Biology (Year 13)

See Year 13s Biology ‘Schedule of Learning’ for the 2025/26 academic year:
Topic | Sub-topic |
---|---|
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Photosynthesis and Light dependent |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Light independent and Factors that can limit rate of photosynthesis |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Required practical and Required practical |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Photosynthesis questions and Glycolysis |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Link reaction and Krebs cycle |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Oxidative phosphorylation and Yeast practical |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Anaerobic respiration |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Food chains and energy transfer |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Nitrogen cycle and Phosphate cycle |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Use of natural and artificial fertilisers / Environmental issues concerning use of nitrogen-containing fertilisers |
Energy transfers in and between organisms | Revision and questions |
The control of gene expression | Gene mutations/stem cells and totipotency |
The control of gene expression | Regulation of transcription / epigenetic control of gene expression |
The control of gene expression | Gene expression and cancer |
The control of gene expression | Genome Project |
Revision | Revision and questions |
Revision | Revision and questions |
Revision | Data handling questions |
Revision | Comprehension questions |
Revision | Analysis questions |
Revision | Application questions |
Revision | A2 test questions |
Revision | AS test questions |
Revision | Essay |
Revision | Essay |
Topic | Sub-topic |
Inheritance | Mendel, genetic terms and start GCSE recap of crossses. Then PKU, CF, SCA |
Inheritance | Codominance, sex linked and dihybrid inheritance |
Inheritance | Autosomal linkage, linkage questions, epistasis, chi squared |
Popualiton genetics | Hardy Weinberg eqn, NS and variation in phenotype |
Evolution | Speciation and ecosystems and niches |
Evolution | Genetic drift, allele frequencies, founder effect and bottleneck. Presentations on examples |
Key assessment in class for 1 lesson / Questions from textbook to consolidate work before half term | |
Key assessment in class for 1 lesson / start essay planning / write paragraphs | |
Population in ecosystems | Go through paper 1. succession(MCQs, video and crossword) |
Control of gene expression | Log graphs, turbidity and mark recpature release, start unit 8 PCR |
Control of gene expression | In vivo cloning, plasmids, restriction enzymes, DNA fingerprinting and electrophoresis |
Control of gene expression | Gel electrophoresis and lab book check |
Control of gene expression | Gene therapy and gene probes |
Paper 1 practice | |
paper 2 practice | |
Synoptic essay practice | |
Revision for mocks | |
Y13 mock exams | |
Synoptic essay practice | |
Targeted teacher revision Year 12 concepts | |
Targeted teacher revision Year 13 concepts |
Exam Board – AQA
What will you study?
Side A
Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
Side B
The control of gene expression
Continue units 7 and 8.
Finish the specification.
Focus on synoptic essays.
Start revision.
Revision.
Useful tips and resources
Make regular flash cards or mind maps after each lesson.
Textbook – summary questions and extension tasks attempt these.
Use Kerboodle resources – explore what is available.
Make sure you are not coming to lessons ‘cold’ – be ready to move at a swift pace
Physics and maths tutor
Pass my exams
Save my exams
Love Biology
What super curricular activities can KS3 students engage with at school for your subject?
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