A2 3.4 Unit 4: 3.4.5 Energy is transferred through ecosystems and the efficiency of transfer can be measured

Energy and food production
The ways in which productivity is affected by farming practices that increase the efficiency of energy conversion. These include:

• the use of natural and artificial fertilisers
• the use of chemical pesticides, biological agents and integrated systems in controlling pests on agricultural crops intensive rearing of domestic livestock

A2 3.5 Unit 5: 3.5.8 Gene cloning technologies allow study and alteration of gene function in order to better understand organism function and to design new industrial and medical processes

Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology
• evaluate the ethical, moral and social issues associated with the use of recombinant technology in agriculture, in industry and in medicine
• balance the humanitarian aspects of recombinant DNA technology with the opposition from environmentalists and antiglobalisation activists

AS 3.1 Unit 2: 3.2.10 Adaptation and selection are major components of evolution and make a significant contribution to the diversity of living organisms

Genetic variation in bacteria
Candidates should be able to:

• apply the concepts of adaptation and selection to other examples
• evaluate methodology, evidence and data relating to antibiotic resistance
• discuss ethical issues associated with the use of antibiotics
• discuss the ways in which society uses scientific knowledge relating to antibiotic resistance to inform decision-making

A2 3.5 Unit 5: 3.5.8 Gene cloning technologies allow study and alteration of gene function in order to better understand organism function and to design new industrial and medical processes

Gene cloning and transfer
The relative advantages of in vivo and in vitro cloning
The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce transformed organisms that benefit humans

Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology
• evaluate the ethical, moral and social issues associated with the use of recombinant technology in agriculture, in industry and in medicine
• balance the humanitarian aspects of recombinant DNA technology with the opposition from environmentalists and antiglobalisation activists

A2 3.5 Unit 5: Genetic fingerprinting

An organism's genome contains many repetitive, non-coding base sequences. The probability of two individuals having the same repetitive sequences is very low

The technique of genetic fingerprinting in analysing DNA fragments that have been cloned by PCR, and its use in determining genetic relationships and in determining the genetic variability within a population

Candidates should be able to:

• explain the biological principles that underpin genetic fingerprinting techniques
• explain why scientists might use genetic fingerprints, in the fields of forensic science, medical diagnosis, animal and plant breeding

A2 3.5 Unit 5: 3.5.8 Gene cloning technologies allow study and alteration of gene function in order to better understand organism function and to design new industrial and medical processes

The sequencing and manipulation of DNA has many medical and technological applications.

Gene therapy
The use of gene therapy to supplement defective genes
Candidates should be able to evaluate the effectiveness of gene therapy

A2 3.5 Unit 5: Gene cloning and transfer

Medical diagnosis
The use of labelled DNA probes and DNA hybridisation to locate specific genes. Once located, the base sequence of a gene can be determined by

• restriction mapping
• DNA sequencing

Many human diseases result from mutated genes or from genes that are useful in one context but not in another, e.g. sickle cell anaemia.
DNA sequencing and the PCR are used to produce DNA probes that can be used to screen patients for clinically important genes.
The use of this information in genetic counselling, e.g., for parents who are both carriers of defective genes and, in the case of oncogenes, in deciding the best course of treatment for cancers.

A2 3.5 Unit 5: Gene cloning and transfer

The relative advantages of in vivo and in vitro cloning
The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce transformed organisms that benefit humans

Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology
• evaluate the ethical, moral and social issues associated with the use of recombinant technology in agriculture, in industry and in medicine
• balance the humanitarian aspects of recombinant DNA technology with the opposition from environmentalists and antiglobalisation activists

A2 3.5 Unit 5: 3.5.7 Gene expression is controlled by a number of features

Regulation of transcription and translation
Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer
• evaluate the effect on diagnosis and treatment of disorders caused by hereditary mutations and those caused by acquired mutations

A2 3.5 Unit 5: 3.5.8 Gene cloning technologies allow study and alteration of gene function in order to better understand organism function and to design new industrial and medical processes

Medical diagnosis
The use of labelled DNA probes and DNA hybridisation to locate specific genes. Once located, the base sequence of a gene can be determined by

• restriction mapping
• DNA sequencing

Many human diseases result from mutated genes or from genes that are useful in one context but not in another, e.g. sickle cell anaemia.
DNA sequencing and the PCR are used to produce DNA probes that can be used to screen patients for clinically important genes.
The use of this information in genetic counselling, e.g., for parents who are both carriers of defective genes and, in the case of oncogenes, in deciding the best course of treatment for cancers.

A2 3.5 Unit 5: Gene cloning and transfer

The relative advantages of in vivo and in vitro cloning
The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce transformed organisms that benefit humans

Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology
• evaluate the ethical, moral and social issues associated with the use of recombinant technology in agriculture, in industry and in medicine
• balance the humanitarian aspects of recombinant DNA technology with the opposition from environmentalists and antiglobalisation activists

A2 3.5 Unit 5: Gene cloning and transfer

The relative advantages of in vivo and in vitro cloning
The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce transformed organisms that benefit humans

Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology
• evaluate the ethical, moral and social issues associated with the use of recombinant technology in agriculture, in industry and in medicine
• balance the humanitarian aspects of recombinant DNA technology with the opposition from environmentalists and antiglobalisation activists

AS 3.3 Unit 3 Investigative and practical skills in AS Biology (AS Centre Assessed Unit)

This unit will address the following aspects of the AS subject criteria. The ability to;

• demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful practical techniques, selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods

3.3.2: Implementing involves the ability to work methodically and safely, demonstrating competence in the required manipulative skills and efficiency in managing time. Raw data should be methodically collected and recorded during the course of the investigation.

Candidates should be able to:

• show full regard for safety and the ethical issues involved with the well-being of living organisms and the environment

A2 3.4: 3.4.1 The dynamic equilibrium of populations is affected by a number of factors

Investigating populations
In the context of investigating populations, candidates should:

• carry out experimental and investigative activities, including appropriate risk management
• consider ethical issues arising when carrying out field work, particularly those relating to the organisms involved and their environment

A2 3.6 Unit 6 Investigative and practical skills in A2 Biology (A2 Centre Assessed Unit)

This unit will address the following aspects of the A2 subject criteria. The ability to:

• demonstrate and describe ethical, safe and skilful practical techniques, selecting appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods

3.6.2 Implementing involves the ability to work methodically and safely, demonstrating competence in the required manipulative skills and efficiency in managing time. Raw data should be methodically collected and recorded during the course of the investigation.

Candidates should be able to:

• show full regard for safety and the ethical issues involved with the well-being of living organisms and the environment

A2 3.5 Unit 5: 3.5.7 Gene expression is controlled by a number of features

The sequencing and manipulation of DNA has many medical and technological applications.

Most of a cell's DNA is not translated
Totipotent cells are cells that can mature into any body cell. During development, totipotent cells translate only part of their DNA, resulting in cell specialisation. Only a few totipotent cells, called stem cells, remain in mature animals. These can be used in treating some genetic disorders.

Candidates should be able to:

• evaluate the use of stem cells in treating human disorders

A2 3.5 Unit: Gene cloning and transfer

The relative advantages of in vivo and in vitro cloning
The use of recombinant DNA technology to produce transformed organisms that benefit humans

Candidates should be able to:

• interpret information relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology
• evaluate the ethical, moral and social issues associated with the use of recombinant technology in agriculture, in industry and in medicine
• balance the humanitarian aspects of recombinant DNA technology with the opposition from environmentalists and antiglobalisation activists

AS 3.1 Unit 1: 3.1.6 Mammalian blood possesses a number of defensive functions

Principles of immunology
The use of vaccines to provide protection for individuals and populations against disease.
The use of monoclonal antibodies in enabling the targeting of specific substances and cells.

Candidates should be able to:

• evaluate methodology, evidence and data relating to the use of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies
• discuss ethical issues associated with the use of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies
• explain the role of the scientific community in validating new knowledge about vaccines and monoclonal antibodies thus ensuring integrity
• discuss the ways in which society uses scientific knowledge relating to vaccines and monoclonal antibodies to inform decision-making