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GCSE Biology · OCR A

OCR A GCSE Biology revision

Every topic of the OCR Gateway Biology A (J247) specification in order, with notes and practice questions. Subtopics marked free have their notes and questions on this site.

Topic B1: Cell level systems

There are 13 parts: we start with cell structure and microscopy, and finish with the practical on Effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis (including inverse square law).

  1. B1.1Cell structure and microscopyFree 62 questions
  2. B1.2Required/core practical: Using a light microscope to observe, draw and measure cells63 questions
  3. B1.3DNA structure: nucleotides, base pairing and extracting DNA24 questions
  4. B1.4Protein synthesis: transcription and translation26 questions
  5. B1.5Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids: structure, monomers and polymersFree 38 questions
  6. B1.6Required/core practical: Food tests for sugars, starch, protein and lipids23 questions
  7. B1.7Enzyme action: lock and key model, specificity, temperature, pH and substrate concentration69 questions
  8. B1.8Required/core practical: Effect of pH or temperature on enzyme activity (amylase)63 questions
  9. B1.9Digestive system and enzymesFree 59 questions
  10. B1.10Respiration and metabolism31 questions
  11. B1.11Required/core practical: Measuring the rate of respiration (respirometer, germinating seeds, yeast, exercise)32 questions
  12. B1.12PhotosynthesisFree 39 questions
  13. B1.13Required/core practical: Effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis (including inverse square law)36 questions

Topic B2: Scaling up

There are 9 parts: we start with transport in cells, and finish with transpiration and stomata.

  1. B2.1Transport in cells58 questions
  2. B2.2Required/core practical: Osmosis in plant tissue (potato cylinders)24 questions
  3. B2.3Cell division and stem cells60 questions
  4. B2.4Cell specialisation and differentiation31 questions
  5. B2.5Surface area to volume ratio and exchange surfaces26 questions
  6. B2.6Breathing system and gas exchange in the lungs42 questions
  7. B2.7Heart, blood vessels and blood69 questions
  8. B2.8Plant tissues and transport29 questions
  9. B2.9Transpiration and stomata: factors affecting water loss and the potometer37 questions

Topic B3: Organism level systems

There are 8 parts: we start with homeostasis and the nervous system, and finish with hormones and blood glucose.

  1. B3.1Homeostasis and the nervous systemFree 29 questions
  2. B3.2Required/core practical: Investigating the effect of a factor on human reaction time24 questions
  3. B3.3The brain and the eye (Biology only)31 questions
  4. B3.4The endocrine system: pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, thyroxine and adrenaline32 questions
  5. B3.5Hormones in reproduction30 questions
  6. B3.6Required/core practical: Investigating plant responses to light and gravity (tropisms)36 questions
  7. B3.7Kidneys, temperature and plant hormones (Biology only)56 questions
  8. B3.8Hormones and blood glucose65 questions

Topic B4: Community level systems

There are 5 parts: we start with communities and adaptations, and finish with trophic levels and food production.

  1. B4.1Communities and adaptationsFree 29 questions
  2. B4.2Ecosystem organisation and cycles69 questions
  3. B4.3The water cycle and the nitrogen cycle20 questions
  4. B4.4Decomposition: required practical on rate of decay, composting and biogas29 questions
  5. B4.5Trophic levels and food production (Biology only)63 questions

Topic B5: Genes, inheritance and selection

There are 7 parts: we start with reproduction and meiosis, and finish with classification.

  1. B5.1Reproduction and meiosisFree 10 questions
  2. B5.2DNA and inheritance18 questions
  3. B5.3Mendel, the discovery of genes and the development of genetic understandingFree 27 questions
  4. B5.4Mutations and their effects on proteins and phenotype28 questions
  5. B5.5Variation, evolution and evidence20 questions
  6. B5.6Speciation and extinction30 questions
  7. B5.7Classification9 questions

Topic B6: Global challenges

There are 19 parts: we start with the practical on Field investigation using quadrats and transects; estimating population size, and finish with diet, exercise and health.

  1. B6.1Required/core practical: Field investigation using quadrats and transects; estimating population size70 questions
  2. B6.2Biodiversity and human impact25 questions
  3. B6.3Environmental change, species distribution and indicator species33 questions
  4. B6.4Eutrophication, bioaccumulation and water pollution69 questions
  5. B6.5Selective breeding and genetic engineering10 questions
  6. B6.6Fertilisers, biological control and GM crops: benefits and risks16 questions
  7. B6.7Cloning: tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants and adult cell cloning32 questions
  8. B6.8Human Genome Project, genetic testing and embryo screening: ethical issues21 questions
  9. B6.9Pathogens and communicable diseasesFree 27 questions
  10. B6.10Communicable diseases in detail: cholera, TB, malaria, HIV, Ebola, STIs and Chalara ash dieback26 questions
  11. B6.11Human barriers to infection: skin, mucus, cilia, stomach acid and lysozyme19 questions
  12. B6.12Human defences and vaccination23 questions
  13. B6.13Antibiotics and drug development29 questions
  14. B6.14Required/core practical: Culturing microorganisms, aseptic technique and testing antibiotics/antiseptics31 questions
  15. B6.15Monoclonal antibodies and plant disease (Biology only)25 questions
  16. B6.16Plant mineral ion requirements and deficiency symptoms (nitrate, magnesium)30 questions
  17. B6.17Non-communicable diseases68 questions
  18. B6.18Treating cardiovascular disease: stents, statins, valves and transplants44 questions
  19. B6.19Diet, exercise and health: balanced diet, BMI and malnutrition62 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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