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Using light microscopes, staining and calculating magnificationCell structures in plant, animal and prokaryotic cells (structure–function)Electron microscopy and what it revealed about cellsDNA structure: double helix, nucleotides and base pairingProtein synthesis: transcription, translation and the genetic codeEnzymes: active sites, specificity and how to investigate enzyme reactionsFactors affecting enzyme activity (temperature, pH, concentration) and rate dataCellular respiration: ATP, aerobic vs anaerobic (plants/fungi and animals)Biological molecules: carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (monomers and polymers)Photosynthesis: process, required experiments and limiting factors
Diffusion, osmosis and active transport (including water potential)Osmosis practical: investigating mass change and interpreting resultsThe cell cycle, growth and mitosisCell differentiation and specialised cellsStem cells and meristems: roles and ethical considerationsSurface area to volume ratio and why multicellular organisms need transportThe human circulatory system and double circulationThe heart, blood vessels and blood (adaptations for transport)Plant uptake and transport: root hairs, xylem, phloem and translocationTranspiration: stomata, factors affecting water uptake and potometers
The nervous system: neurones, synapses and communicationReflexes and reflex arcs (including reaction time investigations)The brain and how damage affects functionThe endocrine system: hormones as chemical messengersThyroxine and adrenaline (including negative feedback)Hormones in reproduction: menstrual cycle overviewControlling the menstrual cycle: FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesteroneContraception and fertility treatments (including IVF)Plant hormones: auxins and tropisms; uses of plant growth regulatorsHomeostasis: temperature control, blood glucose and water balance (kidneys and ADH)
Ecosystems and levels of organisation (organism to ecosystem)Biotic and abiotic factors affecting communitiesInterdependence and competition (predation, mutualism and parasitism)Microorganisms and decomposition in ecosystemsThe carbon cycle and the water cycleDecomposition rates: aerobic vs anaerobic conditions and composting factorsTrophic levels, producers and consumers in food chains and websPyramids of biomass and where biomass is lost between trophic levelsEfficiency of biomass transfer and why food chains are limited in length
Chromosomes, genes and alleles: linking genotype to phenotypeThe genome, environment and variation within a speciesMutations and how genetic variants can affect phenotypeAsexual vs sexual reproduction: processes and advantagesMeiosis and how it creates genetic variationInheritance: dominant/recessive alleles and Punnett squaresUsing probability and ratios to predict outcomes of genetic crossesSex determination in humansPolygenic inheritance and complex traitsNatural selection, evolution and evidence (including antibiotic resistance)
Sampling in the field: random sampling, transects and estimating populationsHuman impacts on ecosystems and biodiversityConservation strategies and the role of ecotourismMeasuring environmental change and interpreting ecological dataFood security: biological factors affecting supply and demandAgricultural solutions: farming methods, hydroponics, fertilisers, pesticides and biological controlSelective breeding and its impacts on food productionGenetic engineering in agriculture: key steps and evaluating risks/benefitsHealth and disease: communicable vs non-communicable, and disease interactionsPreventing/treating disease: plant defences, immunity, vaccines, medicines, lifestyle
