Biology

Biology — IGCSE

British Curriculum · Pearson · Years 10-11 · Ages 14-16

Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Biology (4BI1) is a single-tier qualification graded 9 to 1, assessed by two written papers with practical skills examined within them rather than through a separate practical paper.

Content covers the nature and variety of living organisms, structure and function in living organisms, reproduction and inheritance, ecology and the environment, and the use of biological resources including microorganisms, selective breeding and genetic modification.

Because there is no tiering, every candidate faces the full range of demand, and the extended-response questions at the end of each paper are where grades are decided.

Key topics covered

• Variety of Living Organisms — Characteristics of life and the main groups of living organisms.
• Structure & Function — Cells, transport, nutrition, respiration, gas exchange and coordination.
• Reproduction & Inheritance — Reproduction in plants and humans, DNA, genetic crosses and variation.
• Ecology & Environment — Ecosystems, energy flow, cycles of matter and human impact.
• Use of Biological Resources — Crop production, microorganisms, selective breeding and genetic modification.
• Practical Skills — Experimental design, measurement, data handling and evaluation.