Higher Human Biology Course Overview

The study of living organisms and their life processes.

The branch of biology that focuses on human life and its processes.

A level of study in Scottish education, often considered more advanced than National 5.

A structured approach to pass an exam or achieve a goal.

A type of publication designed for students, specifically to help them succeed in their studies.

The authors of the publication.

The Higher Human Biology course is assessed in three parts: National Units, an assignment, and a course examination.

To achieve a course award, you must pass all assessments (National Units, assignment, and course examination).

The grading of the course award (A, B, C, or D) is based on the marks from the assignment and course examination.

Each of the four National Units is assessed at your school or college on a pass or fail basis.

National Unit assessments typically involve a knowledge test and a written report on an experiment.

The assignment is an open-book task based on research conducted in class time. You will write a report during a controlled assessment.

The assignment is assessed out of 20 marks, with marks awarded for scientific inquiry skills and application of knowledge.

Stages of the assignment include topic selection, planning, identifying resources, carrying out the investigation, gathering information, and writing the report.

A group of similar cells working together to perform a specific function.

The process by which cells become specialized for a specific function.

A type of tissue that covers surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands. Examples include skin, lining of the digestive tract, and glands like the pancreas.

A type of tissue that provides support, connects different tissues, and has specialized functions. Examples include bone, cartilage, blood, and fat.

A type of tissue that is responsible for movement. Examples include skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle (heart).

A type of tissue that transmits electrical impulses throughout the body. Examples include the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.

A group of different tissues working together to perform a specific function.

The process by which cells divide to produce more cells.

A method of revising and improving scientific inquiry skills by providing tips and hints for tackling exam questions.

A method of revising scientific inquiry skills by providing practice questions with identified skill areas for targeted improvement.

A method of revising scientific inquiry skills by focusing on a single investigation and analyzing the experimental design process.

The process of creating and using cards with a term on one side and its definition on the other for memorization and self-testing.

The process of gathering information relevant to the topic and creating a resource that outlines essential concepts and their explanations.

A general assessment that involves a controlled experiment or research project to evaluate understanding of scientific inquiry.

An exam that tests understanding of scientific concepts and ability to apply scientific inquiry skills.

Tips and techniques specifically designed for the Higher Human Biology exam.

The process by which a cell becomes more specialized and develops specific functions by expressing specific genes.

Unspecialized cells that can divide and create more of themselves (self-renew) and also differentiate into specialized cells.

Stem cells present in the early embryo that can differentiate into almost any cell type in the body.

Stem cells found in adult tissues that can differentiate into a limited range of cell types within that tissue.

Cells that have two sets of chromosomes, one set from each parent.

The process by which the nucleus of a somatic cell divides, resulting in two daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell.

Cells that form the body's tissues and organs. They are diploid and divide by mitosis.

Cells that give rise to gametes (sperm and egg cells). They are diploid and can divide by mitosis or meiosis.

The process where DNA is transcribed into mRNA, which acts as a template for protein synthesis.

Non-coding sequences within a primary transcript that are removed during mRNA processing.

Coding sequences within a primary transcript that are joined together to form mature mRNA.

A process that allows multiple protein products to be generated from a single gene by selectively including or excluding exons during mRNA splicing.

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid or signals the start or stop of translation.

The process by which mRNA is translated into a polypeptide by ribosomes, using tRNAs to bring in the appropriate amino acids.

A complex of rRNA and proteins that functions as the site of protein synthesis.

A type of RNA molecule that carries a specific amino acid to the ribosome and aligns with the complementary codon on mRNA during translation.