Edexcel GCSE Biology revision

Topic 1: Key concepts in biology

There are 11 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. 1.2Required/core practical: Using a light microscope to observe, draw and measure cells63 questions
3. 1.3Cell specialisation and differentiation31 questions
4. 1.4Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids: structure, monomers and polymersFree 38 questions
5. 1.5Required/core practical: Food tests for sugars, starch, protein and lipids23 questions
6. 1.6Core practical: the energy in food by calorimetry18 questions
7. 1.7Enzyme action: lock and key model, specificity, temperature, pH and substrate concentration69 questions
8. 1.8Required/core practical: Effect of pH or temperature on enzyme activity (amylase)63 questions
9. 1.9Digestive system and enzymesFree 59 questions
10. 1.10Transport in cells58 questions
11. 1.11Required/core practical: Osmosis in plant tissue (potato cylinders)24 questions

Topic 2: Cells and control

There are 5 parts: we start with cell division and stem cells, and finish with the brain and the eye.

1. 2.1Cell division and stem cells60 questions
2. 2.2Growth: cell division, differentiation, elongation and percentile charts28 questions
3. 2.3Homeostasis and the nervous systemFree 29 questions
4. 2.4Required/core practical: Investigating the effect of a factor on human reaction time24 questions
5. 2.5The brain and the eye (Biology only)31 questions

Topic 3: Genetics

There are 7 parts: we start with reproduction and meiosis, and finish with human Genome Project, genetic testing and embryo screening.

1. 3.1Reproduction and meiosisFree 10 questions
2. 3.2DNA structure: nucleotides, base pairing and extracting DNA24 questions
3. 3.3DNA and inheritance18 questions
4. 3.4Protein synthesis: transcription and translation26 questions
5. 3.5Mendel, the discovery of genes and the development of genetic understandingFree 27 questions
6. 3.6Mutations and their effects on proteins and phenotype28 questions
7. 3.7Human Genome Project, genetic testing and embryo screening: ethical issues21 questions

Topic 4: Natural selection and genetic modification

There are 7 parts: we start with variation, evolution and evidence, and finish with fertilisers, biological control and GM crops.

1. 4.1Variation, evolution and evidence20 questions
2. 4.2Human evolution: fossils (Ardi, Lucy, Turkana Boy) and stone tools20 questions
3. 4.3Speciation and extinction30 questions
4. 4.4Classification9 questions
5. 4.5Selective breeding and genetic engineering10 questions
6. 4.6Cloning: tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants and adult cell cloning32 questions
7. 4.7Fertilisers, biological control and GM crops: benefits and risks16 questions

Topic 5: Health, disease and the development of medicines

There are 10 parts: we start with pathogens and communicable diseases, and finish with treating cardiovascular disease.

1. 5.1Pathogens and communicable diseasesFree 27 questions
2. 5.2Communicable diseases in detail: cholera, TB, malaria, HIV, Ebola, STIs and Chalara ash dieback26 questions
3. 5.3Human barriers to infection: skin, mucus, cilia, stomach acid and lysozyme19 questions
4. 5.4Human defences and vaccination23 questions
5. 5.5Monoclonal antibodies and plant disease (Biology only)25 questions
6. 5.6Antibiotics and drug development29 questions
7. 5.7Required/core practical: Culturing microorganisms, aseptic technique and testing antibiotics/antiseptics31 questions
8. 5.8Non-communicable diseases68 questions
9. 5.9Diet, exercise and health: balanced diet, BMI and malnutrition62 questions
10. 5.10Treating cardiovascular disease: stents, statins, valves and transplants44 questions

Topic 6: Plant structures and their functions

There are 6 parts: we start with photosynthesis, and finish with the practical on Investigating plant responses to light and gravity (tropisms).

1. 6.1PhotosynthesisFree 39 questions
2. 6.2Required/core practical: Effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis (including inverse square law)36 questions
3. 6.3Plant tissues and transport29 questions
4. 6.4Transpiration and stomata: factors affecting water loss and the potometer37 questions
5. 6.5Plant mineral ion requirements and deficiency symptoms (nitrate, magnesium)30 questions
6. 6.6Required/core practical: Investigating plant responses to light and gravity (tropisms)36 questions

Topic 7: Animal coordination, control and homeostasis

There are 4 parts: we start with the endocrine system, and finish with hormones and blood glucose.

1. 7.1The endocrine system: pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, thyroxine and adrenaline32 questions
2. 7.2Hormones in reproduction30 questions
3. 7.3Kidneys, temperature and plant hormones (Biology only)56 questions
4. 7.4Hormones and blood glucose65 questions

Topic 8: Exchange and transport in animals

There are 6 parts: we start with surface area to volume ratio and exchange surfaces, and finish with the practical on Measuring the rate of respiration (respirometer, germinating seeds, yeast, exercise).

1. 8.1Surface area to volume ratio and exchange surfaces26 questions
2. 8.2Breathing system and gas exchange in the lungs42 questions
3. 8.3Heart, blood vessels and blood69 questions
4. 8.4Cardiac output: heart rate, stroke volume and exercise58 questions
5. 8.5Respiration and metabolism31 questions
6. 8.6Required/core practical: Measuring the rate of respiration (respirometer, germinating seeds, yeast, exercise)32 questions

Topic 9: Ecosystems and material cycles

There are 9 parts: we start with communities and adaptations, and finish with decomposition.

1. 9.1Communities and adaptationsFree 29 questions
2. 9.2Required/core practical: Field investigation using quadrats and transects; estimating population size70 questions
3. 9.3Trophic levels and food production (Biology only)63 questions
4. 9.4Biodiversity and human impact25 questions
5. 9.5Environmental change, species distribution and indicator species33 questions
6. 9.6Eutrophication, bioaccumulation and water pollution69 questions
7. 9.7Ecosystem organisation and cycles69 questions
8. 9.8The water cycle and the nitrogen cycle20 questions
9. 9.9Decomposition: required practical on rate of decay, composting and biogas29 questions

Topic S: Practical 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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