Biology (9700)
AS and A Level Biology notes following the Cambridge International 9700 syllabus, including practical and planning skills.
Margin's Biology notes follow the Cambridge International AS & A Level Biology syllabus (9700), in two courses: AS Biology and A Level Biology.
Courses and papers#
| Course | Label | Covers | Assessed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS Biology | AS | The AS topics and practical skills | Paper 1 (multiple choice), Paper 2 (AS structured questions), Paper 3 (advanced practical skills) |
| A Level Biology | A2 | The A Level topics and planning skills | Paper 4 (A Level structured questions), Paper 5 (planning, analysis and evaluation) |
AS Biology#
Cell structure, biological molecules, enzymes, cell membranes and transport, the mitotic cell cycle, nucleic acids and protein synthesis, transport in plants, transport in mammals, gas exchange, infectious diseases and immunity.
The course ends with a practical skills unit for Paper 3: microscopy and drawing, measuring with an eyepiece graticule, investigations with variables and controls, and presenting and interpreting results.
A Level Biology#
Energy and respiration, photosynthesis, homeostasis, control and coordination, inheritance, selection and evolution, classification, biodiversity and conservation, and genetic technology.
The course ends with a planning, analysis and evaluation unit for Paper 5: planning investigations, and analysing data with statistical tests such as the chi-squared and t-tests.
What to expect in a note#
- Definitions in the syllabus's own words, for terms that are examined word for word
- Comparison tables, such as mitosis and meiosis, or the light-dependent and light-independent stages of photosynthesis
- Processes broken into numbered steps, from protein synthesis to the cardiac cycle
- Practical skills blocks covering method, variables, safety, sources of error and improvements
- Exam tip blocks on command words such as describe, explain and suggest, and how marking points are awarded