ORT Biology study guide
ORT Biology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The ORT in Biology is a subject-based assessment used to evidence biological knowledge for progression into further or higher study, and it is also taken by candidates who need a formal biology credential outside a standard school-leaving route. It suits school leavers, mature learners returning to science, and applicants to health, environmental or life-science programmes who must show competence across the breadth of biology rather than in one specialism. The ORT Biology study guide has 8 sections and about 2,329 words.
01Cell Biology and Biochemistry
This domain tests how cells are built and how their molecules behave: membrane organization, transport, enzyme kinetics, and the chemistry that powers metabolism. Questions often ask you to predict the direction of a process or interpret a graph rather than recall a definition.
332 words, about 2 min02Genetics and Molecular Biology
This domain examines how genetic information is stored, copied, expressed, and inherited. The exam favours questions that combine molecular detail with probability or pedigree reasoning.
275 words, about 1 min03Anatomy and Physiology
This domain tests how organ systems maintain internal stability and how structure supports function - circulation, gas exchange, excretion, neural signalling, and endocrine control. Homeostasis is maintained mainly by negative feedback: a deviation triggers a response that reduces it.
296 words, about 1 min04Ecology and Environment
This domain tests populations, communities, ecosystems, and human effects on them. Expect data interpretation, energy-flow calculations, and questions about sampling and succession.
283 words, about 1 min05Evolution and Biodiversity
This domain tests the mechanisms that change allele frequencies, the evidence for common descent, and how species arise and diversify. Natural selection acts on heritable variation: individuals with traits that improve survival or reproduction leave more offspring, so allele frequencies shift.
274 words, about 1 min06Plant Biology
This domain tests photosynthesis, water and solute transport, plant hormones, and responses to the environment. Questions frequently ask you to interpret limiting-factor graphs or trace a pathway through plant tissue.
310 words, about 2 min07Reproduction, Development and Growth
This domain tests gamete formation, fertilisation, embryonic development, hormonal control of reproduction, and patterns of growth. Meiosis produces four haploid cells from one diploid cell.
278 words, about 1 min08Applied Biology and Biotechnology
This domain tests how biological knowledge is used in medicine, agriculture, and industry: genetic engineering, diagnostic techniques, fermentation, and reproductive technologies. Recombinant DNA uses restriction enzymes to cut DNA, DNA ligase to join fragments, and vectors such as plasmids to carry genes into host cells.
281 words, about 1 min