Edexcel GCSE Biology specification checklist
All 165 spec points of 1BI0 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 GCSE Biology (1BI0) specification checklist · clockitwithsci.com
The numbers are Edexcel's own spec references for 1BI0. Triple only: only in Triple Biology. Combined Science students can skip it. Higher tier: only on the Higher tier papers. Foundation students can skip it. Teachers: you are welcome to print this checklist and share it with your classes.
Paper 11 hour 45 minutes · 100 marks
1Key concepts in biology
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Animal and plant cells; Bacterial cells | |||
| 1.2 | Specialised cells |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | Changes in microscope technology | |||
| 1.4 | Number, size and scale: estimations | |||
| 1.5 | Units: milli, micro, nano and pico | |||
| 1.6 | Core practical: using a microscope |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 | How enzymes work | |||
| 1.8 | Denaturing enzymes | |||
| 1.9 | Temperature, substrate concentration and pH | |||
| 1.10 | Core practical: the effect of pH on enzyme activity | |||
| 1.11 | Rate calculations for enzyme activity |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.12 | The importance of enzymes | |||
| 1.13B | Core practical: food tests Triple only | |||
| 1.14B | Measuring the energy in food Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.15 | Diffusion; Osmosis; Active transport | |||
| 1.16 | Core practical: osmosis in potatoes | |||
| 1.17 | Percentage gain and loss of mass |
2Cells and control
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | The cell cycle and mitosis | |||
| 2.2 | Why mitosis is important | |||
| 2.3 | What mitosis produces | |||
| 2.4 | Cancer |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 | Growth in animals and plants | |||
| 2.6 | Cell differentiation | |||
| 2.7 | Percentile charts | |||
| 2.8 | Stem cells and meristems | |||
| 2.9 | Stem cells in medicine |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.13 | Receptors and the nervous pathway; Neurone structure; Synapses; Investigating reaction times | |||
| 2.14 | Reflex arcs; Investigating reaction times |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.10B | Structures and functions of the brain Triple only | |||
| 2.11B | Investigating the brain with scans Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 2.12B | Limitations in treating nervous system damage Triple onlyHigher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.15B | Structure and function of the eye Triple only | |||
| 2.16B | Defects of the eye Triple only | |||
| 2.17B | Correcting eye defects Triple only |
3Genetics
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1B | Asexual reproduction Triple only | |||
| 3.2B | Sexual reproduction Triple only | |||
| 3.3 | Meiosis |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4 | The structure of DNA | |||
| 3.5 | The genome and genes | |||
| 3.6 | Extracting DNA from fruit |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7B | From base order to protein shape Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 3.8B | Protein synthesis: transcription and translation Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 3.9B | Genetic variants in non-coding DNA Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 3.10B | Genetic variants in coding DNA Triple onlyHigher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.11B | Gregor Mendel Triple only | |||
| 3.12 | Alleles and inherited differences | |||
| 3.13 | Key genetic terms | |||
| 3.14 | Monohybrid inheritance | |||
| 3.15 | Sex determination | |||
| 3.16 | Calculating and analysing outcomes | |||
| 3.17B | ABO blood groups Triple only | |||
| 3.18B | Sex-linked genetic disorders Triple onlyHigher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.19 | Features controlled by multiple genes | |||
| 3.20 | Causes of variation | |||
| 3.21 | The Human Genome Project | |||
| 3.22 | Mutations and genetic variation | |||
| 3.23 | Mutations and genetic variation |
4Natural selection and genetic modification
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1B | The work of Darwin and Wallace Triple only | |||
| 4.2 | Evolution by natural selection | |||
| 4.3 | Resistant organisms and antibiotic resistance |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | Fossil evidence for human evolution | |||
| 4.5 | Stone tools | |||
| 4.6B | The pentadactyl limb Triple only | |||
| 4.7 | Five kingdoms and three domains |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | Selective breeding | |||
| 4.9B | Tissue culture Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.10 | What is genetic engineering? | |||
| 4.11 | The main stages of genetic engineering Higher tier | |||
| 4.12B | GM organisms and crop plants Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.13B | Agricultural solutions for a growing population Triple only | |||
| 4.14 | Evaluating genetic engineering and selective breeding |
5Health, disease and the development of medicines
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | What is health? | |||
| 5.2 | Communicable and non-communicable diseases | |||
| 5.3 | How one disease can lead to another |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 | What is a pathogen? | |||
| 5.5 | Common infections | |||
| 5.6 | How pathogens spread and how to control them | |||
| 5.7B | The lifecycle of a virus Triple only | |||
| 5.8 | Sexually transmitted infections |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.9B | Physical barriers in plants Triple only | |||
| 5.10B | Chemical defences in plants Triple only | |||
| 5.11B | Detecting and identifying plant diseases Triple onlyHigher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.12 | Physical barriers and chemical defences | |||
| 5.13 | The specific immune system | |||
| 5.14 | Immunisation | |||
| 5.15B | Advantages and disadvantages of immunisation Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.16 | Antibiotics | |||
| 5.17B | Aseptic techniques Triple only | |||
| 5.18B | Core practical: antiseptics, antibiotics and plant extracts Triple only | |||
| 5.19B | Calculating cross-sectional areas Triple only | |||
| 5.20 | Developing new medicines | |||
| 5.21B | Producing monoclonal antibodies Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 5.22B | Uses of monoclonal antibodies Triple onlyHigher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.23 | Causes of non-communicable diseases | |||
| 5.24 | Lifestyle factors and non-communicable diseases | |||
| 5.25 | Treating cardiovascular disease |
Paper 21 hour 45 minutes · 100 marks
6Plant structures and their functions
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.1 | Photosynthetic organisms as producers | |||
| 6.2 | The photosynthesis reaction | |||
| 6.3 | Limiting factors | |||
| 6.4 | Interactions between limiting factors Higher tier | |||
| 6.5 | Core practical: light intensity and photosynthesis | |||
| 6.6 | Light intensity, distance and the inverse square law Higher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 | Root hair cells | |||
| 6.8 | Xylem and phloem | |||
| 6.9 | Transpiration and stomata | |||
| 6.10 | Translocation |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.11B | Leaf structure Triple only | |||
| 6.12 | Factors affecting water uptake | |||
| 6.13 | Rate calculations for transpiration | |||
| 6.14B | Plants in extreme environments Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.15B | Plant hormones, phototropism and gravitropism Triple only | |||
| 6.16B | Commercial uses of plant hormones Triple onlyHigher tier |
7Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | The endocrine system | |||
| 7.2 | Adrenalin and fight or flight Higher tier | |||
| 7.3 | Thyroxine and negative feedback Higher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.4 | The menstrual cycle | |||
| 7.5 | How four hormones control the cycle Higher tier | |||
| 7.6 | Hormonal contraception | |||
| 7.7 | Evaluating hormonal and barrier methods | |||
| 7.8 | Assisted reproductive technology Higher tier |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.9 | Maintaining a constant internal environment | |||
| 7.10B | Thermoregulation and osmoregulation Triple only | |||
| 7.11B | The skin and the hypothalamus Triple only | |||
| 7.12B | Responses to heat and cold Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.13 | Insulin and blood glucose | |||
| 7.14 | Glucagon Higher tier | |||
| 7.15 | Type 1 diabetes | |||
| 7.16 | Type 2 diabetes | |||
| 7.17 | Body mass, BMI and type 2 diabetes |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.18B | The urinary system Triple only | |||
| 7.19B | The nephron: filtering and reabsorption Triple only | |||
| 7.20B | ADH and the collecting duct Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 7.21B | Treating kidney failure Triple only | |||
| 7.22B | Urea Triple only |
8Exchange and transport in animals
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1 | The need to transport substances | |||
| 8.2 | Exchange surfaces, transport systems and surface area : volume ratio | |||
| 8.3 | Alveoli and gas exchange |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.4B | Factors affecting the rate of diffusion Triple only | |||
| 8.5B | Fick’s law Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.6 | The structure and function of blood | |||
| 8.7 | The structure and function of blood vessels |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.8 | The heart and circulatory system | |||
| 8.12 | Heart rate, stroke volume and cardiac output |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.9 | Cellular respiration | |||
| 8.10 | Comparing aerobic and anaerobic respiration | |||
| 8.11 | Core practical: the rate of respiration in living organisms |
9Ecosystems and material cycles
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.1 | Levels of organisation | |||
| 9.2 | Abiotic and biotic factors | |||
| 9.3 | Interdependence | |||
| 9.4 | Parasitism and mutualism |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.5 | Core practical: quadrats and belt transects | |||
| 9.6 | Estimating the number of organisms |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.7B | Energy loss and pyramids of biomass Triple only | |||
| 9.8B | Efficiency and biomass calculations Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.9 | Fish farming; Non-indigenous species; Eutrophication | |||
| 9.10 | Benefits of maintaining biodiversity | |||
| 9.11B | Food security Triple only |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.12 | Cycling of materials | |||
| 9.13 | The carbon cycle | |||
| 9.14 | The water cycle and potable water | |||
| 9.15 | The nitrogen cycle |
| Spec | What to know (the note) | Not yet | Nearly | Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.16B | Indicator species and pollution Triple onlyHigher tier | |||
| 9.17B | Decomposition and food preservation Triple only | |||
| 9.18B | Decomposition and composting Triple only | |||
| 9.19B | Rate of decay calculations Triple only |
Ticks are not saved, so print the checklist to keep track. Look up any word you are unsure of in the glossary, and when a topic is green, try it on past papers.