Biology Snab Coursework
Unit 4
The Natural Environment and Species Survival
A2 compulsory unit Externally assessed 7.1 Unit description
Topic 5: On the wild side
This topic builds an appreciation that photosynthesis is the primary process that underpins the majority of ecosystems, and provides students with an understanding of how ecosystems work. The topic continues by looking at whether climate change will lead to extinction of species or evolution by natural selection, and looks at the evidence for global warming and its effects on plants and animals. By the end of the topic students should appreciate how scientific understanding can make us aware of our responsibilities as stewards of the environment.
Topic 6:
Infection,
immunity and forensics This topic starts by looking at how forensic pathologists use a wide variety of analytical techniques to determine the identity of a person or other animal, and to establish the time and cause of death of an organism, including humans. It then considers how bacteria and viruses use a variety of routes into their hosts and how hosts have evolved barriers and internal mechanisms to combat infections. These protections are not always successful and many people in the world still die from infectious diseases.
This topic also investigates the evolutionary battles that take place between invading pathogens and their hosts.
7.2 Assessment information
This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper, which carries 90 marks, lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and will include: objective questions structured questions short-answer questions and will also cover:
How Science Works practical-related questions.
Unit 4 The Natural Environment and Species Survival
7.3 Topic 5: On the wild side
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the How
Science Works areas listed in the table on page 13 of this specification. 11 Describe how to carry
The Natural Environment and Species Survival
A2 compulsory unit Externally assessed 7.1 Unit description
Topic 5: On the wild side
This topic builds an appreciation that photosynthesis is the primary process that underpins the majority of ecosystems, and provides students with an understanding of how ecosystems work. The topic continues by looking at whether climate change will lead to extinction of species or evolution by natural selection, and looks at the evidence for global warming and its effects on plants and animals. By the end of the topic students should appreciate how scientific understanding can make us aware of our responsibilities as stewards of the environment.
Topic 6:
Infection,
immunity and forensics This topic starts by looking at how forensic pathologists use a wide variety of analytical techniques to determine the identity of a person or other animal, and to establish the time and cause of death of an organism, including humans. It then considers how bacteria and viruses use a variety of routes into their hosts and how hosts have evolved barriers and internal mechanisms to combat infections. These protections are not always successful and many people in the world still die from infectious diseases.
This topic also investigates the evolutionary battles that take place between invading pathogens and their hosts.
7.2 Assessment information
This unit is assessed by means of a written examination paper, which carries 90 marks, lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and will include: objective questions structured questions short-answer questions and will also cover:
How Science Works practical-related questions.
Unit 4 The Natural Environment and Species Survival
7.3 Topic 5: On the wild side
Students will be assessed on their ability to:
1 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the How
Science Works areas listed in the table on page 13 of this specification. 11 Describe how to carry