Biology 7040

(Revised for first examination in May/June 2007)

This subject may be taken at both the May/June and January examinations.

Introduction
The revised London Examinations GCE O level in Biology is designed to be an interesting
and inspiring modern syllabus. It is a two year course suitable both for those for whom it is
a final qualification in the subject and for those who require a sound foundation for
further study. Candidates who successfully follow this syllabus will have a good
understanding of Biology and its applications and will find the transition to the study of
Advanced Level Biology easy to make.

Key features
• provides an up to date course of study, including aspects of modern Biology
appropriate for the 21st century
• provides continuity of content and standard with the previous GCE O level syllabus
in Biology
• closely follows the content of the London Examinations IGCSE in Biology (4325),
allowing for smooth transition if desired
• comprehensive and detailed subject content, with amplification to guide teachers
• straightforward linear assessment
• requires no prior knowledge of Biology: the course is for candidates of various ages
and backgrounds in terms of general education and lifelong learning
• clarifies the requirements at the key grades of A, C and E
• offers a full range of teacher and student support
• provides a basis for progression to GCE Advanced Subsidiary (AS) or Advanced level
in Biology, or other comparable post-16 qualifications.

How does the revised syllabus differ from the previous syllabus?
It has been some years since consideration has been given to the content and format of
the GCE O level Biology syllabus. The new revised O level Biology syllabus has been
produced alongside the new IGCSE Biology specification and they share a number of
common features. This may help teachers in their transition between the two, depending
on the requirements of their particular teaching groups. The O level syllabus has been
retained in its revised form to ensure continuity of the O level standard and approaches to
study and assessment.

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The main differences between the revised O level Biology syllabus and the previous one
are that the revised O level Biology syllabus
• shows continuity but progression to a more modern biology syllabus
• has some changes in content with, for example, less emphasis on details of a range
of organisms to illustrate the variety of life
• includes new content giving greater emphasis to applications of biology in a
contemporary context
• retains about 80% of the content of the previous syllabus
• offers greater clarification of the detail with respect to what should be taught and
what will be examined
• uses prompt words (such as describe, recall, understand, explain) to give guidance
as to the way questions will be asked on particular syllabus topics and the nature
or response expected
• lists in the syllabus content practical experiments that candidates should do or be
familiar with
• has about 90% of its content common with that of IGCSE Biology (4325).

Aims
This syllabus gives students opportunities to
• develop an understanding of biological facts, concepts and principles
• obtain a balanced view of modern biology and develop a contemporary outlook on
the subject
• recognise the inter-relationships between various areas of biology and, in
particular, the relationship between structure and function
• make accurate observations of living organisms and preparations of biological
material
• assess and interpret simple biological experiments and data from investigations
• recognise the value of experimental skills in the study of biology
• develop a working knowledge of those aspects of chemistry, physics and
mathematics that are necessary for a proper understanding of biology at this level
• develop a respect for living organisms and an enjoyment of and interest in the
study of living organisms
• follow a course that is complete in itself and performs a useful educational
function for students not intending to study biology at a higher level
• acquire a suitable foundation and preparation for more advanced courses in biology.

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Assessment objectives
The examinations will be designed to test candidates in the following areas in relation to
biology.
Candidates should be able to
• demonstrate a knowledge of the topics listed in the syllabus
• demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of essential biological principles
related to living organisms and their environments including the personal, social,
economic and technological applications of biology in modern society
• use appropriate terminology in demonstrating this knowledge
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of appropriate practical techniques and
safety precautions
• interpret data presented in the form of tables, charts, graphs, diagrams and
photographs
• apply elementary mathematics, chemistry and physics to biology
• communicate a knowledge and understanding of biology through the media of
tables, charts, graphs, diagrams and concise logical prose
• apply knowledge of biology to the design and evaluation of experiments and the
solution of problems including those of a personal, social, economic and
technological nature
• select and organise information relevant to particular ideas in biology and to
communicate this selected and organised knowledge coherently.

Weighting of assessment objectives

The allocation of marks for the whole examination will be approximately as follows:
Assessment objectives Approximate mark allocation

Knowledge and understanding 60 — 65% (of which about one third for recall)

Application of knowledge and 35 — 40% (evenly distributed across all aspects

understanding, analysis and evaluation of the objective)

These percentages are not intended to provide a precise statement of the number of
marks allocated to particular assessment objectives

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Scheme of assessment
The examination will consist of two written papers, each carrying 50% of the total marks.

Paper Description Duration Weighting Maximum marks

Written paper with structured
1 1½ hours 50% 100
questions (short and long)
Written paper with structured
questions and questions on a
2 2 hours 50% 100
printed passage analysis of data
and essays

Paper 1
This paper will consist of a number of compulsory short and longer structured questions.
The questions will be designed to test breadth of knowledge and understanding of all
sections of the syllabus and to test a range of skills. The questions may refer to or require
the use of diagrams, photographs, graphs and data, and candidates may be asked to
perform simple calculations. Some questions may test the application of knowledge and
principles described in the syllabus to a wider range of biological situations. The style of
these questions is similar to previous Paper 2 questions

Paper 2
This paper will consist of three sections with questions drawn from any part of the syllabus.
Section A (60 marks)
This section will consist of a range of compulsory structured questions. The
questions may be of an interpretive nature, including the comprehension of a
passage relating to an unfamiliar biological situation, or involving the analysis of
data or evaluation of an investigation. Other questions may be designed to test
candidates’ experience of practical skills, including use of apparatus familiar to
them, description of how they would carry out an experiment or design an
investigation based on novel information provided in the question.

Section B (16 marks)

In this section, candidates must answer two questions from a choice of three.
These questions will require answers with some continuous prose and may relate to
descriptions or comparisons of processes familiar to candidates.

Section C (24 marks)

In this section, candidates must answer two questions from a choice of three.
These longer questions will be presented as structured essays, intended to test
depth of knowledge of topics in the syllabus and an understanding of biological
principles.

The use of calculators is permitted in both papers. It will be assumed that candidates will
be able to use an electronic calculator in connection with any calculation they may be
asked to do in the examination.

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Candidates will be required to demonstrate syllabus knowledge and critical understanding
as follows:

Approximate mark allocation across

Syllabus section
the examination papers
1. Nature and variety of living organisms 5%
2. Structures and functions in living organisms 60%
3. Reproduction and inheritance 7.5%
4. Ecology and the environment 7.5%
5. Use of biological resources 10%
6. Human health 10%

Reference to topics related to the personal, social, economic and technological

applications of biology in modern society should be made in teaching any part of the
syllabus.
In al sections of the syllabus, candidates may be required to perform calculations, draw
graphs and describe, explain and interpret biological phenomena. Some of the question
content will be unfamiliar to candidates; these questions are designed to assess data-
handling skills and the ability to apply biological principles to unfamiliar information.

Syllabus content
Practical work is printed in italics.

Section 1: The nature and variety of living organisms

a) Characteristics of living organisms
b) Variety of living organisms

a) Characteristics of living organisms

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recall that living organisms share the following basic characteristics
ƒ they require nutrition
ƒ they respire
ƒ they excrete their waste
ƒ they respond to their surroundings
ƒ they move
ƒ they control their internal conditions
ƒ they reproduce
ƒ they grow and develop.

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b) Variety of living organisms
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand that there is a wide variety of living organisms and that modern biology
classifies organisms on the basis of their structure and how they function
• describe the common features shared by organisms within the five main groups —
plants, animals, fungi, bacteria and viruses — and for each group describe
examples and their features as follows (details of life cycle and economic
importance are not required).
Plants: These are multicellular organisms; they contain chloroplasts and are able to
carry out photosynthesis; they have cellulose cell walls; they store carbohydrates
as starch or sucrose.
Examples include flowering plants, such as a cereal (e.g. maize) and a herbaceous
legume (e.g. peas or beans).
Animals: These are multicellular organisms; they do not contain chloroplasts and
are not able to carry out photosynthesis; they have no cell walls; they usually have
nervous co-ordination and are able to move from one place to another; they often
store carbohydrate as glycogen.
Examples include mammals (e.g. humans) and insects (e.g. housefly).
Fungi: These are organisms that are not able to carry out photosynthesis; their
body is usually organised into a mycelium made from thread-like structures called
hyphae, which contain many nuclei; some examples are single-celled; they have
cell walls made of chitin; they feed by extracellular secretion of digestive enzymes
onto food material and absorption of the organic products; this is known as
saprotrophic nutrition; they may store carbohydrate as glycogen.
Examples include Mucor, which has the typical fungal hyphal structure, and yeast
which is single-celled.
Bacteria: These are microscopic single-celled organisms; they have a simple cell
structure that lacks a nucleus but contains a circular chromosome of DNA; some
bacteria can carry out photosynthesis but most feed off other living or dead
organisms.
Examples include Lactobacillus bulgaricus, a rod-shaped bacterium used in the
production of yoghurt from milk, and Pneumococcus, a spherical bacterium that
acts as the pathogen that causes pneumonia.
Viruses: These are small particles, smaller than bacteria; they are parasitic and
can only reproduce inside living cells; they infect every type of living organism.
They have a wide variety of shapes and sizes; they have no cellular structure but
have a protein coat and contain one type of nucleic acid, either DNA or RNA.
Examples include the tobacco mosaic virus that causes discolouring of the leaves of
tobacco plants by preventing the formation of chloroplasts, and the influenza virus
that causes ‘flu’ in humans.

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Section 2: Structures and functions in living organisms
a) Levels of organisation
b) Cell structure
c) Biological molecules
d) Movement of substances into and out of cells
e) Nutrition
f) Respiration
g) Gas exchange
h) Transport
i) Excretion
j) Co-ordination and response

a) Levels of organisation
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• describe the levels of organisation within organisms: organelles, cells, tissues,
organs and systems.

b) Cell structure
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recognise cell structures, including the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell
wall, chloroplast and vacuole
• describe the functions of the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, cell wall,
chloroplast and vacuole
• describe the differences between plant and animal cells.

c) Biological molecules
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recall the chemical elements present in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (fats
and oils)
• describe the structure of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids as large molecules
made up from smaller basic units: starch and glycogen from simple sugars; protein
from amino acids; lipid from fatty acids and glycerol
• describe the tests for glucose, starch, lipid and protein
• understand the role of enzymes as biological catalysts in metabolic reactions
• understand how the functioning of enzymes can be affected by changes in
temperature and pH
• describe how to carry out simple controlled experiments to illustrate how enzyme
activity can be affected by changes in temperature.

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d) Movement of substances into and out of cells
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recall simple definitions of diffusion, osmosis and active transport
• understand that movement of substances into and out of cells can be by diffusion,
osmosis and active transport
• understand the importance in plants of turgid cells as a means of support
• understand the factors that affect the rate of movement of substances into and out
of cells to include the effects of surface area to volume ratio, temperature and
concentration gradient
• describe simple experiments on diffusion and osmosis using living and non-living
systems.

e) Nutrition
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
Flowering plants
• describe the process of photosynthesis and understand its importance in conversion
of light energy to chemical energy
• recall the word equation and the balanced chemical symbol equation for
photosynthesis
• understand how carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity and temperature
affect the rate of photosynthesis
• explain how the structure of the leaf is adapted for photosynthesis
• recall that plants require mineral ions for growth and that magnesium ions are
needed for chlorophyll and nitrate ions are needed for amino acids
• describe simple controlled experiments to investigate photosynthesis, showing the
evolution of oxygen from a water plant, the production of starch and the
requirements of light, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll.
Humans
• understand that a balanced diet should include carbohydrate, protein, lipid,
vitamins, minerals, water and dietary fibre
• recall sources and describe functions of carbohydrate, protein, lipid (fats and oils),
vitamins A, C and D, and the mineral ions calcium and iron
• understand that energy requirements vary with activity levels, age and pregnancy
• recognise the structures of the human alimentary canal and describe in outline the
functions of the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and
pancreas
• understand the processes of ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and
egestion
• explain how and why food is moved through the gut by peristalsis
• understand the role of digestive enzymes to include the digestion of starch to
glucose by amylase and maltase, the digestion of proteins to amino acids by
proteases and the digestion of lipids to fatty acids and glycerol by lipases

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 • recall that bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder, and
understand the role of bile in neutralising stomach acid and emulsifying lipids
• explain how the structure of a villus helps absorption of the products of digestion
in the small intestine
• recall how to carry out a simple experiment to determine the energy content in a
food sample.

f) Respiration
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recall that the process of respiration releases energy in living organisms
• describe the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration
• recall the word equation and the balanced chemical symbol equation for aerobic
respiration in living organisms
• recall the word equation for anaerobic respiration in plants and in animals
• describe simple controlled experiments to demonstrate the evolution of carbon
dioxide and heat from respiring seeds or other suitable living organisms.

g) Gas exchange
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand the role of diffusion in gas exchange.
Flowering plants
• understand gas exchange (of carbon dioxide and oxygen) in relation to respiration
and photosynthesis
• understand that respiration continues during the day and night, but that the net
exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen depends on the intensity of light
• explain how the structure of the leaf is adapted for gas exchange
• describe the role of stomata in gas exchange
• describe simple controlled experiments to investigate the effect of light on net gas
exchange from a leaf, using hydrogen-carbonate indicator.
Humans
• recall the structure of the thorax, including the ribs, intercostal muscles,
diaphragm, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and pleural membranes
• understand the role of the intercostal muscles and the diaphragm in ventilation
• explain how alveoli are adapted for gas exchange by diffusion between air in the
lungs and blood in capillaries
• understand the biological consequences of smoking in relation to the lungs and the
circulatory system
• describe a simple experiment to investigate the effect of exercise on breathing in
humans.

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h) Transport
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand why simple, unicellular organisms can rely on diffusion for movement
of substances in and out of the cell
• understand the need for a transport system in multicellular organisms.
Flowering plants
• describe the position of phloem and xylem in a stem
• describe the role of phloem in transporting sucrose and amino acids between the
leaves and other parts of the plant
• describe the role of the xylem in transporting water and mineral salts from the
roots to other parts of the plant
• explain how water is absorbed by root hair cells
• recall that transpiration is the evaporation of water from the surface of a plant
• explain how the rate of transpiration is affected by changes in humidity, wind
speed, temperature and light intensity
• describe experiments that investigate the role of environmental factors in
determining the rate of transpiration from a leafy shoot.
Humans
• recall the composition of the blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets
and plasma
• understand the role of plasma in the transport of carbon dioxide, digested food,
urea, hormones and heat energy
• describe the adaptations of red blood cells for the transport of oxygen, including
shape, structure and the presence of haemoglobin
• describe the role of white blood cells in preventing disease by ingestion of micro-
organisms and the production of antibodies to destroy micro-organisms
• recall that platelets are involved in blood clotting, which prevents blood loss and
the entry of micro-organisms
• describe the structure of the heart and how it functions
• understand that the heart rate changes during exercise and under the influence of
adrenaline
• describe the structure of arteries, veins and capillaries and understand their roles
• recall the general plan of the circulation system to include the blood vessels to and
from the heart, the lungs, the liver and the kidneys.

i) Excretion
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
Flowering plants
• recall the origin of carbon dioxide and oxygen as waste products of metabolism and
their loss from the stomata of a leaf.

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 Humans
• recall that the lungs, kidneys and skin are organs of excretion
• understand how the kidney carries out its roles of excretion and of osmoregulation
• describe the structure of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters,
bladder and urethra
• describe the structure of a nephron, to include Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus,
convoluted tubules, loop of Henlé and collecting duct
• describe ultrafiltration in the Bowman’s capsule and the composition of the
glomerular filtrate
• understand that water is reabsorbed into the blood from the collecting duct
• understand that selective reabsorption of glucose occurs at the proximal
convoluted tubule
• describe the role of ADH in regulating the water content of the blood
• recall that urine contains water, urea and salts.

j) Co-ordination and response

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand that organisms are able to respond to changes in their environment
• understand that homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment
and that body water content and body temperature are both examples of
homeostasis
• understand that a co-ordinated response requires a stimulus, a receptor and an
effector.
Flowering plants
• understand that plants respond to stimuli
• describe the geotropic responses of roots and stems
• describe positive phototropism of stems
• understand that phototropic responses in stems are the result of differential
growth caused by auxin
• recall controlled experiments to demonstrate phototropic and geotropic plant
growth responses.
Humans
• describe how responses can be controlled by nervous or by hormonal
communication and understand the differences between the two systems
• recall that the central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and is
linked to sense organs by nerves
• understand that stimulation of receptors in the sense organs sends electrical
impulses along nerves into and out of the central nervous system, resulting in rapid
responses
• describe the structure and functioning of a simple reflex arc illustrated by the
withdrawal of a finger from a hot object

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 • describe the structure and function of the eye as a receptor
• understand the function of the eye in focusing near and distant objects, and in
responding to changes in light intensity
• describe the role of the skin in temperature regulation, with reference to
sweating, vasoconstriction and vasodilation
• understand the sources, roles and effects of the following hormones: ADH,
adrenaline, insulin, testosterone, progesterone and oestrogen.

Section 3: Reproduction and inheritance

a) Reproduction
b) Inheritance

a) Reproduction
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• describe the differences between sexual and asexual reproduction
• understand that fertilisation involves the fusion of a male and female gamete to
produce a zygote.
Flowering plants
• describe the structures of an insect-pollinated and a wind-pollinated flower and
explain how each is adapted for pollination
• describe pollination and the growth of the pollen tube
• understand that fertilisation leads to seed and fruit formation
• recall the conditions needed for seed germination
• understand how germinating seeds utilise food reserves until the seedling can carry
out photosynthesis
• understand that plants can reproduce asexually by natural methods (illustrated by
runners), and by artificial methods (illustrated by cuttings).
Humans
• recall the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems
• understand the roles of oestrogen and progesterone in the menstrual cycle
• recall that fertilisation produces a zygote that undergoes cell division and develops
into an embryo
• describe the role of the placenta in the nutrition of the developing embryo
• understand how the developing embryo is protected by amniotic fluid
• recall the roles of oestrogen and testosterone in the development of secondary
sexual characteristics.

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b) Inheritance
• recall that the nucleus of a cell contains chromosomes on which genes are located
• understand that a gene is a section of a molecule of DNA
• understand that genes exist in alternative forms called alleles which give rise to
differences in inherited characteristics
• recall the meaning of the terms dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous,
phenotype, genotype and co-dominance
• describe patterns of monohybrid inheritance using a genetic diagram
• understand how to interpret family pedigrees
• predict probabilities of outcomes from monohybrid crosses
• recall that the sex of a person is controlled by one pair of chromosomes, XX in a
female and XY in a male
• describe the determination of the sex of offspring at fertilisation, using a genetic
diagram
• understand that division of a diploid cell by mitosis produces two cells which
contain identical sets of chromosomes
• understand that mitosis occurs during growth, repair, cloning and asexual
reproduction
• understand that division of a cell by meiosis produces four cells, each with half the
number of chromosomes, and that this results in the formation of genetically
different haploid gametes
• understand that random fertilisation produces genetic variation of offspring
• recall that in human cells the diploid number of chromosomes is 46 and the haploid
number is 23
• understand that variation within a species can be genetic, environmental, or a
combination of both
• recall that mutation is a rare, random change in genetic material that can be
inherited
• understand that many mutations are harmful but some are neutral and a few are
beneficial
• understand that mutant organisms can increase in a population by natural selection
• understand that the incidence of mutations can be increased by exposure to
ionising radiation (e.g. gamma rays, X-rays and ultraviolet rays) and some chemical
mutagens (e.g. chemicals in tobacco).

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Section 4: Ecology and the environment
a) The organism in the environment
b) Feeding relationships
c) Cycles within ecosystems
d) Human influences on the environment

a) The organism in the environment

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand the terms population, community, habitat and ecosystem
• describe the use of quadrats as a technique for sampling the distribution of
organisms in their habitats
• recall the use of quadrats to estimate the population size of an organism in two
different areas.

b) Feeding relationships
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recall the names given to different trophic levels to include producers, primary,
secondary and tertiary consumers and decomposers
• understand the concepts of food chains, food webs, pyramids of number, pyramids
of biomass and pyramids of energy transfer
• understand the transfer of substances and of energy along a food chain
• explain why only about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the
next.

c) Cycles within ecosystems

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• describe the stages in the water cycle, including evaporation, transpiration,
condensation and precipitation
• describe the stages in the carbon cycle, including respiration, photosynthesis,
decomposition and combustion
• describe the stages in the nitrogen cycle, including the roles of nitrogen fixing
bacteria, decomposers, nitrifying bacteria and denitrifying bacteria (specific names
of bacteria are not required).

d) Human influences on the environment

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand the biological consequences of pollution of air by sulphur dioxide and
by carbon monoxide

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 • recall that water vapour, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are
greenhouse gases
• understand how human activities contribute to greenhouse gases
• understand how an increase in greenhouse gases results in an enhanced greenhouse
effect and that this may lead to global warming and its consequences
• understand the biological consequences of pollution of water by sewage including
increases in the number of micro-organisms causing depletion of oxygen
• understand that eutrophication can result from leached minerals from fertiliser
• understand the effects of deforestation, including leaching, soil erosion,
disturbance of the water cycle and of the balance in atmospheric oxygen and
carbon dioxide
• explain the biological consequences of overfishing and overgrazing.

Section 5: Use of biological resources

a) Food production
b) Selective breeding
c) Genetic modification
d) Cloning

a) Food production
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
Crop plants
• describe how glasshouses and polythene tunnels can be used to increase the yield
of certain crops
• understand the effects on crop yield of increased carbon dioxide and increased
temperature in glasshouses
• understand the use of fertiliser to increase crop yield
• understand the reasons for pest control and the advantages and disadvantages of
using pesticides and biological control with crop plants.
Micro-organisms
• understand the role of yeast in the production of beer
• describe a simple experiment to investigate carbon dioxide production by yeast, in
different conditions
• understand the role of bacteria (Lactobacillus) in the production of yoghurt
• interpret and label a diagram of an industrial fermenter and explain the need to
provide suitable conditions in the fermenter, including aseptic precautions,
nutrients, optimum temperature and pH, oxygenation and agitation, for the growth
of micro-organisms.

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 Fish farming
• explain the methods which are used to farm large numbers of fish to provide a
source of protein, including maintenance of water quality, control of intraspecific
and interspecific predation, control of disease, removal of waste products, quality
and frequency of feeding and the use of selective breeding.

b) Selective breeding
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand that plants with desired characteristics can be developed by selective
breeding (illustrated by increased yield and reduction of stem length in wheat)
• understand that animals with desired characteristics can be developed by selective
breeding (illustrated by increased yield of meat and milk in cattle).

c) Genetic modification (genetic engineering)

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• describe a DNA molecule as two strands coiled to form a double helix, the strands
being linked by a series of paired bases: adenine (A) with thymine (T), and cytosine
(C) with guanine (G)
• describe the use of restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sites and ligase
enzymes to join pieces of DNA together
• describe how plasmids and viruses can act as vectors, which take up pieces of DNA,
then insert this recombinant DNA into other cells
• understand that large amounts of human insulin can be manufactured from
genetically modified bacteria that are grown in a fermenter
• evaluate the potential for using genetically modified plants to improve food
production (illustrated by plants with improved resistance to disease)
• recall that the term transgenic means the transfer of genetic material from one
species to a different species.

d) Cloning
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• describe the process of micropropagation (tissue culture) in which small pieces of
plants (explants) are grown in vitro using nutrient media
• understand how micropropagation can be used to produce commercial quantities of
identical plants (clones) with desirable characteristics
• describe the stages in the production of cloned mammals involving the introduction
of a diploid nucleus from a mature cell into an enucleated egg cell, illustrated by
Dolly the sheep
• evaluate the potential for using cloned transgenic animals, for example, to produce
commercial quantities of human antibodies or organs for transplantation.

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Section 6: Human health
a) Pathogenic diseases
b) Disorders and conditions of the human body

a) Pathogenic diseases
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• recall the term pathogen and know that pathogens may be protoctists, bacteria,
fungi or viruses
• describe how the immune system responds to disease using white blood cells,
illustrated by phagocytes ingesting pathogens and lymphocytes releasing antibodies
specific to a pathogen
• understand that vaccination may protect against future exposure to a pathogen
• understand that vaccination results in the manufacture of memory cells, which
enable future antibody production to the pathogen to occur sooner, faster, and in
greater quantity
• describe how the effects of disease in a population can be reduced by immunisation
• describe how antibiotics can be used to reduce bacterial infection and understand
how resistance to antibiotics can increase in bacterial populations
• recall that malaria is an example of a disease caused by a plasmodium (a protoctist)
• understand how malaria is transmitted by an insect vector and recall methods to
control malaria by destroying the insect vector and by prevention of infection
• describe amoebic dysentery as an example of a disease caused by a protoctist. Recall
its symptoms, treatment, method of transmission and how its spread can be prevented
• describe cholera as an example of a disease caused by a bacterium. Recall its
symptoms, method of transmission and how its spread can be prevented
• describe AIDS as an example of a disease caused by a virus (HIV). Recall its
symptoms, method of transmission and how its spread can be prevented.

b) Disorders and conditions of the human body

Candidates will be assessed on their ability to
• understand that there are disorders of the human body caused by a variety of
factors, including environmental, dietary and lifestyle
• understand that if individuals do not receive a balanced diet (see section 2e) they
may become malnourished or obese
• understand how a lack of protein can lead to the condition known as kwashiorkor
• recall the effects of lack of certain vitamins (illustrated by A, C and D) and certain
mineral ions (calcium and iron) (see section 2e)
• understand how excess energy intake in the diet (particularly from carbohydrates
and lipids) can lead to obesity
• understand the harmful effects of obesity on the heart and circulatory system
• understand how tobacco smoking affects the breathing and circulatory systems (see
section 2g).

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Grade descriptions
The following grade descriptions indicate the level of attainment characteristic of the
given grade at GCE O level. They give an indication of the standard of achievement and
required learning outcomes at each specified grade. The descriptions should be
interpreted in relation to the content outlined in the syllabus; they are not designed to
define the content. In practice, the grade awarded will depend on the extent to which the
candidate has met the assessment objectives overall. Shortcomings in some aspects of the
examination may be balanced by better performances in others.
Grade A
Candidates recall a wide range of biological knowledge from all areas of the syllabus. They
consistently show good understanding of biological concepts. For example, they show
understanding of the movement of water into, through and out of a plant and of
osmoregulation in the body as an example of a homeostatic mechanism. Candidates are
able to draw on their wider biological knowledge and apply this to a range of situations,
such as the interpretation of data from contexts that may be unfamiliar to them. They
make good use of appropriate scientific terminology and accurately carry out a range of
calculations making use of relevant mathematical skills. Candidates are able to formulate
a plan for a practical investigation that could be carried out in relation to a novel proposal
presented to them and describe a method that reflects good understanding of an
appropriate practical approach. Candidates select biological knowledge relevant to most
situations and write answers that are presented clearly and logically, providing detailed
descriptions of structures and functions with coherent explanations as required. In
particular, longer questions are answered to an appropriate depth and ideas are
communicated effectively.
Grade C
Candidates recall a range of biological knowledge from most areas of the syllabus. They
often show accurate knowledge and understanding of biological concepts and are able to
apply this biological knowledge to some situations, such as the interpretation of data from
contexts that are familiar to them. They are able to use scientific terminology and to
carry out relatively straightforward calculations making use of their mathematical skills.
Candidates show a knowledge of practical techniques but attempts to design a practical
investigation that could be carried out in relation to a novel proposal presented to them is
likely to lack appropriate detail. Candidates select biological knowledge relevant to some
situations but their responses may be displayed consistently across the questions set or
may vary between being quite good and poor on different questions. Their answers show
some logic and coherence, with suitable descriptions of structures and functions but some
explanations are limited or irrelevant. Longer questions may be answered to a depth that
is sometimes superficial.
Grade E
Candidates recall some biological knowledge from different areas of the syllabus but their
knowledge and understanding are likely to be uneven. They demonstrate a limited
understanding of how biological knowledge can be used to interpret data or other
information in contexts that are familiar to them. They show that they can make some use
of basic scientific terminology and are able to carry out simple calculations. Candidates
show limited knowledge of practical techniques and usually lack understanding of how to
design a complete practical investigation that could be carried out in relation to a novel
proposal presented to them. Candidates select only limited biological knowledge in their
answers to questions and their responses are likely to be displayed inconsistently across
the questions set. Their answers show limited logic or coherence, and descriptions of
structures and functions often lack detail. Explanations are usually limited or irrelevant.
Longer questions may be answered superficially.

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Subject-specific information
Units and nomenclature
In the written papers and tests, the units and the nomenclature used will conform to the
recommendations contained in the following booklets
Biological Nomenclature: Recommendations on Terms, Units and Symbols
(Institute of Biology (IOB), 2000)
Signs, Symbols and Systematics, The ASE Companion to 16-19 Science – 1st Ed
(Association of Science Education (ASE), 2000)

Required background in mathematics and other sciences

Candidates are expected to be familiar with the following terms and concepts in
mathematics, chemistry and physics and to be able to use and apply them in their study of
this biology syllabus: decimals, fractions, percentages, ratios, means; tabulated data;
graphs (line, bar, histograms), pie charts, linear scales; solids, liquids, gases; elements,
ions, salts; acids, alkalis, pH; composition of air; oxidation, combustion; solubility;
diffusion (including osmosis), diffusion gradients; heat transfer by conduction, convection
and radiation; insulation; temperature, humidity, evaporation; different forms of energy:
light, heat, chemical, electrical; the use of energy in movement.

Safe practice
Attention is drawn to the need for safe practice when candidates carry out laboratory
investigations or observe demonstrations. Particular attention is drawn to the possible
hazards associated with electrical equipment, the handling of microorganisms, and
ionising radiations. Strict aseptic conditions should be used when undertaking practical
work. Reference must be made to local health and safety regulations, and widely
accepted publications such as
COSHH; Guidance for Schools (HSC ,1989) (HMSO) ISBN 011 885 5115
Topics in Safety – 3rd Ed, Association for Science Education (ASE, 2001)
ISBN 086 357 3169
CLEAPSS Laboratory Handbook and Hazards, available from Consortium of Local
Education Authorities for the Provision of Service Sciences (CLEAPSS). School
Science to members or associates only.

Students with particular requirements

Regulations and guidance relating to candidates with special requirements are published
annually by the Joint Council for Qualifications in the UK and are circulated to
Examinations Officers. Further copies of guidance documentation may be obtained from
Edexcel International Customer Services. Contact details are given at the end of this
syllabus. Edexcel International will assess whether or not special consideration or
concessions can be made for candidates with particular requirements.

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 Textbooks and other resources
Title ISBN
Particularly recommended:
Longman Biology for IGCSE – Phil Bradfield and Steve Potter 1 405 80206 5
IGCSE Biology – D. G. Mackean (John Murray, 2002) 0 7195 8053 6
Biology–Mary Jones and Geoff Jones (Cambridge University Press, 2002) 0 521 89117 5
Biology – Michael Roberts and Neil Ingram (Nelson Thornes, 2001) 0 7487 6238 8
Other useful textbooks:
Biology, for Higher Tier – Brian Beckett and RoseMarie Gallagher (New 0 19 914819 8
Coordinated Science) (Oxford, 2001)
Target Science – Biology, Foundation Tier – David Coppock (Oxford, 2001) 0 19 914826 0
Key Science - Biology – David Applin (Nelson Thornes, 2002) 0 7487 6241 8

Support and training

Training
A programme of INSET courses covering various aspects of the syllabus and its assessment
will be arranged by Edexcel International on a regular basis. Full details may be obtained
from Edexcel International Customer Services. Contact details are given below.

Edexcel Publications
Edexcel Publications
Adamsway
Mansfield
Notts
NG18 4FN
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1623 450781
Fax: +44 (0) 1623 450481
E-mail: [email protected]
• Revised Specimen papers and mark schemes will be available in 2006 to support
this syllabus
• Student Study Guide will be available in 2006

Contact details of Edexcel International Customer Services

Edexcel International Customer Services
190 High Holborn
London WC1V 7BE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 190 884 7750
www.edexcel.org.uk/international

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