AQA GCSE Biology (triple)
Topic 2
Organisation
Model answer notes by @biologywitholivia
Topic Sub-topic Understand Memorise Practise
2.1 Principles of 2.1 Principles of organisation
organisation
2.2 2.2.1 The human digestive system
Animal tissues,
organs and Required practical 4
organ systems
Required practical 5
2.2.2 The heart and blood vessels
2.2.3 Blood
2.2.4 Coronary heart disease
2.2.5 Health issues
2.2.6 Effect of lifestyle on some
non-communicable diseases
2.2.7 Cancer
2.3 2.3.1 Plant tissues
Plant tissues,
organs and 2.3.2 Plant organ system
systems
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2
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2.1 Principles of organisation
Describe the levels of organisation in organisms, using examples
1. Cell - smallest structural and functional unit of an organism, eg. muscle cell
2. Tissue - group of cells with a similar structure and function, eg. muscle tissue
3. Organ - aggregation (group) of tissues performing specific functions, eg. stomach
4. Organ system - group of organs performing specific functions, eg. digestive system
Name and label the organs in the digestive system
Exam insight: common misconception ❌
Misconception Why is this wrong?
“The nucleus of a cell is an organ.” The nucleus is a sub-cellular structure (an organelle), not an organ.
“Food passes through the liver and These organs can be thought of as ‘accessory organs’. Food does not
pancreas in the digestive system.” pass through them, but they make substances (eg. bile and enzymes)
that are released into the small intestine.
Example application question 📈
Rewrite these in the correct order, from smallest to Neurone (cell) → nerve (tissue) → brain (organ) →
largest: brain, neurone, dog, nervous system, nerve. (1) nervous system (organ system) → dog (organism)
3
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2.2 Animal tissues, organs & systems
2.2.1 Human digestive system
What is digestion?
● Breaking down large, insoluble molecules in food
● Into smaller, soluble molecules that can be absorbed into blood
What is an enzyme?
● A type of protein molecule
● Biological catalyst → speeds up reactions in organisms without being used up / changed
● Each type catalyses a specific reaction
How do enzymes work?
The ‘lock and key theory’ is a simplified model to explain enzyme action:
1. Substrate (substance on which an enzyme acts) fits into / binds to enzyme active site
● Because shapes of active site and substrate are complementary
2. This causes a chemical reaction (eg. bonds in substrate broken to produce smaller molecules)
3. Products released from the unchanged enzyme
Why can each enzyme only catalyse a specific reaction?
Eg. Why can amylase (enzyme) only break down starch (substrate)?
● Each enzyme has an active site with a specific (3D) shape
● Only a substrate molecule with a complementary shape to this active site can bind / fit
How are enzymes related to metabolism?
● Metabolism is the sum of all the reactions in a cell or the body
● Different enzymes catalyse specific metabolic reactions (see 4.2.3 Metabolism), eg. respiration
● Reactions may join smaller molecules to form larger molecules, or break down molecules
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Describe the role of lipase, carbohydrase and protease in digestion
Enzyme What does it break down? Where is it produced? Where does it act?
Lipase Lipids (fats) into Pancreas Small intestine
fatty acids + glycerol & small intestine
Carbohydrase Carbohydrates into simple sugars Salivary glands, pancreas Mouth &
eg. amylase eg. starch into glucose & small intestine small intestine
Protease Proteins into amino acids Stomach, pancreas Stomach &
& small intestine small intestine
How are the products of digestion used
in the body once absorbed?
Fatty acids & ● To build new lipids (fats)
glycerol
Simple sugars ● To build new carbohydrates
eg. glucose ● Some glucose used for
respiration to release energy
Amino acids ● To build new proteins
Where is bile produced, stored and released into?
Produced - liver Stored - gall bladder Released into - small intestine
What is the role of bile in digestion?
1. Alkaline so neutralises hydrochloric acid from stomach
● To create optimum conditions for small intestine enzymes
2. Emulsifies lipids (fat) by converting larger lipid droplets into smaller droplets
● To increase surface area for lipase enzyme to work on
● To break down / digest fat faster
5
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What does it mean when an enzyme denatures?
● Active site changes shape (eg. due to too
high temp. or too high / low pH)
● So substrate no longer binds / fits and
reaction can no longer be catalysed
Describe & explain how temperature affects enzyme activity
● Describe - as temperature increases up to an optimum, rate of
reaction increases
○ Explain - molecules gain kinetic energy so more frequent
enzyme-substrate collisions
● Describe - as temperature increases above optimum, rate of
reaction decreases to 0
○ Explain - enzymes denature so substrate no longer fits
Describe & explain how pH affects enzyme activity
● Describe - enzyme activity is at a maximum at an optimum pH
● Describe - as pH is increased above or decreased below this,
enzyme activity decreases
○ Explain - above / below optimum pH enzymes denature
so substrate no longer fits
Different types of enzymes can have different optimum pH or temperature values.
Exam insight: common misconceptions ❌
Misconception Why is this wrong?
“Enzymes are cells.” Enzymes are protein molecules, not cells.
“All enzymes break molecules down.” Some enzymes also join molecules together to make larger molecules.
“Bile is an enzyme.” Bile is not an enzyme. It is a substance produced by the liver that helps
the enzyme lipase by emulsifying fats and neutralising acid.
“Enzymes die at high temperatures.” Enzymes are not living, so they cannot die. At high temperatures they
can denature, meaning their active site changes shape.
Example application questions 📈
The enzyme amylase can only digest ● Amylase has an active site
starch. Explain why amylase cannot digest ● (With a specific / unique shape) which will only fit / bind
other substances. (2) to starch / the substrate
6
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Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down ● Starch / substrate binds to active site (of enzyme)
starch. Explain how amylase breaks down ● Shape of active site and substrate are complementary
starch. Answer in terms of the ‘lock and key ● A chemical reaction occurs to produce smaller
theory’. (3) molecules OR bonds between the (starch) molecules are
broken to produce smaller molecules
A person has a tumour blocking the tube ● No / less bile reaches the small intestine
leading from the gall bladder to the small ● So less / no emulsification of fat
intestine. Explain why this person would ● So smaller surface area for lipase to break down fat
have difficulty digesting fat. (4) ● pH of small intestine not neutralised
● So lipase is not at its optimum pH to break down fat
One symptom of pancreatic cancer is ● Reduced / no enzyme production from pancreas
weight loss. Explain how pancreatic cancer ● Food is not broken down / digested fully
may cause a person to lose weight. Do not ● Eg. less glucose absorbed
refer to hormones in your answer. (4) ● So less glucose available for respiration so more fat used
up in metabolism / respiration
● Eg. fewer fatty acids absorbed
● So fewer fatty acids available so less fat is stored