Download Unit Number- 7611856

-SQA- SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
-Unit Number-
7611856
-Superclass-
RH
-Title-
BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
-------------------------------DESCRIPTIONGENERAL COMPETENCE FOR UNIT: Explaining the relationship between the
structure and function of major biological molecules.
OUTCOMES
1.
explain the relationship between carbohydrate structure and function;
2.
explain the relationship between lipid structure and function;
3.
explain the relationship between nucleic acid structure and function;
4.
explain the relationship between protein structure and function.
CREDIT VALUE:
1 HN Credit
ACCESS STATEMENT: Standard Grade at 3 in Biology, or equivalent.
------------------------------For further information contact: Committee and Administration Unit, SQA,
Hanover House, 24 Douglas Street, Glasgow G2 7NQ.
Additional copies of this unit may be purchased from SQA (Sales and Despatch
section). At the time of publication, the cost is £1.50 (minimum order £5).
Unit No. 7611856
Continuation
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION
STATEMENT OF STANDARDS
UNIT NUMBER:
7611856
UNIT TITLE:
BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
Acceptable performance in this unit will be the satisfactory achievement of the
standards set out in this part of the specification. All sections of the statement of
standards are mandatory and cannot be altered without reference to SQA.
OUTCOME
1.
EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARBOHYDRATE
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The description of stereoisomerism is correct in relation to
monosaccharide structure.
The description of polysaccharide structure is correct.
The descriptions of carbohydrate derivatives are correct.
The explanations of the biological function of carboyhrates are
correct in relation to structure.
RANGE STATEMENT
Stereoisomerism: optical isomerism; geometric isomerism.
Monosaccharides: glucose; fructose; galactose; pentose.
Disaccharides: maltose; sucrose.
Polysacchardies: amylose, amylopetin; starch; glycogen; cellulose.
Derivatives: glycoproteins; glycolipids.
Biological functions: energy storage; structural; cell recognition.
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Written evidence describing stereoisomerism; polysaccharide structure and
carbohydrate derivatives. Written evidence explaining the biological function of
carbohydrates.
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Unit No. 7611856
Continuation
OUTCOME
2.
EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LIPID STRUCTURE
AND FUNCTION
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
The explanation of the hydrophobic nature of lipids is correct.
The description of the structure of triglycerides is correct.
The descriptions of the structures of compound lipids are correct.
The descriptions of the structures of steroids and prostaglandins
are correct.
The explanation of the biological function of lipids is correct in
relation to structure.
RANGE STATEMENT
Compound lipid: phospholipid; sphingolipid; glycolipids.
Biological function: structural unit and active component of cellular membranes;
maintenance of metabolically active proteins; storage form of chemical energy.
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Written evidence explaining the hydrophobic nature and the biological function of
lipids. Written evidence describing the structure of triglycerides, compound
lipids, steroids and prostaglandins.
OUTCOME
3.
EXPLAIN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NUCLEIC ACID,
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The description of the general structures of ribonucleotides and
deoxyribonucleotides are correct.
The description of the 3 dimensional shape of nucleic acids is
correct.
The explanation of the role of DNA is correct.
The explanation of the roles of mRNA, tRNA and rRNA are
correct.
RANGE STATEMENT
Structures: sugar; purine and pyrimidine bases; phosphate group.
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Unit No. 7611856
Continuation
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Written evidence describing the structure of ribonucleotides and
deoxyribonucleotides and shape of nucleic acids. Written evidence explaining
the role of DNA, mRNA, tRNA and rRNA.
OUTCOME
4.
EXPLAIN
THE
RELATIONSHIP
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
BETWEEN
PROTEIN
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
The description of the general structure of amino acids is correct.
The description of formation of the peptide bond and polypeptide
chain formation is correct.
The description of the structure of protein is correct.
The explanations of the biological function of proteins are correct
in relation to their structure.
RANGE STATEMENT
Structure of protein: primary; secondary (alpha helix, beta pleated sheet,
collagen helix); tertiary; quatermary; protein derivatives.
Biological functions: enzymatic catalysis (enzyme specificity; active sites; effect
of temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration on enzyme
activity); transport and storage; muscle action; mechanical support; immune
protection.
EVIDENCE REQUIREMENTS
Written evidence describing the structure of amino acids and proteins and the
formation of the peptide bond. Written evidence explaining the biological
function of proteins.
MERIT To gain a pass in this unit, a candidate must meet the standards set out
in the outcomes, performance criteria, range statements and evidence
requirements.
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Unit No. 7611856
Continuation
To achieve a merit in this unit a candidate must demonstrate a superior or more
sophisticated level of performance. This would be demonstrated by three of the
following:
-
in-depth explanations of the biological function of carbohydrates;
an in-depth explanation of the biological function of lipids;
an in-depth explanation of the role of DNA;
an in-depth explanation of the biological function of proteins.
-----------------------------------
ASSESSMENT
In order to achieve this unit, candidates are required to present sufficient
evidence that they have met all the performance criteria for each outcome within
the range specified. Details of these requirements are given for each outcome.
The assessment instruments used should follow the general guidance offered by
the SQA assessment model and an integrative approach to assessment is
encouraged. (See references at the end of support notes).
Accurate records should be made of the assessment instruments used showing
how evidence is generated for each outcome and giving marking schemes
and/or checklists, etc. Records of candidates' achievements should also be
kept. These records will be required for external verification.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Proposals to modify outcomes, range statements or agreed assessment
arrangements should be discussed in the first place with the external verifier.
 Copyright SQA 1996
Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for
educational purposes provided that:
(i)
(ii)
no profit is derived from the reproduction;
if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged.
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Unit No. 7611856
Continuation
HIGHER NATIONAL UNIT SPECIFICATION
SUPPORT NOTES
UNIT NUMBER:
7611856
UNIT TITLE:
BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES
SUPPORT NOTES: This part of the unit specification is offered as guidance.
None of the sections of the support notes is mandatory.
NOTIONAL DESIGN LENGTH: SQA allocates a notional design length to a unit
on the basis of the time estimated for achievement of the stated standards by a
candidate whose starting point is as described in the access statement. The
notional design length for this unit is 40 hours. The use of notional design length
for programme design and timetabling is advisory only.
PURPOSE This unit would most likely be used early on in HNC and HND
programmes in Biology or other Science awards. It is designed to provide a
base on which further units may build.
REFERENCES
1.
2.
3.
4.
Guide to unit writing.
For a fuller discussion on assessment issues, please refer to SQA's
Guide to Assessment.
Information for centres on SQA's operating procedures is contained in
SQA's Guide to Procedures.
For details of other SQA publications, please consult SQA's publications
list.
 Copyright SQA 1996
Please note that this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part for
educational purposes provided that:
(i)
(ii)
no profit is derived from the reproduction;
if reproduced in part, the source is acknowledged.
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