← Science (Single Award) syllabus

Northern IrelandScience (Single Award)

Unit 1: Biology

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What are the parts of animal and plant cells, how are some cells specialised, and how do we measure cells under a microscope?

The structures of animal and plant cells and their functions, examples of specialised cells and their adaptations, the levels of organisation from cell to organism, and using a light microscope including the magnification calculation.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on cells, covering the parts of animal and plant cells and their functions, specialised cells and their adaptations, the levels of organisation, and using a light microscope with the magnification calculation.
8 min answer →

How do nerves and hormones coordinate the body and keep its conditions steady?

The central nervous system and the three neurones, the reflex arc as a fast automatic response, hormones as chemical messengers carried in the blood, how insulin controls blood glucose, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and homeostasis by negative feedback.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on coordination and control, covering the central nervous system and neurones, the reflex arc, hormones as chemical messengers, how insulin controls blood glucose, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and homeostasis by negative feedback.
8 min answer →

How does energy flow through food chains, and how is carbon recycled in an ecosystem?

Food chains and food webs, the flow of energy from the Sun through trophic levels, why energy is lost at each level, pyramids of numbers and biomass, the role of decomposers, and the carbon cycle.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on ecology, covering food chains and webs, the flow of energy from the Sun through trophic levels, why energy is lost at each level, pyramids of numbers and biomass, decomposers, and the carbon cycle.
8 min answer →

How is genetic information stored and passed on, and how do we predict the offspring of a cross?

DNA, genes and chromosomes, the key genetic terms, dominant and recessive alleles, genotype and phenotype, monohybrid crosses with Punnett squares, continuous and discontinuous variation, and the causes of variation including mutation.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on genetics, covering DNA, genes and chromosomes, dominant and recessive alleles, genotype and phenotype, monohybrid crosses with Punnett squares, continuous and discontinuous variation, and the causes of variation including mutation.
9 min answer →

What makes a balanced diet, how do we test for food groups, and how do enzymes digest our food?

The components of a balanced diet and their functions, the chemical food tests, enzymes as biological catalysts affected by temperature and pH, the digestive enzymes amylase, protease and lipase, the role of bile, and absorption in the small intestine.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on nutrition and digestion, covering the components of a balanced diet, the chemical food tests, enzymes as catalysts affected by temperature and pH, the three digestive enzymes, the role of bile, and absorption in the small intestine.
9 min answer →

How do plants make food by photosynthesis, what affects the rate, and how is a leaf adapted for the job?

The word equation for photosynthesis, the role of chlorophyll and chloroplasts, the limiting factors of light, carbon dioxide and temperature, how a leaf is adapted for photosynthesis and gas exchange, and investigating the rate of photosynthesis.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on photosynthesis, covering the word equation, chlorophyll and chloroplasts, the limiting factors of light, carbon dioxide and temperature, leaf adaptations for photosynthesis and gas exchange, and how to investigate the rate.
8 min answer →

How does the body get oxygen into the blood, and how do cells release energy from glucose?

The structure of the respiratory system, the mechanism of breathing in and out, gas exchange in the alveoli and their adaptations, aerobic and anaerobic respiration with their word equations, and the difference between breathing and respiration.
A focused CCEA GCSE Single Award Science answer on respiration and breathing, covering the respiratory system, the mechanism of breathing, gas exchange and alveolar adaptations, aerobic and anaerobic respiration with their equations, and breathing versus respiration.
8 min answer →