BGCSE Biology 0572 study plan
BGCSE Biology 0572 · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Cells and Cell Processes & Practical and Experimental Skills
Label the organelles of a plant cell and an animal cell from memory and state one function for each organelle
Compare diffusion, osmosis and active transport by giving a biological example of each process
Describe the structure of the cell membrane using the fluid mosaic model and link it to selective permeability
Carry out a written analysis of a simple osmosis experiment, identifying the independent, dependent and controlled variables
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn, fully labelled diagram of a plant cell and an animal cell with a one-page comparison table of diffusion, osmosis and active transport, marked against a checklist you write yourself
Cells and Cell Processes & Practical and Experimental Skills
Explain the role of enzymes in cells using the lock-and-key model and predict the effect of temperature and pH on enzyme activity
Describe the stages of mitosis and state the importance of mitosis in growth and repair
Distinguish between aerobic respiration and photosynthesis in terms of energy transfer and the organelles involved
Design a fair test for the effect of temperature on an enzyme and justify each control you would apply
Your checkpoint
A completed enzyme-and-mitosis summary sheet plus a written experimental design (variables, controls, expected results table) for an enzyme temperature investigation
Nutrition and Digestion & Respiration and Gas Exchange
Name the organs of the digestive system in order and state the function of each
Explain the roles of mechanical digestion, chemical digestion and enzymes in breaking down carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
Describe the structure of the lungs and explain how alveoli are adapted for gas exchange
Compare inhaled and exhaled air and explain the role of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles in ventilation
Your checkpoint
A labelled digestive system diagram linked by arrows to a labelled lung and alveolus diagram, with an annotated table comparing inhaled and exhaled air
Transport and Circulation & Excretion and Homeostasis
Describe the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries and relate each structure to its role
Explain the cardiac cycle and the flow of blood through the heart, naming the chambers and valves
Describe the structure of the nephron and explain how filtration and reabsorption produce urine
Explain how the body regulates water balance and temperature using negative feedback
Your checkpoint
A labelled heart diagram with arrows showing the path of blood, plus a written explanation of osmoregulation that names the kidney, nephron and feedback loop
Coordination, Nervous and Endocrine Systems & Reproduction, Growth and Development
Describe the structure of a neurone and explain how a nerve impulse travels across a synapse
Compare nervous and hormonal coordination in terms of speed, duration and mode of transmission
Label the male and female reproductive systems and state the function of each part
Describe the menstrual cycle and explain the roles of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone
Your checkpoint
A reflex arc diagram with each neurone labelled and a hormone table listing source gland, target organ and effect for at least six hormones
Reproduction, Growth and Development & Inheritance and Variation
Describe fertilisation, implantation and the main stages of fetal development in order
Define genotype, phenotype, allele, dominant, recessive and homozygous using correct terminology
Complete genetic crosses using Punnett squares for monohybrid inheritance and predict offspring ratios
Explain how sex is determined in humans and interpret a pedigree showing a recessive condition
Your checkpoint
A portfolio of six solved monohybrid cross problems with Punnett squares and stated ratios, plus one worked pedigree interpretation
Ecology and the Environment & Organisms and Classification
Construct food chains and webs from a described habitat and identify producers, consumers and decomposers
Explain the carbon cycle and the role of photosynthesis, respiration, combustion and decomposition
Describe how energy is lost between trophic levels and calculate efficiency where figures are given
Classify named organisms into the five kingdoms using observable features and justify each placement
Your checkpoint
A hand-drawn food web for a named habitat with trophic levels marked, an energy flow calculation and a five-kingdom classification table of ten organisms
Cells and Cell Processes & Nutrition and Digestion & Respiration and Gas Exchange & Transport and Circulation & Excretion and Homeostasis & Coordination, Nervous and Endocrine Systems & Reproduction, Growth and Development & Inheritance and Variation & Ecology and the Environment & Organisms and Classification & Practical and Experimental Skills
Complete two full-length timed practice papers under exam conditions and record your score for each domain
Re-teach yourself the three weakest domains identified from your practice scores
Practise command words such as state, describe, explain and suggest by rewriting model answers
Review all practical skills: variables, controls, reliability, graphing and drawing conclusions from data
Your checkpoint
Two marked practice papers with a written error log listing every lost mark, the reason for the loss and the corrected answer
Milestones
Week 2: You can label a plant cell, an animal cell and describe enzyme action from blank paper without notes, and you score at least 70% on a self-made 20-question cell biology test
Week 4: You can trace the path of blood through the heart and explain urine formation in writing, and you score at least 65% on a self-made mixed test covering domains 1 to 5
Week 6: You can solve a monohybrid cross and interpret a pedigree unaided, and you score at least 70% on a self-made genetics and reproduction test
Week 8: You complete two full timed practice papers, average at least 70% overall, and show in your error log that every domain has been revisited at least once