BGCSE Human & Social Biology study plan
BGCSE Human & Social Biology · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Cells and Life Processes
Label the organelles of a plant and an animal cell from memory and state one function for each
Compare diffusion, osmosis and active transport by giving one biological example of each
Explain how surface area to volume ratio limits cell size and give two examples of specialised cells that overcome this
Describe the stages of mitosis in order and state why mitosis matters for growth and repair
Your checkpoint
A one-page hand-drawn cell diagram with all organelles labelled and annotated, plus a 10-row comparison table of diffusion, osmosis and active transport, self-marked against the syllabus
Nutrition and Digestion
Name the organs of the alimentary canal in order and state the role of each
Match each digestive enzyme to its substrate, product and site of action
Explain how villi structure increases absorption efficiency using at least three adaptations
Distinguish mechanical from chemical digestion and give two examples of each
Identify the food tests for starch, reducing sugar, protein and fat and state the expected colour change
Your checkpoint
A completed enzyme-and-substrate summary chart covering at least six enzymes, checked by writing out the four food tests from memory with correct reagents and results
Respiration, Transport and Circulation
Trace the path of blood through the heart, naming chambers, valves and major vessels in sequence
Compare the structure and function of arteries, veins and capillaries in a table
Explain how the alveoli are adapted for gas exchange and link each adaptation to a principle
Describe the composition of blood and state the function of each component
Interpret a simple diagram of the cardiac cycle or a graph of lung volume against time
Your checkpoint
A labelled heart diagram drawn from memory with a written blood-flow route, plus a 10-mark practice answer on alveolar adaptation marked against a checklist
Excretion, Homeostasis and Coordination
Describe the structure and function of the nephron and explain how urine formation involves filtration and reabsorption
Explain how negative feedback controls body temperature or blood glucose, naming the receptor, coordinator and effector
Distinguish nervous from hormonal coordination in terms of speed, pathway and duration
Describe the reflex arc and explain why it does not require conscious thought
Your checkpoint
A timed 25-mark mixed paper on domains 1 to 4 completed under exam conditions and self-marked, with every lost mark written as a correction note
Reproduction, Growth and Development
Label the male and female reproductive systems and state the function of each labelled part
Describe the menstrual cycle and explain the roles of oestrogen and progesterone
Outline fertilisation, implantation and the main stages of fetal development
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of at least three contraceptive methods
Describe how a named plant is pollinated and how its seed is dispersed
Your checkpoint
A flow diagram of the menstrual cycle with hormone levels annotated, plus a two-column table comparing four contraceptive methods on effectiveness, side effects and convenience
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Use a Punnett square to solve monohybrid crosses and predict phenotype and genotype ratios
Distinguish continuous from discontinuous variation and give two examples of each
Explain how natural selection leads to evolution using a named example such as antibiotic resistance
Interpret a pedigree or family tree to identify a recessive trait
Your checkpoint
Fifteen genetics problems solved without notes, with at least 12 correct, and each error corrected in writing
Health, Disease and Immunity
Classify pathogens into bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa and give one disease caused by each
Explain how the body defends itself through barriers, phagocytosis and antibody production
Distinguish active from passive immunity and give one example of each
Describe how a named disease is transmitted and state two control measures
Your checkpoint
A completed disease fact sheet covering five named diseases with pathogen type, transmission route, symptoms and control measures
Ecology, Environment and Human Impact & Cells and Life Processes & Nutrition and Digestion & Respiration, Transport and Circulation & Excretion, Homeostasis and Coordination & Reproduction, Growth and Development & Inheritance, Variation and Evolution & Health, Disease and Immunity
Trace energy flow through a food chain and construct a pyramid of numbers and a pyramid of biomass
Explain the carbon cycle and identify two human activities that disrupt it
Evaluate two human impacts on an ecosystem and propose a management strategy for each
Complete two full-length timed papers covering all domains and log every error by domain
Re-drill the three domains with the lowest accuracy until each reaches at least 80 percent
Your checkpoint
Two completed full-length practice papers with scores recorded by domain and a written error log listing the specific correction for each mistake
Milestones
Week 2: Explain cell transport and enzyme action aloud without notes for five continuous minutes, and score at least 70 percent on a 20-question domain 1 and 2 quiz
Week 4: Draw the heart and a nephron from memory in under 10 minutes each, and score at least 65 percent on the timed 25-mark mixed paper
Week 6: Solve 15 genetics problems with at least 80 percent accuracy, and explain natural selection in a written paragraph of 100 words
Week 8: Average at least 75 percent across two full-length papers, with no single domain below 70 percent