Edexcel International A Level Biology specification checklist
All 179 spec points of YBI11 that our notes cover, topic by topic. Rate each one red, amber or green as you revise, and follow the link to the note when you need it.
Edexcel International A Level Biology (YBI11) specification checklistclockitwithsci.com
How to use: tick one box for each spec point as you revise. Go back to the “Not yet” rows first, and keep going until every row is “Confident”.
The numbers are Edexcel's own spec references for YBI11. A Level only: only in the full A Level, not the AS Level. AS Level students can skip it. Teachers: you are welcome to print this checklist and share it with your classes.
1Molecules, Transport and Health
Water, carbohydrates and lipids · 1.1–1.5
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Water as a solvent in transport | |||
| 1.2 | Monosaccharides, disaccharides and polysaccharides | |||
| 1.3 | Core practical 1: Benedict’s reagent and iodine solution | |||
| 1.4 | Glycosidic bonds: condensation and hydrolysis | |||
| 1.5(i) | Triglycerides and ester bonds | |||
| 1.5(ii) | Saturated and unsaturated lipids |
The heart, blood vessels and haemoglobin · 1.6–1.9
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 | Why many animals have a heart and circulation | |||
| 1.7 | Arteries, veins and capillaries | |||
| 1.8 | Structure of the mammalian heart; The cardiac cycle | |||
| 1.9(i) | Haemoglobin and the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide | |||
| 1.9(ii) | The oxygen dissociation curve, the Bohr effect and fetal haemoglobin |
Cardiovascular disease and its causes · 1.10–1.14
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.10 | Atherosclerosis | |||
| 1.11 | Blood clotting and cardiovascular disease | |||
| 1.12 | Risk factors for cardiovascular disease | |||
| 1.13 | Dietary antioxidants and the risk of CVD | |||
| 1.14 | Core practical 2: vitamin C content of food and drink |
Health risks, evidence and treatment · 1.15–1.20
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.15 | Analysing data on illness and mortality | |||
| 1.16 | Evaluating the design of studies | |||
| 1.17 | Perception of risk | |||
| 1.18(i) | Blood cholesterol, HDL and LDL | |||
| 1.18(ii) | Evidence linking cholesterol and CVD | |||
| 1.19 | Using scientific knowledge to reduce the risk of CHD | |||
| 1.20 | Treatments for cardiovascular disease |
2Membranes, Proteins, DNA and Gene Expression
Gas exchange, membranes and transport · 2.1–2.5
Proteins and enzymes · 2.6–2.8
DNA, the genetic code and gene expression · 2.9–2.14
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.9 | The structure of mononucleotides, DNA and RNA | |||
| 2.10 | DNA replication and the role of DNA polymerase; The Meselson–Stahl experiment | |||
| 2.11 | The genetic code and the gene | |||
| 2.12 | The genetic code and the gene | |||
| 2.13 | Transcription; Translation, tRNA and ribosomes | |||
| 2.14 | Gene mutations |
Inheritance, cystic fibrosis and genetic screening · 2.15–2.18
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.15 | Genetic terms; Monohybrid inheritance and pedigree diagrams; Sex linkage and red-green colour blindness | |||
| 2.16 | Cystic fibrosis | |||
| 2.17 | Genetic screening: carriers, PGD and prenatal testing | |||
| 2.18 | Ethical and social issues of genetic screening |
3Cell Structure, Reproduction and Development
Cells, tissues and organelles · 3.1–3.6
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Features common to all living cells | |||
| 3.2 | Tissues, organs and organ systems | |||
| 3.3 | Ultrastructure of eukaryotic cells | |||
| 3.4 | Protein transport and extracellular enzymes | |||
| 3.5 | Ultrastructure of prokaryotic cells | |||
| 3.6 | Recognising organelles in electron micrographs |
Microscopy and measuring cells · 3.7, 3.8
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7 | Magnification and resolution; Staining specimens | |||
| 3.8 | Core Practical 5: observing, drawing and measuring cells |
Chromosomes, meiosis and gametes · 3.9–3.13
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9 | Gene loci and linkage | |||
| 3.10 | Meiosis and genetic variation | |||
| 3.11 | Specialised mammalian gametes | |||
| 3.12 | Fertilisation in mammals | |||
| 3.13 | Fertilisation in flowering plants |
Mitosis and the cell cycle · 3.14–3.16
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.14 | The cell cycle and mitosis | |||
| 3.15 | Core Practical 6: root tip squash | |||
| 3.16 | Calculating the mitotic index |
Stem cells, gene expression and phenotype · 3.17–3.21
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.17 | Stem cells and potency; Using stem cells in medical therapies | |||
| 3.18 | Differential gene expression and specialisation | |||
| 3.19 | One gene, more than one protein | |||
| 3.20 | Genotype, environment and epigenetics | |||
| 3.21 | Multiple alleles, polygenic inheritance and variation |
4Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation
Plant cells and cell walls · 4.1–4.4
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Plant cell ultrastructure and its functions | |||
| 4.2 | Plant cell ultrastructure and its functions | |||
| 4.3 | Starch and cellulose | |||
| 4.4 | Cell wall structure, secondary thickening and plant fibres |
Plant tissues, fibres and mineral nutrition · 4.5–4.9
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 | Sclerenchyma fibres, xylem vessels and phloem | |||
| 4.6 | Core practical 7: plant tissues under the light microscope | |||
| 4.7 | Plant fibres, starch and sustainability | |||
| 4.8 | Water and inorganic ions in plants | |||
| 4.9 | Core practical 8: tensile strength of plant fibres |
Bacterial growth, plant medicines and drug testing · 4.10–4.13
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.10 | Conditions required for bacterial growth | |||
| 4.11 | Antimicrobial and therapeutic substances from plants | |||
| 4.12 | Core practical 9: antimicrobial properties of plants and aseptic technique | |||
| 4.13 | The development of drug testing |
Classification and biodiversity · 4.14–4.18
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.14 | Classification and the three-domain system | |||
| 4.15 | Biodiversity, endemism and human threats | |||
| 4.16 | Biodiversity, endemism and human threats | |||
| 4.17 | Measuring biodiversity: species richness and heterozygosity index | |||
| 4.18 | Comparing habitats: index of diversity (D) |
Niche, allele frequency and conservation · 4.19–4.21
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.19 | Niche and adaptations to the environment | |||
| 4.20(i) | The Hardy-Weinberg equation, mutation and natural selection | |||
| 4.20(ii) | The Hardy-Weinberg equation, mutation and natural selection | |||
| 4.20(iii) | Reproductive isolation and the formation of new species | |||
| 4.21 | Evaluating zoos and seed banks in conservation |
5Energy Flow, Ecosystems and the Environment
Photosynthesis · 5.1–5.8
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | The overall reaction and the role of ATP A Level only | |||
| 5.2 | The overall reaction and the role of ATP A Level only | |||
| 5.3 | The light-dependent reactions A Level only | |||
| 5.4 | The light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) A Level only | |||
| 5.5 | Chloroplast structure and function A Level only | |||
| 5.6 | Pigments, spectra and chromatography A Level only | |||
| 5.7 | Pigments, spectra and chromatography A Level only | |||
| 5.8 | Core practical 10: factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis A Level only |
Productivity and ecosystems · 5.9–5.15
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9 | Gross and net primary productivity A Level only | |||
| 5.10 | Efficiency of biomass and energy transfers A Level only | |||
| 5.11 | Population, community, habitat and ecosystem; biotic and abiotic factors A Level only | |||
| 5.12 | Population, community, habitat and ecosystem; biotic and abiotic factors A Level only | |||
| 5.13 | The concept of niche A Level only | |||
| 5.14 | Core practical 11: a study of the ecology of a habitat A Level only | |||
| 5.15 | Succession A Level only |
Climate change · 5.16–5.20, 5.25–5.26
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.16 | Evidence for climate change A Level only | |||
| 5.17 | Causes of anthropogenic climate change and the greenhouse effect A Level only | |||
| 5.18 | The carbon cycle and reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide A Level only | |||
| 5.19 | Predicting climate change: extrapolation and models A Level only | |||
| 5.20 | Effects of climate change on plants and animals A Level only | |||
| 5.25 | Evaluating scientific conclusions on controversial issues A Level only | |||
| 5.26 | Reforestation, sustainable resources and biofuels A Level only |
Temperature, evolution and speciation · 5.21–5.24
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.21 | Temperature, enzyme activity and Q₁₀ A Level only | |||
| 5.22 | Core practical 12: temperature and the development of organisms A Level only | |||
| 5.23 | Evolution: mutation and natural selection A Level only | |||
| 5.24 | Isolation and speciation A Level only |
6Microbiology, Immunity and Forensics
Culturing and measuring microorganisms · 6.1–6.4
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | Culturing microorganisms using aseptic technique A Level only | |||
| 6.2 | Measuring the growth of microorganisms A Level only | |||
| 6.3 | The bacterial growth curve and growth rate constants A Level only | |||
| 6.4 | Core practical 13: rate of growth in liquid culture A Level only |
Bacteria, viruses and infection · 6.5–6.7
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5(i) | Structure of bacteria and viruses A Level only | |||
| 6.5(ii) | The terms lytic and latency A Level only | |||
| 6.6 | How Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV cause disease A Level only | |||
| 6.7 | Routes of entry and protective barriers A Level only |
The immune response · 6.8–6.12
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.8 | Non-specific responses to infection A Level only | |||
| 6.9 | Antigens, antibodies and antigen-presenting cells A Level only | |||
| 6.10 | B cells and T cells in the immune response A Level only | |||
| 6.11 | Natural, artificial, active and passive immunity A Level only | |||
| 6.12 | The evolutionary race between pathogens and hosts A Level only |
Antibiotics and infection control · 6.13–6.15
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.13 | Bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics A Level only | |||
| 6.14 | Core practical 14: effect of antibiotics on bacteria A Level only | |||
| 6.15 | Hospital-acquired infections and codes of practice A Level only |
Decay, DNA techniques and forensics · 6.16–6.20
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.16 | Microorganisms, decomposition and recycling carbon A Level only | |||
| 6.17 | Amplifying DNA by the polymerase chain reaction A Level only | |||
| 6.18 | Separating DNA fragments by gel electrophoresis A Level only | |||
| 6.19 | DNA profiling A Level only | |||
| 6.20 | Estimating time of death A Level only |
7Respiration, Muscles and the Internal Environment
Stages of respiration · 7.1–7.5
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | Aerobic respiration: the overall reaction A Level only | |||
| 7.2 | Glycolysis; Anaerobic respiration and lactate A Level only | |||
| 7.3 | The link reaction and the Krebs cycle A Level only | |||
| 7.4 | Oxidative phosphorylation A Level only | |||
| 7.5 | Anaerobic respiration and lactate A Level only |
Respiratory quotient and respiration practicals · 7.6–7.8
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.6 | Respiratory quotient (RQ) A Level only | |||
| 7.7 | Core practical 15: redox indicator and yeast A Level only | |||
| 7.8 | Core practical 16: respirometer and RQ A Level only |
Muscles and movement · 7.9–7.11
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | Muscles, tendons, the skeleton and ligaments A Level only | |||
| 7.10(i) | Structure of a skeletal muscle fibre A Level only | |||
| 7.10(ii) | Fast and slow twitch muscle fibres A Level only | |||
| 7.11 | Contraction and the sliding filament theory A Level only |
The heart, ventilation and exercise · 7.12–7.15
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.12(i) | Cardiac muscle and the coordination of the heartbeat A Level only | |||
| 7.12(ii) | Cardiac muscle and the coordination of the heartbeat A Level only | |||
| 7.12(iii) | Electrocardiograms (ECGs) A Level only | |||
| 7.13 | Cardiac output and the control of heart rate and ventilation A Level only | |||
| 7.14 | Adrenaline and the fight or flight response A Level only | |||
| 7.15 | Core practical 17: exercise and spirometer traces A Level only |
Homeostasis, hormones and the kidney · 7.16–7.22
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.16 | Negative and positive feedback A Level only | |||
| 7.17 | Homeostasis and thermoregulation A Level only | |||
| 7.18 | Structure of the mammalian kidney A Level only | |||
| 7.19 | Urea production and ultrafiltration A Level only | |||
| 7.20 | Selective reabsorption and the loop of Henle A Level only | |||
| 7.21 | ADH and the control of plasma concentration A Level only | |||
| 7.22 | Hormones and transcription factors A Level only |
8Coordination, Response and Gene Technology
Neurones, reflexes and the nervous system · 8.1–8.3, 8.10
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | Sensory, relay and motor neurones A Level only | |||
| 8.2 | The nervous system and its effectors A Level only | |||
| 8.3 | The spinal reflex arc A Level only | |||
| 8.10 | The nervous system and its effectors A Level only |
Impulses, synapses and receptors · 8.4–8.9
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4 | Resting potential and action potentials A Level only | |||
| 8.5 | Myelination and saltatory conduction A Level only | |||
| 8.6 | Synapses and neurotransmitters; How the pupil dilates and constricts A Level only | |||
| 8.7 | Drugs and nerve impulse transmission A Level only | |||
| 8.8 | Rods, rhodopsin and the optic neurone A Level only | |||
| 8.9 | Habituation A Level only |
Plant responses · 8.11, 8.12
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.11 | Phytochrome; Auxin (IAA); Gibberellins A Level only | |||
| 8.12 | Core practical 18: amylase in germinating cereal grains A Level only |
The brain and hormonal control · 8.13–8.16
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.13 | Nervous and hormonal coordination A Level only | |||
| 8.14 | Regions of the human brain A Level only | |||
| 8.15 | Imaging the brain: CT, MRI, fMRI and PET A Level only | |||
| 8.16 | Brain chemicals and ill health A Level only |
Gene technology · 8.17–8.22
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.17 | Drugs from genetically modified organisms A Level only | |||
| 8.18 | Making recombinant DNA A Level only | |||
| 8.19 | Inserting recombinant DNA into cells A Level only | |||
| 8.20 | Microarrays and bioinformatics A Level only | |||
| 8.21 | Microarrays and bioinformatics A Level only | |||
| 8.22 | Risks and benefits of GMOs A Level only |
Your ratings are kept on this device. to keep them on every device, or print the checklist. Look up any word you are unsure of in the glossary, and when a topic is green, try it on past papers.