Biology Revision

Definitions
Osmosis- passive diffusion of free water molecules across a differentially permeable membrane from a
solution in which there are more free molecules (a dilute solution) to a solution in which there are less
free water molecules (a more concentrated solution)
Diffusion- random movement of particles from a high concentration to a low concentration
SA:VBiomass- amount of new growth (plant and animal tissue) that accumulates in an ecosystem; usually
measured as mass per unit area (g/m) or the equivalent amount of chemical energy bound in the mass
of tissue (kJ/m)
Abundance- how many; abundance equals
No. captures x no. recaptured
No. marked in recapture
Distribution- where certain species are found
Decomposer- bacteria and fungi that consume and break down dead plants and animals and their
waste products (organic matter) into soluble organic molecules (such as sugars) and eventually into
inorganic nutrients (e.g. phosphorus, carbon dioxide)
ProducerCarnivore- animal that catches live prey for food, also called predator
Herbivore- an animal such as the kangaroo or rabbit, that grazes directly on a produce such as a plant
Autotrophic- self-feeding plant cell. Plant cells which contain chloroplast are able to produce their own
nutrient requirement by photosynthesis
Heterotrophic- feeding off something different; animals must obtain the substances they need from
their external environment
Xylem- tissue composed of xylem vessels, tracheids, supporting fibres and parenchyma. Responsible
for the transport of water and minerals from the soil to leaves of plants.
Phloem- plant tissue through which sugars and other organic compounds are distributed to different part
of the place. In flowering plants, phloem consist of sieve tubes, companion cells and fibres
Epidermis- outermost layer of cells in plants and animals
Mesophyll- thin-walled, loosely packed photosynthetic plant tissue that forms the ground tissue of
leaves
Abiotic- relating to the physical parts of the environment (never been living)
Biotic- relating to the biological parts of the environment (living or once living)
VariableReliablePhotosynthesis- plant process involving the use of light energy to combine carbon dioxide and water to
make glucose
Meiosis- a cell division which reduces the number of chromosomes in the parents cell by half and
produces four daughter cells. The products of meiosis are gametes.
Dichotomous
Stomate- tiny epidermal pore bounded by two highly specialised guard cells; they are the main route
through which gas exchange occurs in plants.

Revision Questions
1. What is the cell theory?
The cell theory states
a. cells are the smallest units of life
b. all living organisms are made up of cells
c. all cells come from pre-existing cells.
2. Outline the development of the microscope
Before scientists could develop the cell theory they had to develop the microscope because cells
are microscopic. The first study of cells recorded was by Robert Hooke who describes the cells of a
cook as little boxes. In 1831 Robert Brown identified the nucleus.
As the microscope got stronger and clearer, more detailed in the cell was revealed. All specimens
viewed could be seen to be made of cells. The cell was then determined the basic unit of life.
3. Describe and know the roles of cell organelles
Organelle
Location
Function
Nucleus
Surrounded by the
The control centre of the
cytoplasm
cell, contain
chromosomes DNA
(genetic info)
Cytoplasm
Fluid content of cell
Contains many
organelles, it is where
most cell activities are
carried out
Cell Wall
In plant cells only
Protects and supports
the cells, forms a bridge
between adjacent cells
Chloroplast
In cytoplasm of plant
The site of
cells
photosynthesis, may
serve as an organelle for
storing starch
Vacuole
In the cytoplasm
Filled with fluid made up
of water and dissolved
substances such as
sugars and salts
mitochondria
In the cytoplasm
The site of aerobic
respiration the chemical
reaction which produce
energy in the form of a
molecule called ATP
Golgi Bodies
In the cytoplasm
Concerned with linking
chemicals, such a
carbohydrates to
proteins. Storing
chemicals, concentration
and secreting chemicals
Lysosomes
In the cytoplasm
Contain special enzymes
that dissolve substances
in the cells
Endoplasmic reticulum
Throughout the
Connects the cell
cytoplasm
membrane with the
nuclear membrane,
involved in transport of
materials

ribosomes

In the cytoplasm,

The site of protein

Appearance/diagram

often attached to the

endoplasmic
reticulum
nucleolus

Found in the nucleus

Cell Membrane

Around the entire cell

synthesis which involved

linking amino acids
together in the correct
sequence
Nucleolus in involved

Hold the cell contents in

shape, controls the
movement of substances
into and out of the cell

4. Distinguish between plant and animal cells

5. Distinguish between measuring the distribution and abundance of organisms and the
methods involved
Distribution refers to where a certain specie is found whilst abundance refers to how many are
found. Distribution is found by using a transect and recording all the species of both plants and
animals found in a straight line over a certain distance. Abundance is found by using the Capturerecapture method, with the formula being
No. captured x no. recaptured
No marker in recapture
6. How do you construct a proper graph in Biology?
LINE GRAPH
7. Can you compare and contrast things such as:
a. Mitosis and meiosis
Meiosis involves two (having sex) and mitosis involves one dividing into two new identical
daughter cells
b. Internal and external fertilisation
Internal fertilisation occurs inside the body of the female In animals or in the female part of the
plant in sexually reproducing plants. It is the characteristic of most land animals.
External fertilisation takes place outside the body and is a characteristics of most aquatic
organisms. Gametes are shed directly into the water, fertilisation occurs and the fertilised egg develop
according to the organisms life cycle into adults.
c. Photosynthesis and respiration
Photosynthesis is the plant process involving the use of light energy to combine carbon dioxide
and water to make glucose. Respiration is the process by which cells obtain energy. In these process
organic molecules, particularly sugars, are broken down to produce carbon dioxide and water, and
energy is released.
8. Can you construct a dichotomous key from a list of items in order to distinguish them from
one another?

9. Describe the role of a specific Procaryotic organism and is role in the environment
Procaryotes (bacteria and cyanobacteria) are single-celled organisms that are among the
simplest forms of life. They lack a nucleus and the internal membrane structures of eukaryotes. They
were they were the first living things on Earth and their presence changed the Earth in a very significant
way. It was in prokaryotes that anaerobic respiration, photosynthesis and aerobic respiration evolved.

10. Outline some paleontological evidence that assists with understanding the early origins of
life
Palaeontology is the study of fossils which provides evidence that living organisms have changed
over time. The earliest fossil found are of two types: microfossils which are similar to present day singlecelled anaerobic Procaryotic organisms and stromolites, which are layered mats of photosynthetic
prokaryotic cells called cyanobacteria. These two types of fossils are found in rocks up to 3400-3500
million years old from Western Australia.
11. Provide a scientific explanation for adaptations of plants and animals and how they assist
their survival
Adaptations of plants and animals are a inherited characteristics which are the result of natural
selection. When looking for adaptations in organism, care needs to be taken that the characteristics are
in fact inheritable, and not the result of a particular individuals life history.
12. Outline the method used in an experiment clearly so results obtained will be valid and
reliable

13. Describe a specific ecosystem and be able to answer specific questions related to the biotic
and abiotic factors involved

14. Compare and contrast sexual and asexual reproduction and the need for both in an
ecosystem
Asexual reproduction is reproduction by only one parent where there are no gametes produced
and there is not fertilisation. Some examples of asexual reproduction include binary fission, spore
formation, budding, vegetative propagation and regeneration.
Sexual reproduction occurs when as organism produces special sex cells or gametes in the
reproductive organs, two different types a produce (one from the male and one from the female; usually
from two different individuals). The parents come together and fuse in a process known as fertilisation
which results in a cell known as a zygote. The single-celled zygote then divides by mitosis to form the
new individual.
15. Explain the need to classify organisms into groups and some of the internationally
recognised systems used today
There have been many ways that lving things have been classified at the kingdom level. Living
things can be classified into the following kingdom levels 2 kingdoms- plants and animals
3 kingdoms- protists, plants and animals
4 kingdoms- monera, protists, plants and animals
5 kingdoms- fungi, monera, protists, plants and animals
6 kingdoms- fungi, archaeobacteria, eubacteria protists, plants and animals

16. Compare and contrast the digestive system of a herbivore and a carnivore relating to diet
Most animals have four types of teeth to help with digestion, these include Incisors and canines- which are single teeth for cutting
Premolars and molars- which are double teeth for grinding

In mammals, the type of teeth depends largely on the sorts of food eaten. Carnivores (animals
that eat other animals) have large canines to tear and rip meat carcases; they include animals such as
dogs, tiger and Tassie Devils. Herbivores (animals that eat plants) have no canines, but have large flat
double teeth to grind plant food. They include cow, kangaroos and koalas.
17. Analyse and draw conclusions from food webs
In most ecosystems there is more than one primary consumer and animals often eat more than
one thing. To show the complex feeding interactions in an ecosystem, we use a food web. At the bottom
(start) of the food web is the producer and the arrows point in the direction that the energy and matter
flows.