LGCSE Biology (0180) study plan

Label the organelles on a hand-drawn animal and plant cell diagram from memory and state one function for each structure, including mitochondria, ribosomes, chloroplasts and the cell wall.

Compare diffusion, osmosis and active transport by completing a table of direction of movement, energy requirement and two biological examples of each.

Explain how surface area to volume ratio constrains cell size and describe why exchange surfaces such as villi and root hair cells are folded or elongated.

Describe the effect of temperature, pH and substrate concentration on enzyme-controlled reactions and interpret a rate graph showing denaturation.

Carry out and record a simple osmosis experiment using potato tissue in salt solutions, tabulating mass change and calculating percentage change.

Explain the role of diffusion and active transport in absorption of glucose and mineral ions in the small intestine and in reabsorption in the kidney.

Describe the structure and function of the main tissues (epithelial, muscle, nervous, xylem, phloem) and link each to an organ where it occurs.

Trace the pathway of blood through the heart and lungs, naming the four chambers, valves and the vessels entering and leaving.

Compare arteries, veins and capillaries in wall thickness, lumen size and function, and relate each feature to blood pressure.

Interpret data on heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output, and calculate cardiac output from given values.

Describe the digestion of starch, protein and fat, naming the enzyme, the substrate, the products and the site of action for each.

Explain how bile aids fat digestion and state where it is produced and stored.

Describe gas exchange in the alveoli and explain how smoking damages cilia, alveoli and gas exchange surfaces.

Explain how the kidney removes urea and regulates water and ion balance, and describe the effect of ADH on the collecting duct.

Design a controlled investigation into the effect of pH on amylase activity, identifying the independent, dependent and control variables.

Define gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous and heterozygous, and use each term correctly in a written paragraph.

Complete monohybrid crosses using Punnett squares for autosomal traits and state expected phenotype ratios.

Construct and interpret a pedigree diagram to deduce genotypes of individuals across three generations.

Explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis and state the chromosome number of the products of each.

Describe the inheritance of sex in humans and explain why sex-linked conditions such as red-green colour blindness affect males more often.

Describe the structure of DNA and explain how complementary base pairing underlies accurate replication.

Explain the cause and effect of a gene mutation and give one example of a mutation with a harmful and one with a neutral or beneficial effect.

Describe the stages and purpose of genetic engineering and evaluate one named application, listing two benefits and two concerns.

Distinguish continuous from discontinuous variation and select a suitable graph type for data of each kind.

Evaluate the strength of evidence in a given data set by identifying sample size, control of variables and possible bias.

Construct food chains and webs from a described habitat and identify producers, consumers, decomposers and trophic levels.

Explain how energy is lost between trophic levels and calculate the efficiency of energy transfer between two given levels.

Describe the carbon cycle and the water cycle, naming the processes that move carbon and water between stores.

Explain the effects of deforestation, eutrophication and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide on ecosystems.

Interpret predator-prey population graphs and explain the lag between changes in predator and prey numbers.

Compare sexual and asexual reproduction in terms of genetic variation, number of parents and speed of reproduction.

Describe the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems and outline the roles of oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone in the menstrual cycle.

Explain how the placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord support the developing fetus.

Describe the reflex arc from receptor to effector and explain why reflex actions do not require conscious thought.

Explain how the eye adjusts to bright and dim light and to near and far objects, naming the structures involved.

Explain natural selection using a named example and distinguish it from Lamarckian ideas of inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Describe evidence for evolution from fossils, antibiotic resistance and comparative anatomy, and state the limits of each type of evidence.

Explain how a named organism is adapted to its environment and link each adaptation to the selection pressure it addresses.

Plan a full investigation from a given scenario, stating a testable hypothesis, variables, controls, sample size and a suitable statistical or graphical treatment.

Complete two timed mixed-topic papers under exam conditions and review every error against the relevant domain.