BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) BTEC Applied Science Syllabus

BTEC Applied Science syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for BTEC Applied Science in BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Principles of Biology

   3 topics

   • Cell Structure and Function
     • Animal and plant cells
     • Specialised cells and microscopy
   • Cell Transport and Enzymes
     • Diffusion, osmosis and active transport
     • Enzyme action and factors affecting activity
   • Human Body Systems
     • Homeostasis and regulation
2. 2

   Principles of Chemistry

   3 topics

   • Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
     • Subatomic particles and electron configuration
     • Groups, periods and trends
   • Chemical Bonding
     • Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
   • Acids, Bases and Reactions
     • pH, neutralisation and salts
     • Rates of reaction
3. 3

   Principles of Physics

   3 topics

   • Waves and Their Properties
     • Wave characteristics and the electromagnetic spectrum
   • Electricity and Circuits
     • Current, voltage and resistance
   • Energy and Forces
     • Energy stores and transfers
     • Motion and Newton's laws
4. 4

   Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

   4 topics

   • Laboratory Equipment and Measurement
     • Accuracy, precision and calibration
   • Titration and Quantitative Techniques
     • Standard solutions and calculations
   • Health and Safety in the Laboratory
     • Hazard symbols and risk assessment
   • Recording and Analysing Results
     • Tables, graphs and evaluating reliability

BTEC Applied Science flashcards for BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council)

18 of 51 cards from the BTEC Applied Science deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the function of the cell membrane (plasma membrane)?

   It controls what enters and leaves the cell, acting as a partially (selectively) permeable barrier. It is made of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

2. Name three organelles found in a plant cell but NOT in an animal cell.

   Cell wall (made of cellulose), chloroplasts (contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis), and a large permanent vacuole (containing cell sap).

3. What is the role of the mitochondria in a cell?

   It is the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy from glucose. Cells with high energy demand (e.g. muscle cells) contain many mitochondria.

4. Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of their genetic material.

   Eukaryotic cells have DNA enclosed in a membrane-bound nucleus. Prokaryotic cells (e.g. bacteria) have no nucleus; their DNA is a single loop free in the cytoplasm, often with extra small rings called plasmids.

5. What is the function of ribosomes?

   Ribosomes are the site of protein synthesis (translation), where amino acids are assembled into proteins.

6. Define diffusion.

   The net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration (down a concentration gradient). It is a passive process requiring no energy from the cell.

7. Define osmosis.

   The net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution) across a partially permeable membrane. It is passive.

8. How does active transport differ from diffusion?

   Active transport moves particles AGAINST a concentration gradient (low to high concentration) using energy from respiration (ATP) and carrier proteins. Diffusion is passive and moves particles down the gradient with no energy needed.

9. What is an enzyme and what does it do?

   An enzyme is a biological catalyst, usually a protein, that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up. It lowers the activation energy of the reaction.

10. Explain the 'lock and key' model of enzyme action.

    The substrate has a complementary shape to the enzyme's active site. The substrate fits into the active site like a key in a lock, forming an enzyme-substrate complex, allowing the reaction to occur and products to be released.

11. What happens to an enzyme when it is denatured?

    High temperature or extreme pH changes the shape of the enzyme's active site, so the substrate can no longer bind. The enzyme stops working; denaturation is usually irreversible.

12. Describe how temperature affects the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction.

    Rate increases with temperature up to an optimum (around $37^{\circ}\text{C}$ in humans) as particles gain kinetic energy and collide more. Above the optimum the enzyme denatures and rate falls sharply.

13. List the levels of organisation in the human body from smallest to largest.

    Cells $\to$ tissues $\to$ organs $\to$ organ systems $\to$ organism.

14. What is the role of red blood cells, and what feature aids their function?

    They transport oxygen. They contain haemoglobin (which binds oxygen), have a biconcave shape for large surface area, and have no nucleus to make more room for haemoglobin.

15. Name the components of blood.

    Plasma (liquid), red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leucocytes), and platelets.

16. Trace the path of blood through the heart starting from the body.

    Body $\to$ vena cava $\to$ right atrium $\to$ right ventricle $\to$ pulmonary artery $\to$ lungs $\to$ pulmonary vein $\to$ left atrium $\to$ left ventricle $\to$ aorta $\to$ body.

17. Compare arteries and veins.

    Arteries carry blood away from the heart at high pressure, have thick muscular/elastic walls and a narrow lumen. Veins carry blood toward the heart at low pressure, have thinner walls, a wide lumen, and contain valves to prevent backflow.

18. What is the function of the alveoli in the lungs?

    Alveoli are the site of gas exchange. Oxygen diffuses into the blood and carbon dioxide diffuses out. They provide a large surface area, thin walls (one cell thick), and a good blood supply.

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