S3 Biology
Intermediate 2

St. Aloysius’ College E-learning

Unit 1: Living Cells
The following topics will be assessed by a module test during S3:

Module 3.1
Cell Structure and Function

o Cell Variety, function of cell structures, commercial and industrial uses of cells, antibiotics, bread making, brewing, yoghurt production, alternative fuels.

Module 3.2
Diffusion and Osmosis in Plant and Animal Cells

o Diffusion and its importance to cells, osmosis and its effects in plant and animal cells.

Module 3.3
Enzyme Action

o Properties of catalysts and enzymes, specificity, enzyme involvement in degradation and synthesis, factors affecting enzyme activity.

Module 3.4
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration

o Energy release, role of ATP, Comparison of energy yield in aerobic and anaerobic respiration, pathways.

Module 3.5
Photosynthesis

o Energy fixation, sunlight as energy source, summary equation for photosynthesis, photolysis, carbon cycle, fates of glucose, limiting factors.

• Unit 1 is assessed by both:
o NAB 1 Living Cells –Minimal assessment 26/40 required to pass
o Unit 1 Headroom – Reported as S3 exam

• Pupils will begin to study Unit 2 in S3 but its content will not be assessed until S4.