Paper 1
Organisation
BothTrace the path of food and name each organ.
Key Facts
- Tissues form organs, organs form organ systems.
- Enzymes are biological catalysts with an optimum temperature and pH.
- The heart has four chambers and valves to keep blood flowing one way.
- Alveoli are surrounded by capillaries for rapid gas exchange.
Topics Covered
Digestive System
What you need to know
- •Enzymes break food into small, soluble molecules.
- •Bile neutralises acid and emulsifies fats.
Exam Tips
- For digestion questions, mention enzyme names and substrates.
Enzymes
What you need to know
- •Enzymes have an active site that fits one substrate.
- •Temperature and pH affect enzyme activity.
Exam Tips
- Use "optimum" and "denature" in 4-6 mark answers.
Circulatory System
What you need to know
- •Arteries carry blood away from the heart; veins carry blood to it.
- •Capillaries have thin walls for exchange.
Exam Tips
- Use the word "exchange" for capillaries and "pressure" for arteries.
Respiratory System
What you need to know
- •Alveoli provide a large surface area for gas exchange.
- •Ventilation maintains concentration gradients in the lungs.
Exam Tips
- Link surface area, thin walls, and blood supply to diffusion.
Key Terms
Enzyme
A biological catalyst that speeds up reactions.
Villi
Finger-like structures in the small intestine that increase surface area.
Substrate
The molecule that an enzyme acts on.
Alveoli
Air sacs where gas exchange happens in the lungs.
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Common Exam Questions
Describe two adaptations of the small intestine for absorption.
Model Answer
Villi and microvilli give large surface area; good blood supply maintains a steep concentration gradient.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Surface area.
- ✓Blood supply or thin walls.
Explain why enzyme activity falls at high temperatures.
Model Answer
High temperatures denature enzymes, changing the active site so the substrate no longer fits.
What examiners want to see
- ✓Use the word denature.
- ✓Explain active site shape changes.
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