AQA GCSE Biology revision

Topic 1: Cell biology

There are 8 parts: we start with cell structure and microscopy, and finish with the practical on Osmosis in plant tissue (potato cylinders).

1. 1.1Cell structure and microscopyFree 62 questions
2. 1.2Cell specialisation and differentiation31 questions
3. 1.3Required/core practical: Using a light microscope to observe, draw and measure cells63 questions
4. 1.4Required/core practical: Culturing microorganisms, aseptic technique and testing antibiotics/antiseptics31 questions
5. 1.5Cell division and stem cells60 questions
6. 1.6Transport in cells58 questions
7. 1.7Surface area to volume ratio and exchange surfaces26 questions
8. 1.8Required/core practical: Osmosis in plant tissue (potato cylinders)24 questions

Topic 2: Organisation

There are 11 parts: we start with digestive system and enzymes, and finish with transpiration and stomata.

1. 2.1Digestive system and enzymesFree 59 questions
2. 2.2Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids: structure, monomers and polymersFree 38 questions
3. 2.3Enzyme action: lock and key model, specificity, temperature, pH and substrate concentration69 questions
4. 2.4Required/core practical: Food tests for sugars, starch, protein and lipids23 questions
5. 2.5Required/core practical: Effect of pH or temperature on enzyme activity (amylase)63 questions
6. 2.6Breathing system and gas exchange in the lungs42 questions
7. 2.7Heart, blood vessels and blood69 questions
8. 2.8Treating cardiovascular disease: stents, statins, valves and transplants44 questions
9. 2.9Non-communicable diseases68 questions
10. 2.10Plant tissues and transport29 questions
11. 2.11Transpiration and stomata: factors affecting water loss and the potometer37 questions

Topic 3: Infection and response

There are 6 parts: we start with pathogens and communicable diseases, and finish with plant mineral ion requirements and deficiency symptoms (nitrate, magnesium).

1. 3.1Pathogens and communicable diseasesFree 27 questions
2. 3.2Human barriers to infection: skin, mucus, cilia, stomach acid and lysozyme19 questions
3. 3.3Human defences and vaccination23 questions
4. 3.4Antibiotics and drug development29 questions
5. 3.5Monoclonal antibodies and plant disease (Biology only)25 questions
6. 3.6Plant mineral ion requirements and deficiency symptoms (nitrate, magnesium)30 questions

Topic 4: Bioenergetics

There are 3 parts: we start with photosynthesis, and finish with respiration and metabolism.

1. 4.1PhotosynthesisFree 39 questions
2. 4.2Required/core practical: Effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis (including inverse square law)36 questions
3. 4.3Respiration and metabolism31 questions

Topic 5: Homeostasis and response

There are 8 parts: we start with homeostasis and the nervous system, and finish with the practical on Investigating plant responses to light and gravity (tropisms).

1. 5.1Homeostasis and the nervous systemFree 29 questions
2. 5.2Required/core practical: Investigating the effect of a factor on human reaction time24 questions
3. 5.3The brain and the eye (Biology only)31 questions
4. 5.4The endocrine system: pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, thyroxine and adrenaline32 questions
5. 5.5Hormones and blood glucose65 questions
6. 5.6Kidneys, temperature and plant hormones (Biology only)56 questions
7. 5.7Hormones in reproduction30 questions
8. 5.8Required/core practical: Investigating plant responses to light and gravity (tropisms)36 questions

Topic 6: Inheritance, variation and evolution

There are 12 parts: we start with reproduction and meiosis, and finish with classification.

1. 6.1Reproduction and meiosisFree 10 questions
2. 6.2DNA structure: nucleotides, base pairing and extracting DNA24 questions
3. 6.3DNA and inheritance18 questions
4. 6.4Protein synthesis: transcription and translation26 questions
5. 6.5Mutations and their effects on proteins and phenotype28 questions
6. 6.6Variation, evolution and evidence20 questions
7. 6.7Selective breeding and genetic engineering10 questions
8. 6.8Cloning: tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants and adult cell cloning32 questions
9. 6.9Mendel, the discovery of genes and the development of genetic understandingFree 27 questions
10. 6.10Speciation and extinction30 questions
11. 6.11Human Genome Project, genetic testing and embryo screening: ethical issues21 questions
12. 6.12Classification9 questions

Topic 7: Ecology

There are 7 parts: we start with communities and adaptations, and finish with trophic levels and food production.

1. 7.1Communities and adaptationsFree 29 questions
2. 7.2Ecosystem organisation and cycles69 questions
3. 7.3Required/core practical: Field investigation using quadrats and transects; estimating population size70 questions
4. 7.4Decomposition: required practical on rate of decay, composting and biogas29 questions
5. 7.5Environmental change, species distribution and indicator species33 questions
6. 7.6Biodiversity and human impact25 questions
7. 7.7Trophic levels and food production (Biology only)63 questions

Topic S: Working scientifically and maths skills

There are 7 parts: we start with working scientifically, and finish with evidence, peer review, risk and ethics in biology.

1. S.1Working scientifically: hypotheses, variables, controls, apparatus and risk assessmentFree 29 questions
2. S.2Evaluating data: accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, uncertainty and anomalies68 questions
3. S.3Arithmetic skills: standard form, significant figures, fractions, ratios, percentages and percentage change17 questions
4. S.4Magnification, units and scale calculations59 questions
5. S.5Tables and graphs: plotting, line of best fit, gradients, tangents and calculating rates26 questions
6. S.6Statistics and probability: mean, median, mode, range, random sampling, correlation and causation, genetic probabilities65 questions
7. S.7Evidence, peer review, risk and ethics in biology31 questions

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