Muscle Contraction – Muscles Ep 2

Muscle contraction is a tricky bit of A-Level biology. There are lots of new terms to learn and a complex process to get your head around. Make sure to review it regularly so that it sticks in your brain. Before beginning this article, make sure you are happy with the different parts of a muscle... Continue Reading →

Muscle Fibre Cells – Muscles Ep 1

Muscle fibre cells are a great example of how animal cells can be highly specialised for their function. In this article we will look at the structure of muscle fibre cells and how it relates to their function. Muscle fibres cells - structure and function The below diagram shows a cross-section of a muscle fibre... Continue Reading →

Control of Blood Glucose – Homeostasis Ep 3

Control of blood glucose is very important. Sufficient glucose must be delivered to cells for respiration, but too much glucose can eventually result in coma or even death. The concentration of glucose is affected by factors such as eating and exercise, and must be brought back to the normal level of about 4mmol/L to 5.5mmol/L. … Read more

Synapses – Nervous Communication Ep 5

We know that nerve impulses are carried along neurones in a wave of depolarisation. But how does a nerve impulse get transmitted from one neurone to the next? Well, that is where synapses come in. Structure of synapses Synapses are the microscopic gaps between neurones. The neurone before the synapse is called the presynaptic neurone, … Read more

Barriers to Infection – Immunity Ep 5

In order for a pathogen to enter the body and cause a disease, it must pass through the body's non-specific defences. The barriers to infection are non-specific because they respond to all pathogens in the same way. Infection routes There are four main routes with a pathogen can take to enter the body: The digestive … Read more

Developing Immunity – Immunity Ep 2

In the last article we looked at how the immune system responds to a pathogen which is encountered for the first time. This is the primary response. However, if the same pathogen enters the body again in the future, the immune system is able to deal with it more quickly because it is prepared. In … Read more

The Immune Response – Immunity Ep 1

Sometimes the body comes under attack from pathogens (microorganisms that can cause disease). If pathogens get into our body, it is down to our immune system to spring into action and destroy them. In this article we will be looking at how foreign antigens trigger our immune response, and how that results in the pathogens … Read more

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