Biology is the study of living organisms and their structure, life-cycles, adaptations and environment. Biology touches upon several streams in science, such as botany, evolution, ecology, medicine, genetics, etc.
The GCSE Biology exam is conducted by various bodies, each of which has its own syllabus. These syllabi vary only slightly from each other and generally cover the same GCSE biology topics. These bodies are:
AQA CCEA Edexcel Eduqas OCR WJEC
Following is a detailed syllabus required by each of these bodies.
AQA GCSE Biology Syllabus AQA is an independent education charity that conducts, among other exams, the GCSE exams in various subjects like the GCSE Biology. Its certificates are accepted by institutions across the world. AQA is responsible for the conduct of a large part of the GCSEs and A-Level exams in the UK. Among all the other resources it provides for GCSE biology, AQA GCSE Biology specification holds all the necessary information parents seek regarding the exams.
For further information on aqa biology gcse specification please visit AQA website
Syllabus
Topics Sub-topics
Cell biology Cell structure Cell division Transport in cells
Organisation Animal organisation – gaseous exchange systems Animal organisation – digestion Animal organisation – transport systems Plant organisation Non-communicable diseases
Infection and response Communicable diseases Treating, curing and preventing disease Monoclonal antibodies – Higher Plant disease
Bioenergetics
Photosynthesis Respiration
Homeostasis and response Coordination and control – The nervous system Coordination and control – The human endocrine system Hormones in human reproduction Homeostasis in humans Plant hormones
Inheritance, variation and evolution Reproduction, the genome and gene expression Genetic inheritance Variation Evolution Classification of living organisms
Ecology
Adaptations, interdependence and competition Organisation of an ecosystem Decomposition Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems Trophic levels in an ecosystem Food production Practicals
CCEA Biology Syllabus CCEA – Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment – is a non-departmental public body (NDPB), funded by the Department of Education (DE). CCEA Biology GCSE past papers are really very helpful to students in preparing for the GCSE biology for CCEA.
Cells Microscopy, size and magnification Cells and specialisation Diffusion
Living processes Photosynthesis and plants Nutrition and food tests Enzymes and digestion The respiratory system, breathing and respiration The nervous system Hormones
Biodiversity Fieldwork and competition Ecological relationships and energy flow The carbon cycle and decomposition Global warming, human activity and biodiversity The nitrogen cycle, minerals and eutrophication
Body systems Osmosis and plant transport The circulatory system Reproduction, fertility and contraception
Genetics Chromosomes, genes and DNA Cell division Genetic diagrams and terminology X and Y chromosomes and genetic screening Genetic engineering Variation and natural selection
Health, diseases and micro-organisms Communicable diseases Aseptic techniques Defence mechanisms Non-communicable diseases
Practical skills Planning an investigation Carrying out an experiment Analysing experimental data Drawing conclusions from an experiment
Edexcel GCSE Biology Syllabus Edexcel GCSE Biology qualifications are recognised worldwide by educational institutions and employers. We suggest students to go after Edexcel GCSE Biology past papers to scrutinise your preparation for the Biology GCSE. For more on the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification you can visit the official website.
Syllabus:
Key concepts in biology
Cell structure Enzymes Transport in cells
Cells and control Cell division Coordination and control – The nervous system
Genetics
Reproduction, the genome and gene expression Genetic inheritance – part one Genetic inheritance – part two Natural selection and genetic modification Evolution Genetic modification
Health, disease and the development of medicines Communicable disease Plant disease Treating, curing and preventing disease Making medicines Non-communicable diseases
Plant structures and their functions Photosynthesis Plant organisation Plant hormones
Animal coordination, control and homeostasis Coordination and control – The human endocrine system Hormones in human reproduction Homeostasis in humans
Exchange and transport in animals Gas exchange in animals Cellular respiration and transport Sample exam questions – exchange and transport in animals
Ecosystems and material cycles Adaptations, interdependence and competition Organisation of an ecosystem Biodiversity & the effect of human interaction on ecosystems Biological factors affecting food security Natural cycles and decomposition Practicals
Eduqas GCSE Biology Syllabus Eduqas qualifications have wide acceptance across the world for their certifications in various disciplines.
Cell biology
Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells Growth and development of cells Cell metabolism
Transport systems Transport in cells Transport systems in humans Transport systems in plants
Health, disease and the development of medicine
Health and disease Communicable disease Monoclonal antibodies - Higher Plant disease Treating, curing and preventing disease Non-communicable diseases in humans
Coordination and control Nervous coordination and control in humans Hormonal coordination and control in humans Homeostasis in humans Plant hormones Photosynthesis
Ecosystems Levels of organisation within an ecosystem Levels of organisation within an ecosystem - Trophic levels The principle of material cycling
Biodiversity Challenges of increasing food yields using fewer resources
Inheritance, variation and evolution The genome and gene expression Inheritance Variation and evolution Selective breeding and gene technology Practicals
OCR 21st Century Biology Syllabus OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA) is a qualification-awarding body in nearly fifty A-Level and GCSE subjects including OCR Biology GCSE
You and your genes The key features of cells and their functions What is the genome and what does it do? How is genetic information inherited? How can and should gene technology be used?
Keeping healthy
What are the causes of disease? How can we prevent the spread of infection? How can we identify the cause of an infection? How can lifestyle, genes and environment affect health? How can we treat disease?
Living together - Food and ecosystems What happens during photosynthesis? How do producers get the substances they need? How do producers transport the substances they need? How are organisms in an ecosystem interdependent? How are levels maintained within an ecosystem? How are populations affected by conditions in an ecosystem?
Using food and controlling growth What happens during cellular respiration? How do we know about mitochondria and other cell structures? How do organisms grow and develop? How is growth controlled in plants? The human body - Staying alive
The human body - Staying alive How do substances get into, out of and around our bodies? How does the nervous system help us respond? Why do we need to maintain a constant internal environment? What role do hormones play in human reproduction? What can happen when organs & control systems stop working?
Life on Earth - Past, present and future How was the theory of evolution developed? How does understanding biology help us classify organisms? How is biodiversity threatened and how can we protect it?
Ideas about Science
What needs to be considered when investigating a phenomenon? What processes are needed to draw conclusions from data? How are scientific explanations developed? How do science and technology impact society? Practicals
OCR Gateway GCSE Biology Syllabus Topics Sub-topics
Cell level systems Cell structures What happens in cells (and what do cells need)? Respiration Photosynthesis
Scaling up
Supplying the cell Mitosis and cell specialisation The challenges of size in animals The challenges of size in plants
Organism level systems Coordination and control - The nervous system Coordination and control - The endocrine system Plant hormones Maintaining internal environments
Community level systems
Material cycling in ecosystems Organisation in ecosystems
Genes, inheritance and selection Inheritance Natural selection and evolution
Global challenges Field investigations Monitoring and maintaining the environment Feeding the human race
Monitoring & maintaining health Communicable diseases Treating, curing and preventing disease Monoclonal antibodies - Higher Plant disease Cancer and cardiovascular disease - Non-communicable Monitoring and maintaining health - Non-communicable Practicals
WJEC GCSE Syllabus WJEC stands for Welsh Joint Education Committee, headquartered in Wales. Biology WJEC GCSE qualifications are accepted in almost all countries around the world.
Cells, organ systems and ecosystems
Cells and movement across membranes The respiratory system in humans The digestive system in humans The circulatory system in humans Structure of plants Photosynthesis
Ecosystems – transferring energy Ecosystems – pollution and nutrient cycles
Variation, homeostasis and micro-organisms
Classification and biodiversity Cell division and stem cells DNA and inheritance Variation Mutation Evolution The nervous system Homeostasis The role of the kidneys in homeostasis Micro-organisms and their applications Disease, defence and treatment Practicals
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