Cell division

 What role does serendipity have in science? Give an example of a relevant discovery.

 Explain how mitosis produces two genetically identical daughter nuclei. Include the sequence and events
of the four phases of mitosis.

 What is meant by supercoiling?

 What is the difference between cytokinesis in plants and animals?

 Why interphase is considered an active phase of the cell cycle. Outline the events that happen during
interphase.

 Explain the role of cyclins.

 Explain the relationship between mutagens, oncogenes, and metastasis.

 Outline the correlation between smoking and the incidence of cancer.


 Explain how you would use visual cues to identify the phases of mitosis in cell viewed with a microscope
or in a micrograph.

 Explain how to determine a mitotic index from a micrograph.

 Explain the difference between the term chromosome and chromatid and when they should be used

Origin of cells

 Discuss the statement "cells can only come from pre-existing cells" and the questions it raises.
 Discuss the statement "the first cells must have arisen from non-living material".
 Explain the endosymbiotic theory including the evidence that supports this idea.
 Outline Pasteur’s experiments that show that spontaneous generation of life does not now occur on Earth.
 The genetic code is basically the same for all living organisms, with a few differences. How is this
significant?
 All scientific ideas need to be tested. How would you go about trying to verify the following statement:
cells only come from pre-existing cells?

Molecules to metabolism 

 Define molecular biology.

 How many bonds are formed by each of the following types of atoms: carbon, nitrogen, oxygen,
hydrogen
 Name 4 major groups of carbon compounds that life is based from.
 Outline what is meant by the term metabolism.
 Compare the terms anabolism and catabolism.
 Explain how the artificial synthesis of urea helped to falsify vitalism.
 Draw the following molecular diagrams: glucose (ring form, alpha-D and beta-D), ribose (ring form/D-
ribose), a saturated fatty acid, a generalized amino acid (include the R-group).
 Explain how you would use visual cues to identify the following biochemicals: sugars (monosaccharides
and disaccharides), lipids (tryglycerides, phospholipids, steroids), amino acids.

WATER
 Outline how polarity and hydrogen bonds are related in water molecules.

 Explain the cohesive, adhesive, thermal, and solvent properties of water based on hydrogen bonding and
dipolarity

 Compare the terms hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

 Compare the thermal properties of water with methane. Why is this comparison significant?

 Explain the use of water as a coolant in sweat.

 Outline a benefit to living organisms for each of the following properties of water: cohesive, adhesive,
thermal, solvent

 What are the criteria that can be used to distinguish scientific claims from pseudoscientific claims?

Explain the reasons for cell division in living organims. 8 marks

 to increase the number of cells in an organism

 to allow differentiation/ cell specialization
 for greater efficiency
 to replace damaged/ lost cells
 example

 binary fission
 asexual reproduction of unicellular organisms
 gamete/ spore formation

 cells only arise from pre-existing cells

 refer to Virchow
 cells cannot grow beyond a certain size
 surface area to volume ratio becomes too small
 transport across the membrane too slow
 example
 nucleus cannot control the cell

 control of cell division sometimes lost

 tumor formation

7. Outline the processes that occur in a cell during interphase, including those needed to
prepare for mitosis. 4 marks

 DNA replication
 DNA transcription
 enzyme/ protein synthesis
 biochemical reactions/ example of a biochemical reaction
 cell respiration
 growth