IB Biology Topic 1 Cram sheets

Discover the properties of water, including hydrogen bonding, understanding how this relates to the functions of life. Understand the mechanism of cohesion and adhesion, as well as water’s ability to act as a solvent.

Explore the impact of water’s physical properties on aquatic habitats as well as the extra-terrestrial origin of water and its importance in discovering new life.

Explore the structure and function of DNA and RNA, including sugar-phosphate bonding, hydrogen bonding, complementary base pairing, nitrogenous bases and nucleotides, discovering the code for life. 

Discover the directionality of DNA and RNA, understanding helix stability and the structure of nucleosomes. Explore the scientific evidence of DNA and its diversity through the Hershey-Chase experiment and Chargaff’s data.

Discover amino acids, the building blocks for metabolic compounds and genetic code. Understand the role of pH and temperature in influencing these functions.

Explore the chemical diversity of proteins, understanding how this influences structure, bonding, and function.

Explore enzymes, the backbone of metabolism. Understand how their structure enables catalysis and activation energy influence in a wide variety of reactions. Consider the influence of temperature, pH and substrate concentration on enzyme activity.

Discover the role of enzymes in the intracellular and extracellular reactions required to sustain life. Understand energy production, negative feedback, and the different pathways possible for a reaction, considering the effect of enzyme inhibition on these processes.

Discover the role of ATP as the source of energy production and life. Consider the factors contributing to cell respiration, including oxygen availability.

Explore the transformation of light and carbon dioxide into energy for sustaining plant life, understanding the role of photosynthetic pigments in enabling this process.

Dive into the conversion of light into energy and oxygen in different photosystems. Explore the Calvin Cycle, illustrating the outcomes of light dependent and independent reactions.

Explore the theories behind DNA replication and the essential role of enzymes in guiding this process. Discover the intricate role of transcription and translation in protein production. Uncover the fascinating process of artificial DNA copying. 

Explore the directionality of DNA replication, considering the action of enzymes on leading and lagging strands. Consider the implications of this mechanism on DNA proofreading.

Discover molecular-level changes to genetic code. Understand the causes and process of mutation, considering both its harmful and harmless consequences.

Explore the uses modern uses of genetic modification. Consider the gene knockout technique, CRISPR sequences, and highly conserved genes as methods for understanding genetic function and providing an avenue for future research.