Biology_A-level_Cie
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1-1-the-microscope-in-cell-studies5 主题
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1-2-cells-as-the-basic-units-of-living-organisms5 主题
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2-1-testing-for-biological-molecules3 主题
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2-2-carbohydrates-and-lipids8 主题
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2-3-proteins6 主题
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2-4-water2 主题
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3-1-mode-of-action-of-enzymes5 主题
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3-2-factors-that-affect-enzyme-action8 主题
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4-1-fluid-mosaic-membranes4 主题
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4-2-movement-into-and-out-of-cells12 主题
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diffusion
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osmosis
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active-transport
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endocytosis-and-exocytosis
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investigating-transport-processes-in-plants
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investigating-diffusion
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surface-area-to-volume-ratios
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investigating-surface-area
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estimating-water-potential-in-plants
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osmosis-in-plant-cells
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osmosis-in-animals
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comparing-osmosis-in-plants-and-animals
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diffusion
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5-1-replication-and-division-of-nuclei-and-cells6 主题
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5-2-chromosome-behaviour-in-mitosis2 主题
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6-1-structure-of-nucleic-acids-and-replication-of-dna4 主题
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6-2-protein-synthesis5 主题
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7-1-structure-of-transport-tissues4 主题
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7-2-transport-mechanisms7 主题
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8-1-the-circulatory-system7 主题
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8-2-transport-of-oxygen-and-carbon-dioxide5 主题
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8-3-the-heart4 主题
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9-1-the-gas-exchange-system6 主题
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10-1-infectious-diseases3 主题
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10-2-antibiotics3 主题
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11-1-the-immune-system4 主题
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11-2-antibodies-and-vaccination6 主题
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12-1-energy5 主题
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12-2-respiration11 主题
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aerobic-respiration-the-krebs-cycle
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aerobic-respiration-role-of-nad-and-fad
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aerobic-respiration-oxidative-phosphorylation
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anaerobic-respiration
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energy-yield-aerobic-and-anaerobic-respiration
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anaerobic-adaptation-of-rice
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aerobic-respiration-effect-of-temperature-and-substrate-concentration
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structure-and-function-of-mitochondria
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the-four-stages-in-aerobic-respiration
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aerobic-respiration-glycolysis
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aerobic-respiration-the-link-reaction
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aerobic-respiration-the-krebs-cycle
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13-1-photosynthesis-as-an-energy-transfer-process8 主题
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13-2-investigation-of-limiting-factors2 主题
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14-1-homeostasis-in-mammals8 主题
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14-2-homeostasis-in-plants3 主题
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15-1-control-and-coordination-in-mammals12 主题
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the-endocrine-system
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the-nervous-system
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neurones
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sensory-receptor-cells
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sequence-of-events-resulting-in-an-action-potential
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transmission-of-nerve-impulses
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speed-of-conduction-of-impulses
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the-refractory-period
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cholinergic-synapses
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stimulating-contraction-in-striated-muscle
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ultrastructure-of-striated-muscle
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sliding-filament-model-of-muscular-contraction
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the-endocrine-system
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15-2-control-and-coordination-in-plants3 主题
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16-1-passage-of-information-from-parents-to-offspring5 主题
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16-2-the-roles-of-genes-in-determining-the-phenotype7 主题
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16-3-gene-control3 主题
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17-1-variation4 主题
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17-2-natural-and-artificial-selection7 主题
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17-3-evolution2 主题
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18-1-classification5 主题
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18-2-biodiversity7 主题
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18-3-conservation6 主题
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19-1-principles-of-genetic-technology11 主题
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19-2-genetic-technology-applied-to-medicine4 主题
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19-3-genetically-modified-organisms-in-agriculture2 主题
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1-1-the-microscope-in-cell-studies
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1-2-cells-as-the-basic-units-of-living-organisms
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2-1-testing-for-biological-molecules
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2-2-carbohydrates-and-lipids
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2-3-proteins
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2-4-water
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3-1-mode-of-action-of-enzymes
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3-2-factors-that-affect-enzyme-action
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4-1-fluid-mosaic-membranes
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4-2-movement-into-and-out-of-cells
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5-1-replication-and-division-of-nuclei-and-cells
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5-2-chromosome-behaviour-in-mitosis
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6-1-structure-of-nucleic-acids-and-replication-of-dna
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6-2-protein-synthesis
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7-1-structure-of-transport-tissues
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7-2-transport-mechanisms
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8-1-the-circulatory-system
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8-2-transport-of-oxygen-and-carbon-dioxide
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8-3-the-heart
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9-1-the-gas-exchange-system
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10-1-infectious-diseases
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10-2-antibiotics
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11-1-the-immune-system
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11-2-antibodies-and-vaccination
the-walls-of-the-heart
The walls of the heart
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The muscular walls of the atria are thinner than those of the ventricles
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When the atria contract, the thin muscular walls do not generate much pressure, but enough to force blood down into the ventricles, through the atrioventricular valves
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In contrast, the walls of the ventricles are thicker and more muscular
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Following contraction of the atria, the ventricles contract and squeeze blood inwards, increasing its pressure and pushing it out of the heart through right and left semilunar valves
Left and right ventricle
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The muscle of the left ventricle is significantly thicker than the right ventricle
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This is because the blood leaving the right ventricle travels less distance than blood leaving the left ventricle
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The blood pumped out from the right ventricle travels to the lungs, whereas blood pumped out from the left ventricle has to travel to the rest of the body to deliver oxygen for respiration
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To reach the rest of the body, the blood leaving the left ventricle must be under high pressure
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This is generated by the contraction of the muscular walls of the left ventricle
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The right ventricle generates less pressure from the contraction of its thinner walls, as blood only has to reach the lungs
Worked Example
A graph showing pressures changes in the heart is shown below:

Explain the differences in pressure between left atrium and ventricle in the graph.
The walls of the left atrium are thin, so the pressure generated by their contraction is low. Low pressure is sufficient because blood is forced only a short distance; from the left atrium down to the left ventricle. The muscular walls of the left ventricle are much thicker and generate much higher pressure, as shown on the graph. This is because much more pressure is generated when this thick muscle contracts and squeezes blood with enough force to reach the rest of the body.