Edexcel A-level Biology Year 13 revision

Topic 5: Energy for biological processes

It builds on what you learned at AS in Biological molecules, and takes it further.

There are 5 parts: we start with respiration, and finish with the practical on rate of photosynthesis and dehydrogenase activity in chloroplasts.

1. 5.1Respiration31 questions
2. 5.2Respiratory substrates and the respiratory quotient25 questions
3. 5.3PhotosynthesisFree 44 questions
4. 5.4Practical: chromatography of photosynthetic pigments (Rf values)15 questions
5. 5.5Practical: rate of photosynthesis and dehydrogenase activity in chloroplasts43 questions

Topic 6: Microbiology and pathogens

It builds on what you learned at AS in Cells, viruses and reproduction of living things, and takes it further.

There are 14 parts: we start with aseptic technique and culturing microorganisms, and finish with the practical on investigating antimicrobial effects using zones of inhibition.

1. 6.1Aseptic technique and culturing microorganismsFree 33 questions
2. 6.2Measuring microbial growth and growth curves23 questions
3. 6.3Bacterial structure, cell walls and Gram staining30 questions
4. 6.4Viruses: structure and replication, including HIV35 questions
5. 6.5Pathogens and disease: bacteria, viruses, fungi and protoctists (TB, malaria, potato blight, Black Sigatoka, ring rot)Free 51 questions
6. 6.6Transmission and control of disease24 questions
7. 6.7Plant defences against pathogens28 questions
8. 6.8Non-specific defences: barriers, phagocytosis, inflammation and interferon47 questions
9. 6.9The specific immune response: B and T lymphocytes and antibodies32 questions
10. 6.10Vaccination, active and passive immunity and herd immunity24 questions
11. 6.11Monoclonal antibodies and their uses41 questions
12. 6.12Antibiotics: modes of action and antibiotic sensitivity testing78 questions
13. 6.13Antibiotic resistance, MRSA and the evolution of resistance29 questions
14. 6.14Practical: investigating antimicrobial effects using zones of inhibition28 questions

Topic 7: Modern genetics

It builds on what you learned at AS in Biological molecules, and takes it further.

There are 15 parts: we start with DNA sequencing methods and bioinformatics, and finish with cloning in animals.

1. 7.1DNA sequencing methods and bioinformaticsFree 38 questions
2. 7.2The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)27 questions
3. 7.3Gel electrophoresis and DNA profiling (genetic fingerprinting)24 questions
4. 7.4Genome projects22 questions
5. 7.5Transcription factors and control of transcriptionFree 31 questions
6. 7.6Epigenetics: DNA methylation and histone modification42 questions
7. 7.7RNA interference and post-transcriptional control of gene expression24 questions
8. 7.8Gene expression, stem cells and cancer78 questions
9. 7.9Recombinant DNA technology: restriction enzymes, vectors and transformation of organisms65 questions
10. 7.10Gene technologies42 questions
11. 7.11DNA probes, genetic screening and personalised medicine35 questions
12. 7.12Gene therapy25 questions
13. 7.13Ethical, social and economic issues of genetic technologies and GM organisms30 questions
14. 7.14Natural and artificial cloning in plants: vegetative propagation, cuttings and tissue cultureFree 32 questions
15. 7.15Cloning in animals: embryo splitting and somatic cell nuclear transfer32 questions

Topic 8: Origins of genetic variation

It builds on what you learned at AS in Cells, viruses and reproduction of living things and Classification and biodiversity, and takes it further.

There are 11 parts: we start with meiosis, crossing over and independent assortment, and finish with artificial selection and selective breeding.

1. 8.1Meiosis, crossing over and independent assortmentFree 34 questions
2. 8.2Sources of variation: genetic and environmental, continuous and discontinuous variation29 questions
3. 8.3MutationsFree 23 questions
4. 8.4InheritanceFree 33 questions
5. 8.5Autosomal linkage and epistasis26 questions
6. 8.6Chi-squared test for genetic crosses22 questions
7. 8.7Populations and Hardy–Weinberg35 questions
8. 8.8Types of natural selection: stabilising, directional and disruptive31 questions
9. 8.9Genetic drift, founder effect and population bottlenecks28 questions
10. 8.10Evolution and speciation32 questions
11. 8.11Artificial selection and selective breeding23 questions

Topic 9: Control systems

It builds on what you learned at AS in Exchange and transport, and takes it further.

There are 26 parts: we start with principles of homeostasis and negative feedback, and finish with the practical on effect of an environmental variable on animal movement (taxis and kinesis).

1. 9.1Principles of homeostasis and negative feedbackFree 30 questions
2. 9.2Thermoregulation in endotherms and ectotherms24 questions
3. 9.3The liver: structure, deamination, urea and the ornithine cycle28 questions
4. 9.4The kidney: nephron structure, ultrafiltration and selective reabsorption26 questions
5. 9.5Control of blood water potential50 questions
6. 9.6Kidney failure: dialysis and transplantation30 questions
7. 9.7The endocrine system and mechanisms of hormone action35 questions
8. 9.8Control of blood glucose69 questions
9. 9.9Treatments for diabetes: insulin, genetically engineered insulin and stem cell research47 questions
10. 9.10Plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, ethene and abscisic acidFree 41 questions
11. 9.11Plant responses: leaf abscission, stomatal closure, seed germination, apical dominance and fruit ripening40 questions
12. 9.12Commercial uses of plant growth regulators33 questions
13. 9.13Practical: effect of plant growth substances on plant growth and germination35 questions
14. 9.14Stimuli, receptors and plant responsesFree 34 questions
15. 9.15Reflex arcs and simple reflexes37 questions
16. 9.16Neurones: sensory, relay and motor neurones, and the myelin sheath21 questions
17. 9.17Nervous coordination31 questions
18. 9.18Synapses: cholinergic synapses, neuromuscular junctions, summation and drugs22 questions
19. 9.19Photoreceptors: rod and cone cells and the retina79 questions
20. 9.20Organisation of the nervous system: CNS, PNS, somatic and autonomic divisionsFree 45 questions
21. 9.21Structure and functions of the human brain35 questions
22. 9.22Brain imaging techniques: CT, MRI, fMRI and PET33 questions
23. 9.23Control of heart rate63 questions
24. 9.24Control of breathing rate by the medulla29 questions
25. 9.25Skeletal muscle35 questions
26. 9.26Practical: effect of an environmental variable on animal movement (taxis and kinesis)37 questions

Topic 10: Ecosystems

It builds on what you learned at AS in Classification and biodiversity, and takes it further.

There are 9 parts: we start with energy and ecosystems, and finish with sustainable management of ecosystems.

1. 10.1Energy and ecosystems65 questions
2. 10.2Nutrient cycles30 questions
3. 10.3The carbon cycleFree 39 questions
4. 10.4Populations in ecosystems70 questions
5. 10.5Ecological sampling: random sampling, quadrats, transects and mark-release-recapture75 questions
6. 10.6Practical: effect of an environmental factor on the distribution of a species28 questions
7. 10.7Statistical tests in ecology: Spearman's rank, t-test and Simpson's index of diversity23 questions
8. 10.8Climate change and its effects on ecosystems73 questions
9. 10.9Sustainable management of ecosystems: forestry, fisheries and conservation72 questions

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