Biology

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This subtopic explores the fundamental principles of energy flow through ecosystems, including food chains and webs, pyramids of biomass and energy, and the efficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels. It applies these concepts to real-world ecological management and sustainability practices.

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Cell biology

This topic explores the fundamental units of life, focusing on the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. It covers the processes of cell growth, division through mitosis and meiosis, and the metabolic role of enzymes in cellular respiration.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

This topic explores the fundamental differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, focusing on their structural characteristics and sub-cellular components. It also examines how advancements in microscopy, including light, electron, and laser imaging, have enhanced our understanding of cells as the basic units of life.

Growth and development of cells

This topic covers the mechanisms of cell growth and development, specifically focusing on mitosis as the process for growth, repair, and replacement of cells. It also explores the role of cell differentiation, the function of stem cells in animals and plants, the nature of cancer as uncontrolled cell division, and the role of meiosis in gamete formation.

Cell metabolism

This topic explores the metabolic processes within cells, focusing on the role of enzymes as biological catalysts that control chemical reactions. It covers the mechanisms of aerobic and anaerobic respiration, the importance of ATP as an energy carrier, and the digestion of macromolecules into soluble substances for cellular use.

Transport systems

This topic explores the mechanisms by which organisms transport substances into and out of cells, including diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. It further examines the structure and function of transport systems in humans, specifically the circulatory system and blood components, and in plants, focusing on xylem, phloem, and the process of transpiration.

Transport in cells

This topic explores the mechanisms by which substances are transported into and out of cells, including diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. It also examines the necessity of exchange surfaces and transport systems in multicellular organisms, specifically relating to the surface area to volume ratio.

Transport systems in humans

This topic explores the structure and function of the human circulatory system, including the heart, blood vessels, and blood components. It examines how the double circulatory system facilitates the transport of substances and how specific structures are adapted to their roles in gaseous exchange and material transport.

Transport systems in plants

This topic explores the specialized transport systems in plants, focusing on the roles of xylem and phloem in moving water, minerals, and sugars. It covers the mechanisms of water uptake via root hairs, the process of transpiration, and how environmental factors influence these transport processes.

Health, disease and the development of medicine

This topic explores the relationship between health and disease, covering the causes of communicable and non-communicable diseases and the body's natural defence mechanisms. It also examines how diseases are treated, the development of new medicines, and the role of lifestyle factors in human health.

Health and disease

This topic explores the relationship between health and disease, covering the causes of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It details human and plant defense mechanisms, the role of the immune system, the development of medicines, and the impact of lifestyle factors on health.

Communicable disease

This topic explores the transmission, prevention, and treatment of communicable diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi in humans and plants. It covers the human immune system's non-specific and specific defence mechanisms, the role of monoclonal antibodies, and the development of medicines including vaccines and antibiotics.

Treating, curing and preventing disease

This topic covers the mechanisms for treating, curing, and preventing communicable diseases, specifically focusing on the role of vaccines and antibiotics. It also details the rigorous process of drug development, including preclinical and clinical testing, and the importance of aseptic techniques in handling microorganisms.

Non-communicable diseases in humans

This topic examines the causes and management of non-communicable diseases in humans, focusing on the interaction of various lifestyle factors. It covers the impact of exercise, diet, alcohol, smoking, and UV radiation on disease incidence, alongside the evaluation of medical treatments for cardiovascular disease.

Coordination and control

This topic covers the mechanisms of coordination and control in both humans and plants. It details the structure and function of the human nervous system, including reflex arcs and the eye, as well as hormonal regulation, homeostasis, and the role of plant hormones in growth and development.

Nervous coordination and control in humans

This topic covers the structure and function of the human nervous system, including the role of sense organs, neurones, and the central nervous system. It explores the mechanism of reflex actions, the anatomy of the eye, brain function, and the limitations of treating neurological conditions.

Hormonal coordination and control in humans

This topic covers the hormonal coordination and control systems in the human body, focusing on the role of endocrine glands and chemical messengers. It details the function of specific hormones like thyroxine and adrenaline, the regulation of the menstrual cycle, and the application of hormones in contraception and reproductive technologies.

Homeostasis in humans

This topic explores the essential mechanisms of homeostasis in humans, focusing on the maintenance of a constant internal environment. It covers the regulation of blood glucose levels via insulin and glucagon, the management of body temperature through skin structures, and the role of the kidneys in water balance and waste removal.

Plant hormones

This topic explores the role of plant hormones in controlling and coordinating growth and development. It specifically covers the mechanisms of phototropism and gravitropism, as well as the functions and applications of auxins, gibberellins, and ethene in plant growth.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the endothermic process by which green plants and algae use chlorophyll and light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, with oxygen produced as a by-product. This topic examines the factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis, including temperature, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration, and how these factors interact to limit the rate of the reaction.

Ecosystems

This topic explores the levels of organisation within ecosystems, the principles of material cycling, and the importance of biodiversity. It examines how organisms interact with each other and their environment, the impact of human activity on these systems, and the biological challenges of maintaining food security.

Levels of organisation within an ecosystem

This topic explores the hierarchical levels of organisation within an ecosystem, ranging from individual organisms to populations, communities, and the entire ecosystem. It examines the critical roles of abiotic and biotic factors, interdependence, and the transfer of biomass through trophic levels, including the efficiency of these transfers.

The principle of material cycling

This topic explores how essential materials, specifically carbon and water, cycle through the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem. It examines the role of microorganisms in decomposition and how environmental factors influence the rate at which these materials are returned to the environment.

Biodiversity

This topic explores the concept of biodiversity, defined as the variety and number of different species in an area, and its critical importance to ecosystem health. It covers practical methods for measuring biodiversity, such as the use of quadrats and transects, and examines the complex interactions between human activities and the environment, including both positive and negative impacts.

Some of the biological challenges of increasing food yields using fewer resources

This topic examines the complex challenges of balancing the growing global demand for food and economic development with the necessity of environmental conservation. It explores how scientific monitoring and biotechnological advancements, such as genetic modification, can be utilized to improve food security while minimizing the impact on wildlife and natural resources.

Inheritance, variation and evolution

This topic explores how the genome and environmental interactions influence an organism's phenotype, covering DNA structure, protein synthesis, and inheritance patterns. It also examines the mechanisms of evolution through natural selection, the impact of selective breeding, and the ethical and practical considerations of modern gene technology.

The genome and gene expression

This topic explores the structure and function of the genome, focusing on how DNA acts as a polymer to store genetic information. It covers the fundamental principles of protein synthesis, the role of alleles in determining characteristics, and the significance of non-coding DNA in gene regulation.

Inheritance

This topic explores the mechanisms of genetic inheritance, focusing on how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring. It covers key terminology, the use of Punnett squares for monohybrid crosses, sex determination in humans, and the historical development of genetic understanding through the work of Gregor Mendel.

Variation and evolution

This topic explores how the genome and environmental interactions influence an organism's phenotype, including the mechanisms of variation and evolution. It covers the processes of sexual and asexual reproduction, the role of mutations, and how natural selection drives evolutionary change and biodiversity.

Selective breeding and gene technology

This topic examines the principles and applications of selective breeding in plants and animals, alongside the processes and implications of genetic engineering. It explores how these technologies modify genomes to introduce desirable characteristics and considers the associated practical, ethical, and societal benefits and risks.