𧬠CIE A-Level Biology
Cambridge International AS & A-Level Biology (9700)
Complete resource hub for AS and A2 Biology students
π Assessment Structure
Paper 1
π Multiple Choice
β±οΈ 1 hour 15 min
βοΈ 15%
π AS Level topics
π― 40 marks
Paper 2
π AS Level Theory
β±οΈ 1 hour 15 min
βοΈ 25%
π AS Level topics
π― 60 marks
Paper 3
π A2 Level Theory
β±οΈ 2 hours
βοΈ 25%
π A2 Level topics
π― 100 marks
Paper 4
π A2 Level Theory
β±οΈ 2 hours
βοΈ 25%
π Entire syllabus
π― 100 marks
Paper 5
π Practical
β±οΈ 1 hour 15 min
βοΈ 10%
π Practical skills
π― 30 marks
π Syllabus Topics
Topic 1
Cell Structure
βΌ
- β’ Microscopy
- β’ Cell organelles
- β’ Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic cells
- β’ Cell specialisation
- β’ Tissue structure
Topic 2
Biological Molecules
βΌ
- β’ Carbohydrates
- β’ Lipids
- β’ Proteins
- β’ Water
- β’ Biochemical tests
- β’ Chromatography
Topic 3
Enzymes
βΌ
- β’ Mechanism of action
- β’ Factors affecting activity
- β’ Enzyme inhibition
- β’ Immobilised enzymes
- β’ Practical investigations
Topic 4
Cell Membranes and Transport
βΌ
- β’ Fluid mosaic model
- β’ Diffusion
- β’ Osmosis
- β’ Active transport
- β’ Endocytosis and exocytosis
Topic 5
The Mitotic Cell Cycle
βΌ
- β’ Mitosis stages
- β’ Cell cycle regulation
- β’ Cancer and cell division
- β’ Apoptosis
Topic 6
Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
βΌ
- β’ DNA structure
- β’ DNA replication
- β’ Transcription
- β’ Translation
- β’ Gene mutations
Topic 7
Transport in Plants
βΌ
- β’ Xylem structure and function
- β’ Phloem structure
- β’ Transpiration
- β’ Translocation
- β’ Adaptations
Topic 8
Transport in Mammals
βΌ
- β’ Heart structure
- β’ Cardiac cycle
- β’ Blood vessels
- β’ Tissue fluid formation
- β’ Cardiovascular disease
Topic 9
Gas Exchange
βΌ
- β’ Human respiratory system
- β’ Ventilation mechanism
- β’ Gas exchange in fish
- β’ Gas exchange in insects
Topic 10
Infectious Diseases
βΌ
- β’ Pathogens
- β’ Transmission methods
- β’ Disease control
- β’ Antibiotics and resistance
Topic 11
Immunity
βΌ
- β’ Non-specific defences
- β’ B lymphocytes
- β’ T lymphocytes
- β’ Monoclonal antibodies
- β’ Vaccination
- β’ Autoimmune diseases
Topic 12
Energy and Respiration
βΌ
- β’ Glycolysis
- β’ Krebs cycle
- β’ Electron transport chain
- β’ Anaerobic respiration
- β’ Respiratory substrates
Topic 13
Photosynthesis
βΌ
- β’ Light-dependent reactions
- β’ Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle)
- β’ Limiting factors
- β’ C4 and CAM plants
Topic 14
Homeostasis
βΌ
- β’ Negative feedback
- β’ Blood glucose regulation
- β’ Temperature regulation
- β’ Osmoregulation
- β’ Hormonal control
Topic 15
Control and Coordination
βΌ
- β’ Nervous system
- β’ Synaptic transmission
- β’ Hormones
- β’ Plant responses (tropisms)
- β’ Receptors and effectors
Topic 16
Inheritance
βΌ
- β’ Monohybrid inheritance
- β’ Dihybrid inheritance
- β’ Sex linkage
- β’ Epistasis
- β’ Chi-squared test
Topic 17
Selection and Evolution
βΌ
- β’ Natural selection
- β’ Genetic drift
- β’ Speciation
- β’ Hardy-Weinberg principle
- β’ Evidence for evolution
Topic 18
Classification, Biodiversity and Conservation
βΌ
- β’ Classification systems
- β’ Phylogeny
- β’ Biodiversity measurement
- β’ Sampling techniques
- β’ Conservation strategies
Topic 19
Genetic Technology
βΌ
- β’ Gene technology
- β’ DNA sequencing
- β’ Genetic engineering
- β’ Gel electrophoresis
- β’ PCR
- β’ DNA probes
π Course Overview
19
Topics
5
Exam Papers
2
Years
15+
Practical Skills
π¬ Required Practicals (Paper 5)
π¬ Microscopy
Cell structure observation and measurement
Skills: Drawing, magnification calculation㪠Enzyme Experiments
Rate of reaction, temperature and pH effects
Skills: Data collection, graph plotting㪠Photosynthesis
Light intensity effects, starch test
Skills: Experimental design, controls㪠Respiration
Rate of respiration in organisms
Skills: Gas exchange measurement㪠DNA Extraction
Isolating DNA from plant tissue
Skills: Technique, observation㪠Sampling Techniques
Quadrat and transect methods
Skills: Statistical analysis, biodiversityπ Resources Library
π Syllabus
π Past Papers
π Revision Notes
Resources are being added regularly. Check back for updates!
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