Biology A-Level

Course summary

Why choose Biology? Biologists are scientists who study the natural world and all the living things in it, from the largest mammals down to our very own microscopic DNA. They try to understand how animals and organisms work (including us humans), how we evolved and the things that can make us sick or improve our health. Biologists use this knowledge to do things like try to stop the spread of disease, track down natural resources, improve public health, animal care and conservation and work out the true impacts of things like pollution. No one can predict the future, but this much is known: the next century is the time of the biologist, who will be at the forefront of the most challenging and intellectual problems. Biology at sixth form level is an enjoyable mixture of practical investigation and scientific enquiry including the study of ethical issues facing society in the 21st century. Course Details The specification is divided into topics, each covering different key concepts of Biology: Paper 1: Core Cellular Biology and Microbiology ■ Topic 1 – Biological molecules Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins DNA and protein synthesis Enzymes Inorganic ions Water ■ Topic 2 – Cells, Viruses and Reproduction of Living Things Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell structure and function Viruses Eukaryotic cell cycle and division Sexual reproduction in mammals Sexual reproduction in plants Paper 2: Core Physiology and Ecology ■ Topic 3 – Classification Classification Natural selection Biodiversity ■ Topic 4 – Exchange and transport Surface area to volume ratio Cell transport mechanisms Gas exchange Circulation Transport of gases in the blood Transfer of materials between the circulatory system and cells Transport in plants