IB Biology Topic 2 Cram sheets

Discover the formation of carbon compounds on Earth, understanding that cells are the smallest units of self-sustaining life. Explore the scientific evidence behind spontaneous evolution, carbon compound origins, and the universal common ancestor of genetic code.

Explore cells, the structural units of life. Identify microscopic structures using different imaging methods and describe their functions, understanding the difference between eukaryotes and prokaryotes.  

Discover the origin and evolution of cells, exploring endosymbiosis, differentiation, and multicellularity.

Explore the structural features and diversity of viruses, understanding how this relates to survival, replication, and evolution. Consider common viruses causing disease, including influenza and HIV.

Discover lipid bilayers and their structural importance in membrane structure and functions, including diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Explore the influence of different compounds on the composition of lipid bilayers, including fatty acids and cholesterol. Uncover the mechanism of membrane fluidity, adhesion, and transport channels. 

Discover organelles, the subunits of cells, understanding the advantages of their composition on sustaining life.

Dive into the adaptations of mitochondria and chloroplasts, understanding how this enables cell respiration and photosynthesis. Discover the structures and functions of a double-membrane nucleus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and vesicle.

Dive into the formation of unspecialised cells, understanding the therapeutic properties of stem cells. Consider cell size and surface-area-to-volume ratio as limits to cell function. 

Discover the adaptations of cells, considering the unique properties of pneumocytes, muscle, and gametes.

Explore cell signalling, the basis for the complex mechanisms supporting life. Understand how proteins, bacteria, hormones, and neurotransmitters exhibit chemical signalling to support various processes.

Explore the role of neurons as electrical impulse carriers. Understand the mechanism of resting and action potentials, as well as synaptic transmission. Consider variations in nerve impulse speed. 

Explore the factors contributing to nerve impulse conduction, understanding how this can be measured using an oscilloscope. Discover the conditions required for synaptic transmission, considering the effect of exogenous chemicals on this process.

Explore the cell cycle, including mitosis and interphase, and understand the role of cyclins in regulating this. Discover what contributes to cell cycle dysregulation and how this can lead to cancer. 

Discover the phases of the cell cycle, understanding the factors contributing to its control and the consequences of disruption.

Uncover gene expression, the mechanism for phenotypic diversity. Explore the role of transcription regulation and degradation control, understanding their contribution to epigenetics. Consider the role of external factors on gene expression.

Explore the properties of water, including solvation and movement across a concentration gradient. Consider how water balance sustains plant and animal life.

Explore water potential, understanding how this contributes to trends in water movement and solute composition.