Edexcel A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Explore your course, one topic at a time.
Course overview
The PEARSON-EDEXCEL A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) specification covers 9 study areas with 479 learning objectives (9BN0). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.
- 9 study areas
- 479 learning objectives
- 411
- verified practice questions
- 158
- verified teaching notes
- 9
- topics
Your exams
- Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species SurvivalMonday, 7 June 2027, PM
- Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Co-ordinationMonday, 14 June 2027, PM
- Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in BiologyFriday, 18 June 2027, AM
Always confirm dates and times with your exam centre.
| Paper | Time | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival | 120 min | 100 | 33.33% |
| Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination | 120 min | 100 | 33.33% |
| Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology | 120 min | 100 | 33.33% |
Explore your topics
9 study areas
Lifestyle, Health and Risk2 topics
Genes and Health2 topics
Voice of the Genome2 topics
Biodiversity and Natural Resources2 topics
On the Wild Side2 topics
Immunity, Infection and Forensics2 topics
Run for your Life2 topics
Science Practical Endorsement16 topics
- Topic 1: Lifestyle, Health and Risk20 specification points covering 1.1 Understand why many animals have a heart and circulation (mass transport to overcome limitations of diffusion in…60 objectives
- Topic 2: Genes and Health18 specification points covering 2.1 i) Know the properties of gas exchange surfaces in living organisms (large surface area to volume ratio, thickness of…55 objectives
- Topic 3: Voice of the Genome16 specification points covering 3.1 Know that all living organisms are made of cells, sharing some common features., 3.2 Know the ultrastructure of…50 objectives
- Topic 4: Biodiversity and Natural Resources20 specification points covering 4.1 Know that over time the variety of life has become extensive but is now being threatened by human activity., 4.2 i)…60 objectives
- Topic 5: On the Wild Side26 specification points covering 5.1 Understand the terms ecosystem, community, population and habitat., 5.2 Understand that the numbers and distribution of…78 objectives
- Topic 6: Immunity, Infection and Forensics17 specification points covering 6.1 Understand how to determine the time of death of a mammal by examining the extent of decomposition, stage of…51 objectives
- Topic 7: Run for your Life18 specification points covering 7.1 Know the way in which muscles, tendons, the skeleton and ligaments interact to enable movement, including antagonistic…54 objectives
- Topic 8: Grey Matter20 specification points covering 8.1 Know the structure and function of sensory, relay and motor neurones including the role of Schwann cells and…60 objectives
About this course
About Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
The Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) course is a context-led approach that explores biology through real-world applications and contemporary issues. You will study topics such as lifestyle, health, and risk; genes and health; voice of the genome; biodiversity and natural resources; and on the wild side, among others. The specification is structured into four themes: The Nature of Life, Genes and Health, Voice of the Genome, and Biodiversity and Natural Resources, each divided into topics that build on core concepts.
This course emphasises the development of practical skills and scientific understanding through a series of core practicals and a practical endorsement. It encourages you to think critically about ethical, social, and environmental issues in biology. The Salters-Nuffield approach is designed to make biology relevant and engaging, linking theory to real-life contexts and current scientific research.
Assessment Structure
The Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) is assessed through three written exams and a separate practical endorsement. Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival (2 hours, 100 marks, 33.3% of A-Level) covers topics 1-6. Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Coordination (2 hours, 100 marks, 33.3% of A-Level) covers topics 7-10. Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology (2 hours, 100 marks, 33.3% of A-Level) covers all topics and includes a pre-released scientific article. The practical endorsement is assessed separately and reported as pass/fail; it does not contribute to the A-Level grade but is required for the practical skills endorsement.
Why Choose Pearson Edexcel?
- The Salters-Nuffield course is context-led, meaning you learn biological concepts through engaging, real-world scenarios, which can make the material more memorable and relevant to everyday life.
- It has a strong focus on practical skills and scientific investigation, with a dedicated practical endorsement that can be advantageous for university applications in biological sciences.
- The specification includes a pre-released scientific article for Paper 3, which develops your ability to critically analyse and interpret scientific information, a skill highly valued by universities and employers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Edexcel Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) and Biology B?
How many exams are there in Edexcel A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield) and what do they cover?
Is the practical endorsement part of the A-Level grade?
What topics are covered in Edexcel A-Level Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)?
How does the Salters-Nuffield approach differ from other A-Level Biology courses?
Assessment and exam guidance
Assessment Objectives
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures.
Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures in a theoretical context, in a practical context, when handling qualitative data and when handling quantitative data.
Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to make judgements and reach conclusions and to develop and refine practical design and procedures.
Exam Structure
Paper 1: The Natural Environment and Species Survival
2h
Duration
100
Marks
33.33%
Weighting
Paper 2: Energy, Exercise and Co-ordination
2h
Duration
100
Marks
33.33%
Weighting
Paper 3: General and Practical Applications in Biology
2h
Duration
100
Marks
33.33%
Weighting
Tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exams
- •Saying large animals have a small surface area; the error is ignoring that the ratio of surface area to volume falls as size increases, so the correction is to compare the ratio, not the absolute surface area.
- •Claiming diffusion stops in large animals; the correction is that diffusion still occurs, but over the distances involved it is too slow to meet demand, so mass transport is needed.
- •Describing the heart as making blood without mentioning pressure or flow; the correction is to state that contraction generates pressure that drives blood through vessels.
- •Saying water is charged rather than polar; the correction is to describe partial charges and the dipole, since water carries no overall charge.
- •Stating that water forms hydrogen bonds with ions; the correction is that water forms ion-dipole electrostatic attractions with ions, while hydrogen bonds form with polar molecules like glucose.
- •Confusing hydrogen bonds with covalent bonds; the correction is that hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between molecules, while the O–H bonds within water are covalent.
- •Saying arteries always carry oxygenated blood: the pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood, so describe arteries by direction of flow away from the heart, not by oxygen content.
- •Stating that veins have no muscle: veins do have a thin muscular layer, so describe it as thin rather than absent.
Top Examiner Tips
Expert advice for exam success
- •Use the phrase surface area to volume ratio and explain the consequence for diffusion distance before introducing the heart.
- •Give a named example, such as a fish or mammal, and state which substances must be delivered and removed.
- •Link each clause of the statement in one chain: size, ratio, diffusion limit, mass transport, heart and vessels.
- •Draw or describe the dipole with partial charges before explaining how a solute dissolves.
- •Name the transported substance and its route, such as glucose in blood plasma or nitrate ions in xylem sap.
- •Distinguish clearly between hydrogen bonding for polar solutes and ion-dipole forces for ionic solutes.
- •Link each structural feature to a functional consequence using 'because' or 'so that', for example thick elastic wall so that recoil maintains pressure.
- •When comparing vessels, use comparative terms such as thicker, wider or more elastic rather than absolute statements.
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