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GCSE biology
AQA GCSE Biology Exam
Introduction
GCSE Biology is divided into two papers
The first paper assesses the following: cell biology, organisation, infection and response and Bioenergetics. It is a written exam of one hour and forty-five minutes, accounting for 50% of the GCSE. The exam questions feature a combination of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
The second paper assesses the following: homeostasis and response, inheritance, variation and evolution and ecology. It is a written exam of one hour and forty-five minutes, accounting for 50% of the GCSE. The exam questions feature a combination of multiple choice, structured, closed short answer and open response.
There are three assessment objectives, which are specified for students. Please find our full breakdown of GCSE Biology below, with requisite assessment details and objectives.
Assessment details
Paper 1
Topic 1: Cell Biology
Cell structure
Eukaryotes and prokaryotes
Animal and plant cells
Cell specialisation
Cell differentiation
Microscopy
Culturing microorganisms
Cell Division
Chromosomes
Mitosis and the cell cycle
Stem cells
Transport in Cells
Diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
Topic 2: Organisation
Animal tissues, organs and organ systems
The human digestive system
The heart and blood vessels
Blood
Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease
Health issues
The effect of lifestyle on some non-communicable diseases
Cancer
Topic 3: Plant tissues, organs and systems
Plant tissues
Plant organ system
Topic 4: Infection and response
Communicable diseases
Communicable (infectious) diseases
Viral diseases
Bacterial diseases
Fungal diseases
Protist diseases
Human defence systems
Vaccination
Antibiotics and painkillers
Discovery and development of drugs
Monoclonal antibodies
Producing monoclonal antibodies
Uses of monoclonal antibodies
Plant disease
Detection and identification of plant diseases
Plant defence responses
Topic 5: Bioenergetics
Photosynthesis
Photosynthetic reaction
Rate of photosynthesis
Uses of glucose from photosynthesis
Respiration
Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
Response to exercise
Metabolism
Paper 2
Topic 1: Homeostasis and response
Homeostasis
Topic 2: The human nervous system
Structure and function
The brain
The eye
Control of body temperature
Hormonal coordination in humans
Human endocrine system
Control of blood glucose concentration
Maintaining water and nitrogen balance in the body
Hormones in human reproduction
Contraception
The use of hormones to treat infertility
Negative feedback
Plant hormones
Control and coordination
Use of plant hormones
Topic 3: Inheritance, variation and evolution
Reproduction
Sexual and asexual reproduction
Meiosis
Advantages and disadvantages of sexual and asexual reproduction
DNA and the genome
DNA structure
Genetic inheritance
Inherited disorders
Sex determination
Variation and evolution
Variation
Evolution
Selective breeding
Genetic engineering
Cloning
The development of understanding of genetics and evolution
Theory of evolution
Speciation
The understanding of genetics
Evidence for evolution
Fossils
Extinction
Resistant bacteria
Classification of living organism
Topic 4: Ecology
Adaptations, interdependence and competition
Communities
Abiotic factors
Biotic factors
Adaptations
Organisation of an ecosystem
Levels of organisation
How materials are cycled
Decomposition
Impact of environmental change
Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems
Biodiversity
Waste management
Land use
Deforestation
Global warming
Maintaining biodiversity
Trophic levels in an ecosystem
Trophic levels
Pyramids of biomass
Transfer of biomass
Food production
Factors affecting food security
Farming techniques
Sustainable fisheries
Role of biotechnology
Key ideas
The complex and diverse phenomena of the natural world can be described in terms of a small number of key ideas in biology. These key ideas are of universal application, and we have embedded them throughout the subject content. They underpin many aspects of the science assessment. These ideas include:
• life processes depend on molecules whose structure is related to their function
• the fundamental units of living organisms are cells, which may be part of highly adapted structures including tissues, organs and organ systems, enabling living processes to be performed effectively
• living organisms may form populations of single species, communities of many species and ecosystems, interacting with each other, with the environment and with humans in many different ways
• living organisms are interdependent and show adaptations to their environment
• life on Earth is dependent on photosynthesis in which green plants and algae trap light from the Sun to fix carbon dioxide and combine it with hydrogen from water to make organic compounds and oxygen
• organic compounds are used as fuels in cellular respiration to allow the other chemical reactions necessary for life
• the chemicals in ecosystems are continually cycling through the natural world
• the characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and its interaction with the environment
• evolution occurs by a process of natural selection and accounts both for biodiversity and how organisms are all related to varying degrees.
Assessment details
Assessment Objectives
- The exams will measure how students have achieved the following assessment objectives:
- AO1: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: scientific ideas; scientific techniques and procedures.
- AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding of: scientific ideas; scientific enquiry, techniques and procedures.
- AO3: Analyse information and ideas to: interpret and evaluate; make judgements and draw conclusions; develop and improve experimental procedures.