GCE A/L Biology study guide
GCE A/L Biology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The GCE Advanced Level Biology examination is the subject paper taken by students in Sri Lanka's Advanced Level (A/L) programme, typically in the science stream, and it is used for university admission and for many science-related training and employment routes. It rewards a working command of biology as a connected discipline rather than a list of facts: cell biology and basic biochemistry underpin genetics and molecular biology, which in turn feed into plant and animal physiology, microbiology and immunity, ecology and evolution, and applied topics such as biotechnology. The GCE A/L Biology study guide has 10 sections and about 3,047 words.
01Cell Biology and Basic Biochemistry
This domain tests how cell structure relates to function, how biological molecules are built and detected, and how membranes and enzymes control reactions. Expect organelle identification, microscopy calculations, biomolecule tests and enzyme-kinetics graphs.
331 words, about 2 min02Cell Division
This domain examines how cells replicate and how chromosomes behave during mitosis and meiosis. Questions often ask you to count chromosomes and chromatids, identify stages, explain variation, and link division to growth, repair and gamete formation.
282 words, about 1 min03Genetics and Molecular Biology
This domain tests inheritance patterns and the molecular basis of gene expression. Expect monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, test crosses, blood groups, sex linkage, DNA replication, transcription, translation and mutation.
297 words, about 1 min04Plant Structure, Function and Physiology
This domain tests how plants transport water and solutes, how they photosynthesise, and how they regulate gas exchange and growth. Expect questions on xylem and phloem, stomata, limiting factors, mineral nutrition and plant hormones.
325 words, about 2 min05Animal Structure, Function and Physiology
This domain tests how mammalian and other animal systems exchange materials, transport them and maintain internal stability. Expect digestion, gas exchange, circulation, excretion, nervous and endocrine control, and homeostasis.
283 words, about 1 min06Microbiology, Immunity and Disease
This domain tests microbial structure and growth, sterilisation, disease transmission and the immune response. Expect growth-curve calculations, comparisons of bacteria, fungi and viruses, and explanations of vaccination and antibody action.
297 words, about 1 min07Evolution
This domain tests the mechanisms of evolutionary change and the evidence supporting them. Expect natural selection, adaptation, speciation, Hardy-Weinberg calculations and interpretation of antibiotic resistance.
294 words, about 1 min08Ecology and Environmental Biology
This domain tests energy flow, nutrient cycling, population dynamics, sampling and human impact. Expect food chains, pyramids, mark-recapture and quadrat calculations, succession and conservation questions.
308 words, about 2 min09Applied Biology
This domain tests how biological principles are used in agriculture, food production, pest control and resource management. Expect fertiliser calculations, comparisons of pest-control methods, food preservation and fermentation.
311 words, about 2 min10Biotechnology and Experimental Skills
This domain tests recombinant DNA technology, PCR, electrophoresis, tissue culture and the design and interpretation of experiments. Expect questions on controls, variables, graphical analysis and Rf calculations.
319 words, about 2 min