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

Dont 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 nerves
Enzymes killed by high temperature
Antibiotics 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 radiation
Ionises DNA
Chemicals
Alkylating 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 knowledge 3
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 papers
June 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 papers
June 2006
How is shape related to function
June 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