Cell biology

    AQA
    GCSE

    Cell biology establishes the fundamental principles of life, exploring the structural differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and how specialized cells adapt for specific functions. It covers the mechanisms of cell division essential for growth and repair, specifically the cell cycle and mitosis, alongside the potential and ethics of stem cell research. Additionally, the topic examines the essential physical processes by which substances move across cell membranes—diffusion, osmosis, and active transport—underpinning physiological processes in all living organisms.

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    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Eukaryotes and prokaryotes: Plant, animal, and bacterial cells.
    • Animal and plant cells: Sub-cellular structures and their functions.
    • Cell specialisation: Sperm, nerve, muscle, root hair, xylem, and phloem cells.
    • Cell differentiation: Importance and differences between animals and plants.
    • Microscopy: Light and electron microscopes, magnification calculations.
    • Chromosomes: DNA molecules and genes.
    • Mitosis and the cell cycle: Stages of cell division.
    • Stem cells: Function in embryos, adults, and meristems; therapeutic cloning.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

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