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BIOLOGY MATHS CLINIC

Every required skill,
at three levels.

Twenty-eight skills from Appendix 6 of the Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology specification, Issue 2. Each one shows an exemplar and a figure, then three different questions: Intro, Secure and Challenge. Challenge is the hard set. Numbers are illustrative. Three skills are marked full A level because they are bold in the appendix.

You’ve done 0 of 84 · saved on this deviceAppendix 6 · Intro, then Secure, then Challenge.
A.0.1 · Intro

Convert the unit before you compare

Recognise and make use of appropriate units in calculations.

  • Convert between units, for example mm³ and cm³.
  • Give the unit of a rate, such as breaths per minute.

Exemplar

Illustrative volume: 2 500 mm³. There are 1 000 mm³ in 1 cm³.

2 500 ÷ 1 000 = 2.5 cm³. A rate needs its own unit too: 12 breaths in 30 seconds is 24 breaths min⁻¹, not 12.

One cubic centimetre and the same volume in cubic millimetresA cube marked 1 cubic centimetre is equal to 1 000 cubic millimetres. The exemplar then converts 2 500 cubic millimetres into 2.5 cubic centimetres.1 cm³=1 000 mm³same volume, smaller unitExemplar: 2 500 mm³ ÷ 1 000 = 2.5 cm³
Illustrative exemplar, not your question. Divide the millimetre volume by 1 000. A rate would still need its own unit.
A.0.1 · Intro2 marks

Practice question

Read the exemplar first

Convert 3.2 cm³ to mm³. Give a whole number.

(2)
mm³

Total for this question: 2 marks

Exam tip: Write the conversion factor. A volume in cm³ is not the same number as a volume in mm³.

Read the exemplar, then answer the Intro question. It is a different question. Full marks completes the level.