National 5 Biology - BBC Bitesize Notes

Cell Structure

• Basic unit of life in all living organisms.
• Types of cells include animal, plant, fungal, and bacterial.
• Differences and similarities in cell structure.

Transport Across Membranes

• Cell membrane: selectively permeable.
• Movement of molecules by diffusion and active transport.
• Osmosis: cells gain or lose water.

DNA and the Production of Proteins

• DNA: carrier of genetic information.
• Codes for assembly of amino acids into proteins.

Proteins

• Composed of amino acid combinations.
• Types include structural proteins, enzymes, hormones, antibodies.
• Enzymes: specific shapes for speeding up reactions.

Genetic Engineering

• DNA exchange via plasmids in bacteria.
• Viruses insert genetic material into cells.
• Biotechnology for transferring DNA between organisms.

Respiration

• Cellular process releasing energy from food.
• Energy stored as ATP.

Producing New Cells

• Cell division for growth and dead cell replacement.
• Multicellular organisms have specialized cell types.

Control and Communication

• Communication via nerve impulses or hormones.
• Central nervous system produces electrical impulses.

Reproduction

• New organisms from fusion of male and female gametes.
• Gametes produced in testes or ovaries.
• Flowering plants have both anthers and ovaries.

Variation and Inheritance

• Phenotype: result of allele combination.
• Predictable outcomes based on dominant or recessive alleles.

Transport Systems - Plants

• Transport systems supply cells and remove waste.
• Substances transported via xylem and phloem.

Transport Systems - Animals

• Heart uses blood vessels for transporting substances.

Absorption of Materials

• Transport systems supply cells and remove waste.
• Gas exchange in lungs; food absorbed by digestive system.

Ecosystems

• Community of animals, plants, micro-organisms, non-living things.
• Focus on energy transfer, niches, competition.

Distribution of Organisms

• Abiotic: non-living variables.
• Biotic: interactions between organisms.
• Affect diversity and distribution.
• Sampling estimates organism numbers.

Photosynthesis

• Process for green plants to use sunlight to make food.
• Occurs in chloroplasts of plant cells.

Energy in Ecosystems

• Organism energy requirements.
• Food chains show feeding relationships.
• Pyramids of biomass, energy, and numbers.

Food Production

• Increased food production due to growing population.
• Intensive farming impacts environment.

Evolution of Species

• Mutations affect genes beneficially or detrimentally.
• Introduce variety into a species.

Apparatus and Techniques

• Knowledge of apparatus required for National 5 Biology.
• Describing and carrying out experimental techniques.

These notes cover the key concepts and topics from the National 5 Biology BBC Bitesize course, including various aspects of cell biology, genetics, ecosystems, and biological processes. They serve as a concise summary for study and review.