LC Biology study guide
LC Biology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Leaving Certificate Biology is the Irish senior-cycle biology subject, examined by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) and offered at Higher and Ordinary Level. It suits students who want a laboratory-based science subject for third-level entry in medicine, nursing, veterinary, agriculture, food science, pharmacy or environmental fields, and it also counts as a science subject for many general degree programmes. The LC Biology study guide has 10 sections and about 3,424 words.
01The Scientific Method and Biological Terminology
The scientific method section checks whether you can turn an observation into a testable hypothesis, design a fair experiment and use biological terminology precisely. Examiners reward correct use of variable, control, replicate and sample, and penalise vague claims that an experiment 'proves' a theory.
325 words, about 2 min02Laboratory Practical Work and Reporting
This section examines the mandatory activities and how you record them. You must be able to describe a procedure, identify variables and controls, present results in tables and graphs, and distinguish a source of error from a mistake.
377 words, about 2 min03Food, Nutrition, Digestion and Enzymes
Food and nutrition questions require you to link biomolecule structure to function, calculate energy content, and explain digestion as a sequence of physical and chemical events controlled by enzymes. Carbohydrates: monosaccharides (glucose), disaccharides (maltose, sucrose), polysaccharides (starch, glycogen, cellulose).
380 words, about 2 min04Cellular Structure, Transport Across Membranes and Cell Division
Cell questions combine structure–function relationships, membrane transport and the differences between mitosis and meiosis. You should be able to label a cell, explain why each organelle suits its role and predict water movement.
374 words, about 2 min05Genetics: Inheritance, DNA, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Genetics questions run from DNA structure through protein synthesis to crosses, linkage and genetic engineering. You must be able to set out a cross, interpret ratios and describe each step of a genetic engineering procedure.
378 words, about 2 min06Respiration, Photosynthesis and Energy Transfer
This domain links energy release and energy capture. You must know the stages, locations and products of respiration and photosynthesis and be able to interpret experiments on limiting factors.
342 words, about 2 min07Ecology, Ecosystems, Nutrient Cycles and Human Impact
Ecology questions ask you to define terms precisely, explain energy flow and nutrient cycling, and evaluate human impact on ecosystems. Habitat is where an organism lives; population is all organisms of one species in an area; community is all the populations present; ecosystem includes the community plus abiotic factors.
313 words, about 2 min08Human and Comparative Physiology: Circulation, Gas Exchange, Excretion, Nervous and Hormonal Coordination
Physiology questions combine structure and function and ask you to compare systems. Expect diagrams of the heart, nephron, alveolus and reflex arc, plus explanations of homeostasis and negative feedback.
317 words, about 2 min09Reproduction, Growth, Development and the Continuity of Life
This section covers gamete formation, the human reproductive cycle, development and plant reproduction. You must be able to sequence the hormonal events and explain fertilisation and germination.
302 words, about 2 min10Plant Biology: Structure, Transport, Responses and Reproduction
Plant biology questions cover structure, transport, responses and reproduction. They test whether you can link leaf and root structure to function and explain how transpiration is affected by the environment.
316 words, about 2 min