Synoptic Assessment

Essay question

Synoptic Assessment - Essay

• 45 minutes of exam time for the essay• Using knowledge and understanding from

AS and A2

• Show a understanding of the broad principles of experimental investigation.

• Breadth, not depth

Marking scheme

• Knowledge and understanding 16 marks

• Breadth of knowledge 3 marks

• Relevant and suitable examples 3 marks

• Quality of written English 3 marks_______

• Total 25 marks

What should you cover...?• At least 3 areas of the specification

• Stick to the point

• Finish each section before you move on

• Don’t flit!

• If the question asks for relationships between or comparison: make sure you pair.

How not to write a synoptic essay in biology …………………………..

Write an essay on: The uses made of ATP by Plants and Animals

What NOT to do:

Talk about how ATP is MADE

Refer ONLY to Plants .. or to Animals

Write at length ONLY about Muscles or……

Waffle…. to fill up the time / space

Write an introduction…. ‘I am going to…’

Write a conclusion… ‘I have told you about….’

How the nasty people at the exam board try to catch you out…………1. If all else fails……. Read the QUESTION!!!!!

Write an essay on: The uses of ATP

Mutation and its consequences

Photosynthesis and its importance in ecosystems.

Not SYNOPTIC enough: how many sections of the specification?Not RELEVANT enough: re-read No.1!!!!!Contains unscientific Terminology:

Messages passing along nervesEnzymes killed by high temperatureAntibiotics fight disease

You will lose marks if your essay is:

Synoptic Essay

Two main types of essays

Two types of essays

• Structure and function• Causes and biological importance

• Cycles across biology• Movements within cells

Marking scheme

• Content 16 marks

• Breadth of knowledge 3 marks

• Relevant and suitable examples 3 marks

• Quality of written English 3 marks_______

• Total 25 marks

An exceptional essay reflects the detail that could be expected from a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant parts of the specification is free from fundamental errors maintains appropriate depth and accuracy throughout includes two or more paragraphs of material that indicates greater depth or breadth of study

A good essay reflects the detail that could be expected from a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant parts of the specification is free from fundamental errors maintains appropriate depth and accuracy throughout

An average essay contains a significant amount of material that reflects the detail that could be expected from a knowledge and understanding of relevant parts of the specification. In practice this will amount to about half the essay. is likely to reflect limited knowledge of some areas and to be patchy in quality demonstrates a good understanding of basic principles but will contain some errors and evidence of misunderstanding

A poor essay contains much material which is below the level expected of a candidate who has completed an A-level Biology course although there will be occasional valid points Contains fundamental errors reflecting a poor grasp of basic principles and concepts

Break it down

• Content : at least 5 areas, two key points and an example

• Eg “hydrolysis of ATP by ATPase releases energy than can be used for specific processes, for example, energy for active transport of mineral ions against a concentration gradient in root hair cells of a plant”

• Or “ATP is used for the active transport of ions in a plant”

• Breadth – 3 modules or kingdoms

Structure and Function relationships of carbohydrates

Cellulose cell walls provide strength and support

Long unbranched/polysaccharides/hydrogen bonds/microfibrils

Find the hook.....

• Cycles: List some• Molecular (ATP etc)• Cellular (cell, Calvin)• Systems: (breathing, cardiac)• Organisms (life, reproductive)• Populations (lag, log, stationary, death, repeat)• Community (predator-prey)• Environment (nitrogen, carbon)• Gene Technology (PCR)

Mutation and its consequences• Two main aspects to the essay: mutations; consequences• Mutations• A change in arrangement or amount of genetic material in a

cell• May affect one or more genes• If in sperm or eggs, sex cells, it is inherited, hereditary

mutations• If in body cell it is acquired (due to exposure to mutagen in

environment or spontaneous)• Copying error during DNA replication Mutagens

Ionising radiationIonises DNAChemicalsAlkylating agents, transfer methyl and ethyl groups to DNA

Mutations• Types of mutation:• Deletions• Insertions• Substitutions – nonsense, mis-sense, silent

• May affects the structure and function of polypeptides and the resulting protein due to the change in hydrogen bonding between R groups of amino acids making up the polypeptide chain.

• Affects the function of the protein, which may not function in its usual way

• May not affect if the new codon codes for the same amino acid. All but two amino acids are coded by more than one codon

Frame shift

Consequences of mutations

• Problems arising from mutations• Tumour – benign, malignant• Due to mutation in proto-oncogenes, (genes which encode

proteins which stimulate normal growth) generates oncogenes.

• Increased production of or activity of proteins: uncontrolled cell growth leads to tumour

• Tumour suppressor genes: (genes which encode proteins that inhibit cell division, promote cell adhesion, repair damaged DNA

• Cell division continues inappropriately: tumour develops

Disease states – cause and symptoms (brief)

• Cystic Fibrosis• SCID• Huntingdons • Benefit of mutations: evolution, genetic

diversity

No.1 Read the Questions with Extreme Care!!!!

No. 2 Select the one which gives you most SYNOPTIC content

No. 3 Plan your essay using Spider Diagrams

No. 4 Select approx 8 ‘aspects’ and order them logically.

No. 5 Write a paragraph for each ‘aspect’ in the order you decided

Do NOT……..Write waffly introductions

Use Un-scientific terminology

Include irrelevant information

Write waffly conclusions

Plan an ESSAY on ‘Molecular Shape in Biology’

Lets give it a try………………………

Essay

• You should write your essay in continuous prose.• Your essay will be marked for its scientific accuracy.• It will also be marked for your selection of relevant material from different parts of

the specification and for the quality of your written communication.• The maximum number of marks that can be awarded is• • Scientific 16• Breadth of knowledge3• Relevance 3• Quality of written communication 3

• Write an essay on the following topic:• The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms.• (Total 25 marks)

Past papersJune 2002• The different ways in which organisms use ATP.• How the structure of cells is related to their

function.January 2003• The biological importance of water.• The movement of substances within living

organisms.June 2003• The structure and functions of carbohydrates.• Cycles in biology.

Past papers

January 2004• How the structure of protein is related their

functions.• The causes of variation and its biological

importance.June 2004• The process of osmosis and its importance to

living organisms.• Energy transfers which take place inside

living organisms

Past papersJune 2006How is shape related to functionJune 2005• Negative feedback in organisms.• Mean temperatures are rising in many parts of the

world. The rising temperatures mat result in physiological and ecological effects on living organisms. Describe and explain these effects.

January 2005• How microscopes have contributed to our

understanding of living organisms.• Enzymes and their importance in plants and animals.

New Specification Essays

• 2013 Interactions of living organisms• 2012 Shapes in Biology, Effects of bacteria on

organisms• 2011 Using DNA, Biological cycles• 2010 Effect of CO2, Causes of disease• Specimen: Global Warming, Variation