CIE A-Level Syllabus
For First Examination in Summer 2022
, Contents
The complete CAIE syllabus on which this document is based can be found on the Biology Intranet page.
Overview of Syllabus ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Part 1 (AS Syllabus) .............................................................................................................................................. 4
1 Cell Structure ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
2 Biological Molecules ............................................................................................................................................. 6
3 Enzymes ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
4 Cell Membranes & Transport................................................................................................................................ 9
5 The Mitotic Cell Cycle .......................................................................................................................................... 10
6 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis.................................................................................................................... 11
7 Transport in Plants.............................................................................................................................................. 12
8 Transport in Mammals ....................................................................................................................................... 13
9 Gas Exchange...................................................................................................................................................... 14
10 Infectious Disease ............................................................................................................................................. 14
11 Immunity .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Part II (A2 Syllabus) ............................................................................................................................................ 16
12 Energy and Respiration..................................................................................................................................... 16
13 Photosynthesis .................................................................................................................................................. 18
14 Homeostasis ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
15 Control and Co-ordination ................................................................................................................................ 22
16 Inheritance........................................................................................................................................................ 23
17 Selection and Evolution .................................................................................................................................... 25
18 Classification, Biodiversity and Conservation ................................................................................................... 26
19 Genetic Technology .......................................................................................................................................... 28
CAIE Exam Papers ............................................................................................................................................... 29
How to Revise .................................................................................................................................................... 30
Revision as a 3-step Process .................................................................................................................................. 30
Resources ............................................................................................................................................................... 31
When to Seek Help ................................................................................................................................................ 31
2
, Overview of Syllabus
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level Biology study the following topics:
1. Cell structure
2. Biological molecules
3. Enzymes
4. Cell membranes and transport
5. The mitotic cell cycle
6. Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
7. Transport in plants
8. Transport in mammals
9. Gas exchange
10. Infectious diseases
11. Immunity
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Biology study the AS topics and the following topics:
12. Energy and respiration
13. Photosynthesis
14. Homeostasis
15. Control and coordination
16. Inheritance
17. Selection and evolution
18. Classification, biodiversity and conservation
19. Genetic technology
3
, Part 1 (AS Syllabus)
Part 1 covers topics that could appear in papers 1 (multiple choice) and paper 2 (structured
questions). However, papers 3 (practical), 4 (A2 structured questions) and 5 (data analysis and
planning) assume knowledge of these topics.
All of Part 1 is taught in the Lower 8th. The order of topics in the syllabus is the same as that in
the text book.
1 Cell Structure
1.1 The Microscope in Cell Studies
1.1.1 Make temporary preparations of cellular material suitable for viewing with a light microscope. Most likely
in the practical exam, although making temporary slides doesn’t come up very often. Identifying cells
from photomicrographs is very common in the theory papers though.
1.1.2 Draw cells from microscope slides and photomicrographs. Part of the practical exam.
1.1.3 Calculate magnifications of images and actual sizes of specimens from drawings, photomicrographs and
electron micrographs (scanning and transmission).
1.1.4 Use an eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer scale to make measurements and use the appropriate
units, millimetre (mm), micrometre (μm) and nanometre (nm). Remember that cells are always going to be
measured in μm.
1.1.5 Define resolution and magnification and explain the differences between these terms, with reference to
light microscopy and electron microscopy.
1.2 Cells as the Basic Units of Living Organisms
1.2.1 Recognise organelles and other cell structures found in eukaryotic cells and outline their structures and
functions, limited to:
• cell surface membrane
• nucleus, nuclear envelope and nucleolus
• rough endoplasmic reticulum
• smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi body (Golgi apparatus or Golgi complex)
• mitochondria (including the presence of small circular DNA)
• ribosomes (80S in the cytoplasm and 70S in chloroplasts and mitochondria)
• lysosomes
• centrioles and microtubules
• cilia
• microvilli
• chloroplasts (including the presence of small circular DNA)
• cell wall
• plasmodesmata
• large permanent vacuole and tonoplast of plant cells.
1.2.2 Describe and interpret photomicrographs, electron micrographs and drawings of typical plant and animal
cells.
1.2.3 Compare the structure of typical plant and animal cells.
1.2.4 State that cells use ATP from respiration for energy-requiring processes.
4
For First Examination in Summer 2022
, Contents
The complete CAIE syllabus on which this document is based can be found on the Biology Intranet page.
Overview of Syllabus ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Part 1 (AS Syllabus) .............................................................................................................................................. 4
1 Cell Structure ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
2 Biological Molecules ............................................................................................................................................. 6
3 Enzymes ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
4 Cell Membranes & Transport................................................................................................................................ 9
5 The Mitotic Cell Cycle .......................................................................................................................................... 10
6 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis.................................................................................................................... 11
7 Transport in Plants.............................................................................................................................................. 12
8 Transport in Mammals ....................................................................................................................................... 13
9 Gas Exchange...................................................................................................................................................... 14
10 Infectious Disease ............................................................................................................................................. 14
11 Immunity .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Part II (A2 Syllabus) ............................................................................................................................................ 16
12 Energy and Respiration..................................................................................................................................... 16
13 Photosynthesis .................................................................................................................................................. 18
14 Homeostasis ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
15 Control and Co-ordination ................................................................................................................................ 22
16 Inheritance........................................................................................................................................................ 23
17 Selection and Evolution .................................................................................................................................... 25
18 Classification, Biodiversity and Conservation ................................................................................................... 26
19 Genetic Technology .......................................................................................................................................... 28
CAIE Exam Papers ............................................................................................................................................... 29
How to Revise .................................................................................................................................................... 30
Revision as a 3-step Process .................................................................................................................................. 30
Resources ............................................................................................................................................................... 31
When to Seek Help ................................................................................................................................................ 31
2
, Overview of Syllabus
Candidates for Cambridge International AS Level Biology study the following topics:
1. Cell structure
2. Biological molecules
3. Enzymes
4. Cell membranes and transport
5. The mitotic cell cycle
6. Nucleic acids and protein synthesis
7. Transport in plants
8. Transport in mammals
9. Gas exchange
10. Infectious diseases
11. Immunity
Candidates for Cambridge International A Level Biology study the AS topics and the following topics:
12. Energy and respiration
13. Photosynthesis
14. Homeostasis
15. Control and coordination
16. Inheritance
17. Selection and evolution
18. Classification, biodiversity and conservation
19. Genetic technology
3
, Part 1 (AS Syllabus)
Part 1 covers topics that could appear in papers 1 (multiple choice) and paper 2 (structured
questions). However, papers 3 (practical), 4 (A2 structured questions) and 5 (data analysis and
planning) assume knowledge of these topics.
All of Part 1 is taught in the Lower 8th. The order of topics in the syllabus is the same as that in
the text book.
1 Cell Structure
1.1 The Microscope in Cell Studies
1.1.1 Make temporary preparations of cellular material suitable for viewing with a light microscope. Most likely
in the practical exam, although making temporary slides doesn’t come up very often. Identifying cells
from photomicrographs is very common in the theory papers though.
1.1.2 Draw cells from microscope slides and photomicrographs. Part of the practical exam.
1.1.3 Calculate magnifications of images and actual sizes of specimens from drawings, photomicrographs and
electron micrographs (scanning and transmission).
1.1.4 Use an eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer scale to make measurements and use the appropriate
units, millimetre (mm), micrometre (μm) and nanometre (nm). Remember that cells are always going to be
measured in μm.
1.1.5 Define resolution and magnification and explain the differences between these terms, with reference to
light microscopy and electron microscopy.
1.2 Cells as the Basic Units of Living Organisms
1.2.1 Recognise organelles and other cell structures found in eukaryotic cells and outline their structures and
functions, limited to:
• cell surface membrane
• nucleus, nuclear envelope and nucleolus
• rough endoplasmic reticulum
• smooth endoplasmic reticulum
• Golgi body (Golgi apparatus or Golgi complex)
• mitochondria (including the presence of small circular DNA)
• ribosomes (80S in the cytoplasm and 70S in chloroplasts and mitochondria)
• lysosomes
• centrioles and microtubules
• cilia
• microvilli
• chloroplasts (including the presence of small circular DNA)
• cell wall
• plasmodesmata
• large permanent vacuole and tonoplast of plant cells.
1.2.2 Describe and interpret photomicrographs, electron micrographs and drawings of typical plant and animal
cells.
1.2.3 Compare the structure of typical plant and animal cells.
1.2.4 State that cells use ATP from respiration for energy-requiring processes.
4
