AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes















AQA




GCSE Biology




New Unit 1




Summary Notes










Page 1

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




B1.1 Keeping Healthy
B1.1.1 Diet and Exercise

Summary
A combination of a balanced diet and regular exercise is needed to help keep the body
healthy.

Healthy Diet
A healthy diet contains the right balance of the different foods you need and the…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




Exercise increases the proportion of muscle to fat.

Inheritance
Inherited factors can influence our health.
We can inherit genes from our parents which can influence our metabolic rate.
We can also inherit genes which influence our cholesterol level.
Cholesterol is a substance…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




B 1.1.2 Infectious Disease

Summary
Our bodies provide an excellent environment for many microbes which can make us ill once
they are inside us. Our bodies need to stop most microbes getting in and deal with any
microbes which do get in.…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




The immune system
The body has different ways of protecting itself against pathogens.
White blood cells defend our internal environment from pathogens
These form part of our immune system.
There are various types of white blood cells:
Cells that ingest and destroy…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




This idea was not readily accepted ­ people were not aware of microorganisms.
Nowadays, it is standard practice for people to wash hands after treating patients, to
prevent disease being transmitted to other patients.

Using drugs to treat disease
Some medicines, including…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




What can be done?
Doctor's should only prescribe antibiotics when necessary ­ and not for viruses.
It is important that if you are prescribed antibiotics you take the whole course.
o A lot of people will stop taking the antibiotic when they…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




Culturing microorganisms
To study microorganisms, they need to be cultured.
They need to be provided with the conditions they need to reproduce quickly:
o Nutrients
o Warmth
o Moisture
Bacteria and fungi can be grown in special media called agar.
This provides…

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes











In school and college laboratories, cultures should be incubated at a maximum temperature
of 25oC.
This greatly reduces the likelihood of growth of pathogens that might be harmful to humans.
In industrial conditions higher temperatures can produce more rapid growth.







Page 9

AQA GCSE Biology ­ Unit 1 summary notes




B1.2 Nerves and Hormones

Summary
The nervous system and hormones enable us to respond to external changes. They also help
us to control conditions inside our bodies. Hormones are used in some forms of contraception
and in fertility treatments. Plants also produce…