Y11 SAW 2022 Revision Checklist (Specialist) 1

iGCSE Biology (Original Syllabus Order)

At the time of your Y11 SAW exam we will have covered all of the curriculum detail up to the syllabus points
below.

Sections of the syllabus covered:

1. The nature and variety of living organisms (Complete.)
2. Structures and functions in living organisms (Complete except for plant coordination.)
3. Reproduction (Animal only.)

Section 1: The nature and variety of living organisms

1a) Characteristics of living organisms Green Orang Red
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1.1 Understand that living organisms share the following characteristics:
– they require nutrition
– they respire
– they excrete their waste
– they respond to their surroundings
– they move
– they control their internal conditions
– they reproduce
– they grow and develop.
1b) Variety of living organisms
1.2 Describe the common features shown by eukaryotic organisms: plants,
animals, fungi and protoctists. Be able to give named examples and recall the
following details of each:
Plants: these are multicellular organisms; their cells contain chloroplasts and are
able to carry out photosynthesis; their cells have cellulose cell walls; they store
carbohydrates as starch or sucrose. Examples include flowering plants, such as a
cereal (for example, maize), and a herbaceous legume (for example, peas or
beans).
Animals: these are multicellular organisms; their cells do not contain
chloroplasts and are not able to carry out photosynthesis; they have no cell
walls; they usually have nervous co-ordination and are able to move from one
place to another; they often store carbohydrate as glycogen. Examples include
mammals (for example, humans) and insects (for example, housefly and
mosquito).
Fungi: these are organisms that are not able to carry out photosynthesis; their
body is usually organised into a mycelium made from thread-like structures
called hyphae, which contain many nuclei; some examples are single-celled;
their cells have walls made of chitin; they feed by extracellular secretion of
digestive enzymes onto food material and absorption of the organic products;
this is known as saprotrophic nutrition; they may store carbohydrate as
glycogen. Examples include Mucor, which has the typical fungal hyphal
structure, and yeast, which is single-celled.
Protoctists: these are microscopic single-celled organisms. Some, like Amoeba,
that live in pond water, have features like an animal cell, while others, like
Chlorella, have chloroplasts and are more like plants. A pathogenic example is
Y11 SAW 2022 Revision Checklist (Specialist) 2
Plasmodium, responsible for causing malaria.
Section 1: The nature and variety of living organisms Green Orang Red
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1.3 Describe the common features shown by prokaryotic organisms such as
bacteria. Be able to give a named examples bacteria and recall the following
details:
Bacteria: these are microscopic single-celled organisms; they have a cell wall,
cell membrane, cytoplasm and plasmids; they lack a nucleus but contain a
circular chromosome of DNA; some bacteria can carry out photosynthesis but
most feed off other living or dead organisms. Examples include Lactobacillus
bulgaricus, a rod-shaped bacterium used in the production of yoghurt from milk,
and Pneumococcus, a spherical bacterium that acts as the pathogen causing
pneumonia.
1.4 Understand the term pathogen and Know that pathogens may include
fungi, bacteria, protoctists or viruses. Be able to give named examples of
pathogen and recall the following details of viruses:
Viruses: these are not living organisms. They are small particles, smaller than
bacteria; they are parasitic and can reproduce only inside living cells; they infect
every type of living organism. They have a wide variety of shapes and sizes; they
have no cellular structure but have a protein coat and contain one type of
nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA. Examples include the tobacco mosaic virus that
causes discolouring of the leaves of tobacco plants by preventing the formation
of chloroplasts, the influenza virus that causes ‘flu’ and the HIV virus that causes
AIDS.

Section 2: Structure and functions in living organisms

The following sub-topics are covered in this section.
(a) Level of organisation
(b) Cell structure
(c) Biological molecules
(d) Movement of substances into and out of cells
(e) Nutrition
(f) Respiration
(g) Gas exchange
(h) Transport
(i) Excretion
(j) Coordination and response

2a) Level of Organisation Green Orang Red

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2.1 Describe the levels of organisation in organisms: organelles, cells, tissues,
organs and systems.
2b) Cell structure
2.2 Describe cell structures, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane,
cell wall, mitochondria, chloroplasts, ribosomes and vacuole.
2.3 Describe the functions of the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall,
mitochondria, chloroplasts, ribosomes and vacuole.
2.4 Know the similarities and differences in the structure of plant and animal
cells.
2.5B Explain the importance of cell differentiation in the development of
specialised cells.
2.6B Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using stem cells in
Medicine.
Y11 SAW 2022 Revision Checklist (Specialist) 3

Section 2: Structure and functions in living organisms Green Orang Red

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2c) Biological molecules
2.7 Identify the chemical elements present in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
(fats and oils)
2.8 Describe the structure of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids.
2.9 practical: investigate food samples for the presence of glucose, starch,
protein and fat.
2.10 Understand the role of enzymes as biological catalysts in metabolic
reactions.
2.11 Understand how temperature changes can affect enzyme function,
including changes to the shape of active site.
2.12 practical: investigate how enzyme activity can be affected by changes in
temperature.
2.13 Understand how enzyme function can be affected by changes in pH altering
the active site.
2.14B practical: investigate how enzyme activity can be affected by changes in
pH
2d) Movement of substances into and out of cells Green Orang Red
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2.15 Understand the processes of diffusion, osmosis and active transport by
which substances move into and out of cells
2.16 Understand how factors affect the rate of movement of substances into
and out of cells, including the effects of surface area to volume ratio, distance,
temperature and concentration gradient
2.17 practical: investigate diffusion and osmosis using living and non-living
systems
2e) Nutrition Green Orang Red
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Flowering plants
2.18 Understand the process of photosynthesis and its importance in the
conversion of light energy to chemical energy affect the rate of photosynthesis
needed for chlorophyll and nitrate ions are needed for amino acids.
2.19 Know the word equation and the balanced chemical symbol equation for
Photosynthesis.
2.20 Understand how varying carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity and
temperature
2.21 Describe the structure of the leaf and Explain how it is adapted for
photosynthesis
2.22 Understand that plants require mineral ions for growth, and that
magnesium ions are needed for chlorophyll and nitrate ions are needed for
amino acids.
2.23 practical: investigate photosynthesis, showing the evolution of oxygen from
a water plant, the production of starch and the requirements of light, carbon
dioxide and
chlorophyll.
Humans
2.24 Understand that a balanced diet should include appropriate proportions of
carbohydrate, protein, lipid, vitamins, minerals, water and dietary fibre.
Y11 SAW 2022 Revision Checklist (Specialist) 4
2.25 Identify the sources and Describe the functions of components of the diet
2.26 Understand how energy requirements vary with activity levels, age and
pregnancy

Section 2: Structure and functions in living organisms Green Orang Red

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2.27 Describe the structure and function of the human alimentary canal.
2.28 Understand how food is moved through the gut by peristalsis
2.29 Understand the role of digestive enzymes.
2.30 Understand that bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder
2.31 Understand the role of bile in neutralising stomach acid and emulsifying
lipids
2.32 Understand how the small intestine is adapted for absorption, including the
structure of a villus
2.33B practical: investigate the energy content in a food sample
2f) Respiration Green Orang Red
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2.34 Understand how the process of respiration produces ATP in living
organisms
2.35 Know that ATP provides energy for cells
2.36 Describe the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
2.37 Know the word equation and the balanced chemical symbol equation for
aerobic respiration in living organisms.
2.38 Know the word equation for anaerobic respiration in plants and in animals
2.39 practical: investigate the evolution of carbon dioxide and heat from
respiring seeds or other suitable living organisms
2g) Gas exchange Green Orang Red
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Flowering plants
2.40B Understand the role of diffusion in gas exchange
2.41B Understand gas exchange (of carbon dioxide and oxygen) in relation to
respiration and photosynthesis
2.42B Understand how the structure of the leaf is adapted for gas exchange
2.43B Describe the role of stomata in gas exchange
2.44B Understand how respiration continues during the day and night, but that
the net exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen depends on the intensity of
light
2.45B practical: investigate the effect of light
Humans
2.46 Describe the structure of the thorax, including the ribs, intercostal muscles,
diaphragm, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and pleural membranes
2.47 Understand the role of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm in
ventilation
2.48 Explain how alveoli are adapted for gas exchange by diffusion between air
in the lungs and blood in capillaries
2.49 Understand the biological consequences of smoking in relation to the lungs
and the circulatory system, including coronary heart disease
2.50 practical: investigate breathing in humans, including the release of carbon
dioxide and the effect of exercise
Y11 SAW 2022 Revision Checklist (Specialist) 5

Section 2: Structure and functions in living organisms Green Orang Red

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2h) Transport
2.51 Understand why simple, unicellular organisms can rely on diffusion for
movement of substances in and out of the cell
2.52 Understand the need for a transport system in multicellular organisms
Flowering plants
2.53 Describe the role of phloem in transporting sucrose and amino acids
between the leaves and other parts of the plant
2.54 Describe the role of xylem in transporting water and mineral ions from the
roots to other parts of the plant
2.55B Understand how water is absorbed by root hair cells
2.56B Understand that transpiration is the evaporation of water from the
surface of a plant
2.57B Understand how the rate of transpiration is affected by changes in
humidity, wind speed, temperature and light intensity
2.58B practical: investigate the role of environmental factors in determining
the rate of transpiration from a leafy shoot
Humans
2.59 Describe the composition of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells,
platelets and plasma
2.60 Understand the role of plasma in the transport of carbon dioxide, digested
food, urea, hormones and heat energy
2.61 Understand the adaptations of red blood.
2.62 Understand how the immune system responds to disease using white blood
cells, illustrated by phagocytes and lymphocytes.
2.63B Understand how vaccination results in the manufacture of memory cells
which enable future antibody production to the pathogen to occur sooner,
faster and in greater quantity
2.64B Understand how platelets are involved in blood clotting, which prevents
blood loss and the entry of micro-organisms
2.65 Describe the structure of the heart and how it functions
2.66 Explain how the heart rate changes during exercise and under the influence
of adrenaline
2.67 Understand how factors may increase the risk of developing coronary heart
disease
2.68 Understand how the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries relate to
their function
2.69 Understand the general structure of the circulation system, including the
blood vessels to and from the heart and lungs, liver and kidneys
2i) Excretion Green Orang Red
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Flowering plants
2.70 Understand the origin of carbon dioxide and oxygen as waste products of
metabolism and their loss from the stomata of a leaf
Humans
2.71 Know the excretory products of the lungs, kidneys and skin.
2.72B Understand how the kidney carries out its roles of excretion and
osmoregulation
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2.73B Describe the structure of the urinary system, including the kidneys,
ureters, bladder and urethra

Section 2: Structure and functions in living organisms

2i) Excretion cont. Green Orang Red
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2.74B Describe the structure of a nephron, including the Bowman’s capsule
and glomerulus, convoluted tubules, loop of Henle and collecting duct
2.75B Describe ultrafiltration in the Bowman’s capsule and the composition of
the glomerular filtrate
2.76B Understand how water is reabsorbed into the blood from the collecting
duct
2.77B Understand why selective reabsorption of glucose occurs at the proximal
convoluted tubule
2.78B Describe the role of ADH in regulating the water content of the blood
2.79B Understand that urine contains water, urea and ions
2j) Co-ordination and response Green Orang Red
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2.80 Understand how organisms are able to respond to changes in their
environment.
2.81 Understand that homoeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal
environment. Know body water content and body temperature as examples.
2.82 Understand that a co-ordinated response requires a stimulus, a receptor
and an effector.
Humans
2.86 Describe how nervous and hormonal communication control responses and
Understand the differences between the two systems
2.87 Understand that the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal
cord and is linked to sense organs by nerves
2.88 Understand that stimulation of receptors in the sense organs sends
electrical impulses along nerves into and out of the central nervous system,
resulting in rapid responses
2.89 Understand the role of neurotransmitters at synapses
2.90 Describe the structure and functioning of a simple reflex arc illustrated by
the withdrawal of a finger from a hot object
2.91 Describe the structure and function of the eye as a receptor
2.92 Understand the function of the eye in focusing on near and distant objects,
and in responding to changes in light intensity
2.93 Describe the role of the skin in temperature regulation, with reference to
sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation
2.94 Understand the sources, roles and effects of the following hormones:
adrenaline, insulin, testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen
2.95B Understand the sources, roles and effects of the following hormones:
ADH, FSH and LH
Y11 SAW 2022 Revision Checklist (Specialist) 7

Section 3: Reproduction and Inheritance

The following sub-topics are covered in this section.
(a) Reproduction

3a) Reproduction Green Orang Red

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3.1 Understand the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction
3.2 Understand fertilisation.
Humans
3.8 Understand how the structure of the male and female reproductive
systems are adapted for their functions
3.9 Understand the roles of oestrogen and progesterone in the menstrual
cycle
3.10B Understand the roles of FSH and LH in the menstrual cycle
3.11 Describe the role of the placenta in the nutrition of the developing
embryo
3.12 Understand how the developing embryo is protected by amniotic fluid
3.13 Understand the roles of oestrogen and testosterone in the development
of secondary sexual characteristics