Biology (Year 12)
See Year 12s Biology ‘Schedule of Learning’ for the 2025/26 academic year:
| Topic | Sub-topic |
|---|---|
| Biological molecules | water and carbohydrates |
| Biological molecules | Monomers, polymers, starch, glycogen, carb practical (red sugar) |
| Biological molecules | Amino acids, glucose conc practical (colorimeter) |
| Biological molecules | Proteins and enzymes |
| Biological molecules | Tangents, enzyme exam ques and enzyme pract (pH / temp) |
| Biological molecules | Nucleic acids: DNA and RP1 Trypsin and pH |
| Biological molecules | Lipids and phospholipids |
| Biological molecules | DNA replication x2 (smartie SCR practical) |
| Biological molecules | ATP, ions, Seneca consolidation |
| In class key assessment | |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Location of DNA, genes and chromosomes / go through key assessment |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Protein synthesis, mutations |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Meiosis, genetic diversity and non disjunction |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Genetic diversity and natural selection / types of selection pressures |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | RP6 and courtship behaviour |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | T test and measure reults of RP6 and photos |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Phylogeny, species and naming species |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Consolidation of biodiversity and human impact on diversity / farming |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Index of diversity questions and seneca revision of unit 4 |
| Genetic info, variation & relationships | Investigating diversity questions and consolidation |
| Revision of units 1/4 + past paper AS | |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | Taxes, kinesis, RP10 maggots chocie chamber |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | Receptors – pacinian corpsucle and the eye |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | Eye trichromatic theory and eye questions |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | Control of Heart rate |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | Nerve impulse |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | synapse and skeletal muscle |
| Organisms respond to changes etc (Unit 6) | Neuromuscular junction |
| Field trip preparation and field trip | Field trip Camber Sands |
| cells | microcopes and limitations of SEM/ TEM + calculations |
| cells | fractionation + eukaryotic cell structure |
| cells | prokaryotic cell structure + binary fission + viruses + viral |
| cells | mitosis |
| cells | RP 2 |
| cells and cell membranes | cancer and fluid mosaic model |
| cells and cell membranes | diffusion and facilitated diffusion |
| cell membranes | RP4 + osmosis |
| cell membranes | RP3 + active transport |
| cell membranes | co – transport |
| immune system | antigens and phgaocytosis |
| immune system | T cells – cell mediated and humoral response |
| immune system | monoclonal antibodies + active and passive immunity |
| immune system | antigen variability + HIV |
| gas exchange | SA:V + gas exchange- xerophytes |
| gas exchange | fish + breathing mechanism + gas exchange humans |
| gas exchange | lung disease |
| gas exchange | digestion- carbohydrates and proteins |
| gas exchange | digestion- lipids |
| mass transport | haemoglobin |
| mass transport | bohr effect |
| mass transport | blood circulation- mammals |
| mass transport | cardiac cycle |
| mass transport | arteries, veins and capillaries |
| mass transport | CVD and risk factors |
| homeostasis | xylem and phloem |
| homeostasis | GCSE recap + blood glucose/ diabetes |
| homeostasis | secondary messengers + nephron structure |
| homeostasis | RP 5 dissection + osmoregulation |
| homeostasis | RP 5 write up |
Exam Board – Edexcel IGCSE
What will you study?
Side A
3.1 Biological molecules
Side B
3.2 Cells
Side A
3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
Side B
3.3 Organelles exchange substances with their environment
Side A
3.6 Response to stimuli, nervous coordination and muscle
Side B
3.6 Homeostasis
Useful tips and resources
Use the textbook that you will be provided with
Check the specification at regular intervals – you will receive a hard copy of this to refer to
Check the green topic list given at the start of each topic list
Keep you notes tidy and in a logical order.
Physics and maths tutor
Pass my exams
Save my exams
Love Biology
What super curricular activities can KS3 students engage with at school?
MediVerse – every term. For those interested in all aspects of the medical related fields e.g. doctors, dentists, vets, physiotherapists and pharmacists.
There are lots of Biology competitions that we will regularly post on the Team.
You should read BBC news everyday for important scientific and medical news stories.
You could subscribe to New Scientist and Biological Sciences Review
Books to read – there is a very good collection in the school library – be sure to check them out!
Recommended reads:
Alice Roberts: The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being
Ben Goldacre: Bad Science
Steve Jones: Almost like a Whale
Holly Tucker: Blood work
Nessa Carey: The Epigenetics Revolution
Rebecca Skoot: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Richard Dawkins: The Blind Watchmaker and The Selfish Gene
James Watson: The Double Helix