Download Unit 5: Biological Systems (1st Certificate, 1st Diploma) Unit abstract

Unit 5: Biological Systems (1st Certificate, 1st Diploma)
Unit abstract
It is important that learners on an applied science programme have a good understanding of basic concepts of biology in order that these may be
developed and used in a variety of applications, including the understanding of health-related factors.
Learners need to develop understanding of the wide variety of living organisms on the earth, and how they interact with each other and the
environment. This unit requires learners to understand the role of DNA in inheritance and evolution, this being applied to the study of inherited
factors and conditions. The unit then encourages the learner to study factors that may affect human health and the protective mechanisms of the
human body.
This unit will enable learners to develop their biology practical skills, underpinning knowledge and understanding of biology, including
applications in the workplace and effects on the environment and society.
The learner’s technical skills are also developed along with their knowledge and understanding of techniques as they carry out a wide range
biology practical investigations. The knowledge and skills developed are essential for technicians and assistant practitioners working in biology,
health care, food science, agriculture, horticulture, beauty therapy and other biology-related industries and laboratory services.
It is important during the delivery and assessment of this unit that the learner takes on the role of being employed within the biology industry or an
organisation that uses biology.
Learners will also investigate how body systems respond to internal and external environmental changes using hormonal and nervous signals to
maintain the body processes.
At the end of this unit learners will understand how living things interact with each other and their surroundings. They will also understand how
organisms are adapted to their environment.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Understand the diversity of living organisms and how they are classified
2 Be able to investigate how living things interact with each other and their environments
3 Understand that genes are responsible for inheritance, and variations within species, leading to evolutionary change
4 Understand the factors that may affect human health and the ways human health is controlled.
Unit content
1 Understand the diversity of living organisms and how they are classified
Classifying organisms: wide variety of living organisms; identification keys; the need to organise/classify; variety of systems; Linnaen system of
classification
Major characteristics of: viruses; bacteria; protists; fungi; plants (flowering plants, non-flowering plants), animals (invertebrates, vertebrates)
2 Be able to investigate how living things interact with each other and their environments
Interdependence of organisms: nature and relationship, eg parasite and host, predator and prey; food chains and food webs; pyramids of numbers;
energy and biomass
Effects of human activity on the environment: eg greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, ozone depletion, acid rain, recycling of household waste, use
and conservation of household utilities (gas, water, electricity), pollution; pollution indicator species; effects on food chains and food webs
3 Understand that genes are responsible for inheritance, and variations within species, leading to evolutionary change
Genes control cell function: DNA code; translation; structure of a protein eg enzyme; control of cells’ activities DNA molecule: coded sequence of
bases (A, C, T, G)
Evolutionary change: role of genetic variation, environmental conditions Inherited factors: conditions and diseases eg sickle cell
syndrome/anaemia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, cystic fibrosis
Gene therapy: for prevention/treatment of disease, eg cystic fibrosis, haemophilia
4 Understand the factors which may affect human health and the ways human health is controlled
Factors: medical eg harmful effects of micro-organisms, carcinogens; social the use and misuse of drugs) eg cannabis, nicotine, alcohol, solvents,
heroin, caffeine; exercise eg calories ingested v calories used
Medical treatments: eg use of antibiotics and immunisation; gene therapy; use of stem cells; ‘in vitro’ fertilisation; cloning
Protective mechanisms: nervous and chemical co-ordination; chemical (effects of adrenaline, insulin); electrical (body senses) eg touch, taste,
sight, hearing, smell; structure and function of a simple reflex arc
Auto-immune diseases: eg multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease
Grading grid
Grading criteria
To achieve a pass grade the evidence must show
that the learner is able to:
To achieve a merit grade the evidence must show
that, in addition to the pass criteria, the learner
is able to:
To achieve a distinction grade the evidence must
show that, in addition to the pass and merit
criteria, the learner is able to:
P1 construct simple identification keys and describe
the main characteristics within the major
classification groups
M1 explain the need to classify organisms
D1 discuss the characteristics which are used to
distinguish the major groups
P2 describe an ecosystem investigated and indicate
the types of interdependence of living things in it
P3 describe the possible effect of human activities
on the ecosystem investigated
P4 describe the relationship between chromosomes,
DNA and genes
P5 identify and describe two examples of inherited
conditions and diseases
P6 describe the effects of four different factors
which have a detrimental effect on human health
P7 describe two control mechanisms which
enable the human body to maintain optimum
health.
M2 describe examples of adaptations to the
environment shown by organisms within the
ecosystem.
M3 describe the effect of these environmental
changes over time and the means of measuring them
M4 describe (using examples) how variation within
a species brings about evolutionary change
M5 identify the mechanisms by which these
conditions and diseases are inherited
M6 explain the mechanisms involved in disrupting
body systems, for each of the examples chosen
D2 construct quantitative and qualitative diagrams
to demonstrate the relationships between organisms
living interdependently within an ecosystem
D3 analyse data relating to changes in the
environment and explain how the environmental
impact might be minimised in future
D4 explain how genes control variation within a
species using a simple coded message
D5 investigate and describe the effectiveness of
gene therapy to prevent inherited conditions and
diseases
M7 describe the differences between the actions D6 describe the social issues which arise from each
of the conditions described
of chemical and electrical protective
mechanisms of the body.
D7 explain the effects of the chemical and
hormonal controls on human health.