SPM Biology Form 4 Terminology

and Concepts: Movement of

Substances Across the Plasma
Membrane (Part 1)

phosphate molecule
(philic~loves water / attracted
to water)
Tail hydrophobic: two nonpolar fatty acids (phobic~hates
water / repelled to water)

Uniqueness of Plasma Membrane

(also known as cell membrane):

it is a semi-permeable cell
membrane

it allows water and certain

substances to move in and out
of the cell.

2. Importance of Plasma
Membrane:

- cells obtain nutrients and

gases

cells excrete metabolic wastes

Fluid Mosaic Model (Protein

embedded in the bilayer)
Carrier protein

carrier for some molecules

(glucose, amino acids, proteins
and nucleic acids)

cells can maintain pH for

enzyme activity

controls the movement of ions

and particles (Na+, Ca2+ and K+)

cells can maintain ionic

concentration of the cells for
enzyme activity

Glycoprotein

control the types and the

amount of substances

allow useful substance

(hormones/enzymes) to secrete
from cells

protect cells

a boundary between the inside

and outside of cell.

3. Structure of the basic unit of

plasma membrane

Formation:
Hydrophilic heads pointing
outwards
Hydrophobic tails pointing
inwards
(Bilayer phospolipid)

Phospholipid molecule:
Head hydrophilic: a polar

Glycolipid

combination of lipids and

polysaccharides

4. Permeability
Permeable (allow to pass through)

small non-polar molecules

(vitamins A, D, E, K, fatty acids,
glycerol and steroids)

Impermeable (not allow to pass

through but with help of carrier protein
and cellular energy, it is allow to pass
through)

large polar molecules (glucose,

amino acids, mucleic acids and
polysaccharides)
charged ions (H+, Na+, K+, Cland Ca2+)

Substances that are allowed to move

in the cell:

CO2

O2

excess H2O

waste: nitrogenous

A. Passive Transport
i) Simple Diffusion

not selective: lipid-soluble

molecules, gases and water.

not control by cell.

movement of the molecules

from a region of higher
concentration to a region of
lower concentration.

Factors affecting the rate of

diffusion are temperature, size
of molecules/ions, diffusion
gradient, surface area and
diffusion medium.

example: diffusion of oxygen

and carbon dioxide at the
alveolus.

Substances that are allowed to move

out of the cell:

CO2

O2

amino acids

ionic salts

glucose

B. Process of Active Transport

ii) Osmosis:

only water molecules.

not control by cell.

movement of water from a

region of higher concentration
to one of lower concentration
and often occurs across a
semipermeable membrane.

Materials must be able to move

through the plasma membrane in
order for the cell cytoplasma to
interact with the external
environment. Therefore, the
movement of soluble substances can
occur in several mechanisms:

strong sucrose solution = less

water molecule = low water
potential.

weak sucrose solution = more

water molecule = high water
potential.

A. Process of Passive Transport

example: absorption of water by

root hairs.

SPM Biology Form 4 Terminology

and Concepts: Movement of
Substances Across the Plasma
Membrane (Part 2)

iii) Facilitated Diffusion:

very specific: glucose, nucleic

aicds, amino acids, protein and
mineral ions.

control by cell.

Substances Across the Plasma

Membrane (Part 3 Final)
Type of Solution
1. Hypotonic
2. Isotonic

transport of molecules (only

certain molecules) across the
outer membrane of living cell by
a process of carrier protein
(hydrophilic group) / channel
protein (Ions: Na+, Ca2+, K+)
within the cell membrane.
normally take place from a
region with higher
concentration of molecules to a
region of lower concentration.
example: absorption of digested
food in the villus.

B. Process of Active Transport

very specific: minerals ions and

amino acids.

control by cell.

This process needs carrier

proteins and energy (due to
against concentration gradient)
from a region of lower
concentration to a region of
higher concentration).

Cell must expend energy that

derived from ATP (adenosine
triphosphate)
example: human nerve cells
(sodium ions are constantly
transport out of the cell) / ions
intake by root hairs of a plant.

SPM Form 4 Terminology and

Concepts: Movement of

3. Hypertonic
1) Hypotonic

Solute concentration in the

external solution is lesser than
solute concentration inside the
cell.

Water concentration outside the

cell is higher than the water
concentration inside the cell.

2) Isotonic

Solute concentration in the

external solution is equal to the
solute concentration inside the
cell.

Water concentration inside and

outside of the cell is the same.

3) Hypertonic

Solute concentration in the

external solution is greater than
solute concentration inside the
cell.

Water concentration outside the

cell is lower than the water
concentration inside the cell.

Types of solutions:
Type of Hypotonic
Solution
Animal
The cell inflates due to

Isotonic

No change in the

Cell

the water molecules

enter the cell. Eventually
it bursts (thin plama
membrane). Example:
red blood cell in distilled
water.

size of cell.
movement of
water is
zero. Example:
red blood cell in
0.85% sucrose
solution.

Plant Cell The cell expands and

No change in the
becomes firm / turgid due size of cell.
to the water molecules
movement of
enter the cell. The rigid water is
cellulose cell wall
zero. Example:
SPM Form 4 Terminology and
expands slightly and
strip of potato
in
Concepts:
Cell Structure and Cell
prevents cell from
5% sucrose
Organisation (Part III)
bursting. Example: strip solution.
of potato in distilled
Organelles (little organ) tiny
water.
structures inside a cell that perform
specific functions for a cell. Example:
mitochondria, lysosome and
chloroplast.
Application
1. Food is soaked in a
concentrated salt solution to
prevent bacteria and fungus to
survive.
2. Chemical fertiliser (dissolved
ions) increases solute
concentration (decrease water
molecules) in soil. Therefore,
water leaves from the cell sap
of the plant which result the
plant wither.

Mitochondria

Animal: High density at sperm

cells (at middle piece to provide
sufficient energy for motive
power), flight muscle cells
(bird / avian), liver cells,
meristematic / meristemic cells
(involve with cell division),
kidney cells, heart muscle cells,
brain cells.

Chloroplasts

Plant: High density at palisade

mesophyll (leaf: below upper
epidermis). It functions to trap
sunlight to synthesise sugar
during photosynthesis.

The Uniqueness of The Cell

A cell is unique:

1. Specialisation
2. Division of labour
3. Coordination and integration
Example of specialisation of cells :

Animal smooth muscle cell,

neuron (nerve cell), white blood
cell, red blood cell (erythrocyte),
cheek cell (lining epithelial cell),
sperm, ovum cell (the biggest
cell in human)

Plant palisade mesophyll cell,

xylem, phloem, guard cell

SPM Form 4 Terminology and

Concepts: Cell Structure and Cell
Organisation (Part IV)

3. Organs: made up of tissues

that perform a specific function.
Example: Heart and flower.
4. System: two of more organs
that perform a specific function.
Example: Digestive system and
root system.
5. Organisms: whole living thing
that carry out all the basic life
processes.
Example: Human and durian
tree.
Cell Organisation (Unicellular) in
Amoeba sp. (lives in freshwater
ponds) and Paramecium sp. (lives
in soil and moist area)
1. Cell structure

Amoeba sp.: plasma membrane,

food vacuole, contractile
vacuole, pseudopodium,
nucleus, ectoplasma,
endoplasm.

Paramecium sp.: food vacuole,

posterior contractile vacuole,
cytostome, gullet, oral groove,
cilia, macronucleus,
micronucleus, anterior
contractile vacuole.

Cell Organisation
Unicellular A single cell performs all
the basic life process. Example:
Amoeba sp., Paramecium sp.,
Chlamydomonas, Bacteria and
Euglena.
Multicellular An organism consists
of more than one cell. Each group of
cell specialized to carry our life
processes. Example: Homo sapien
(human), animals and plants. It has
five levels of organisation
1. Cells: basic units of structure
and function.
Example: Red blood cells and
xylem vessel cells.
2. Tissues: made up of cells with
similar in structure and
function.
Example: Epithelial tissues and
vascular tissues.

2. Locomotion

Amoeba sp.: Pseudopodium

(false foot) helps it to move
forward slowly and it is known
as amoeboid movement.

Paramecium sp.: Hair-like cilia

to beat against water. It beats
its cilia backwards diagonally
(swim forward) and it rotates on
its axis. It beats its cilia forward
(swim backwards).

3. Feeding

Amoeba sp.: Omnivore. Eat

bacteria, plant cells, algae and
other microscopic organisms.

2. Spore Formation spores form

(bad condition) and germinate
into new amoeba under
favourable condition.

1. Entrapment extend
pseudopodium.
2. Engulfment engulf tiny food
(phagocytosis) with its
pseudopodia.
3. Digestion food enclosed in
food vacuole
4. Absorption enzyme digests
the bacteria
5. Egesting expel indigestible
material.

Paramecium sp.: Eat bacteria,

organic material and other
microscopic organisms.

1. Sweeping movement of cilia.

Food moves along the oral
groove into the gullet and
cytostome.

1. Binary Fission micronucleus

undergoes mitosis (favourable
condition). Macronucleus begins
to elongation and form two. Cell
content divide and two
daughter cells are formed.
2. Conjugation (Sexual
reproduction) two same
species parent paramecia
exchange genetic material of
their micronuclei. Each parent
divides and forms four daughter
cells.
5. Osmoregulation

Amoeba sp.: water moves into

the cell by osmosis and
prevention of bursting, it has a
contractile vacuole.

Paramecium sp.: water moves

into the cell by osmosis and
prevention of bursting, it has
two contractile vacuoles.

2. Digestion food vacuole

circulates round the cell.
3. Elimination undigested food is
eliminated at the anal pore.
4. Reproduction

6. Respiration

Amoeba sp.: two types of

reproduction.

1. Binary Fission nucleus divides

(favourable condition) and then
follows by division of cytoplasm.
Two daughter cells are formed
(mitotic division).

Paramecium sp.: two types of

reproduction.

Amoeba sp. and Paramecium

sp. (both): exchange gases
throughout the whole cell
membrane

7. Excretion

Amoeba sp. and Paramecium

sp. (both): waste products are
ammonia and carbon dioxide by
diffusion. Solid waste in

paramecium is expelled through

its anal pore.
Cell Organisation (Multicellular) in
Human
1. Cells: Epithelial cells, muscle
cells, white blood cells, red
blood cells, sperm, nerve cells.
2. Tissues: Epithelial tissue,
smooth muscle tissue,
connective tissue, skeletal
tissue, nerve tissue.
3. Organs: Stomach, heart,
kidney, lung, liver.
4. Systems: Circulatory system,
respiratory system, digestive
system, excretory system,
muscular system, lymphatic
system, integumentary system,
skeletal system, nervous
system, endocrine system,
reproductive system.

SPM Form 4 Terminology and

Concepts: Cell Structure and Cell
Organisation
Cell Structure and Function
Comparison between Animal Cell
(AC) and Plant Cell (PC)
9. Golgi apparatus / Golgi body: AC
and PC

bound sacs

processes, packages and

transport molecules synthesised
in the cell

forms lysosomes

transports and stores lipids

synthesis of carbohydrate from

hormone

changes protein into

glycoprotein

excretes waste products out of

the cell

5. Organisms: Human.
Cell Organisation in Plant
1. Cells: Parenchyma cells,
collenchyma cells,
sclerenchyma cells, epidermal
cells.

10. Cytoplasm: AC and PC

aqueous solution (except

nucleus)

stores water, enzymes, nutrient,

salts and dissolved gases

3. Organs: Leaf organ, flower

organ, stem organ, root organ.

provided support, shape and

protects the cell organelles

4. Systems: Shoot system, root

system.

medium for metabolic reactions

provides substances

2. Tissues: Epidermal tissue,

meristem tissue, vascular
tissue.

5. Organisms: Plant.

11. Lysosome: AC

sac-like organelle with one

membrane

digest proteins, lipids and

carbohydrates

14. Cell Wall: PC

rigid and tough cellulose layer

surrounding the plasma
membrane (cell membrane)

removes undigested materials

protects and supports the cell

releases enzymes to digest

external materials

maintains the shape

prevents the cell from busting

(excessive intake of water)

allows substances to move

freely through the cell wall

12. Centriole: AC

are paired cylindrical organelles

nine tubes with three tubules

each

produces spindle during cell

division (mitosis and meiosis)

migrate to the opposite poles of

the cell (during cell division
will be discussed in Chapter 5
Cell Division)

15. Chloroplast: PC

disc / lens-shaped organelle

have two membranes: inner and

outer membrane

contains chlorophyll in the

grana to trap sunlight energy

13. Vacuole: AC (temporary / lower

class species) and PC

carry out photosynthesis in the

chlorophyll

small cavity in the cytoplasm

storage of food and pigments

bound by a single membrane

filled with cell sap

AC and PC = similarities

storage of food (protein, oil and

water)

AC or PC = differences
(Carbohydrates storage: AC =
Glycogen / PC = Starch)

some vacuoles remove

metabolic waste

functions as cell expansion

Amoeba: food vacuoles

(phagocytosis)

Paramecium: contractile
vacuoles (expel water)

Keys:

SPM Form 4 Terminology and

Concepts: Cell Structure and Cell
Organisation
Cell Structure and Function
Comparison between Animal Cell
(AC) and Plant Cell (PC)

1. Mitochondrion (pl:
Mitochondria): AC and PC

spherical / rod-shaped
organelles

two membranes: Inner

membrane form cristae &
Outer membrane regular and
smooth

visible when the cell is not

dividing

synthesis RNA which is needed

to make ribosomes

4. Nucleoplasm: AC and PC

fluid contained within the

nucleus

an energy source

highly viscous solid

site of cellular aerobic

respiration

made up of the chromatin and

the nucleolus

produces ATP (adenosine

triphosphate)

2. Nucleus (pl: Nuclei): AC and PC

contains the genetic material

regulates and controls the

activities of the cell

an organelle bounded by double

(2) layers of nuclear membrane
with pores and selectively
permeable
responsible for all cellular
structure, chemical functions,
growth and reproduction
separates the genetic materials
(chromatin) from cytoplasm

3. Nucleolus: AC and PC

spherical structure within the

nucleus
consists of DNA
(deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA
(ribonucleic acid) and proteins

5. Chromosomes

thread-like structures (consists

of genetic material)

appears as chromatin spread

throughout the nucleus in the
form of tiny granules

chromatin condenses into

chromosomes (during cell
division)

carry genetic information in its

DNA

6. Ribosomes: Ac and PC

small dot-like organelles

protein synthesis

consist of RNA (ribonucleic

acids)

smallest cellular organelles

attached on the surface of ER

and occur freely in cytoplasm

7. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER): AC

and PC

connected to the nuclear

membrane

synthesises proteins, steroids

and lipids

collects, stores and distributes

protein, steroids and lipids

exists as rough ER and smooth

ER

Rough ER: covered with

ribosomes, flat sealed sac which
continued from the nuclear
membrane, transports protein,
and have a large surface area
for chemical reactions.

many fields such as Genetic

Engineering, Biotechnology and
Bacteriology.
Biology - the scientific study of life.
Its Importance:
1. Education.

Smooth ER: does not have

ribosomes, transports lipids and
presents in large amounts of
cells.

8. Plasma membrane: AC and PC

2. Knowledge
3. Control
4. Research
5. Economy
6. Quality of life
7. Diseases
8. Problem solving
9. Careers

cell membrane

Scientific Investigation

thin membrane surround the

cytoplasm of a cell

The following are steps involved in a

scientific investigation:

selectively permeable / semi

permeable

a protective and selective outer

barrier

consists of phospholipids and

protein molecules

SPM Biology Form 4 Notes

Terminology and Concepts:
Introduction to Biology
Biology and Its Importance
Biology - earlier study as Botany
(study of plant) and Zoology (study of
animals) but now Modern Biology has

1. Define the problem

2. Form a hypothesis
3. Plan the investigation
4. Control the variables
5. Collect the data
6. Analyse the data
7. Interpret the data
8. Make a conclusion
9. Write a report

Berry Berry Teacher would like to

recommend young berries to follow
these rules in writing their report:

Chapter 3 Movement of
Substances across the Plasma
Membrane

1. Aim / Objective

Chapter 6 Nutrition

2. Statement of problem (must be

in the form of question)

Chapter 10 Transport

Chapter 12 Coordination and

Response

4. Variables (Manipulated,
Responding and Fixed)

Chapter 13 Reproduction and

Growth

5. Materials

Chapter 14 Inheritance

3. Hypothesis

6. Apparatus
7. Technique
8. Procedure / Method of the
experiment
9. Results / Record of data

All of these topic that I have

mentioned are Berry Berry
Important Topic, so do not ever think
to skip these BIT!
Not so important topic (with only
an average 2 questions every year):

Chapter 5 Cell Division

Chapter 7 Respiration

11.Conclusion (accept of not

accept the hypothesis)

Chapter 11 Support and

Locomotion

SPM Biology 2009 Tips and

Predictions for Papers 4551/1 ,
4551/2 and 4551/3

Chapter 12 Variation

10.Discussion / Presentation of
data

BIT Paper 1
All the questions are evenly
distributed, so there are not chances
for you to skip any chapter. So work
hard on these important chapters!
Berry Important Topics:

Chapter 2 Cell Structure and

Cell Organisation

Totally not important (zero

questions each year)

Chapter 1 Introduction to
Biology

BIT Paper 2 (Structure)

Berry Important Topics:

Chapter 4 Chemical
Composition of the Cell

Chapter 5 Cell Division

Chapter 8 Dynamic Ecosystem

Chapter 10 Transportation

Chapter 14 Inheritance

Not so important topic:

Chapter 2 Cell Structure and

Cell Organisation

Chapter 9 Endanger
Ecosystem

Chapter 11 Support and

Locomotion

Chapter 12 Coordination and

Response

Chapter 9 Endangered
Ecosystem

Chapter 12 Coordination and

Response

Chapter 14* Inheritance

Chapter 15* Variation

*This year super berry hot topic!

BIT Paper 2 (Essay)

Chapter 7 Respiration

BIT Paper 3

Chapter 3 Movement of
Substances across the Plasma
Membrane

Chapter 6 Nutrition

Chapter 8 Dynamic Ecosystem

Chapter 15 Variation