GCSE Biology Syllabus Topics — Examevo

Complete specification map

Everything you learn in Biology

Not a school tick-list — every accredited heading from spec 8461 / 7402, mapped across all major UK boards. Track progress topic-by-topic when you join Examevo.

7spec units

63topics mapped

5exam boards

AQAEdexcelOCRWJECCCEA

Intro · 22Standard · 20Advanced · 21

Cell Biology

4 topics in this unit

1Cell structureIntro
- Cell structure — structures, functions and specialised cells
- Microscopy and observation techniques for Cell structure
- Explaining Cell structure using correct biological terminology (AO2)
- Interpreting data, graphs and magnifications on Cell structure
- Required practical skills linked to Cell structure
2Cell divisionIntro
- Cell division — structures, functions and specialised cells
- Microscopy and observation techniques for Cell division
- Explaining Cell division using correct biological terminology (AO2)
- Interpreting data, graphs and magnifications on Cell division
- Required practical skills linked to Cell division
3Transport in cellsIntro
- Transport in cells — structures, functions and specialised cells
- Microscopy and observation techniques for Transport in cells
- Explaining Transport in cells using correct biological terminology (AO2)
- Interpreting data, graphs and magnifications on Transport in cells
- Required practical skills linked to Transport in cells
4MicroscopyIntro
- Microscopy — structures, functions and specialised cells
- Microscopy and observation techniques for Microscopy
- Explaining Microscopy using correct biological terminology (AO2)
- Interpreting data, graphs and magnifications on Microscopy
- Required practical skills linked to Microscopy

Organisation

10 topics in this unit

1Principles of organisationIntro
- Principles of organisation — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Principles of organisation
- Explaining processes involving Principles of organisation step by step
- Linking Principles of organisation to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Principles of organisation
2Animal tissues and organsIntro
- Animal tissues and organs — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Animal tissues and organs
- Explaining processes involving Animal tissues and organs step by step
- Linking Animal tissues and organs to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Animal tissues and organs
3The digestive systemIntro
- The digestive system — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in The digestive system
- Explaining processes involving The digestive system step by step
- Linking The digestive system to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare The digestive system
4The heart and blood vesselsIntro
- The heart and blood vessels — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in The heart and blood vessels
- Explaining processes involving The heart and blood vessels step by step
- Linking The heart and blood vessels to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare The heart and blood vessels
5BloodIntro
- Blood — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Blood
- Explaining processes involving Blood step by step
- Linking Blood to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Blood
6Coronary heart diseaseIntro
- Coronary heart disease — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Coronary heart disease
- Explaining processes involving Coronary heart disease step by step
- Linking Coronary heart disease to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Coronary heart disease
7Health issuesIntro
- Health issues — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Health issues
- Explaining processes involving Health issues step by step
- Linking Health issues to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Health issues
8CancerIntro
- Cancer — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Cancer
- Explaining processes involving Cancer step by step
- Linking Cancer to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Cancer
9Plant tissues and organsIntro
- Plant tissues and organs — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Plant tissues and organs
- Explaining processes involving Plant tissues and organs step by step
- Linking Plant tissues and organs to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Plant tissues and organs
10Transpiration and translocationIntro
- Transpiration and translocation — organisation from cells to organ systems
- Structure–function relationships in Transpiration and translocation
- Explaining processes involving Transpiration and translocation step by step
- Linking Transpiration and translocation to health, disease or plant transport
- Exam questions: describe, explain and compare Transpiration and translocation

Infection and Response

9 topics in this unit

1Communicable diseasesIntro
- Communicable diseases — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Communicable diseases
- Preventing and treating infections related to Communicable diseases
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Communicable diseases
- Data and case studies involving Communicable diseases
2Viral diseasesIntro
- Viral diseases — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Viral diseases
- Preventing and treating infections related to Viral diseases
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Viral diseases
- Data and case studies involving Viral diseases
3Bacterial diseasesIntro
- Bacterial diseases — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Bacterial diseases
- Preventing and treating infections related to Bacterial diseases
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Bacterial diseases
- Data and case studies involving Bacterial diseases
4Fungal and protist diseasesIntro
- Fungal and protist diseases — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Fungal and protist diseases
- Preventing and treating infections related to Fungal and protist diseases
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Fungal and protist diseases
- Data and case studies involving Fungal and protist diseases
5Human defence systemsIntro
- Human defence systems — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Human defence systems
- Preventing and treating infections related to Human defence systems
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Human defence systems
- Data and case studies involving Human defence systems
6VaccinationIntro
- Vaccination — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Vaccination
- Preventing and treating infections related to Vaccination
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Vaccination
- Data and case studies involving Vaccination
7Antibiotics and painkillersIntro
- Antibiotics and painkillers — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Antibiotics and painkillers
- Preventing and treating infections related to Antibiotics and painkillers
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Antibiotics and painkillers
- Data and case studies involving Antibiotics and painkillers
8Discovery of drugsIntro
- Discovery of drugs — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Discovery of drugs
- Preventing and treating infections related to Discovery of drugs
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Discovery of drugs
- Data and case studies involving Discovery of drugs
9Developing drugsStandard
- Developing drugs — pathogens, transmission and defences
- How the body responds to Developing drugs
- Preventing and treating infections related to Developing drugs
- Evaluating vaccination, drugs and medical research on Developing drugs
- Data and case studies involving Developing drugs

Bioenergetics

6 topics in this unit

1PhotosynthesisStandard
- Photosynthesis — inputs, outputs and balanced equations
- Factors affecting the rate of Photosynthesis
- Explaining Photosynthesis at molecular and organism level
- Linking Photosynthesis to exercise and metabolism
- Required practical and graph skills for Photosynthesis
2Factors affecting photosynthesisStandard
- Factors affecting photosynthesis — inputs, outputs and balanced equations
- Factors affecting the rate of Factors affecting photosynthesis
- Explaining Factors affecting photosynthesis at molecular and organism level
- Linking Factors affecting photosynthesis to exercise and metabolism
- Required practical and graph skills for Factors affecting photosynthesis
3Uses of glucoseStandard
- Uses of glucose — inputs, outputs and balanced equations
- Factors affecting the rate of Uses of glucose
- Explaining Uses of glucose at molecular and organism level
- Linking Uses of glucose to exercise and metabolism
- Required practical and graph skills for Uses of glucose
4Aerobic respirationStandard
- Aerobic respiration — inputs, outputs and balanced equations
- Factors affecting the rate of Aerobic respiration
- Explaining Aerobic respiration at molecular and organism level
- Linking Aerobic respiration to exercise and metabolism
- Required practical and graph skills for Aerobic respiration
5Anaerobic respirationStandard
- Anaerobic respiration — inputs, outputs and balanced equations
- Factors affecting the rate of Anaerobic respiration
- Explaining Anaerobic respiration at molecular and organism level
- Linking Anaerobic respiration to exercise and metabolism
- Required practical and graph skills for Anaerobic respiration
6Response to exerciseStandard
- Response to exercise — inputs, outputs and balanced equations
- Factors affecting the rate of Response to exercise
- Explaining Response to exercise at molecular and organism level
- Linking Response to exercise to exercise and metabolism
- Required practical and graph skills for Response to exercise

Homeostasis and Response

12 topics in this unit

1HomeostasisStandard
- Homeostasis — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Homeostasis
- Explaining Homeostasis with named examples
- Linking Homeostasis to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Homeostasis
2The nervous systemStandard
- The nervous system — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of The nervous system
- Explaining The nervous system with named examples
- Linking The nervous system to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for The nervous system
3Synapses and reflexesStandard
- Synapses and reflexes — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Synapses and reflexes
- Explaining Synapses and reflexes with named examples
- Linking Synapses and reflexes to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Synapses and reflexes
4The brainStandard
- The brain — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of The brain
- Explaining The brain with named examples
- Linking The brain to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for The brain
5The eyeStandard
- The eye — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of The eye
- Explaining The eye with named examples
- Linking The eye to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for The eye
6ThermoregulationStandard
- Thermoregulation — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Thermoregulation
- Explaining Thermoregulation with named examples
- Linking Thermoregulation to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Thermoregulation
7The endocrine systemStandard
- The endocrine system — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of The endocrine system
- Explaining The endocrine system with named examples
- Linking The endocrine system to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for The endocrine system
8Blood glucose regulationStandard
- Blood glucose regulation — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Blood glucose regulation
- Explaining Blood glucose regulation with named examples
- Linking Blood glucose regulation to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Blood glucose regulation
9DiabetesStandard
- Diabetes — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Diabetes
- Explaining Diabetes with named examples
- Linking Diabetes to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Diabetes
10Reproduction hormonesStandard
- Reproduction hormones — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Reproduction hormones
- Explaining Reproduction hormones with named examples
- Linking Reproduction hormones to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Reproduction hormones
11ContraceptionStandard
- Contraception — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Contraception
- Explaining Contraception with named examples
- Linking Contraception to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Contraception
12Feedback systemsStandard
- Feedback systems — receptors, coordinators and effectors
- Negative feedback and control of Feedback systems
- Explaining Feedback systems with named examples
- Linking Feedback systems to hormones, nerves or reproduction
- Evaluating treatments and lifestyle factors for Feedback systems

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

11 topics in this unit

1Sexual and asexual reproductionStandard
- Sexual and asexual reproduction — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Sexual and asexual reproduction using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Sexual and asexual reproduction
- Ethical issues surrounding Sexual and asexual reproduction
- Applying Sexual and asexual reproduction to breeding, medicine or conservation
2MeiosisAdvanced
- Meiosis — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Meiosis using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Meiosis
- Ethical issues surrounding Meiosis
- Applying Meiosis to breeding, medicine or conservation
3DNA and the genomeAdvanced
- DNA and the genome — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining DNA and the genome using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to DNA and the genome
- Ethical issues surrounding DNA and the genome
- Applying DNA and the genome to breeding, medicine or conservation
4Genetic inheritanceAdvanced
- Genetic inheritance — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Genetic inheritance using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Genetic inheritance
- Ethical issues surrounding Genetic inheritance
- Applying Genetic inheritance to breeding, medicine or conservation
5Inherited disordersAdvanced
- Inherited disorders — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Inherited disorders using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Inherited disorders
- Ethical issues surrounding Inherited disorders
- Applying Inherited disorders to breeding, medicine or conservation
6Sex determinationAdvanced
- Sex determination — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Sex determination using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Sex determination
- Ethical issues surrounding Sex determination
- Applying Sex determination to breeding, medicine or conservation
7VariationAdvanced
- Variation — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Variation using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Variation
- Ethical issues surrounding Variation
- Applying Variation to breeding, medicine or conservation
8EvolutionAdvanced
- Evolution — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Evolution using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Evolution
- Ethical issues surrounding Evolution
- Applying Evolution to breeding, medicine or conservation
9Selective breedingAdvanced
- Selective breeding — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Selective breeding using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Selective breeding
- Ethical issues surrounding Selective breeding
- Applying Selective breeding to breeding, medicine or conservation
10Genetic engineeringAdvanced
- Genetic engineering — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Genetic engineering using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Genetic engineering
- Ethical issues surrounding Genetic engineering
- Applying Genetic engineering to breeding, medicine or conservation
11CloningAdvanced
- Cloning — genes, alleles and inheritance patterns
- Explaining Cloning using genetic diagrams
- Variation and evolution linked to Cloning
- Ethical issues surrounding Cloning
- Applying Cloning to breeding, medicine or conservation

Ecology

11 topics in this unit

1EcosystemsAdvanced
- Ecosystems — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Ecosystems
- Human impact and sustainability related to Ecosystems
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Ecosystems
- Evaluating evidence and data on Ecosystems
2Abiotic and biotic factorsAdvanced
- Abiotic and biotic factors — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Abiotic and biotic factors
- Human impact and sustainability related to Abiotic and biotic factors
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Abiotic and biotic factors
- Evaluating evidence and data on Abiotic and biotic factors
3AdaptationsAdvanced
- Adaptations — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Adaptations
- Human impact and sustainability related to Adaptations
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Adaptations
- Evaluating evidence and data on Adaptations
4Food chains and websAdvanced
- Food chains and webs — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Food chains and webs
- Human impact and sustainability related to Food chains and webs
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Food chains and webs
- Evaluating evidence and data on Food chains and webs
5Carbon cycleAdvanced
- Carbon cycle — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Carbon cycle
- Human impact and sustainability related to Carbon cycle
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Carbon cycle
- Evaluating evidence and data on Carbon cycle
6Water cycleAdvanced
- Water cycle — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Water cycle
- Human impact and sustainability related to Water cycle
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Water cycle
- Evaluating evidence and data on Water cycle
7BiodiversityAdvanced
- Biodiversity — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Biodiversity
- Human impact and sustainability related to Biodiversity
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Biodiversity
- Evaluating evidence and data on Biodiversity
8Waste managementAdvanced
- Waste management — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Waste management
- Human impact and sustainability related to Waste management
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Waste management
- Evaluating evidence and data on Waste management
9Land useAdvanced
- Land use — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Land use
- Human impact and sustainability related to Land use
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Land use
- Evaluating evidence and data on Land use
10DeforestationAdvanced
- Deforestation — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Deforestation
- Human impact and sustainability related to Deforestation
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Deforestation
- Evaluating evidence and data on Deforestation
11Global warmingAdvanced
- Global warming — ecosystems, communities and abiotic factors
- Food webs, cycles and energy transfer in Global warming
- Human impact and sustainability related to Global warming
- Fieldwork and sampling techniques for Global warming
- Evaluating evidence and data on Global warming

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