1. The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

Characteristics of Living Organisms

Characteristics of Living Organisms

Common Features: Eukaryotic Organisms

Common Features: Prokaryotic Organisms

Pathogens

2. Structure & Function in Living Organisms

Levels of Organisation

Levels of Organisation

Cell Structure

Cell Structures

Animal & Plant Cells: Similarities & Differences

Importance of Cell Differentiation

Stem Cells in Medicine: Advantages & Disadvantages

Biological Molecules

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

Movement of Substances Into & Out of Cells

Diffusion, Osmosis & Active Transport

Factors Affecting the Rate of Movement of Substances

Practical: Investigating Diffusion & Osmosis

Nutrition

The Process of Photosynthesis

Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis

Leaf: Structure & Adaptations

Plants & Mineral Ions

Practical: Investigating Photosynthesis

Balanced Diet

Human Alimentary Canal: Structure & Function

Peristalsis

Role of Digestive Enzymes

Bile

Small Intestine: Structure & Adaptations

Practical: Energy Content of a Food Sample

Respiration

Process of Respiration

Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration

Practical: Investigating Respiration

Gas Exchange

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 Respiratory System

Role of the Intercostal Muscles & Diaphragm

Alveoli: Adaptations for Gas Exchange

Smoking & the Gas Exchange System

Practical: The Effect of Age on Breathing

Transport Systems

The Need for a Transport System

Role of the Xylem & Phloem

Absorption of Water by Root Hair Cells

Transpiration

Practical: Factors Affecting Transpiration

The Blood

White Blood Cells & Immunity

Vaccinations

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

Excretion in Plants

Excretion in Humans

Kidney: Excretion & Osmoregulation

Structure of the Urinary System

Nephron Structure

Nephron Function

ADH & Composition of Urine

Co-ordination & Response

Response to Changes in the Environment

Homeostasis

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

Hormones: Adrenaline, Insulin, Testosterone, Progesterone & Oestrogen

The Role of Hormones: ADH, FSH & LH

3. Reproduction & Inheritance

Reproduction

Sexual & Asexual Reproduction: Differences

Gametes & Fertilisation

Adaptations for Pollination

The Process of Fertilisation in Plants

Practical: Conditions for Germination

Germinating Seeds

Asexual Plant Reproduction

Human Reproductive Systems

Roles of Oestrogen & Progesterone in the Menstrual Cycle

Roles of FSH & LH in the menstrual cycle

Role of the Placenta

Amniotic Fluid

Development of Secondary Sexual Characteristics

Inheritance

The Genome & Genes

DNA Structure

RNA Structure

Stages of Protein Synthesis

Alleles

Key Terms in Genetics

Codominance

Polygenic Inheritance

Monohybrid Inheritance: Genetic Diagrams

Family Pedigrees

Sex Chromosomes

Mitosis

Meiosis

Random Fertilisation & Genetic Variation

Diploid vs Haploid

Variation with a Species

Mutation

Mutation: Advanced

Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection

Antibiotic Resistance

4. Ecology & the Environment

The Organism in the Environment

Population, Community, Habitat & Ecosystem

Practical: Investigating Population Size

Biodiversity

Practical: Investigating the Distribution of Organisms

Abiotic & Biotic Factors

Feeding Relationships

Trophic Levels

Food chains, Food webs & Pyramids

Transfers Along a Food Chain

Cycles within Ecosystems

Carbon Cycle

Nitrogen Cycle

Human Influences on the Environment

Biological Consequences of Air Pollution

Greenhouse Gases

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Biological Consequences of Water Pollution

The Effects of Deforestation

5. Use of Biological Resources

Food Production

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

Fish Farming

Selective Breeding

Selective Breeding in Plants

Selective Breeding in Animals

Genetic Modification (Genetic Engineering)

The Process of Genetic Modification

Manufacturing Human Insulin

GM Plants & Food Production

Transgenic

Cloning

Micropropagation

The Production of Cloned Mammals

Exam boards

• Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular): Unit 1
• Edexcel IGCSE Biology (Modular): Unit 2
• Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Biology

Study tools

• Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Exam Questions
• Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Flashcards
• Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Past Papers

Related links

• IGCSE Biology · Revision Notes
• IGCSE Biology · Exam Questions
• IGCSE Biology · Flashcards
• IGCSE Biology · Past Papers
• Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Exam specification