Cell biology

    AQA
    GCSE

    Cell biology explores the fundamental unit of life, examining the structural differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and how organelles function to sustain life. It encompasses the study of cell specialisation and differentiation, alongside the mechanisms of transport—diffusion, osmosis, and active transport—that regulate the movement of substances. Mastery of this topic requires understanding how microscopy techniques have advanced our knowledge of cellular structures and the mathematical principles governing size and scale.

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    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Eukaryotes and prokaryotes: differences between plant/animal cells and bacterial cells.
    • Animal and plant cells: functions of sub-cellular structures.
    • Cell specialisation and differentiation.
    • Microscopy: light vs electron microscopes and magnification calculations.
    • Culturing microorganisms (biology only): aseptic techniques and calculations of colony area.
    • Chromosomes and the cell cycle including mitosis.
    • Stem cells: function in embryos, adults, and plants; therapeutic cloning and ethical issues.
    • Diffusion: factors affecting rate and exchange surfaces.
    • Osmosis: water movement across membranes.
    • Active transport: movement against concentration gradients.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

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