1. Development of Practical Skills in Biology

Practical Skills: Written Assessment

Experimental Design

Identification of Variables

Evaluating Experimental Methods

Using Units

Presenting Experimental Data

Mathematical Analysis of Results

Drawing Conclusions

Practical Skills: Endorsement Assessment

Practical: Ethical Use of Organisms

Practical: Aseptic Techniques

Practical: Dissection of Gas Exchange Surfaces in Fish & Insects

Drawing Cells From Blood Smears

Practical: Investigating Biodiversity Using Sampling

Practical: Data loggers & Computer Modelling

Practical: Investigating the Rate of Diffusion

Practical: Investigating Water Potential

Practical: Factors Affecting Membrane Structure & Permeability

Biochemical Tests: Reducing Sugars & Starch

Biochemical Tests: Lipids

Biochemical Tests: Proteins

Chromatography

Serial Dilutions

Practical: Investigating the Rate of Transpiration

Practical: Using a Light Microscope

2. Foundations in Biology

Cell Structure

Studying Cells

Using a Microscope

Drawing Cells

Magnification & Resolution

Eukaryotic Cells

Eukaryotic Cells Under the Microscope

Organelles & the Production of Proteins

The Cytoskeleton

Prokaryotic & Eukaryotic Cells

Biological Molecules

Properties of Water

Monomers & Polymers

Monosaccharides

The Glycosidic Bond

Polysaccharides

Biochemical Tests: Reducing Sugars & Starch

Lipids & Ester Bonds

Lipids: Structure & Function

Biochemical Tests: Lipids

Amino Acids & Peptide Bonds

Protein: Structure

Globular Proteins

Fibrous Proteins

Inorganic Ions

Biochemical Tests: Proteins

Finding the Concentration of a Substance

Chromatography

Nucleotides & Nucleic Acids

Nucleotides & Phosphodiester Bonds

Phosphorylated Nucleotides

DNA: Structure

DNA Purification

DNA Replication

The Genetic Code

Transcription

Translation

Enzymes

The Role of Enzymes

Enzyme Action

Enzyme Activity: pH

Enzyme Activity: Temperature

Enzyme Activity: Enzyme Concentration

Enzyme Activity: Substrate Concentration

Enzyme Activity: Enzyme Inhibitors

Coenzymes, Cofactors & Prosthetic Groups

Practical: Measuring Enzyme Activity

Biological Membranes

The Cell Surface Membrane

Membrane Structure & Permeability

Diffusion & Facilitated Diffusion

Practical: Investigating the Rate of Diffusion

Active Transport

Endocytosis & Exocytosis

Osmosis

Osmosis in Animal & Plant Cells

Practical: Investigating Water Potential

Cell Division, Cell Diversity & Cellular Organisation

The Cell Cycle

The Stages of Mitosis

Identifying Mitosis in Plant Cells

The Significance of Mitosis

The Stages of Meiosis

The Significance of Meiosis

Specialised Cells

The Organisation of Cells

Stem Cells

Stem Cells in Animals & Plants

The Use of Stem Cells

3. Exchange & Transport

Exchange Surfaces

Specialised Exchange Surfaces

Features of Exchange Surfaces

The Mammalian Gas Exchange System

Ventilation in Mammals

Spirometers

Gas Exchange in Fish & Insects

Practical: Dissection of Gas Exchange Surfaces in Fish & Insects

Transport in Animals

The Need for Transport Systems in Animals

Circulatory Systems

Blood Vessels

Tissue Fluid

The Mammalian Heart

Practical: Mammalian Heart Dissection

The Cardiac Cycle

Cardiac Output

Heart Action: Initiation & Control

Electrocardiograms (ECGs)

The Role of Haemoglobin

Adult & Fetal Haemoglobin

Transport in Plants

The Need for Transport Systems in Plants

The Xylem & Phloem

The Xylem

The Phloem

Transverse Sections: Stems, Roots & Leaves

The Process of Transpiration

Transpiration in Plants

Practical: Investigating the Rate of Transpiration

Translocation

The Mass Flow Hypothesis

The Adaptations of Xerophytic & Hydrophytic Plants

4. Biodiversity, Evolution & Disease

Communicable Diseases, Disease Prevention & the Immune System

Common Pathogens & Communicable Diseases

Transmission of Communicable Pathogens

Plant Defences Against Pathogens

Non-specific Immune Responses

Phagocytes

Blood Cells

The T Lymphocyte Response

The B Lymphocyte Response

Primary & Secondary Immune Responses

Antibodies

Opsonins, Agglutinins & Anti-toxins

Types of Immunity

Autoimmune Diseases

Principles of Vaccination

Sources of Medicine

Antibiotics

Biodiversity

Biodiversity

Sampling to Determine Biodiversity

Practical: Investigating Biodiversity Using Sampling

Measuring Species Richness & Species Evenness

Simpson's Index

Genetic Diversity

Factors Affecting Biodiversity

Reasons for Maintaining Biodiversity

Methods of Maintaining Biodiversity

Conservation Agreements

Classification & Evolution

Classification of Species

Binomial System

Classification of the Three Domains

Classification of the Five Kingdoms

Classification & Phylogeny

Evidence of Evolution

Types of Variation

Standard Deviation

Variation: t-test Method

Variation: t-test Worked Example

Spearman's Rank Correlation

Adaptation

Natural Selection

Evolution of Resistance

Consequences of Resistance

5. Communication, Homeostasis & Energy

Communication & Homeostasis

The Need for Homeostasis

The Principles of Homeostasis

Cell Signalling

Thermoregulation

Excretion

The Importance of Excretion

The Mammalian Liver: Structure

The Mammalian Liver: Function

The Liver Under the Microscope

The Mammalian Kidney: Structure

The Mammalian Kidney: Function

The Kidney Under the Microscope

Osmoregulation

Kidney Failure

Excretory Products & Medical Diagnosis

Neuronal Communication

Neurones

Mammalian Sensory Receptors

Resting Potentials

Action Potentials

Transmission of Nerve Impulses

The Refractory Period

Factors that Affect the Speed of Conduction

The Role of Synapses

Transmission Across a Cholinergic Synapse

Hormonal Communication

The Endocrine System

The Pancreas under the Microscope

Controlling Blood Glucose Concentration

Diabetes

Plant & Animal Responses

Plant Responses

Investigating Phototropism & Geotropism

Plant Hormones

Auxins & Apical Dominance

Gibberellin

Practical: Effect of Plant Hormones on Growth

Commercial Use of Plant Hormones

Mammalian Nervous System

The Human Brain

Reflex Actions

Coordination of Responses

Factors Affecting Heart Rate

Investigating Factors Affecting Heart Rate

Mammalian Muscle Structure

Transmission Across a Neuromuscular Junction

The Sliding Filament Model

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis & Respiration

Chloroplast Structure & Function

Photosynthetic Pigments

Practical: Investigating Photosynthetic Pigments with Chromatography

The Light-Dependent Stage

Using the Products of the Light-Dependent Reaction

The Light-Independent Stage

Uses of Triose Phosphate

Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis

Practical: Investigating Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis

Respiration

The Need for Cellular Respiration

Structure of the Mitochondrion

The Four Stages in Aerobic Respiration

Glycolysis

The Link Reaction

The Krebs Cycle

The Role of Coenzymes

Oxidative Phosphorylation

Anaerobic Respiration

Energy Yield of Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration

Practical: Investigating the Rate of Respiration

Respiratory Substrates

Respiratory Quotient (RQ)

Practical: Respirometer

6. Genetics, Evolution & Ecosystems

Cellular Control

Gene Mutations

Gene Control

Gene Control: Lac Operon

Gene Control: Transcription Factors

Gene Control: Post-Transcriptional Modification

Gene Control: Body Plans

The Importance of Mitosis & Apoptosis

Patterns of Inheritance

Key Terms in Genetics

Variation: Phenotype

Variation: Sexual Reproduction

Predicting Inheritance: Monohybrid Crosses

Predicting Inheritance: Dihybrid Crosses

Predicting Inheritance: Identifying Linkage

Predicting Inheritance: Identifying Epistasis

Predicting Inheritance: Chi-squared Test

Continuous & Discontinuous Variation

Factors Affecting Evolution

The Hardy-Weinberg Principle

Isolation & Speciation

Artificial Selection

Manipulating Genomes

DNA Sequencing

Comparing Genomes

Non-Coding DNA & Regulatory Genes

Synthetic Biology

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Electrophoresis

DNA Profiling

Genetic Engineering

Genetic Engineering Techniques

Uses of Genetic Engineering

Gene Therapy

Cloning & Biotechnology

Natural Clones in Plants

Producing Cuttings

Production of Artificial Clones in Plants

Uses of Plant Cloning

Natural Clones in Animals

Production of Artificial Clones in Animals

Uses of Animal Cloning

Microorganisms & Biotechnology

Microorganisms & Food Production

Culturing Microorganisms

Batch & Continuous Fermentation

Standard Growth Curve of Microorganisms

Factors Affecting the Growth of Microorganisms

Immobilised Enzymes in Biotechnology

Ecosystems

Ecosystems

The Transfer of Biomass

Efficiency of Energy Transfers

The Nitrogen Cycle

The Carbon Cycle

Succession

Testing for Distribution & Abundance

Populations & Sustainability

Carrying Capacity

Interactions Between Populations

Conservation & Preservation

Managing Ecosystems Sustainably

Human Impact on the Environment

Balancing Human Need & Conservation

Exam boards

• AQA A Level Biology
• Cambridge (CIE) A Level Biology
• Edexcel A Level Biology (A) SNAB

Study tools

• OCR A Level Biology · Exam Questions
• OCR A Level Biology · Past Papers

Related links

• A Level Biology · Revision Notes
• A Level Biology · Exam Questions
• A Level Biology · Past Papers