HKDSE BIOLOGY a modern approach List of clarification of the learning and assessment focuses of Biology Curriculum and relevant parts in the textbook The Curriculum Development Council and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority released the Biology (S4-6) Curriculum Supplementary Document in November, 2012. The tables below are prepared basing on this Supplementary Document to indicate the relevant parts in the series HKDSE BIOLOGY a modern approach for teachers quick reference. COMPULSORY PART I. Cells and Molecules of Life Topics Clarification Relevant parts in textbook Molecules of life Biomolecules Movement of substances across membrane Diffusion, osmosis and active transport Cell cycle and division Stages of cell cycle Meiosis The following contents are not the learning and assessment focus: optical isomers, linear form of sugar molecules, structural differences of starch, glycogen and cellulose. Detailed mechanism of active transport is not the learning and Details of cell cycle are not the learning and Crossing over is a feature of meiosis. Book 1, Ch 2, p.31 Table 2.3 Book 1, Ch 5, p.131 The paragraph about first growth phase (G 1 ), synthesis phase (S) and second growth phase (G 2 ) Book 1, Ch 5 5.5 Meiosis (Refer to the teaching notes on p.141.) Enzymes and enzymatic reactions Factors (temperature, ph, inhibitors) affecting the rate of enzymatic reactions Modes and mechanism of enzyme inhibition are not the learning and Book 1, Ch 6, p.166-168 6.5 C. How are the rates of enzyme reactions affected by inhibitors? 2012 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 1 (Cont d)
Topics Clarification Relevant parts in textbook Photosynthesis Light absorption Carbon fixation: Calvin cycle Respiration Photosystem is not the learning and The following contents are not the learning and assessment focus: detailed biochemical reactions, names and structural formula of the intermediate biomolecules, concept of oxidation number. The following contents are not the learning and assessment focus: detailed biochemical reactions, names and structural formula of the biomolecules, concept of oxidation number. Book 1, Ch 7, p.202-203 7.3 B. The second stage: the Calvin cycle Book 1, Ch 8, p.232-233 8.2 B. Krebs cycle II. Genetics and Evolution Topics Clarification Relevant parts in textbook Basic genetics Inheritance in humans Molecular genetics Transcription Translation Co-dominance, incomplete dominance and linkage are not the learning and The process of transcription is not the learning and Limit to the concepts of template strand and base pairing. The process of translation is not the learning and Limit to the concepts of codon and anticodon. Book 4, Ch 23, p.60-61 23.4 A. Transcription Book 4, Ch 23, p.62-63 23.4 B. Translation (Cont d) 2012 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 2
Topics Clarification Relevant parts in textbook Applied genetics Recombinant DNA technology DNA fingerprinting Evolution Speciation isolation Detailed mechanism of recombinant DNA technology is not the learning and assessment focus. Recombinant DNA technology involves restriction and ligation. Detailed mechanism of DNA fingerprinting is not the learning and Details of different types of isolation are not the learning and Book 4, Ch 23, p.71 23.6 A. Recombinant DNA technology (Refer to Teacher s Edition p.t13-15.) III. Organisms and Environment Essential life processes in plants Transpiration Process The explanation of transpiration pull should be linked with the sub-topic Movement of substances across membrane. Cohesiontension theory is not the learning and Transport of substances in plants Transport of water Translocation of organic nutrients Reproduction in humans Menstrual cycle Cohesion-tension theory is not the learning and Mass flow hypothesis of phloem transport is not the learning and Hormonal control of menstrual cycle is included in elective topic Human Physiology: Regulation and Control. 2012 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 3
(Cont d) Stimulus, receptors and responses Sound as stimulus: the human ear Nervous coordination in humans Synapse Movement in humans Components of the musculoskeletal system Mechanism of hearing is not the learning and Specific names of neurotransmitters are not the learning and Types of lever system are not the learning and Book 2B, Ch 15, p.42-43 15.9 B. How do we hear? Book 2B, Ch 17, p.124 Further Reading: Human body levers IV. Health and Diseases Personal health Effects of lifestyles Smoking, alcohol and drug abuse Diseases Infectious diseases Treatment - Other drugs (e.g. sulpha drugs, cocktail treatment for AIDS) Detail effects of alcohol and drug on health are not the learning and Specific example and action of drugs are not the learning and Book 3, Ch 20, p.12-15 20.2 E. 2. Alcohol abuse 3. Drug abuse Book 3, Ch 20, p.26-27 20.4 C. 2. Other drugs for treating infectious diseases ELECTIVE PART V. Human Physiology: Regulation and Control Regulation of water content Processes in urine formation Countercurrent multiplier is not the learning and Book 5, Ch 26, p.12-14 26.3 C. 2. Reabsorption 2012 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 4
VI. Applied Ecology Conservation Endangered species in Hong Kong Examples of endangered species should be referred to information from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). Book 6, Ch 32, p.89-96 32.3 Endangered species in Hong Kong VII. Microorganisms and Humans Microbiology Growth requirements of microorganisms Design and perform investigations to study the growth of microorganisms (e.g. yeast and unicellular algae). Use of microorganisms Food processing Details of the manufacturing processes are not the learning and Book 7, Ch 34, p.53-55 34.3 Food processing VIII. Biotechnology Techniques in modern biotechnology Process of recombinant DNA technology the production of insulin Use the production of insulin as an example to illustrate the process of recombinant DNA technology Book 8, Ch 36, p.7-13 36.2 B. The basic steps of recombinant DNA technology C. Application of recombinant DNA technology for the production of insulin Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and its application DNA fingerprinting Recognise the wide application of PCR and its contribution to HGP. Use VNTR as example to illustrate the major steps involved in DNA fingerprinting. Book 8, Ch 36, p.19 36.3 B. Applications of PCR The part about Human Genome Project Book 8, Ch 36, p.20-22 36.4 DNA fingerprinting (Cont d) 2012 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 5
Biotechnology in medicine Gene therapy Somatic cell and germ line gene therapy Detailed procedures of gene therapy are not the learning and Distinguish between somatic cell and germ line gene therapy. Book 8, Ch 37, p.55-56 37.2 A. What is gene therapy? Book 8, Ch 37, p.57 37.2 B. Somatic cell gene therapy and germ line gene therapy Bioethics Stem cells transplant therapy Book 8, Ch 39, p.108-109 39.2 E. Stem cells transplant 2012 Aristo Educational Press Ltd. 6