Cambridge IAL Biology study plan

Build a one-page summary map linking biological molecules (water, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) to their monomers, bonds and functions

Draw and label the fluid mosaic model from memory, then annotate the roles of phospholipids, cholesterol, glycoproteins and channel/carrier proteins

Compare transport mechanisms (diffusion, facilitated diffusion, osmosis, active transport, co-transport) in a table with direction, energy source and example

Practise calculating water potential and interpreting osmosis data from a described experiment without any figure

Write out the core practical method for investigating membrane permeability using beetroot and identify the variables to control

Describe enzyme action using induced fit, and explain the effects of temperature, pH, substrate and inhibitor concentration on rate

Distinguish competitive from non-competitive inhibition with a worked example and predict graph shapes for each

Explain the structure of DNA and RNA nucleotides and compare DNA replication (semi-conservative) with transcription and translation

Outline the stages of mitosis and meiosis and state where crossing over and independent assortment occur

Solve genetics problems involving monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, including test crosses and probability

Explain gas exchange surfaces in mammals, insects and plants using Fick's law and link structure to function

Describe the cardiac cycle, interpret pressure and volume changes, and label a heart diagram from memory

Outline transport in plants: root hair uptake, transpiration, cohesion-tension and translocation in the phloem

Explain the roles of xylem and phloem and compare their structures in a table

Practise describing and explaining trends in unfamiliar transport data presented in text form

Summarise classification, biodiversity and the principles of natural selection and evolution

Explain the causes of variation and how selection leads to adaptation and speciation

Describe immunity: non-specific defences, phagocytosis, the specific immune response and the role of antibodies

Distinguish active from passive immunity and explain vaccination and its limitations

Complete a timed mixed-topic paper covering weeks 1-4 and mark it against mark schemes

Explain photosynthesis in detail: light-dependent reactions, photophosphorylation, the Calvin cycle and limiting factors

Describe respiration: glycolysis, the link reaction, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and anaerobic pathways

Compare photosynthesis and respiration in a table of location, inputs, outputs and ATP yield

Interpret data on limiting factors, respiratory quotients and oxygen consumption in described experiments

Practise writing extended answers linking structure to function in chloroplasts and mitochondria

Explain homeostasis using negative feedback, with thermoregulation and blood glucose control as worked examples

Describe the roles of insulin, glucagon, adrenaline and the kidney in osmoregulation and excretion

Explain nerve impulse transmission: resting potential, action potential, refractory period and saltatory conduction

Describe synaptic transmission, including the roles of neurotransmitters and the effect of drugs

Outline muscle structure and the sliding filament model of contraction

Explain coordination in plants using auxins and gibberellins, and describe tropisms

Describe ecosystems: energy flow, trophic levels, productivity, decomposition and the carbon and nitrogen cycles

Explain succession, conservation and the factors affecting biodiversity

Describe gene technology: PCR, gel electrophoresis, genetic screening and the ethical issues involved

Practise experimental design questions, including choosing controls, replicates and suitable statistical tests

Complete two full timed mock papers, one weighted to AS content and one to A Level content, under exam conditions

Mark every answer against mark schemes and tag each lost mark by cause (knowledge, application, calculation, wording)

Re-teach the three weakest tagged areas using condensed notes and targeted questions

Practise command words (describe, explain, suggest, evaluate) with one-sentence answer plans for ten prompts

Build a final one-page formula-and-definitions sheet for quick pre-exam review