Unit overview
Human Biological Science Unit 3B
The future of humans
DNA and
biotechnology
Trauma and
ageing treatments
DNA and
biotechnology
Trauma and
ageing treatments
Our internal
defences
Musculo-skeletal
support
Nervous control
Evolutionary
trends
Content cells
The practice of human biology
Human form and function
Human diversity and change
Our internal
defences
Musculo-skeletal
support
Evolutionary
trends
Unit content
Nervous control
Content cells
Human form and function
1.
Cells, metabolism and regulation
DNA codes for the production of proteins in cells
via a series of processes.
1.1
DNA and RNA are involved in:
•
protein synthesis (including transcription
and translation)
•
1.2
2.
cellular control of gene expression including
regulator, operator and promoter genes.
Specific resistance:
•
role of B cells, T cells, memory cells and
plasma cells
•
anti-body and cell-mediated defence
•
primary and secondary immune response
•
passive and active immunity
•
natural and artificial immunity
•
role of antibiotics and antivirals.
Body systems
The nervous system and the musculo-skeletal
system interact to provide coordinated actions of
the body.
© WestOne Services 2010
SCIENCE1437
Page 1 of 5
2.1
2.2
2.3
Trauma and
ageing treatments
DNA and
biotechnology
Our internal
defences
Central and peripheral nervous system:
•
brain (cerebrum, cerebellum, meninges,
medulla oblongata, hypothalamus), spinal
cord
•
afferent and efferent systems
•
structure of motor, sensory and interneurons
•
the reflex arc including components and
their functions in the transmission of
messages
•
transmission of nerve impulses–generation
and propagation
•
control of movement and balance—areas
and types of motor control of the body in the
cerebrum and cerebellum
•
innervation of muscular contraction.
Muscles—structure and function related to:
•
macroscopic including the types, locations
and resulting movements
•
microscopic including myofibrils
•
molecular including actin and myosin
•
sliding filament theory of contraction.
Skeleton—structure and function related to:
•
macro and microscopic structure of bone
and cartilage
•
2.4
Musculo-skeletal
support
Evolutionary
trends
Unit content
Nervous control
Content cells
structure and functionality of major joint
types Including ball and socket, hinge, pivot,
gliding, immovable.
Medical technologies related to support for
trauma recovery and changing function of the
musculo-skeletal and nervous systems caused by
ageing: including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis,
Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.
•
mechanical:
•
external eg supports, bionic limbs
internal eg artificial joints and
physiotherapy
chemical:
•
○
dietary supplements
○
pharmaceuticals eg anti-inflammatories
biological:
○
○
○
○
tissue regeneration
grafting and transplantations.
© WestOne Services 2010
SCIENCE1437
Page 2 of 5
Trauma and
ageing treatments
DNA and
biotechnology
Our internal
defences
Musculo-skeletal
support
Evolutionary
trends
Unit content
Nervous control
Content cells
Human diversity and change
3.
Inheritance
3.1
Biotechnological techniques are being developed
and used for a range of applications including:
•
identification of hereditary diseases by;
○
DNA sequencing
○
profiling tecniques
○
PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
○
genetic probes
•
production of human proteins, hormones
and vaccines by DNA recombinant
techniques (including restriction and ligase
enzymes), eg to produce insulin, Human
Growth Hormone, Factor VIII
4.
•
treatment of genetic disorders by gene
therapy, eg cystic fibrosis
•
cell replacement therapy and tissue
engineering by the cloning of stem cells, eg
repair of injured tissues, treating
degenerative nerve diseases.
Variation and evolution
Within the classification system, primate and
hominin groups show evolutionary trends.
Human evolution is the result of interaction of
evolutionary mechanisms and the environment.
4.1
Primate evolutionary trends:
 relative size of cerebral cortex
 olfactory/optical shift
 gestation time and parental care
 mobility of the digits
 teeth shape and dental arrangements.
4.2
Hominin evolutionary trends:
 bipedalism—feet adaptations, hip and knee
joints
 relative size of cerebral cortex
 prognathism and dentition
 spine and pelvis shape.
4.3
Interaction of evolutionary mechanisms and the
environment:
 effects of environment on early hominin
evolution
 significant cultural advances changing the
importance of the environment in human
evolution.
© WestOne Services 2010
SCIENCE1437
Page 3 of 5
Trauma and
ageing treatments
DNA and
biotechnology
Our internal
defences
Musculo-skeletal
support
Evolutionary
trends
Unit content
Nervous control
Content cells
The practice of human biology
5.
Approaches to investigating and
communicating human biology
5.1





6.
use a personally identified problem to
formulate an hypothesis
select methodology to plan and conduct a
safe and ethical investigation into various
aspects of the problem
mathematically justify results and use others’
results to support findings
justify conclusions taking into account errors
and limitations in data
prepare and present a balanced report,
including discussion of limitations and biases,
using information from scientifically reliable
sources as well as own data.
The relevance of human biology to everyday
life
The human genome can be used for
individualising medical interventions. Human
lifespan is increasing causing issues associated
with an ageing population.
6.1
6.2
6.3
Potential treatment related to individual
variations:
 information from the Human Genome
providing new interventions for common
dysfunctions/disorders
 gene therapy
 tissue regeneration.
 grafting and transplantation
Risks, ethical concerns and benefits:
 production and use of vaccines and hormones
 medical technologies for treating the effects
of ageing
 informed debate about human origins.
Human life span:
 diseases and treatment of an ageing
population
 euthanasia and quality of life issues.
© WestOne Services 2010
SCIENCE1437
Page 4 of 5
Extended response
(20-30%)
20%
6%
15%
6%
8%
40%
Examination
Notional hours
© WestOne Services 2010
Topic
tests
4/5/6
10%
Topic
tests
1/2/3
10%
Tests and Examinations
(40-60%)
60%
Trauma and ageing
treatments
5%
DNA and
biotechnology
Our internal
defences
Investigation
(15 -25%)
20%
Musculo-skeletal
support
Nervous control
Assessment types
Evolutionary
trends
Assessment weightings
8
SCIENCE1437
9
10
8
12
8
Page 5 of 5