Biology

Course summary

Biology at A Level builds on the principles studied at GCSE, delving into biological processes and their implications in today’s world. Key Year 12 topics: • Lifestyle, Health, and Risk: Understanding the structure and role of biological molecules and lifestyle choices in health and cardiovascular disease. • Genes and Health: The biology behind cystic fibrosis and the potential of gene therapy. • The Voice of the Genome: Exploring cell structure development from a single cell to complex organisms, and the role of genotype and environment. • Understanding Plant Structures and Biodiversity: Measuring biodiversity and understanding its evolution through natural selection. Key Year 13 topics: • On the Wild Side: Photosynthesis, ecosystems and evolution, and climate change. • Infection, Immunity and Forensics: Investigating how biology is used in forensic science, studying infection, and how the immune system interacts with and creates immunity. • Run for Your Life: The physiological and biochemical processes behind exercise. • Grey Matter: The nervous system, brain function, responses to stimuli, how we learn, and the research carried out on animals and people in the pursuit of understanding them.