United Kingdom Biology Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the core content for Biology, based on the AQA specification. It covers a range of topics from biological molecules to ecosystems and gene expression. Practical skills development is emphasized throughout the course.

1. Biological Molecules

This section explores the fundamental chemistry of life, focusing on the structure and function of the main biological molecules.

• Monomers and Polymers: Covers the basic building blocks of life, including monosaccharides, amino acids, and nucleotides. Explores condensation and hydrolysis reactions.
• Carbohydrates: Examines monosaccharides, disaccharides, and polysaccharides, including glucose, starch, glycogen, and cellulose. Includes biochemical tests for sugars and starch.
• Lipids: Focuses on triglycerides and phospholipids, their formation through condensation reactions, and the emulsion test for lipids.
• Proteins: Explores the structure of amino acids, peptide bonds, and the different levels of protein structure. Covers the functions of proteins and the biuret test.
• Enzymes: Examines the induced-fit model of enzyme action, enzyme specificity, and factors affecting enzyme activity. Includes required practical investigations.
• Nucleic Acids: Covers the structure of DNA and RNA, including nucleotides, phosphodiester bonds, and the double helix structure of DNA. Explores DNA replication.
• ATP: Focuses on the structure and function of ATP, including hydrolysis and resynthesis.
• Water: Examines the properties of water and its importance in biological systems.
• Inorganic Ions: Covers the roles of specific ions, such as hydrogen, iron, sodium, and phosphate.

2. Cells

This section examines cell structure, function, and the processes involved in cell division and transport.

• Cell Structure: Compares and contrasts prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including their organelles and functions. Covers the structure of viruses. Includes methods of studying cells, such as microscopy and cell fractionation.
• Cell Division: Explores the cell cycle, mitosis, and binary fission. Includes required practical work on mitosis.
• Transport Across Cell Membranes: Covers different transport mechanisms, including diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, and co-transport. Includes required practical investigations.
• Cell Recognition and the Immune System: Explores cell recognition, antigens, and the immune response, including phagocytosis, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, and antibodies. Covers vaccines, immunity, HIV/AIDS, and monoclonal antibodies.

3. Organisms Exchange Substances with their Environment

This section focuses on the mechanisms organisms use to exchange substances with their surroundings.

• Surface Area to Volume Ratio: Explores the relationship between size and surface area to volume ratio, and its implications for exchange.
• Gas Exchange: Examines gas exchange in different organisms, including single-celled organisms, insects, fish, and plants. Covers the human gas exchange system and the mechanics of breathing.
• Digestion and Absorption: Explores the digestion of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in mammals, and the absorption of the products of digestion.
• Mass Transport: Covers mass transport in animals, including the role of haemoglobin, the circulatory system, and the heart. Examines mass transport in plants, including xylem and phloem.

4. Genetic Information, Variation and Relationships Between Organisms

This section explores DNA, genes, chromosomes, protein synthesis, genetic diversity, and adaptation.

• DNA, Genes and Chromosomes: Covers the structure and organization of DNA in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Defines genes and their role in coding for polypeptides and RNA.
• DNA and Protein Synthesis: Explores transcription and translation, including the roles of mRNA, tRNA, and ribosomes.
• Genetic Diversity and Mutation: Examines gene and chromosome mutations, meiosis, and their role in generating genetic variation.
• Genetic Diversity and Adaptation: Covers genetic diversity, natural selection, and adaptation. Includes directional and stabilizing selection, and required practical work on microbial growth.
• Species and Taxonomy: Defines species and explores phylogenetic classification.
• Biodiversity within a Community: Covers species richness and the calculation of an index of diversity.
• Investigating Diversity: Explores methods of investigating genetic diversity, including comparing DNA and protein sequences.

5. Energy Transfers in and Between Organisms (A-level only)

• Photosynthesis: Examines the light-dependent and light-independent reactions, including photolysis, the electron transfer chain, ATP synthesis, and the Calvin cycle. Includes required practical investigations.
• Respiration: Covers glycolysis, anaerobic respiration, and aerobic respiration, including the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Includes required practical investigations.
• Energy and Ecosystems: Explores gross primary production, net primary production, and the transfer of energy through trophic levels.
• Nutrient Cycles: Examines the nitrogen and phosphorus cycles, including the roles of microorganisms.

6. Organisms Respond to Changes in their Internal and External Environments (A-level only)

• Stimuli, Receptors, and Responses: Covers plant responses to stimuli, taxes, kineses, and reflexes. Examines the Pacinian corpuscle and the human retina. Includes required practical investigations.
• Control of Heart Rate: Explores myogenic stimulation, the roles of the SAN, AVN, and Purkyne tissue, and the nervous and hormonal control of heart rate.
• Nervous Coordination: Covers nerve impulses, synaptic transmission, and the structure and function of neurons and synapses.
• Skeletal Muscles: Examines the structure and function of skeletal muscles, including the sliding filament theory and the roles of actin, myosin, calcium ions, and ATP.
• Homeostasis: Explores the principles of homeostasis and negative feedback, including the control of blood glucose and water potential. Includes required practical investigations.

7. Genetics, Populations, Evolution and Ecosystems (A-level only)

• Inheritance: Covers genotype, phenotype, alleles, dominance, and genetic crosses. Includes the chi-squared test.
• Populations: Explores gene pools, allele frequency, and the Hardy-Weinberg principle.
• Evolution and Speciation: Examines natural selection, genetic drift, and the processes leading to speciation.
• Populations in Ecosystems: Covers niches, carrying capacity, population size estimation, and succession. Includes required practical investigations.

8. The Control of Gene Expression (A-level only)

• Mutations and Protein Structure: Explores the effects of gene mutations on protein structure.
• Regulation of Gene Expression: Covers cell specialisation, stem cells, the regulation of transcription and translation, and epigenetics.
• Gene Expression and Cancer: Examines the characteristics of tumours and the roles of oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes, and epigenetics in cancer development.
• Genome Projects: Explores the applications of genome sequencing.
• Gene Technologies: Covers recombinant DNA technology, genetic fingerprinting, and their applications.