Edexcel International A Level Biology, topic 6
Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics
Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics is topic 6 of Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Biology (YBI11) and is examined in Unit 4; its core practicals 13 and 14 can be examined in Unit 4 and in Unit 6 (Practical Skills in Biology II). It covers culturing and measuring microorganisms, how bacteria and viruses cause disease, the immune response, antibiotics and infection control, and the DNA techniques and evidence used in forensic science. It is A Level only content.
Revision notes
Worksheet
FlashcardsSubtopics
Work through them in order. Each one has notes, exam questions and flashcards, and a PDF of each.
- 1Culturing and measuring microorganisms A Level onlySpec 6.1–6.4Aseptic technique, culture media, ways of measuring microbial growth, the bacterial growth curve and core practical 13 on growth in liquid culture.NotesQuestions 8Flashcards 17
- 2Bacteria, viruses and infection A Level onlySpec 6.5–6.7Comparing bacteria and viruses, the lytic and latent cycles, how TB bacteria and HIV infect cells, and the routes and barriers that decide infection.NotesQuestions 7Flashcards 16
- 3The immune response A Level onlySpec 6.8–6.12Non-specific defences, antigens and antibodies, B and T cells, natural and artificial immunity, and the evolutionary race between pathogens and hosts.NotesQuestions 8Flashcards 18
- 4Antibiotics and infection control A Level onlySpec 6.13–6.15Bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics, core practical 14, and how hospital-acquired infections shape antibiotic prescribing and hospital practice.NotesQuestions 6Flashcards 11
- 5Decay, DNA techniques and forensics A Level onlySpec 6.16–6.20Decomposition and carbon recycling, PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA profiling, and the evidence used to estimate time of death.NotesQuestions 8Flashcards 17
Whole topic
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