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).
- B1.1Cell structure and microscopyFree 62 questions
- B1.2Required/core practical: Using a light microscope to observe, draw and measure cells63 questions
- B1.3DNA structure: nucleotides, base pairing and extracting DNA24 questions
- B1.4Protein synthesis: transcription and translation26 questions
- B1.5Carbohydrates, proteins and lipids: structure, monomers and polymersFree 38 questions
- B1.6Required/core practical: Food tests for sugars, starch, protein and lipids23 questions
- B1.7Enzyme action: lock and key model, specificity, temperature, pH and substrate concentration69 questions
- B1.8Required/core practical: Effect of pH or temperature on enzyme activity (amylase)63 questions
- B1.9Digestive system and enzymesFree 59 questions
- B1.10Respiration and metabolism31 questions
- B1.11Required/core practical: Measuring the rate of respiration (respirometer, germinating seeds, yeast, exercise)32 questions
- B1.12PhotosynthesisFree 39 questions
- 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.
- B2.1Transport in cells58 questions
- B2.2Required/core practical: Osmosis in plant tissue (potato cylinders)24 questions
- B2.3Cell division and stem cells60 questions
- B2.4Cell specialisation and differentiation31 questions
- B2.5Surface area to volume ratio and exchange surfaces26 questions
- B2.6Breathing system and gas exchange in the lungs42 questions
- B2.7Heart, blood vessels and blood69 questions
- B2.8Plant tissues and transport29 questions
- 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.
- B3.1Homeostasis and the nervous systemFree 29 questions
- B3.2Required/core practical: Investigating the effect of a factor on human reaction time24 questions
- B3.3The brain and the eye (Biology only)31 questions
- B3.4The endocrine system: pituitary, thyroid, adrenal glands, thyroxine and adrenaline32 questions
- B3.5Hormones in reproduction30 questions
- B3.6Required/core practical: Investigating plant responses to light and gravity (tropisms)36 questions
- B3.7Kidneys, temperature and plant hormones (Biology only)56 questions
- 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.
- B4.1Communities and adaptationsFree 29 questions
- B4.2Ecosystem organisation and cycles69 questions
- B4.3The water cycle and the nitrogen cycle20 questions
- B4.4Decomposition: required practical on rate of decay, composting and biogas29 questions
- 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.
- B5.1Reproduction and meiosisFree 10 questions
- B5.2DNA and inheritance18 questions
- B5.3Mendel, the discovery of genes and the development of genetic understandingFree 27 questions
- B5.4Mutations and their effects on proteins and phenotype28 questions
- B5.5Variation, evolution and evidence20 questions
- B5.6Speciation and extinction30 questions
- 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.
- B6.1Required/core practical: Field investigation using quadrats and transects; estimating population size70 questions
- B6.2Biodiversity and human impact25 questions
- B6.3Environmental change, species distribution and indicator species33 questions
- B6.4Eutrophication, bioaccumulation and water pollution69 questions
- B6.5Selective breeding and genetic engineering10 questions
- B6.6Fertilisers, biological control and GM crops: benefits and risks16 questions
- B6.7Cloning: tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants and adult cell cloning32 questions
- B6.8Human Genome Project, genetic testing and embryo screening: ethical issues21 questions
- B6.9Pathogens and communicable diseasesFree 27 questions
- B6.10Communicable diseases in detail: cholera, TB, malaria, HIV, Ebola, STIs and Chalara ash dieback26 questions
- B6.11Human barriers to infection: skin, mucus, cilia, stomach acid and lysozyme19 questions
- B6.12Human defences and vaccination23 questions
- B6.13Antibiotics and drug development29 questions
- B6.14Required/core practical: Culturing microorganisms, aseptic technique and testing antibiotics/antiseptics31 questions
- B6.15Monoclonal antibodies and plant disease (Biology only)25 questions
- B6.16Plant mineral ion requirements and deficiency symptoms (nitrate, magnesium)30 questions
- B6.17Non-communicable diseases68 questions
- B6.18Treating cardiovascular disease: stents, statins, valves and transplants44 questions
- 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.
- S.1Working scientifically: hypotheses, variables, controls, apparatus and risk assessmentFree 29 questions
- S.2Evaluating data: accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, uncertainty and anomalies68 questions
- S.3Arithmetic skills: standard form, significant figures, fractions, ratios, percentages and percentage change17 questions
- S.4Magnification, units and scale calculations59 questions
- S.5Tables and graphs: plotting, line of best fit, gradients, tangents and calculating rates26 questions
- S.6Statistics and probability: mean, median, mode, range, random sampling, correlation and causation, genetic probabilities65 questions
- S.7Evidence, peer review, risk and ethics in biology31 questions