As I have been back at school I have not been able to keep up with the blog as much as I was over Easter break.. I leave school this Friday for study leave and will be finishing all blogs next week (iGCSE Chemistry, iGCSE Physics and iGCSE Biology), sorry for any inconvenience, thank you for sticking with me! If you have any questions about any posts do not hesitate to comment and I will reply as soon as possibly, hope any exams you have already done went smoothly (for those doing Cambridge iGCSE english... what was the obsession with the bees?), good luck for any doing art and textiles exams over the next few days also. I will endeavour to finish the blogs as soon as possible next week so I have all the rest of study leave to answer any questions or anything you have. Good luck once more, I know you will all do amazing :)
Millie
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
Sunday, 10 April 2016
3.2 understand that fertilisation involves the fusion of a male and female gamete to produce a zygote that undergoes cell division and developed into an embryo
When fertilisation occurs, a male gamete fuses with a female gamete to form a zygote (aka a fertilised egg). This zygote will then undergo cell division by mitosis (reproducing genetically identical cells), this develops into an embryo (effectively a ball of cells).
The embryo contains chromosomes from mum and dad and therefore receives characteristics from both parents. The process of fertilisation is random resulting in genetic variation.
NOTE: Gametes are haploid cells meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes (23) instead of the full 46 like in every other cell. This means that the zygote ends up with a full set of chromosomes (46) as the male gamete (of 23 chromosomes) will fuse with the female gamete (of 23 chromosomes) when fertilisation occurs.
The embryo contains chromosomes from mum and dad and therefore receives characteristics from both parents. The process of fertilisation is random resulting in genetic variation.
NOTE: Gametes are haploid cells meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes (23) instead of the full 46 like in every other cell. This means that the zygote ends up with a full set of chromosomes (46) as the male gamete (of 23 chromosomes) will fuse with the female gamete (of 23 chromosomes) when fertilisation occurs.
3.1 understand the difference between sexual and asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction (e.g. flowering plants) involves one parent and mitosis (cell division where the cell reproduces itself by splitting to form two genetically identical cells with identical sets of chromosomes), sexual reproduction (e.g. humans) involves two parents and meiosis (cell division producing 4 haploid cells that are not identical).
Definitions for exam...
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent. The offspring have identical genes to the parent, so there is no variation between parent and offspring.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes. Because there are two parents, the offspring contain a mixture of their parent's genes.
definition source: CGP
Definitions for exam...
Asexual reproduction involves only one parent. The offspring have identical genes to the parent, so there is no variation between parent and offspring.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of male and female gametes. Because there are two parents, the offspring contain a mixture of their parent's genes.
definition source: CGP
2.90 understand the sources, roles and effects of the following hormones: ADH, adrenaline, insulin, testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen
ADH
Source: Pituitary gland
Role(s): ADH controls water content
Effect(s): Increases/decreases the permeability of the kidney tubules (in the nephrons) to allow more/less water to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream
Adrenaline
Source: Adrenal gland
Role(s): Hypes your body up, makes you ready for action
Effect(s): Increases your heart rate, increasing your blood flow to muscles (as faster heart rate means blood is pumped quicker) and increases your blood sugar levels
Insulin
Source: Pancreas
Role(s): helps to control blood sugar levels
Effect(s): Stimulates the liver to turn glucose into glycogen for storage
Testosterone
Source: Testes
Role(s): Testosterone is the main male sex hormone
Effect(s): Promotes male secondary sexual characteristics (post 3.12)
Progesterone
Source: Ovaries
Role(s): helps in pregnancy
Effect(s): maintains the lining of the uterus (so the fertilised egg can implant itself there)
Oestrogen
Source: Ovaries
Role(s): oestrogen is the main female sex hormone
Effect(s): Controls the menstrual cycle, promotes female secondary sexual characteristics (post 3.12)
Source: Pituitary gland
Role(s): ADH controls water content
Effect(s): Increases/decreases the permeability of the kidney tubules (in the nephrons) to allow more/less water to be reabsorbed into the bloodstream
Adrenaline
Source: Adrenal gland
Role(s): Hypes your body up, makes you ready for action
Effect(s): Increases your heart rate, increasing your blood flow to muscles (as faster heart rate means blood is pumped quicker) and increases your blood sugar levels
Source: Pancreas
Role(s): helps to control blood sugar levels
Effect(s): Stimulates the liver to turn glucose into glycogen for storage
Testosterone
Source: Testes
Role(s): Testosterone is the main male sex hormone
Effect(s): Promotes male secondary sexual characteristics (post 3.12)
Progesterone
Source: Ovaries
Role(s): helps in pregnancy
Effect(s): maintains the lining of the uterus (so the fertilised egg can implant itself there)
Oestrogen
Source: Ovaries
Role(s): oestrogen is the main female sex hormone
Effect(s): Controls the menstrual cycle, promotes female secondary sexual characteristics (post 3.12)
2.89 describe the role of the skin in temperature regulation, with reference to sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation
When you are cold (and need to warm up)
- Blood vessels near the surface of the skin constrict (tighten) so that less heat can be transferred from the blood to the surroundings (this is vasoconstriction)
- You shiver to generate heat in your muscles (exercise will do the same thing, you just heat up)
- Very little sweat is produced (as sweat can cool you down)
- Hairs (on your arms, for example) stand on end (perpendicular to your skin) to trap a layer of air which will act as an insulator to keep you warm
When you are too hot (and need to cool down)
- Blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate (widen) so that more blood can flow near the surface, allowing for more heat to radiate into the surroundings (this is vasodilation)
- You produce lots of sweat as, when it evaporates, it transfers heat from your skin to your surroundings (this cools you down)
- Your hairs lie flat to avoid any insulating layers of air being trapped
- Blood vessels near the surface of the skin constrict (tighten) so that less heat can be transferred from the blood to the surroundings (this is vasoconstriction)
- You shiver to generate heat in your muscles (exercise will do the same thing, you just heat up)
- Very little sweat is produced (as sweat can cool you down)
- Hairs (on your arms, for example) stand on end (perpendicular to your skin) to trap a layer of air which will act as an insulator to keep you warm
When you are too hot (and need to cool down)
- Blood vessels near the surface of the skin dilate (widen) so that more blood can flow near the surface, allowing for more heat to radiate into the surroundings (this is vasodilation)
- You produce lots of sweat as, when it evaporates, it transfers heat from your skin to your surroundings (this cools you down)
- Your hairs lie flat to avoid any insulating layers of air being trapped
2.88 understand the function of the eye in focusing nearing distant objects, and in responding to changes in light intensity
By changing the shape of the lens the eye can focus on things near/far (this is known as accommodation). By changing the shape of the pupil the eye can adjust to different lighting intensities (e.g. see in bright light as well dim light).
Near objects
The ciliary muscle will contract (slackening the suspensory ligaments), this makes the lens appear more 'fat' (basically, its a little more curved).
Distant objects
The ciliary muscles relax and the suspensory ligaments contract, this makes the lens flatter
Light intensity
Bright light - triggers a reflex that makes the circular muscles contract causing radial muscles to relax, making the pupil smaller (allowing less light to enter so you don't get blinded). Light receptors detect bright light and send a message along a sensory neurone to an unconscious part of the brain, the message is passed onto a relay neurone that relays the message to a motor neurone which tells the circular muscle (the effector) in the iris to contract.
Dim light - this triggers a reflex that makes the radial muscles contract and circular muscles relax, this makes the pupil bigger allowing more light to enter. This works as light receptors detect a dim light and send a message to the sensory neurone to an unconscious part of the brain, this message is then passed to a relay neurone which relays it to a motor neurone which tells the redial muscles (the effector) to contract.
image source: midlandstech.edu
Near objects
The ciliary muscle will contract (slackening the suspensory ligaments), this makes the lens appear more 'fat' (basically, its a little more curved).
Distant objects
The ciliary muscles relax and the suspensory ligaments contract, this makes the lens flatter
Light intensity
Bright light - triggers a reflex that makes the circular muscles contract causing radial muscles to relax, making the pupil smaller (allowing less light to enter so you don't get blinded). Light receptors detect bright light and send a message along a sensory neurone to an unconscious part of the brain, the message is passed onto a relay neurone that relays the message to a motor neurone which tells the circular muscle (the effector) in the iris to contract.
Dim light - this triggers a reflex that makes the radial muscles contract and circular muscles relax, this makes the pupil bigger allowing more light to enter. This works as light receptors detect a dim light and send a message to the sensory neurone to an unconscious part of the brain, this message is then passed to a relay neurone which relays it to a motor neurone which tells the redial muscles (the effector) to contract.
image source: midlandstech.edu
Friday, 8 April 2016
2.87 describe the structure and function of the eye as a receptor
The eye detects when light is strong/little and enlarges/shrinks the pupil when necessary (shrinking in bright light and enlarging in dim light)
Conjunctiva - this lubricates and protects the surface of the eye
Cornea - bends (refracts) light into the eye (it is transparent and has no blood vessels supplying it with oxygen so oxygen diffuses in from the outer surface)
Iris - this controls the diameter of the pupil, therefore it controls how much light enters the eye (big pupil = lots of light, little pupil = little light)
Lens - focuses the light onto the retina
Retina - the light-sensitive part of the eye. It is covered with light receptors known as rods and cones (rods are more sensitive in dim light but cannot see colour, cones are sensitive to colours but are not very good in dim light, cones are found all over the retina but mostly at the fovea)
Optic nerve - this carries impulses to the brain
image credit: BBC
Conjunctiva - this lubricates and protects the surface of the eye
Cornea - bends (refracts) light into the eye (it is transparent and has no blood vessels supplying it with oxygen so oxygen diffuses in from the outer surface)
Iris - this controls the diameter of the pupil, therefore it controls how much light enters the eye (big pupil = lots of light, little pupil = little light)
Lens - focuses the light onto the retina
Retina - the light-sensitive part of the eye. It is covered with light receptors known as rods and cones (rods are more sensitive in dim light but cannot see colour, cones are sensitive to colours but are not very good in dim light, cones are found all over the retina but mostly at the fovea)
Optic nerve - this carries impulses to the brain
image credit: BBC
notes credit: CGP
2.86 describe the structure and functioning of a simple reflex arc illustrated by the withdrawal of a finger from a hot object.
- the pain receptor is stimulated by the hot pan
- electrical impulses travel along the sensory neurone to the central nervous system
- in the central nervous system the electrical impulses are passed onto a relay neurone
- relay neurones pass the message to a motor neurone (via a synapse)
- the electrical impulse will then travel from the motor neurone to the muscle
- the muscle contracts and your hand moves away from the hot pan
NOTE: the gap inbetween neurones is known as the 'synapse' and messages are passed across these synapses using chemicals
Photo credit: Xth notes
|
2.85 understand that stimulation of receptors in the sense organs send electrical impulses along nerves into and out of the central nervous system, resulting in rapid responses
When receptor in a sense organ detect a stimulus, electrical impulses are sent along sensory neurones (nerves) to the central nervous system (either to your spinal chord or an unconscious part of the brain). In the central nervous system, the sensory neurone passes the message onto the relay neurone - the gap between is called a synapse (the message is passed across the synapse with the help of chemicals). Next, relay neurones pass the message on to a motor neurone. The message will pass from a motor neurone to the effector. Lastly, the effector reacts (for example, a muscle will contract). This happens super duper quickly as they are automatic responses as you don't think about them (as they do not pass through the conscious part of your brain).
In other words, this is the reflex arc...
In other words, this is the reflex arc...
2.84 understand that the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal chord and is linked to sense organs by nerves
The nervous system is made of all of the neurones in your body (including sensory, relay and motor neurones). However, the central nervous system consists of only the brain and the spinal chord. The central nervous system (CNS) is linked to sense organs (eyes, skin, nose, tongue, ears) by sensory neurones (these are nerves).
2.81 describe the geotropic responses of roots and stems
Okay so i've included a little about what auxins are which I have put in red but if you don't need that just skip past the red...
Auxins are the plant hormones which control growth at the tips of roots and shoots of plants - incase you were wondering, they move to the tips of the shoots and roots in a solution (they are dissolved in water). They work by diffusing backwards to stimulate the cell elongation process which occurs in the cells just behind the tip of the shoot/root. They are involved in the growth of plants in response to light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism). NOTE: in shoots, extra auxins promote growth but in roots extra auxins slows down growth.
Negative geotropism - when a shoot is growing sideways, gravity will produce an uneven distribution of auxins (more of the bottom than on the top). This means that the underside of the shoot will grow much faster than the side with light (as it has auxins which stimulate growth). This bends the shoot upwards.
Postive geotropism - likewise to a stem, a root growing sidewise will have more auxins on its lower side as gravity will produce an unequal distribution of auxins. However, in roots, extra auxins will slow down growth. This means that the cells on the top side of the root will elongate faster, meaning the root will bend downward.
Auxins are the plant hormones which control growth at the tips of roots and shoots of plants - incase you were wondering, they move to the tips of the shoots and roots in a solution (they are dissolved in water). They work by diffusing backwards to stimulate the cell elongation process which occurs in the cells just behind the tip of the shoot/root. They are involved in the growth of plants in response to light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism). NOTE: in shoots, extra auxins promote growth but in roots extra auxins slows down growth.
Negative geotropism - when a shoot is growing sideways, gravity will produce an uneven distribution of auxins (more of the bottom than on the top). This means that the underside of the shoot will grow much faster than the side with light (as it has auxins which stimulate growth). This bends the shoot upwards.
Postive geotropism - likewise to a stem, a root growing sidewise will have more auxins on its lower side as gravity will produce an unequal distribution of auxins. However, in roots, extra auxins will slow down growth. This means that the cells on the top side of the root will elongate faster, meaning the root will bend downward.
2.82 describe positive phototropism of stems
Okay so i've included a little about what auxins are which I have put in red (this is the same as point 2.81, so you can skip it if you have read that post). If you are an auxin wizz, just skip past the red...
Auxins are the plant hormones which control growth at the tips of roots and shoots of plants - they move to the tips of the shoots and roots in a solution (they are dissolved in water). They work by diffusing backwards to stimulate the cell elongation process which occurs in the cells just behind the tip of the shoot/root. They are involved in the growth of plants in response to light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism).
When the tip of a shoot is exposed to light, the light dissolves the auxins. This means that there are more auxins on the shaded side of the tip (as no sunlight has shone there so the auxins have not been dissolved). This makes the cells grow faster on the shadey side, meaning the shoot will grow towards the light.
Auxins are the plant hormones which control growth at the tips of roots and shoots of plants - they move to the tips of the shoots and roots in a solution (they are dissolved in water). They work by diffusing backwards to stimulate the cell elongation process which occurs in the cells just behind the tip of the shoot/root. They are involved in the growth of plants in response to light (phototropism) and gravity (geotropism).
When the tip of a shoot is exposed to light, the light dissolves the auxins. This means that there are more auxins on the shaded side of the tip (as no sunlight has shone there so the auxins have not been dissolved). This makes the cells grow faster on the shadey side, meaning the shoot will grow towards the light.
2.80 understand that plants respond to stimuli
Firstly, if you don't know what a stimulus is, it may be an idea to have a read of post 2.79 and then come back to here.
Plants respond to many stimuli, here are quite a few, it may be an idea to pick like 3 to remember for the exam as there is no need to learn all of them...
- Climbing plants have a sense of touch, so they can find things to climb and reach sunlight
- Plants can sense gravity, so their roots and shoots grow in the right direction (if they didn't sense gravity it would be chaos, some roots would grow up and some shoots would grow down etc)
- Plants sense the direction of light and grow towards it to maximise light absorption for photosynthesis
Specific examples...
- If cattle overgraze (eat LOADS of the field) they start to eat lots of white clover (as there is no grass left), the white clover will respond by producing toxins to avoid being eaten
- At low temperatures carrots produce antifreeze proteins which bind to ice crystals and lower the temperature that water freezes at, stopping more ice crystals from growing (ngl, this ones pretty cool)
Example credit: CGP
Plants respond to many stimuli, here are quite a few, it may be an idea to pick like 3 to remember for the exam as there is no need to learn all of them...
- Climbing plants have a sense of touch, so they can find things to climb and reach sunlight
- Plants can sense gravity, so their roots and shoots grow in the right direction (if they didn't sense gravity it would be chaos, some roots would grow up and some shoots would grow down etc)
- Plants sense the direction of light and grow towards it to maximise light absorption for photosynthesis
Specific examples...
- If cattle overgraze (eat LOADS of the field) they start to eat lots of white clover (as there is no grass left), the white clover will respond by producing toxins to avoid being eaten
- At low temperatures carrots produce antifreeze proteins which bind to ice crystals and lower the temperature that water freezes at, stopping more ice crystals from growing (ngl, this ones pretty cool)
Example credit: CGP
2.79 understand that a coordinated response requires a stimulus, a receptor and an effector
A stimulus is a thing or event that provokes a specific reaction. For example, if you touch a hot object and you react (usually by reflex), the hot object is a stimulus.
Receptors detect stimuli and effectors produce a response.
Receptors are a group of cells that detect an external stimuli, they are situated in the sense organs - the sense organs are the eyes (sight), the nose (smell), the ears (sound), the tongue (taste) and the skin (touch).
Effectors, for example muscle cells and cells found in glands, are cells that coordinate a response to the stimuli. They can react in different ways depending on the stimuli, for example, glands can secrete hormones whereas muscles can contract. They are only found in muscles and glands.
NOTE: receptors and effectors communicate, this is via the hormonal system or nervous system (sometimes it can be both)
Receptors detect stimuli and effectors produce a response.
Receptors are a group of cells that detect an external stimuli, they are situated in the sense organs - the sense organs are the eyes (sight), the nose (smell), the ears (sound), the tongue (taste) and the skin (touch).
Effectors, for example muscle cells and cells found in glands, are cells that coordinate a response to the stimuli. They can react in different ways depending on the stimuli, for example, glands can secrete hormones whereas muscles can contract. They are only found in muscles and glands.
NOTE: receptors and effectors communicate, this is via the hormonal system or nervous system (sometimes it can be both)
2.78 understand that homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment and that body water content and body temperature are both examples of homeostasis
For your cells to function properly, the conditions in your body need to be kept constant. Homeostasis involves balancing what comes in with what comes out (basically, if you drink 500ml of water, you will wee 500ml of water). Water content and body temperature both need to be kept constant, therefore they are examples of homeostasis.
Definition for exams: Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment
2.77 understand that organisms are able to respond to changes in their environment
Plants and animals both increase their chance of survival by responding to changes in their surroundings. For example, plants grow towards the sun to maximise the amount of light they absorb, meaning more photosynthesis. One stimuli animals respond to is a change in temperature. For example, if it is hot you will sweat, if it is cold your hairs stand up (this is to help regulate the body temperature to 37ºC).
Thursday, 7 April 2016
2.76 understand that urine contains water, urea and salts
In the beginning of the ultrafiltration/reabsorption process water, urea, salts and glucose are 'squeezed' our of the blood due to high pressure. However, during reabsorption all of the glucose (and a little bit of water and salts) is reabsorbed. Everything that remains in the glomerulus filtrate (water, urea and salts) is combined to form urine.
2.75 describe the role of ADH in regulating the water content of the blood
Osmoregulation determines how much water is reabsorbed into the blood at nephrons. The amount of water reabsorbed is controlled by ADH (anti-diuretic hormone). ADH makes the nephrons more/less permeable to allow more/less water to be reabsorbed back into the blood. This occurs like this...
- The brain is constantly monitoring the level of water in the blood
- The brain instructs the pituitary gland to release ADH into the blood (according to how much water needs to be reabsorbed)
NOTE: the process of osmoregulation is controlled by a mechanism called 'negative feedback'. This basically means if the water gets too high/low a mechanism will be triggered that brings the level down/up (back to normal)
- The brain is constantly monitoring the level of water in the blood
- The brain instructs the pituitary gland to release ADH into the blood (according to how much water needs to be reabsorbed)
NOTE: the process of osmoregulation is controlled by a mechanism called 'negative feedback'. This basically means if the water gets too high/low a mechanism will be triggered that brings the level down/up (back to normal)
2.74 understand that selective reabsorption of glucose occurs at the proximal convoluted tubule
ONLY glucose is absorbed at the first (proximal) convoluted tubule, this makes for selective reabsorption as only a certain substance(s) (in this case, glucose) can be absorbed, not everything is absorbed.
2.73 understand that water is reabsorbed into the blood from the collecting duct
If you don't know what happens regarding the water leaving the blood, it may be a good idea to go to one of these posts... 2.69 2.71 2.72. If you don't know what a nephron is or how it works, i would recommend checking out 2.71.
The glomerulus filtrate will flow along the nephron (next to the capillary). All the useful stuff (such as the glucose, some of the salt, and some of the water (depending on osmoregulation) will be reabsorbed (by active transport) back into the blood. The glucose is reabsorbed at the first (proximal) collecting tubule, the water is reabsorbed from the collecting duct, sufficient salt is kind of just absorbed throughout.
The glomerulus filtrate will flow along the nephron (next to the capillary). All the useful stuff (such as the glucose, some of the salt, and some of the water (depending on osmoregulation) will be reabsorbed (by active transport) back into the blood. The glucose is reabsorbed at the first (proximal) collecting tubule, the water is reabsorbed from the collecting duct, sufficient salt is kind of just absorbed throughout.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)