IAL Biology Unit 5

Topic 8 – Coordination, Response and Gene Technology

8.1 Structure and Function of Neurones

Know the structure and function of sensory neurones , relay neurones and motor neurones , including Schwann cells and myelination

8.2 Nervous System and Effectors

Understand how the nervous system of organisms can cause effectors to respond to a stimulus

8.3 Spinal Reflex Arc

Know the structure and function of a spinal reflex arc , including grey matter and white matter of the spinal cord

8.4 Nerve Impulse Conduction

Understand how a nerve impulse ( action potential ) is conducted along an axon , including changes in membrane permeability to sodium and potassium ions

8.5 Role of Myelination

Understand the role of myelination in saltatory conduction

8.6 Structure and Function of Synapses

(i) Know the structure and function of synapses in nerve impulse transmission , including the role of neurotransmitters and acetylcholine

(ii) Understand how the pupil dilates and contracts

8.7 Effects of Drugs on Nerve Impulse Transmission

Understand how the effects of drugs can be caused by their influence on nerve impulse transmission , illustrated by nicotine , lidocaine and cobra venom alpha toxin , the use of L-DOPA in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and the action of MDMA (ecstasy)

8.8 Detection of Stimuli

Understand how the nervous systems of organisms can detect stimuli with reference to rods in the retina of mammals, the roles of rhodopsin , opsin , retinal , sodium ions , cation channels and hyperpolarisation of rod cells in forming action potentials in the optic neurones

8.9 Habituation

Understand what is meant by the term habituation

RECOMMENDED ADDITIONAL PRACTICAL: Investigate habituation to a stimulus

8.10 Mammalian Nervous System

Know that the mammalian nervous system consists of the central and peripheral nervous systems

8.11 Plant Responses

Understand how phytochrome , auxin (IAA) and gibberellins bring about responses in plants, including their effects on transcription

8.12 CORE PRACTICAL 18

Investigate the production of amylase in germinating cereal grains

8.13 Coordination in Animals

Understand how coordination in animals is brought about through nervous and hormonal control

8.14 Functions of Brain Structures

Know the location and main functions of the cerebral hemispheres , hypothalamus , pituitary gland , cerebellum and medulla oblongata of the human brain

8.15 Medical Imaging Techniques

Understand how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) , functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) , positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) are used in medical diagnosis and the investigation of brain structure and function

8.16 Brain Chemical Imbalances

Understand how imbalances in certain naturally-occurring brain chemicals can contribute to ill health, including dopamine in Parkinson’s disease and serotonin in depression , and to the development of new drugs

8.17 Genetically Modified Organisms for Drug Production

Know how drugs can be produced using genetically modified organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms)

8.18 Recombinant DNA Production

Understand how recombinant DNA can be produced, including the roles of restriction endonucleases and DNA ligase

8.19 Insertion of Recombinant DNA

Understand how recombinant DNA can be inserted into other cells

8.20 Use of Microarrays

Know how microarrays can be used to identify active genes

8.21 Bioinformatics

Understand what is meant by the term bioinformatics

8.22 Risks and Benefits of GMOs

Understand the risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified organisms