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IGCSEBiologyEdexcelRevision Notes

Edexcel IGCSE Biology Revision Notes

Exam code: 4BI1

Concise resources for the Edexcel IGCSE Biology course.

1. The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

Characteristics of Living Organisms

Common Features: Eukaryotic Organisms

Common Features: Prokaryotic Organisms

2. Structure & Function in Living Organisms

Levels of Organisation

Cell Structures

Animal & Plant Cells: Similarities & Differences

Importance of Cell Differentiation

Stem Cells in Medicine: Advantages & Disadvantages

Structure of Biological Molecules

Practical: Food Tests

Role of Enzymes

Temperature & Enzyme Function

Practical: Investigating Temperature & Enzyme Activity

pH & Enzyme Function

Practical: Investigating pH & Enzyme Activity

Diffusion, Osmosis & Active Transport

Factors Affecting the Rate of Movement of Substances

Practical: Investigating Diffusion & Osmosis

The Process of Photosynthesis

Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis

Leaf: Structure & Adaptations

Plants & Mineral Ions

Practical: Investigating Photosynthesis

Human Alimentary Canal: Structure & Function

Role of Digestive Enzymes

Small Intestine: Structure & Adaptations

Practical: Energy Content of a Food Sample

Process of Respiration

Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

Practical: Investigating Respiration

Gas Exchange in Plants

Leaf Adaptations for Gas Exchange

Gas Exchange: Night vs Day

Practical: The Effect of Light on Gas Exchange in Plants

Structure of the Breathing System

Role of the Intercostal Muscles & Diaphragm

Alveoli: Adaptations for Gas Exchange

Smoking & the Gas Exchange System

Practical: The Effect of Exercise on Breathing

The Need for a Transport System

Role of the Xylem & Phloem

Absorption of Water by Root Hair Cells

Practical: Factors Affecting Transpiration

White Blood Cells & Immunity

Platelets & Blood Clotting

Structure & Function of the Heart

Heart Rate & Exercise

Risk Factors for Coronary Heart Disease

Blood Vessels: Structure & Function

Circulatory System: General Structure

Excretion in Plants

Excretion in Humans

Kidney: Excretion & Osmoregulation

Structure of the Urinary System

Nephron Structure

Nephron Function

ADH & Composition of Urine

Response to Changes in the Environment

Co-ordinating Response

Response to Stimuli: Plants

Nervous & Hormonal Control

Human Nervous System

Role of Neurotransmitters at Synapses

Simple Reflex Arc

The Human Eye: Structure

The Human Eye: Function

The Role of Skin in Temperature Regulation

The Role of Hormones: Basic

The Role of Hormones: Advanced

3. Reproduction & Inheritance

4. Ecology & the Environment

Population, Community, Habitat & Ecosystem

Practical: Investigating Population Size

Practical: Investigating the Distribution of Organisms

Abiotic & Biotic Factors

Food chains, Food webs & Pyramids

Transfers Along a Food Chain

Biological Consequences of Air Pollution

Greenhouse Gases

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Biological Consequences of Water Pollution

The Effects of Deforestation

5. Use of Biological Resources

Crop Plants: Glasshouses & Polythene Tunnels

Crop Plants: Increasing Carbon Dioxide & Temperature

Crop Plants: Fertiliser

Crop Plants: Pest Control

Yeast in Food Production

Practical: Investigating Anaerobic Respiration in Yeast

Role of Bacteria in Yoghurt Production

Industrial Fermenters

Selective Breeding in Plants

Selective Breeding in Animals

The Process of Genetic Modification

Manufacturing Human Insulin

GM Plants & Food Production

Micropropagation

The Production of Cloned Mammals

Exam boards

Study tools

Related links