Biology

Biology — IGCSE

British Curriculum · Cambridge Assessment International Education · Years 10-11 · Ages 14-16

Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610/0970) is examined at Core and Extended tier, with Extended required for progression to A Level. Assessment is by multiple choice, a theory paper, and a practical paper: either the Alternative to Practical or a laboratory examination.

Content covers characteristics of living organisms, cells, biological molecules, enzymes, plant and human nutrition, transport, respiration, coordination, reproduction, inheritance, variation and selection, organisms and their environment, and human influences on ecosystems.

The Alternative to Practical paper is where many otherwise strong candidates lose marks: it tests apparatus, variables, tabulation and evaluation rather than recall, and it needs practising explicitly.

Key topics covered

• Cells & MovementCell structure, specialisation, diffusion, osmosis and active transport.
• Biological Molecules & EnzymesCarbohydrates, proteins, lipids, food tests and enzyme action.
• Nutrition & TransportPhotosynthesis, human digestion, transport in plants and the circulatory system.
• Respiration & CoordinationAerobic and anaerobic respiration, the nervous system, hormones and homeostasis.
• Reproduction & InheritancePlant and human reproduction, DNA, genetic crosses and variation.
• Ecology & Human InfluenceEcosystems, energy flow, nutrient cycles, pollution and conservation.
• Practical SkillsApparatus, variables, tabulating results and evaluating a method.