AQA A-level Biology Year 12 revision

Topic 1: Biological molecules

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Organisation and Bioenergetics, and takes it further.

There are 7 parts: we start with monomers, polymers and carbohydrates, and finish with water and inorganic ions.

1. 1.1Monomers, polymers and carbohydratesFree 35 questions
2. 1.2Biochemical tests for carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (Benedict's, iodine, biuret, emulsion)39 questions
3. 1.3Lipids28 questions
4. 1.4Proteins and enzyme action67 questions
5. 1.5Practical: investigating factors affecting the rate of enzyme-controlled reactions60 questions
6. 1.6Nucleic acids and ATP28 questions
7. 1.7Water and inorganic ions29 questions

Topic 2: Cells

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Cell biology and Infection and response, and takes it further.

There are 14 parts: we start with cell structure, and finish with clonal selection, vaccination, herd immunity, monoclonal antibodies and autoimmune disease.

1. 2.1Cell structureFree 71 questions
2. 2.2Microscopy: magnification, resolution and light, TEM, SEM and laser scanning microscopes70 questions
3. 2.3Cell fractionation and ultracentrifugation39 questions
4. 2.4Prokaryotic cells and binary fissionFree 67 questions
5. 2.5Viruses: structure, replication and HIV30 questions
6. 2.6Practical: preparing temporary slides, using a light microscope and calibrating an eyepiece graticuleFree 61 questions
7. 2.7Cell division and the cell cycle51 questions
8. 2.8Practical: root tip squash, observing mitosis and calculating mitotic index69 questions
9. 2.9Cell differentiation, stem cells, tissues, organs and organ systems73 questions
10. 2.10Transport across cell membranes31 questions
11. 2.11Practical: effect of temperature or solvent on cell membrane permeability (beetroot)53 questions
12. 2.12Practical: dilution series and calibration curve to determine water potential of plant tissue21 questions
13. 2.13Cell recognition and the immune system36 questions
14. 2.14Clonal selection, vaccination, herd immunity, monoclonal antibodies and autoimmune disease20 questions

Topic 3: Organisms exchange substances with their environment

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Organisation, and takes it further.

There are 8 parts: we start with surface area to volume ratio and gas exchange, and finish with mass transport in plants.

1. 3.1Surface area to volume ratio and gas exchangeFree 33 questions
2. 3.2Lung disease, risk factors and interpreting lung function data82 questions
3. 3.3Practical: dissection of a gas exchange or mass transport system (fish gills, insect trachea, lungs, heart, plant stem)51 questions
4. 3.4Digestion and absorption24 questions
5. 3.5Mass transport in animals33 questions
6. 3.6Blood, tissue fluid, lymph and blood clotting61 questions
7. 3.7Cardiovascular disease: risk factors, correlation and causation35 questions
8. 3.8Mass transport in plants31 questions

Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Inheritance, variation and evolution and Ecology, and takes it further.

There are 13 parts: we start with DNA, genes and chromosomes, and finish with balancing human needs and conservation.

1. 4.1DNA, genes and chromosomesFree 26 questions
2. 4.2DNA and protein synthesis27 questions
3. 4.3Genetic diversity: mutation and meiosis25 questions
4. 4.4Genetic diversity, adaptation and biodiversity23 questions
5. 4.5Antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and controlling the spread of disease31 questions
6. 4.6Practical: aseptic technique and the effect of antimicrobial substances on microbial growth42 questions
7. 4.7Species, binomial nomenclature and the taxonomic hierarchy31 questions
8. 4.8Phylogeny, the three domains and five kingdoms, and molecular evidence for relationships36 questions
9. 4.9Natural selection, evidence for evolution and speciation34 questions
10. 4.10Investigating biodiversity: random sampling, transects, mark-release-recapture and Simpson's index67 questions
11. 4.11Why biodiversity matters: ecological, economic, ethical and aesthetic reasonsFree 27 questions
12. 4.12Human activities that reduce biodiversity: agriculture, deforestation and climate change22 questions
13. 4.13Balancing human needs and conservation: evaluating data and management strategies67 questions

Topic S: Practical and maths skills

It builds on what you learned at GCSE in Working scientifically and maths skills, and takes it further.

There are 7 parts: we start with planning and designing investigations, and finish with drawing conclusions and evaluating methods, evidence and sources.

1. S.1Planning and designing investigations: variables, controls, risk assessment and ethicsFree 35 questions
2. S.2Apparatus and techniques: measurement, serial dilution, colorimetry, chromatography and vitamin C (DCPIP) titration26 questions
3. S.3Processing and presenting data: tables, graphs, rates, gradients and percentage change67 questions
4. S.4Mathematical skills: SI units, standard form, ratios, logarithms, surface area and volume, and magnification calculations49 questions
5. S.5Statistical tests: mean, standard deviation, error bars, t-test, chi-squared and correlation (Spearman's rank)59 questions
6. S.6Uncertainty, accuracy, precision, validity and reliability32 questions
7. S.7Drawing conclusions and evaluating methods, evidence and sources36 questions

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