Based on sections in the James Torrance textbook
Primary, secondary and tertiary structure, fibrous proteins (e.g. in muscle fibres), globular proteins, enzymes, hormones, antibodies, transport proteins (e.g. transferrin), structural protein (e.g. in cell membranes), conjugated proteins (glycoprotein, lipoprotein, haemoglobin);
Enzymes as catalysts, lock-and-key theory, effect of temperature, effect of pH, effect of enzyme concentration, effect of substrate concentration (e.g. on catalase), competitive and non-competitive inhibitors (e.g. cyanide as non-competitive inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase), cofactors (e.g. minerals), coenzymes (e.g. vitamin B), activators, inborn errors of metabolism;
Structure of DNA/RNA, genetic code, transcription, ribosomes, translation, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, ultrastructure of a cell;
Effect of ATP on muscle, structure and role of ATP, oxidation and reduction, aerobic respiration (glycolysis, fate of pyruvic acid, Krebs cycle, hydrogen/electron transfer system), anaerobic respiration, mitochondria;
Types of carbohydrate (monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides), testing for carbohydrates (Benedict's test, Barfoed's test, Clinistix, iodine), types of lipid (triglycerides, phospholipids, steroids), role of lipids (energy storage, insulation, padding, vitamin transport, hormones, membrane components), proteins, starvation, marathon running;
Structure of membrane, function of membrane as selective barrier, diffusion, osmosis (e.g. in haemolysis), active transport (e.g. Na/K pump), endocytosis (phagocytosis and pinocytosis), exocytosis;
Barriers to entry of microbes, phagocytosis, antigens and antibodies, B and T lymphocytes, immunological memory, naturally and artificially acquired immunity, active and passive immunity, allergies, self and non-self (ABO blood groups, human leukocyte antigen system, rejection of transplants), autoimmunity;
Parasitic nature, structure, invasion of cells, vaccination (e.g. against smallpox), retroviruses, HIV;
Nature of genes and chromosomes, autosomes and sex chromosomes, haploid and diploid, mitosis and meiosis (in human life cycle); DNA replication;
Need for reduction division, process of meiosis, importance of variation, independent assortment, crossing-over; genetic fingerprinting;
Mendel's pea plants, genotype and phenotype, homozygous and heterozygous, fruit fly experiments (e.g. long-wing x short-wing), law of probability, human examples (tongue rolling, Rhesus D-antigen, albinism, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, Huntington's chorea), incomplete dominance (e.g. in sickle-cell anaemia), co-dominance (e.g. in MN blood groups), multiple alleles (e.g. in ABO blood groups);
Sex chromosomes, sex-linked genes (e.g. red-green colour blindness, haemophilia, muscular dystrophy), discontinuous and continuous variation, polygenic inheritance (e.g. cereal grain colour), effect of environment;
Types of gene mutation (substitution, inversion, insertion, deletion), human examples (albinism, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria), mutagenic agents, non-disjunction, Down's syndrome, sex chromosome abnormalities (Turner's syndrome, Klinefelter's syndrome);
Pedigrees, types of inheritance (autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, sex-linked recessive), risk assessment, pre-natal screening (amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling), post-natal screening (e.g. for phenylketonuria), future DNA technology.
Testes and accessory glands, ovaries, gonadotrophins (FSH, LH / ICSH), sex hormones (testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone), menstrual cycle (hormones, follicular and luteal phases, body temperature changes), HCG secretion following fertilisation, role of cervix in fertility, continuous versus cyclical fertility;
Causes of infertility (failure of ovulation, blockage of oviducts, failure of implantation, low sperm count), in vitro fertilisation, artificial insemination, contraception (rhythm method, hormonal pills/implants);
Cleavage, implantation, differentiation, monozygotic and dizygotic twins, useful exchanges between mother and foetus, harmful exchanges, (e.g. thalidomide, alcohol, nicotine, heroin, rubella, HIV), placental hormones (oestrogen, progesterone, prolactin), Rhesus factor;
Process of birth, induction of birth with oxytocin, nutrition of newborn (role of oxytocin and prolactin, colostrum, organochlorines in milk), pattern of growth, growth curves, growth hormone, puberty and the role of 'releaser hormone' and gonadotrophins, anabolic steroids in sport;
Surface area to volume ratios, absorbing surfaces, circulatory system, arteries and veins, capillaries, tissue fluid, lymph, heart structure, heart valves, pulmonary and systemic circulation, hepatic portal vein, coronary artery, coronary heart disease (atherosclerosis, angina, thrombosis);
Cardiac cycle (systole/diastole/relaxation), valves and heart sounds, electrical excitation of heart, electrocardiography and abnormalities (atrial flutter, fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia), blood pressure, elasticity of arteries, danger of high blood pressure, role of lymphatic system (return of fluid, lipid absorption, lymph nodes), causes of oedema (high blood pressure, malnutrition, elephantiasis);
Haemoglobin, oxygen tension, oxygen dissociation curves, effect of temperature on haemoglobin, foetal haemoglobin, red blood cells and their production/destruction, nutrients involved (iron, vitamin B12);
Absorption in small intestine, lipid digestion (bile as an emulsifier, lipase), portal system, carbohydrate/lipid/protein metabolism in liver, fate of absorbed materials, vitamins and minerals;
Transport and excretion of carbon dioxide, roles of liver (conservation of useful substances, removal of toxins by alteration/breakdown/conjugation/uptake by macrophages), bilirubin, jaundice, urea, structure and role of kidneys, ultrafiltration, reabsorption of glucose/salt/water, anti-diuretic hormone and osmoregulation;
Homeostasis, negative feedback, control of heart rate (pacemaker, autonomic nerves, adrenaline), effect of exercise on respiratory system (response to carbon dioxide) and cardiovascular system (increased cardiac output, redistribution of blood), control of blood sugar (insulin, glucagon, adrenaline), diabetes, glucose tolerance tests, control of body temperature (sweating, vasodilation/vasoconstriction, hair erection, shivering, heat production in liver, hormones), voluntary responses to temperature, thermoregulation in infants (brown fat, critical temperature), hypothermia (in infants and the elderly), breakdown of homeostasis;
Evolutionary development of brain, cerebrum (grey and white matter, convoluted surface), functional areas (e.g. motor area), electroencephalograms, brain scans, split-brain studies (e.g. of visual pathways), evidence from brain injuries (damaged frontal lobes, shrapnel wounds, lesions, strokes);
Sensory and motor pathways, somatic nervous system, autonomic nervous system (sympathetic nerves in 'fight or flight' response, parasympathetic nerves for calming down, antagonistic nature allowing finely tuned control);
Neurone structure (dendrites, cell body, axon), myelination (increased transmission speed, infant development, multiple sclerosis), synaptic transmission (neurotransmitters, thresholds, frequency of impulses, removal of neurotransmitter), excitatory and inhibitory signals (e.g. in parasympathetic nerves), diverging pathways (e.g. fine motor control, temperature control), converging pathways (e.g. in retina), plasticity of responses (e.g. suppression of blinking, effect of distraction);
Declarative and procedural memories, evidence for localisation (removal of limbic system, personal vs. general memories, left and right lobes, electrical stimulation), memory at neuronal level, molecular basis of memory (failure to retrieve old memories, formation of new memories);
Selective memory, encoding, storage and retrieval, memory span, chunking, level 1/2/3 memory, transfer between short-term and long-term memory, rehearsal, serial position effect, organisation of memory, elaboration of meaning, classification of items in long-term memory, memory lapses, mnemonic devices;
Maturation (walking, speech, cognitive abilities), inherited disorders (e.g. Huntington's chorea, phenylketonuria), intelligence, IQ tests, effect of environment, twin studies (e.g. alcoholism, schizophrenia), inter-relationships between factors;
Infant attachment, contact comfort (e.g. in monkey experiments), effects of deprivation (e.g. in strange situations);
Non-verbal communication in infants (parent-infant bonding, smiling) and adults (facial expressions, looking, eye contact, body language, personal space), cultural differences, verbal communication (tone of voice, language);
Effect of practice on motor skills (e.g. finger mazes), learning curves, imitation (e.g. social skills), influence of media, trial-and-error, motivation, reinforcement (positive/negative, continuous/intermittent, superstition), shaping of behaviour, extinction of unrewarded behaviour, generalisation, discrimination between stimuli;
Social groups, social facilitation, intense competition, group pressure, deindividuation, risk-taking, anonymity, internalisation, effect of advertising, identification with a group;
Carrying capacity, phases of population growth curve, population stability and regulation, history of human population growth (hunter-gatherers, subsistence farmers) and factors responsible (overcoming predation, food availability, reduced childhood, mortality, increased fertility, increased life expectancy), doubling time;
Demographics of developed/developing countries, demographic transition model, population pyramids, population control (deer populations, birth control, family planning, effect of AIDS);
Natural ecological succession, pressure on land, deforestation, cash crops, use of marginal land, monoculture, fertiliser/herbicide/pesticide use, selective plant breeding (inbreeding and outbreeding, Green Revolution), GM crops (recombinant DNA, somatic fusion), effect of food shortage (famine, starvation, malnutrition), unequal distribution of food, overeating and long food chains;
Water cycle, increasing demand for water, meeting demand (micro-irrigation, dams), unpredictability of water supply, climate, El Niño, erosion, deforestation, desertification;
Regulation of populations by disease, vaccination (e.g. against smallpox), control of childhood diseases, hygiene, sanitation, living conditions;
Food webs, effect of chemicals on wildlife (e.g. DDT), interdependence of ecological communities, loss of complexity leading to instability, nitrogen cycle, eutrophication, sewage disposal, nitrate/nitrite contamination of drinking water, carbon cycle, greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, CFCs), global warming and its effects (on climate, sea level, ecosystems), possible future courses of action.
Disclaimer: I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information given here, and the syllabus may change in the future. For authoritative information about this course, see the Scottish Qualifications Authority web site.