuous Culture

  • Pathway Engineering

  • Biogas Production

  • Archaea versus Eubacteria

  • Types of Eubacteria

  • Biofuels

 

 

B:2 BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

  • Transgenics

  • Gene Identification

  • Gene Delivery Systems

  • Gene Expression

  • GM Crops

  • Environmental Impact

  • Other GM Examples

  • Edible Vaccines

 

 

B:3 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

  • Bioremediation

  • Pollutant Metabolism

  • Biofilms

  • Use of Biofilms

  • Bacteriophages

  • Eutrophication

  • Plastic Pollution

  • Biomagnification

 

  • OPTION B: BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS (ADDITIONAL HIGHER LEVEL TOPICS)

 

B:4 MEDICINE

  • Disease Markers

  • DNA Microarrays

  • PCR Analysis

  • enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)

  • Tracking Experiments

  • Biopharming

  • Gene Therapy

  • Pharmacogenomics

  • Gene Editing

  • Yeast-2-Hybrid System

 

 

B:5 BIOINFORMATICS

  • Databases

  • Gene Discovery

  • Sequence Alignment

  • Phylogenetics

  • Gene Knockouts

  • RNA Interference

  • Allele Frequencies

 

 

C:1 SPECIES AND COMMUNITIES

  • Survival Factors

  • Species Distribution

  • Ecological Niche

  • Species Interactions

  • Keystone Species

  • Plant Survival

  • Animal Survival

 

 

C:2  COMMUNITIES AND ECOSYSTEM

  • Trophic Levels

  • Energy Conversions

  • Feed Conversion Ratio

  • Types of Ecosystems

  • Ecosystem Analysis

  • Primary Succession

  • Ecological Disturbance

  • Types of Biomes

  • Ecological Pyramids

  • Sustainable Food Practices

 

 

C:3  IMPACTS OF HUMANS ON  ECOSYSTEMS

  • Invasive Species

  • Biological Control

  • Biomagnification

  • Plastic Pollution

  • Chlorofluorocarbons

  • Earth Spheres

 

 

C:4  CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY

  • Indicator Species

  • Biodiversity

  • Biogeographic Factors

  • Conservation

  • Endangered Species

  • Extinction

 

  • OPTION C: ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION (ADDITIONAL HIGHER LEVEL TOPICS)

 

C:5  POPULATION ECOLOGY

  • Population Size

  • Population Sampling

  • Population Growth

  • Sigmoid Growth Curve

  • Population Factors

  • Sustainable Yields

  • r / K Strategies

  • Population Clocks

  •  

 

C:6  NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS CYCLES

  • Nitrogen Cycle

  • Waterlogging

  • Phosphorus Cycle

  • Phosphate Availability

  • Eutrophication

  • Soil Content

  • Haber Process

  • Sulphur Cycle

 

  • OPTION D: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY ( CORE TOPICS)

 

D:1  HUMAN NUTRITION

  • Essential Nutrients

  • Energy Sources

  • Amino Acids

  • Lipids

  • Vitamins

  • Minerals

  • Appetite and Diet

  • Dietary Intake

  • Food Pyramids

  • Dietary Supplements

 

 

D:2  DIGESTION

  • Exocrine Glands

  • Gastric Secretions

  • Stomach Acid

  • Intestinal Villi

  • Dietary Fibre

  • Digestive Infections

  • Digestive Juices

  • Gastric Pits

 

 

D:3  FUNCTION OF THE LIVER

  • Liver Blood Flow

  • Liver Structure

  • Nutrient Supply

  • Detoxification

  • Plasma Proteins

  • Erythrocyte Recycling

  • Jaundice

  • Deamination

  • Liver and Alcohol

 

 

D:4  THE HEART

  • Cardiac Muscle

  • Cardiac Conduction

  • Heart Sounds

  • Electrocardiography

  • Cardiac Output

  • Heart Disorders

  • Heart Treatments

  • Circulation

  • Heart Measurements

 

  • OPTION D: HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY ( ADDITIONAL HIGHER LEVEL TOPICS)

 

 

  • Endocrine Glands

  • Types of Hormones

  • Pituitary Gland

  • Growth Hormone

  • Lactation

  • Types of Signalling

  • Hormone Comparison

  • Feedback Loops

  • Iodine Deficiency

 

 

 

  • Lung Tissue

  • Oxygen Dissociation Curve

  • Carbon Dioxide Transport

  • Blood pH

  • Bohr Shift

  • Respiratory Control

  • High Altitude Training

  • Emphysema

  • Asthma

  • Lung Cance

 

1.4:  MEMBRANE TRANSPORT

 

  • Types of Transport

  • Simple Diffusion

  • Osmosis

  • Osmolarity

  • Facilitated Diffusion

  • Active Transport

  • Vesicular Transport

  • Bulk Transport

  • Cotransport

  • Kidney Dialysis

 

 

1.5:  THE ORIGIN OF CELLS

 

  • Non-living Synthesis

  • Biogenesis

  • Endosymbiosis

  • Origins of Life

  • RNA World Hypothesis

  • Oxygen Enrichment

 

 

1.6 CELL DIVISION

 

  • Cell Cycle

  • Interphase

  • DNA Supercoiling

  • Mitosis

  • Cytokinesis

  • Mitotic Index

  • Cyclins

  • Cancer Development

  • Smoking and Cancer

  • Cell Checkpoints

  • Cell Death

2.6:  STRUCTURE OF DNA AND RNA

  • Nucleotides

  • DNA versus RNA

  • DNA Structure

  • Watson & Crick

  • Nitrogenous Bases

  • Types of RNA

 

 

2.7:  DNA REPLICATION, TRANSCRIPTION AND TRANSLATION

  • Semi-Conservative

  • DNA Replication

  • polymerase chain reaction

  • Transcription

  • Genetic Code

  • Translation

  • Universality

  • Sequence Decoding

  • Central Dogma

  • Translation Analogy

  • Degeneracy

  • Point Mutations

 

 

2.8:  CELL RESPIRATION

  • ATP Production

  • Anaerobic Respiration

  • Aerobic Respiration

  • Yeast Fermentation

  • Respirometer

  • Energy Sources

  • Uses of ATP

  • Anaerobic vs Aerobic

 

 

2.9:  PHOTOSYNTHESIS

  • Photosynthesis

  • Light Spectrum

  • Chlorophyll

  • Action Spectrum

  • Photosynthetic Reactions

  • Chromatographs

  • Limiting Factors

  • Oxygenation of Earth

  • Chloroplasts

  • Chloroplasts

3.4:  INHERITANCE

  •  Mendel’s Laws

  • Haploid Gametes

  • Types of Zygosity

  • Modes of Inheritance

  • Punnett Grids

  • Sex Linked Genes

  • Gene Mutation Rates

  • Pedigree Charts

  • Role of Environment

  • Lethal Alleles

  • Epistasis

  • Pleiotropy

  • X-Inactivation

  • Mosaicism

 

 

3.5:  GENETIC MODIFICATION AND BIOTECHNOLOGY

  • polymerase chain reaction

  • Gel Electrophoresis

  • DNA Profiling

  • Gene Transfer

  • GMO Debate

  • Clones

  • Natural Cloning

  • Artificial Cloning

  • Stem Cuttings

  • Vector Delivery

  • Examples of GMOs

  • cDNA and Microarrays

  • Gene Therapy

  • Gene Silencing

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