England · Pearson EdexcelSyllabus
Biology syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England Biologysyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Topic 4: Biodiversity and natural resources
Module overview →- How is biodiversity measured and how are living things classified?The meaning and measurement of biodiversity at species, genetic and habitat levels, the use of the index of diversity, and the classification and naming of organisms.9 min answer →
- Why should we conserve biodiversity, and how can it be protected?The reasons for conserving biodiversity, the methods of in-situ and ex-situ conservation, the use of seed banks and zoos, and the balance between conservation and human needs.9 min answer →
- How does natural selection lead to adaptation and the evolution of new species?The process of natural selection, the types of adaptation, how natural selection leads to evolution and speciation, and the evidence for evolution.9 min answer →
- How is the structure of plants suited to support and transport, and how do humans use plants?The structure of plant cells and tissues, plant fibres and their properties, the transport of water in the xylem, and the economic and sustainable use of plants and their products.9 min answer →
Topic 5: Energy, exercise and coordination
Module overview →- How does the body keep its internal environment constant, and what is the role of the kidney?The principle of homeostasis and negative feedback, the control of body temperature and blood glucose, and the structure and function of the kidney in osmoregulation and excretion.10 min answer →
- How does muscle structure allow movement, and how is it powered?The structure of skeletal muscle and the sliding filament model of contraction, the role of ATP and calcium ions, and the difference between slow and fast twitch fibres.9 min answer →
- How do nerves and hormones coordinate responses in the body?The structure of a neurone and the transmission of a nerve impulse, the events at a synapse, the action of hormones, and the differences between nervous and hormonal coordination.10 min answer →
- How do plants capture light energy and use it to make organic molecules?The light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis, the role of chloroplast structure, the products of each stage, and the factors that limit the rate of photosynthesis.10 min answer →
- How do cells release energy from glucose in aerobic and anaerobic respiration?The stages of aerobic respiration (glycolysis, the link reaction, the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation), the role of ATP and the mitochondrion, and anaerobic respiration in animals and yeast.10 min answer →
Topic 2: Genes and health
Module overview →- How does the structure of DNA store information and direct the synthesis of proteins?The structure of DNA and RNA, semi-conservative DNA replication, the genetic code, and the processes of transcription and translation that make proteins.12 min answer →
- How do enzymes work and what affects their rate of activity?Enzymes as biological catalysts, the lock-and-key and induced-fit models, the effects of temperature, pH, substrate and enzyme concentration on rate, and the action of inhibitors.12 min answer →
- How does a gene mutation cause cystic fibrosis and affect the body?The nature of gene mutations, the effect of the CFTR mutation on the chloride ion channel, how cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, digestion and reproduction, and the inheritance of the condition.9 min answer →
- How can we read and use genetic information to treat and screen for disease?The principles of gene therapy and gene technology, genetic screening and prenatal testing, and the social and ethical issues raised by using genetic information.9 min answer →
Topic 6: Microbiology, immunity and ecosystems
Module overview →- How does energy flow through an ecosystem and how do communities change over time?The structure of ecosystems, the flow of energy through food chains and webs, the recycling of nutrients, and the process of ecological succession.9 min answer →
- How do microorganisms cause disease, and how can their growth be studied and controlled?The structure of bacteria and viruses, how pathogens cause disease, the culture and growth of microorganisms, and the action and resistance of antibiotics.9 min answer →
- What controls the size of populations, and how can ecosystems be used sustainably?The factors that limit population size, predator-prey relationships and carrying capacity, the sampling of populations, and the principles of sustainable management of ecosystems.9 min answer →
- How does the body defend itself against pathogens?The non-specific and specific immune responses, the roles of phagocytes, B and T lymphocytes, the action of antibodies, immunological memory, and the principles of vaccination.10 min answer →
Topic 1: Molecules, diet, transport and health
Module overview →- How are the carbohydrates, lipids and proteins in our diet built, and how does their structure suit their function?The structure of monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides, the formation of triglycerides and phospholipids, and the levels of protein structure, linking each molecule's structure to its function.10 min answer →
- How do diet and lifestyle affect the risk of cardiovascular disease?The development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, the roles of cholesterol, lipoproteins and blood pressure as risk factors, and how diet, lifestyle and treatments reduce risk.10 min answer →
- How do substances move into and out of cells and across exchange surfaces?The fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, diffusion, osmosis and active transport, the role of water as a solvent and its properties, and the features of efficient exchange surfaces.10 min answer →
- How does the structure of the heart and blood vessels move blood around the body?The structure of the mammalian heart and the cardiac cycle, the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries, and the role of the circulatory system in transporting substances around the body.10 min answer →
Topic 3: The voice of the genome
Module overview →- How are cells structured and how do they divide to produce new cells?The ultrastructure of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, the functions of the main organelles, and the events of the cell cycle and mitosis.12 min answer →
- How is gene expression controlled, and how can the environment affect which genes are active?The control of gene expression by transcription factors, the role of epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation and histone modification, and how the environment can affect the phenotype.9 min answer →
- How does meiosis produce genetic variation and how does fertilisation restore the chromosome number?The events of meiosis, how crossing over and independent assortment generate genetic variation, the role of gametes and fertilisation, and the difference between meiosis and mitosis.9 min answer →
- How do unspecialised cells become specialised, and how might stem cells be used in medicine?The nature and types of stem cells, how cells become specialised and organised into tissues and organs, and the potential uses and ethical issues of stem cells.9 min answer →