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
Heart action: initiation & control
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Control of the basic heartbeat is myogenic, which means the heart will beat without any external stimulus
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This intrinsic rhythm means the heart beats at around 60 times per minute
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The sinoatrial node (SAN) is a group of cells in the wall of the right atrium
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The SAN initiates a wave of depolarisation that causes the atria to contract
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The Annulus fibrosus is a region of non-conducting tissue which prevents the depolarisation spreading straight to the ventricles
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Instead, the depolarisation is carried to the atrioventricular node (AVN)
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This is a region of conducting tissue between atria and ventricles
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After a slight delay, the AVN is stimulated and passes the stimulation along the bundle of His
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This delay means that the ventricles contract after the atria
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The bundle of His is a collection of conducting tissue in the septum (middle) of the heart
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The bundle of His divides into two conducting fibres, called Purkyne tissue, and carries the wave of excitation along them
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The Purkyne fibres spread around the ventricles and initiate the depolarization of the ventricles from the apex (bottom) of the heart
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This makes the ventricles contract and blood is forced out of the pulmonary artery and aorta
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|
Stage in cardiac cycle sequence |
Event |
|---|---|
|
1 |
Sinoatrial node sends out a wave of excitation |
|
2 |
Atria contract |
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3 |
Atrioventricular node sends out a wave of excitation |
|
4 |
Purkyne tissue conducts the wave of excitation |
|
5 |
Ventricles contract |

Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that the heart is myogenic, which means that the heart will generate a heartbeat by itself and without any other stimulation. Instead, the electrical activity of the heart regulates the heart rate. Be aware that you may sometimes see an alternative spelling of “Purkyne” as “Purkinje” they mean the exact same thing!