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Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
Study animal tissues, organs and organ systems in AQA GCSE Biology 8461 using approved subtopics and learning objectives from the official specification structure.
82
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
90 min
Study time
AqaGcseBiologyOrganisation
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82 objective pages available
The human digestive system18 objectives
- Explain that the digestive system is an organ system in which several organs work together to digest and absorb food.
- Describe the role of enzymes as biological catalysts in digestion.
- Explain that enzyme action depends on the shape of the active site.
- Use the lock-and-key model as a simplified explanation of enzyme action.
- Explain how temperature changes can affect enzyme activity.
- Explain how pH changes can affect enzyme activity.
- Recall that amylase is a carbohydrase that breaks starch down into simple sugars.
- Recall that proteases break proteins down into amino acids.
- Recall that lipases break lipids into glycerol and fatty acids.
- Recall the main sites of production and action of amylase, proteases and lipases.
- Explain that digestive enzymes convert large insoluble food molecules into small soluble molecules that can be absorbed into the blood.
- Explain how the products of digestion are used to build new carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, and how some glucose is used in respiration.
- Explain that bile is made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder.
- Explain how bile neutralises stomach acid and emulsifies fats to increase the rate of fat digestion.
- Interpret simple word equations linked to digestion without needing symbol equations.
- Describe the required practical for testing foods with Benedict's solution, iodine solution and Biuret reagent.
- Describe how to investigate the effect of pH on amylase using continuous sampling and iodine.
- Calculate and compare reaction rates in enzyme investigations.
The heart and blood vessels13 objectives
- Describe the structure and function of the human heart in outline.
- Explain that the heart pumps blood around the body in a double circulatory system.
- Explain the role of the right ventricle in pumping blood to the lungs.
- Explain the role of the left ventricle in pumping blood to the rest of the body.
- Recall the names and roles of the aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein and coronary arteries.
- Explain that knowledge of heart valve names is not required, but faulty valves affect blood flow.
- Describe the basic structures of the lungs that are required, including trachea, bronchi, alveoli and surrounding capillaries.
- Explain how lungs and alveoli are adapted for efficient gas exchange.
- Explain that natural resting heart rate is controlled by a group of cells in the right atrium acting as a pacemaker.
- Explain how artificial pacemakers can correct irregular heart rhythms.
- Compare arteries, veins and capillaries.
- Explain how the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries is related to function.
- Use simple compound measures and rate calculations in the context of blood flow.
Blood8 objectives
- Explain that blood is a tissue made of plasma with cells and platelets suspended in it.
- Describe the function of plasma in transporting substances.
- Describe the function and adaptations of red blood cells.
- Describe the function of white blood cells in defending against disease.
- Describe the function of platelets in clotting.
- Recognise different blood cells in diagrams or microscope images.
- Explain how blood cells are adapted to their functions.
- Evaluate risks linked to the use of blood products.
Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease9 objectives
- Explain that coronary heart disease happens when fatty material builds up in the coronary arteries.
- Explain how narrowing of the coronary arteries reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to heart muscle.
- Describe how stents help to keep coronary arteries open.
- Explain how statins lower blood cholesterol and slow further build-up in arteries.
- Explain the consequences of faulty heart valves.
- Compare biological and mechanical replacement valves.
- Describe the role of donor heart or heart-lung transplants in severe heart failure.
- Explain how artificial hearts can keep patients alive or support recovery while waiting for treatment.
- Evaluate different treatments for cardiovascular disease by comparing benefits, risks and limitations.
Health issues12 objectives
- Define health as a state of physical and mental well-being.
- Explain the difference between communicable and non-communicable disease.
- Explain that disease is a major cause of ill health and that factors such as diet, stress and life situations also affect health.
- Describe how different types of disease can interact.
- Explain how defects in the immune system can increase the chance of infectious disease.
- Explain how viruses in cells can trigger cancers.
- Explain how immune reactions caused by pathogens can trigger allergies such as skin rashes and asthma.
- Explain how severe physical ill health can contribute to depression and other mental illness.
- Translate disease-incidence information between graphical and numerical forms.
- Construct and interpret frequency tables, bar charts, histograms and scatter diagrams in health contexts.
- Use scatter diagrams to identify correlation in health data.
- Explain the principles of sampling as applied to epidemiological data.
The effect of lifestyle on some non-communicable diseases16 objectives
- Discuss the human and financial cost of non-communicable diseases to individuals, communities and wider populations.
- Explain how diet affects the incidence of non-communicable disease.
- Explain how alcohol affects the incidence of non-communicable disease.
- Explain how smoking affects the incidence of non-communicable disease.
- Define a risk factor as something linked to an increased rate of disease.
- Distinguish between lifestyle risk factors and risk factors from substances in the body or environment.
- Explain that some risk factors have proven causal mechanisms, while others are supported mainly by correlation.
- Explain the effects of diet, smoking and exercise on cardiovascular disease.
- Explain why obesity is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes.
- Explain the effects of alcohol on the liver and brain function.
- Explain the effects of smoking on lung disease and lung cancer.
- Explain the effects of smoking and alcohol on unborn babies.
- Explain why carcinogens, including ionising radiation, increase cancer risk.
- Interpret data about risk factors for specified diseases.
- Apply sampling ideas to data about risk factors.
- Extract and interpret information from charts, tables, graphs and scatter diagrams about risk factors.
Cancer6 objectives
- Explain that cancer results from changes in cells that cause uncontrolled growth and division.
- Describe benign tumours as abnormal cell growths contained in one area.
- Describe malignant tumours as cancers that invade neighbouring tissues.
- Explain how malignant cells can spread in the blood and form secondary tumours elsewhere in the body.
- Explain that lifestyle risk factors increase the chance of some cancers.
- Explain that some cancers are also linked to genetic risk factors.
Key terms
digestive systemExplainenzymesDescribeactive siteenzymeexplanationactivityaffectpHamylaseRecall
Exam tips
- The human digestive system exam tip 1: Use precise biological vocabulary when you explain how to explain that the digestive system is an organ system in which several organs work together to digest and absorb food..
- The human digestive system exam tip 1: Use precise biological vocabulary when you explain how to describe the role of enzymes as biological catalysts in digestion..
Common mistakes
- The human digestive system common mistake 1: Answer by clearly explaining how to explain that the digestive system is an organ system in which several organs work together to digest and absorb food..
- The human digestive system common mistake 1: Answer by clearly explaining how to describe the role of enzymes as biological catalysts in digestion..
Practice preview
- Which statement correctly describes digestive system in The human digestive system?
- Which option best explains digestive system within Animal tissues, organs and organ systems?
- A student is revising Animal tissues, organs and organ systems. Which statement would help them apply digestive system correctly?
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