9700_y16_sy

Cambridge International AS and A Level Biology 9700 syllabus Other information
Learning outcomes removed from the syllabus content
The following learning outcomes have been removed from the 2015 version of the syllabus.
A Level only learning outcomes are indicated in bold type.
G (i) outline the roles of nitrate ions and of magnesium ions in plants
H (h) explain how tobacco smoking contributes to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD)
(i) evaluate the epidemiological and experimental evidence linking cigarette smoking to disease
and early death
(j) discuss the difficulties in achieving a balance between preventions and cure with reference to
coronary heart disease, coronary by-pass surgery and heart transplant surgery
K (a) define the terms habitat, niche, population, community and ecosystem and be able to
recognise examples of each
(b) explain the terms autotroph, heterotroph, producer, consumer and trophic level in the context
of food chains and food webs
(c) explain how energy losses occur along food chains and discuss the efficiency of energy
transfer between trophic levels
(d) describe how nitrogen is cycled within an ecosystem, including the roles of nitrogen-fixing
bacteria (e.g. Rhizobium) and nitrifying bacteria (Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter)
N (b) define the term excretion and explain the importance of removing nitrogenous waste
products and carbon dioxide from the body
(l) explain what is meant by the term endocrine gland
(m) [PA] describe the cellular structure of an islet of Langerhans from the pancreas and
outline the role of the pancreas as an endocrine gland
(o) outline the need for, and the nature of, communication systems within flowering plants
to respond to changes in the internal and external environment
Q (d) describe the reasons why one named species has become endangered, and use this
information in the context of other endangered species
R (b) explain the advantages of treating diabetics with human insulin produced by gene
technology
S (a) outline the use of microorganisms in the extraction of heavy metals from low grade ores
(b) explain what is meant by the terms batch culture and continuous culture
(c) compare the advantages and disadvantages of batch and continuous culture with
reference to the production of secondary metabolites (e.g. penicillin), enzymes
(e.g. protease) and biomass (e.g. mycoprotein)
T (a) [PA] describe and explain the structural features of a named, wind-pollinated plant
(b) compare the outcomes of self-pollination and cross-pollination in terms of genetic
variation
(c) [PA] describe the structure of the fruit in maize and explain the function of the
endosperm
(d) explain the significance of the grains of cereal crops in the human diet
U (a) [PA] describe the histology of the mammalian ovary and testis
(e) discuss and evaluate the biological, social and ethical implications of the use of
contraception
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