19 September 2007


Compilation of Biology
Enduring Understanding Statements

Hey guys!
Here are the compiled Enduring Understanding Statements from Ms Elaine Low 's Biology notes:

Life-What’s that?
• Something that is alive would show all characteristics of life.
• All life processes result in, or are a result of, the characteristics of life.

Cell
• The cell is the smallest unit that shows all characteristics of life.
• The cell has structures and an organization that gives rise to properties that allow it to efficiently carry out life processes
• Life processes are biochemical reactions, and give rise to the characteristic of life.
• Life processes take place efficiently when biochemical reactions (which are affected by physical and chemical factors) occur at optimum temperature.

Transport across Membranes
• Transport processes across the membrane are dependent upon the structure of the membrane and the nature of substances being transported.
• Membrane transport processes allow the cell to carry out life processes at optimum rates.
• Different membrane transport processes utilize different forms of energy.

Nutrition
• Proper nutrition involves obtaining a balance between nutrient intake and nutrient expenditure.
• Nutrients serve as a source of energy or a source of carbon for all living cells.
• Nutrients function as precursors for biosynthesis.

Biological Molecules
• The structure of a molecule gives rise to properties that allow it to efficiently perform it’s function.

Enzymes
• Enzymes are biological catalysts that lower the activation energy of a reaction through complementary binding with their substrates at their active sites.
• The factors that modify an enzyme’s activity affect the rate at which enzyme-substrate complexes are formed for that reaction.


Digestion
Absorption and Assimilation

• The structure of the digestive system gives rise to specific properties that allow it to perform its functions effectively.
• The objective of digestion is to use mechanical and chemical processes that result in products that are more easily absorbed than the ingested food.
• The efficiency of the digestive process in the preceding part of the alimentary canal determines how effectively digestion occurs in the subsequent parts.
• The body’s ability to assimilate ingested nutrients depends on the efficiency of the digestive process.
• The nature of a product of digestion determines the processes by which it is absorbed.
• The rate of absorbed nutrients is the result of processes involved in maintaining optimum concentrations of biological molecules in cells and body fluids.

Hope you guys found it useful for your revision! ((:

---