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OCR 21st Century Science - Biology (J633)

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About this course
Exam dates
Exam papers

About this course

Unit 1 A221 Biology A Unit 1 – modules B1, B2, B3
Unit 2 A222 Biology A Unit 2 – modules B4, B5, B6
Unit 3 A223 Biology A Unit 3 – Ideas in Context plus B7
Unit 4 A229 Biology A Unit 4 – Practical Data Analysis and Case Study
Unit 5 A230 Biology A Unit 5 – Practical Investigation

This specification comprises seven teaching modules which are assessed through four units. Candidates take Units 1, 2 and 3 and either Unit 4 or 5.

B1 - B7 can be taken in January or June, the skills assessments in June only.

Different tiers can be chosen for different units.

Module contents

Module B1: You and Your Genes
What are genes and how do they affect the way that organisms develop?
Why can people look like their parents, brothers and sisters, but not be identical to them?
How can and should genetic information be used? How can we use our knowledge of genes to prevent disease?
What are stem cells, and why could they be useful in treating some diseases?

Module B2: Keeping Healthy
How do our bodies resist infection?
What are vaccines and how do they work?
What are antibiotics, and why can they become less effective? How are new drugs developed and tested?
What factors increase the risk of heart disease?

Module B3: Life on Earth
How did life on Earth begin and evolve?
How have scientists developed explanations of evolution?
How did humans evolve? How are our nervous systems organised?
Why do some species become extinct, and does it matter? What is the importance of biodiversity?

Module B4: Homeostasis
What is homeostasis?
Why is homeostasis important for a cell?
How is our body temperature kept constant?
How does the body control water balance?

Module B5: Growth and Development
How does an organism produce new cells?
How do genes control growth and development within the cell?
How do new organisms develop from a single cell?

Module B6: Brain and Mind
How do organisms respond to changes in their environment?
How is information passed through the nervous system?
What are reflex actions?
How do humans develop more complex behaviour?
What do we know about the way in which the brain co-ordinates our senses?
How do drugs affect our nervous systems?

Module B7: Further Biology
Living organisms are interdependent
Photosynthesis
Heterotrophic nutrition
New technologies
Respiration
Circulation
Skeletal system

Units 3 (ideas in context), 4 & 5

There's quite a lot of information about these units, so I've put them on a separate page here.

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Exam dates for 2009/10

Unit 1: January 14 or May 21
Unit 2: January 25 or May 26
Unit 3: June 18

Exam papers

Link to exam papers and other documents

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