The Chemical Nature of the Cell

This material starts you on your journey through Unit 3 Biology - Studying the Signatures of Life - A world measured in nanometres - The molecular world of the cell.

Biomacromolecules: Lipids, Complex Carbohydrates

Biomacromolecules are made by the cell from smaller molecules. Your course looks at four classes of biomacromolecules that are essential to life processes. These G-Casts explain how smaller molecules are linked together in the condensation reaction and we talk about the structure and function of lipids and complex carbohydrates.

Biomacromolecules: Nucleic acids and Proteins

Biomacromolecules are made by the cell from smaller molecules. Your course looks at four classes of biomacromolecules that are essential to life processes. These G-Casts explain how smaller molecules are linked together in the condensation reaction. In Part A we talk about the structure and function of lipids and complex carbohydrates.

In this G-Cast, we talk about the structure and function of nucleic acids and proteins. The slide material visualises the main concepts presented in the audio casts.

Crossing the Plasma Membrane

This material explains the structure of the plasma membrane, the processes by which hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances cross over the lipid bilayer and how large macromolecules like proteins are secreted from the cell.

Enzyme Action

This material explains the role of enzymes in the cell and how they work. Factors that influence the activity of enzymes are examined.

Photosynthesis

The focus of this material is to describe in simple steps the two stages of photosynthesis in terms of inputs and outputs.

Cellular Respiration

This material summarises the main stages of the biochemical pathways in cellular respiration, in terms of their inputs and outputs.

Chemical Signalling

This audio cast outlines the types of chemical signals that are received by cells and how the stimulus response model is applied at the cellular level.

Pathogenic Organisms

This audio cast outlines the various types of pathogens that can cause disease and the types of barriers that are employed to keep them out or used to inhibit their growth.

Immune Response

This audio cast outlines the major components and characteristics of both the innate and adaptive immune responses. The role of antigens as the initiator of the immune response and the interrelationship between the innate and adaptive responses is highlighted.