Biology Curriculum

Cell

• Introduction to cells
• Ultrastructure of cells
• Membrane structure
• Membrane transport
• The origin of cells
• Cell division

Molecular

• Molecules to metabolism
• Water
• Carbohydrates and lipids
• Proteins
• Enzymes
• Structure of DNA and RNA
• DNA replication, transcription and translation
• Cell respiration
• Photosynthesis

Genetics

• Genes
• Chromosomes
• Meiosis
• Inheritance
• Genetic modification and biotechnology

Ecology

• Species, communities and ecosystems
• Energy flow
• Carbon cycling
• Climate change

Evolution and Biodiversity

• Evidence for evolution
• Natural selection
• Classification of biodiversity
• Cladistics

Human Physiology

• Digestion and absorption
• The blood system
• Defence against infectious disease
• Gas exchange
• Neurons and synapses
• Hormones, homeostasis and reproduction

Nucleic

• DNA structure and replication
• Transcription and gene expression
• Translation

Metabolism, Cell respiration and Photosynthesis

• Metabolism
• Cell respiration
• Photosynthesis

Genetics and Evolution

• Meiosis
• Inheritance
• Gene pools and speciation

Plant Biology

• Transport in the xylem of plants
• Transport in the phloem of plants
• Growth in plants
• Reproduction in plants

Genetics and Evolution

• Meiosis
• Inheritance
• Gene pools and speciation

Animal

• Antibody production and vaccination
• Movement
• The kidney and osmoregulation
• Sexual reproduction

Neurobiology and Behaviour

Core topics

• Neural development
• The human brain
• Perception of stimuli

Additional higher level topics

• Innate and learned behaviour
• Neuropharmacology
• 6 Ethology

Biotechnology and Bioinformatics

Core topics

• Microbiology: organisms in industry
• Biotechnology in agriculture
• Environmental protection

Additional higher level topics

• Medicine
• Bioinformatics

Ecology and Conservation

Core topics

• Species and communities
• Communities and ecosystems
• 3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems
• Conservation of biodiversity

Additional higher level topics

• Population ecology
• 6 Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles

Human Physiology

Core topics

• 1 Human nutrition
• 2 Digestion
• Functions of the liver
• The heart

Additional higher level topics

• Hormones and metabolism
• Transport of respiratory gases