iGCSE Biology Edexcel
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63 topics in 5 modules
☑️ The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms 8 topics
- Characteristics of living organisms
- Variety of living organisms: plants
- Variety of living organisms: animals
- Variety of living organisms: fungi
- Variety of living organisms: protoctists
- Variety of living organisms: bacteria
- Variety of living organisms: viruses
- Variety of living organisms: pathogens
☑️ Structure and Functions in Living Organisms 17 topics
- Levels of organisation in organisms
- Cell structure: organelles and their functions
- Differences between plant and animal cells
- Cell differentiation and specialised cells
- Biological molecules: carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids
- Enzymes: role and factors affecting enzyme activity
- Movement of substances: diffusion, osmosis, and active transport
- Nutrition in plants: photosynthesis, structure of leaves, and mineral requirements
- Nutrition in humans: balanced diet, digestive system, enzymes, and absorption
- Respiration: aerobic vs anaerobic
- Gas exchange in plants: role of stomata and adaptations of leaves
- Gas exchange in humans: structure of the lungs, ventilation, and effects of smoking
- Transport in plants: xylem, phloem, root hair cells, transpiration
- Transport in humans: blood components, heart structure, circulatory system
- Excretion in plants and humans: kidney function, nephron, and osmoregulation
- Coordination and response in plants: tropisms and role of auxins
- Coordination and response in humans: nervous system, hormones, reflexes, and eye function
☑️ Reproduction and Inheritance 16 topics
- Sexual and asexual reproduction: differences and examples
- Reproduction in plants: flower structure, pollination, seed formation
- Germination and food reserves in seeds
- Human reproductive system: male and female reproductive organs
- Menstrual cycle: role of hormones (FSH, LH, oestrogen, progesterone)
- Role of the placenta and amniotic fluid
- Secondary sexual characteristics: testosterone and oestrogen
- DNA structure and function
- Genetic inheritance: dominant, recessive, heterozygous, and homozygous alleles
- Monohybrid inheritance and genetic diagrams
- Sex determination and sex-linked characteristics
- Mitosis and meiosis: processes and importance
- Variation: genetic and environmental causes
- Mutation: causes, effects, and role in evolution
- Natural selection and evolution
- Antibiotic resistance and its implications
☑️ Ecology and the Environment 13 topics
- Ecosystems: populations, communities, and habitats
- Factors affecting population size and biodiversity
- Sampling techniques: quadrats and transects
- Trophic levels: producers, consumers, decomposers
- Food chains, food webs, and energy transfer
- Pyramids of number, biomass, and energy
- The carbon cycle
- The nitrogen cycle: role of bacteria in nitrogen fixation and decomposition
- Human impact on ecosystems
- Air pollution: carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide
- Greenhouse gases and global warming
- Water pollution: sewage and eutrophication
- Effects of deforestation
☑️ Use of Biological Resources 9 topics
- Increasing crop yield: glasshouses, polythene tunnels, fertilisers, pest control
- Role of microorganisms in food production (yeast in bread, bacteria in yoghurt)
- Industrial fermenters: aseptic techniques, temperature, pH, oxygenation
- Fish farming: controlling water quality, disease, feeding, and breeding
- Selective breeding in plants and animals
- Genetic engineering: use of restriction enzymes, plasmids, and recombinant DNA
- Genetically modified organisms: applications and benefits
- Cloning: micropropagation (tissue culture)
- Animal cloning: nuclear transfer and applications in medicine
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iGCSE Biology Edexcel Revision Content
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iGCSE Biology Edexcel - The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms - Characteristics of living organisms Content Preview
The Nature and Variety of Living Organisms
Characteristics of living organisms
Characteristics of Living Organisms
Movement
- Movement is the ability of an organism to change position or place.
- Animals move to find food, escape predators, and find mates.
- Plants move by growing towards light and open their leaves to capture sunlight.
Respiration
- Respiration is the chemical process that releases energy from nutrients.
- Oxygen is often used in this process, especially in aerobic respiration.
- The energy released is used for growth, repair, and other life processes.
Sensitivity
- Sensitivity is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the environment.
- Organisms respond to stimuli like light, temperature, and sound.
- This helps them to survive and thrive in different environments.
Growth
- Growth involves an increase in size and mass.
- It occurs through cell division and differentiation.
- Organisms build new cells and tissues as they grow.
Reproduction
- Reproduction is the process of creating offspring to ensure species survival.
- Can be sexual, involving two parents, or asexual, involving one parent.
- Reproduction allows for genetic diversity in species.
Excretion
- Excretion is the removal of waste products from the body.
- These wastes result from metabolic processes like respiration.
- Organisms need to excrete to avoid the build-up of harmful materials.
Nutrition
- Nutrition involves obtaining food for energy, growth, and maintenance.
- Autotrophs, like plants, make their own food through photosynthesis.
- Heterotrophs, like animals, obtain food by consuming other organisms.
Control of internal conditions
- Organisms maintain a stable internal environment, known as homeostasis.
- This includes regulation of temperature, pH, and water balance.
- Homeostasis is crucial for the proper functioning of cells and organs.
Question: What is the difference between autotrophs and heterotrophs relating to their nutritional habits?
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