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Admissions tests / ESAT / Biology

27 questions in 40 minutes. Multiple choice. No calculator.

ESAT Biology

The Biology module covers cells and transport, cell division and genetics, enzymes and animal physiology, ecosystems and plant physiology. It assumes all of the Mathematics 1 content, so quantitative biology questions are genuinely quantitative.

165 original practice questions across 11 sets, grouped by the strand of the published specification each one covers. Every question carries a full worked solution.

  • Each module is separately timed. Time not used on one module is not carried into the next.
  • No calculator. An erasable booklet is provided for working.

Cells, membranes and transport

Sub-cellular components of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, diffusion, osmosis in terms of water potential, active transport, and the mitotic cell cycle.

What the specification says (11 points)
  • B1.1 Know and understand the structure and function of the main sub-cellular components of eukaryotic cells (both animal and plant): cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondrion, cell wall (plant only), chloroplast (plant only), vacuole (plant only).
  • B1.2 Know and understand the structure and function of the main sub-cellular components of prokaryotic cells (bacteria): cell membrane, cytoplasm, cell wall, chromosomal DNA / no 'true' nucleus, plasmid DNA.
  • B1.3 Know and understand the levels of organisation within organisms as cells to tissues to organs to organ systems.
  • B2.1 Know and understand the processes of diffusion, osmosis (in terms of water potential), and active transport, including examples in living and non-living systems.
  • B3.1a Know and understand that the mitotic cell cycle includes interphase (involving cell growth and DNA replication) and mitosis (involving one cell division leading to two daughter cells which are genetically identical to each other and to the parental cell).
  • B3.1b Know and understand the importance of mitosis in the growth of an organism: its roles in increasing the number of cells, repairing tissues, replacing cells and asexual reproduction.
  • B3.1c Know and understand that cancer is the result of changes in cells, including mutations, that lead to uncontrolled cell division.
  • B3.2a Know and understand that the meiotic cell cycle includes interphase (involving cell growth and DNA replication) and meiosis (involving two cell divisions leading to four daughter cells, each with a single copy of each chromosome).
  • B3.2b Know and understand the role of meiosis in producing genetically different haploid gametes so that the zygote (fertilised egg cell) produced at fertilisation is diploid.
  • B3.3 Know and understand that asexual reproduction involves one parent and offspring are genetically identical when no mutations occur; and that sexual reproduction involves two parents and offspring are genetically different in relation to each other and the parents, leading to (increased) variation.
  • B3.4 Sex determination: know that in most mammals including humans, females are XX and males are XY. Analyse genetic data and diagrams to establish the sex and ratio of offspring.

Genetics, DNA and inheritance

The nucleus and genetic material, the genome, DNA structure, protein synthesis, genetic engineering, variation, natural selection and evolution.

What the specification says (12 points)
  • B4.1 Know and understand the nucleus as a site of genetic material in eukaryotic cells.
  • B4.2 Know and understand the genetic terms: gene, allele, dominant, recessive, heterozygous, homozygous, phenotype, genotype, chromosome, autosome.
  • B4.3 Monohybrid crosses: use and interpret genetic data and diagrams involving monohybrid (single gene) crosses; use and interpret family trees/pedigrees and express outcomes as ratios, numbers, probabilities or percentages; understand the concept of inherited conditions; know that most phenotypes are the result of multiple genes and only some result from single gene inheritance.
  • B5.1 Know and understand that the genome is the full set of genetic material (DNA) of an organism, and that this DNA is contained within chromosomes.
  • B5.2 Structure of DNA: single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) is a polymer of nucleotides forming one strand; double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) is a polymer of two strands forming a double helix; each nucleotide consists of a common sugar and phosphate group plus one of four nitrogenous bases; the complementary base pairs adenine (A) with thymine (T) and guanine (G) with cytosine (C), and the sequence of these bases is the genetic code.
  • B5.3 Protein synthesis: protein synthesis involves producing chains of amino acids called polypeptides; one or more polypeptides can form a functional protein; the three-dimensional shape of a protein is determined by the sequence of its amino acids; the sequence of nucleotide bases in a gene determines the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide it codes for; the sequence of nucleotides in a gene is 'read' as triplets, each triplet coding for an amino acid.
  • B5.4 Gene mutations: understand that a mutation changes the sequence of nucleotides in the DNA; know that most mutations have no effect on the phenotype, some have a small effect, whilst occasionally others determine the phenotype.
  • B6.1 Genetic engineering: understand the process, to include taking a copy of a gene from the DNA of one organism, insertion of that gene into the DNA of another organism, and the roles of restriction enzymes and ligases in recombining DNA. Recall and interpret examples of genetic engineering in different cell types. Explain the benefits and risks of using genetic engineering in medical applications.
  • B6.2 Stem cells: know that some early embryonic cells are totipotent and have the potential to develop into a complete multicellular organism; most embryonic stem cells are pluripotent and can differentiate into any cell type; adult stem cells are multipotent and can differentiate into a limited number of cell types. Know the likely benefits and risks of using stem cells in medical applications.
  • B6.3 Selective breeding: know the differences and similarities between natural selection and selective breeding; understand the impact of selective breeding on populations.
  • B7.1 Natural selection and evolution: know that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species; describe evolution as a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species; understand how evolution can occur through natural selection of variants that give rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment; know that antibiotic resistance in bacteria is an example of evolution through natural selection.
  • B7.2 Sources of variation: understand that variation can be genetic/inherited, resulting in a range of phenotypes, and that variation can also be environmental, which affects a range of phenotypes.

Enzymes and animal physiology

Enzymes as biological catalysts, factors affecting activity, respiration, gas exchange, circulation and the other animal systems the specification names.

What the specification says (14 points)
  • B8.1 Know and understand that enzymes are primarily proteins that function as biological catalysts.
  • B8.2 Know and understand the general mechanism of enzyme action, including the role of the active site and enzyme specificity.
  • B8.3 Know and understand how the factors of temperature and pH can affect the rate of enzyme action.
  • B8.4 Know the role of amylases, proteases and lipases in the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
  • B9.1 Respiration: know and understand the process of cellular respiration in living cells; the process of aerobic respiration including the word equation; and the process of anaerobic respiration in animal cells including the word equation.
  • B9.2a Nervous system: know that the central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord; know the structure and function of sensory neurones, relay neurones, motor neurones, synapses and the reflex arc.
  • B9.2b Respiratory system: know the structure and function of the respiratory (breathing) system, including the structure of the thorax; understand the processes of ventilation and gas exchange; understand the importance of a high surface area : volume ratio for gas exchange.
  • B9.2c Circulatory system: know the structure and function of the circulatory system, including the structure of the heart, characteristics of heart rate, ECGs, and the main types of blood vessel (arteries, veins, capillaries); know the composition and function of the blood (red blood cells carry oxygen; white blood cells are involved in antibody production and phagocytosis; platelets in blood clotting; plasma in transport of blood components and dissolved substances including hormones, antibodies, urea and carbon dioxide, and in distribution of heat); know the relationship with the gaseous exchange system; know the need for exchange surfaces and a transport system in multicellular organisms in terms of surface area : volume ratio.
  • B9.2d Digestive system: know the structure and function of the digestive system; know the processes of peristalsis, digestion, absorption and egestion.
  • B9.2e Excretory system: know the structure and function of the excretory system, including the kidney and the main components of the nephron; understand the role of the kidneys in homeostasis.
  • B9.3 Homeostasis: know that homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment and appreciate its importance in multicellular animals; understand negative feedback in the context of homeostasis; know the regulation of blood glucose levels including the role of insulin and glucagon; understand the main features of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how type 1 diabetes can be treated; know the regulation of water content (including the role of ADH) and the regulation of body temperature.
  • B9.4 Hormones: know that hormones are released from specific endocrine glands and travel via the blood to their target structures; know the main role of adrenaline in the body; know the roles of hormones in human reproduction, including those involved in the menstrual cycle (FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone) and those used for contraception, and the differences between hormonal and non-hormonal forms of contraception.
  • B9.5a Communicable diseases: know that communicable diseases are caused by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi; understand the transmission routes of sexually transmitted infections, including the effect on the immune system of HIV which results in AIDS; understand the treatment of disease, including the use of antibiotics, vaccines (role of dead and inactive pathogens, antibody production and formation of memory cells) and techniques to prevent the spread of pathogens including HIV; understand the process of discovery and development of new medicines and vaccines, including pre-clinical and clinical testing.
  • B9.5b Non-communicable diseases: know that cardiovascular disease, many forms of cancer, some lung and liver diseases and diseases influenced by nutrition (including type 2 diabetes) are caused by the interaction of many factors; know that cardiovascular disease can be treated/managed using lifelong medication (including statins, anti-coagulants and anti-hypertensive drugs), surgical procedures (including stents and bypass for coronary heart disease), and lifestyle changes (including reducing smoking, more exercise and a balanced diet).

Ecosystems and plant physiology

Levels of organisation in an ecosystem, energy transfer, cycling of materials, photosynthesis as an endothermic process and the factors that limit it.

What the specification says (5 points)
  • B10.1 Levels of organisation in an ecosystem: know the organisation of levels within an ecosystem from individuals through to populations, and from communities through to ecosystems; know how communities can be affected by abiotic and biotic factors; know the factors that can cause a population to change in size; understand the importance of interdependence in ecosystems (predation, mutualism and parasitism) and of competition in a community; know that photosynthetic organisms are the primary producers of food in an ecosystem, and therefore biomass.
  • B10.2 Material cycling: know the carbon cycle, including the importance of photosynthesis, respiration, combustion and decomposition; understand the importance of the water cycle to living organisms.
  • B10.3 Biodiversity: know how quadrats and belt transects are used to investigate the distribution and abundance of organisms in a habitat, and interpret data from their use; know how to determine the number of organisms in a given area; know the positive and negative human interactions in an ecosystem, including fish farming, acid rain and eutrophication, and explain their impact on biodiversity.
  • B11.1 Importance of photosynthesis: know the process of photosynthesis as an endothermic reaction that uses light energy to react carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen; understand the effect of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration as limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis.
  • B11.2 Transport systems in plants: know how the structures of xylem and phloem are adapted to their functions, including the role of lignified dead cells in xylem tissue in the transport of water and mineral ions from the roots to the stems and leaves, and living cells in phloem tissue in the transport of dissolved sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant; know how water and mineral ions are taken up by plants and relate the structure of root hair cells to their function; know the processes of transpiration and translocation, including the structure and function of the stomata; know the effect of environmental factors on the rate of water uptake (light intensity, air movement, humidity and temperature); calculate the rate of transpiration as volume of water divided by time taken.

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