Revision summary help for the 9-1 Edexcel GCSE Combined Science 1st biology paper 1 - learning objectives for exam paper

Edexcel GCSE science 1SC0 1BF and 1SCO 1BH 2020 exam paper onwards

Edexcel GCSE Grade 9-1 Combined Science 1SC0 Paper 1 Biology 1 - Edexcel Grade 9-1 GCSE Combined Science biology Topic 1 "Key concepts in biology", Topic 2 "Cells and control", Topic 3 "Genetics", Topic 4 "Natural selection and genetic modification", Topic 5 "Health, disease and development of medicines"

LINK for Edexcel  9-1 GCSE Combined Science 2nd biology paper 2

LINK for Edexcel  9-1 GCSE BIOLOGY 1 paper 1

LINK for Edexcel  9-1 GCSE BIOLOGY 2 paper 2

 For ALL other exam papers, use and bookmark the link below

INDEX for all links

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE FOLLOWING POINTS before using my Edexcel 9-1 GCSE science pages

1. ALL my unofficial GCSE (Grade 9-1) revision help summaries are based on the NEW 2016 official Edexcel (Grade 9-1) GCSE BIOLOGY/combined science biology specifications.

2. Make sure you know whether you are doing separate science Edexcel GCSE grade 9-1 BIOLOGY OR Edexcel GCSE grade 9-1 Combined Science biology and double check your exam table from school, college or academy.

3. Also, make sure you know whether you are entered for a higher tier (HT) or a foundation tier (FT) Edexcel GCSE science-biology course, so watch out for the (HT only) 'markers'.

4. I hope my revision pages help as you get to know my website, its very big and not always easy to navigate, but it is no substitute for making good lesson notes, trying your best on homework questions, studying your textbook, doing past papers of Edexcel GCSE combined science/biology for exam question practice and, above all, attentive to your teacher's teaching!

5. I know from feedback that my gcse science summary revision pages have proved useful but they do not guarantee a high grade, that all depends on you and the factors mentioned in point 4. above. Please note that my GCSE science revision pages are designed to be used for online convenience, so, beware, printouts could be quite long!
6. It is really important that YOU cross-check, from my web pages, the learning objectives from the syllabus-specification with YOUR own lesson/revision notes and textbooks for YOUR Edexcel GCSE 9-1 combined science biology course.

7. 'Doc b's chemistry' is a big website so the Google [SEARCH] box at the bottom of each index or revision notes page can be VERY USEFUL - sometimes its better than the indexes for finding things!

8. When it comes to the final exam papers, at that point, YOU ARE THEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GRADE YOU ACHIEVE, not your teachers or me or my website (which isn't perfect!), so make sure you are properly prepared!

9. If there is anything about the website you are unhappy with, or you think there is an error, or you think something hasn't been covered adequately, please politely email me with your query to chem55555@hotmail.com

10. NOTE on grades: Foundation Tier FT grades 1 to 5  and  Higher Tier HT grades 4 to 9. In terms of old grades the following is an approximate comparison: grades 7-9 (A-A*), 4-6 (C-B), 1-3 (G-D), U (U) (from OFQUAL Jan 2018)

Syllabus-specification CONTENT INDEX of revision summary notes

 Note that a B after the learning objective means Edexcel GCSE biology only, NOT for Combined Science biology

Revision summaries for Edexcel 9-1 GCSE Combined Science Paper 1 Biology 1  (this page)

What's assessed in this paper?  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

SUMMARY Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology  (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology 1 paper 1)

SUMMARY Topic 2 – Cells and control  (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology 1 paper 1)

SUMMARY Topic 3 – Genetics  (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology 1 paper 1)

SUMMARY Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification  (Edexcel GCSE Comb. Sci. Biology paper 1)

SUMMARY Topic 5 – Health, disease and development of medicines  (Edexcel GCSE Comb. Sci. Biology paper 1)

Revision summaries for Edexcel 9-1 GCSE Combined Science Paper 2 Biology 2 (separate page)

What's assessed in this paper?  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

SUMMARY Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology  (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology 2 paper 2)

SUMMARY Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions  (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology paper 2)

SUMMARY Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis  (Edexcel GCSE Comb. Sci. Bio. paper 2)

SUMMARY Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals   (Edexcel GCSE Comb. Science Biology 2 paper 2)

SUMMARY Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles (Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology paper 2)

SUBJECT CONTENT of the syllabus-specification:  (HT only) means higher tier only (NOT FT foundation tier biology)

TOPICS for Edexcel 9-1 GCSE Combined Science Biology 1 Paper 1  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

for Edexcel 9-1 GCSE Combined Science Paper 1 Biology 1  (this page)  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

Note: a B after the learning objective number indicates it is for Edexcel GCSE Biology ONLY, NOT for Combined Science

Topic 1 Key concepts in biology (Topic 1 content is common to all the biology papers)

(Topic 1 – Overarching concepts in biology)

(Exam revision summary for Edexcel GCSE 9-1 combined science paper 1 biology 1, Topic 1 "Key concepts in biology")

You should be able to ....

1.1 Be able to explain how the sub-cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells are related to their functions, including:

(a) animal cells - nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondria and ribosomes

(b) plant cells - nucleus, cell membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts, mitochondria, vacuole and ribosomes

(c) bacteria - chromosomal DNA, plasmid DNA, cell membrane, ribosomes and flagella.

 Introduction to plant and animal cell structure and function

Stem cells and medical uses, and introduction to cell differentiation and specialisation

1.2 Be able to describe how specialised cells are adapted to their function, including:

(a) sperm cells – acrosome, haploid nucleus, mitochondria and tail

(b) egg cells – nutrients in the cytoplasm, haploid nucleus and changes in the cell membrane after fertilisation

(c) ciliated epithelial cells

Introduction to cell specialisation

1.3 Be able to explain how changes in microscope technology, including electron microscopy, have enabled us to see cell structures with more clarity and detail than in the past and increased our understanding of the role of sub-cellular structures

Microscopy - the development and use of microscopes in biology

1.4 Demonstrate an understanding of size and scale in relation to microscopy, including magnification calculations.

Microscopy - the development and use of microscopes in biology

1.5 Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between quantitative units in relation to cells, including:

milli (10^-3),  micro (10^-6),  nano (10^-9),  pico (10^-12)

(HT only) Do calculations with numbers written in standard form

1.6 Core Practical: You should have investigated biological specimens using microscopes, including magnification calculations and labelled scientific drawings from observations.

Microscopy - the development and use of microscopes in biology

1.7 Be able to explain the mechanism of enzyme action including the active site and enzyme specificity

1.8 Be able to explain how enzymes can be denatured due to changes in the shape of the active site

1.9 Be able to explain the effects of temperature, substrate concentration and pH on enzyme activity.

1.10 Core Practical: You should have investigated the effect of pH on enzyme activity.

1.11 Be able to demonstrate an understanding of rate calculations for enzyme activity

1.12 Be able to explain the importance of enzymes as biological catalysts in the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids and their breakdown into sugars, amino acids and fatty acids and glycerol

ENZYMES - structure, function, optimum conditions, investigation experiments

See also Enzymes and Biotechnology (gcse chemistry notes)

1.15 Be able to explain how substances are transported by diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Diffusion, osmosis and active transport

1.16 Core practical: You should have investigated osmosis in potatoes

1.17 Be able to calculate percentage gain and loss of mass in osmosis

Diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Practicals you may have encountered and should revise too:

Investigating the effect of different concentrations of digestive enzymes, using and evaluating models of the alimentary canal.

Investigating the effect of temperatures and concentration on enzyme activity.

ENZYMES - structure, function, optimum conditions, investigation experiments

Investigating plant and animal cells with a light microscope.

Microscopy - the development and use of microscopes in biology  gcse biology revision notes

Investigating the effect of concentration on rate of diffusion.

The other TOPICS for Edexcel GCSE Combined Science Biology PAPER 1   (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

Topic 2  Cells and control  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

(Exam revision summary for Edexcel GCSE 9-1 combined science paper 1 biology 1, Topic 2 "Cells and control")

You should be able to ....

2.1 Be able to describe mitosis as part of the cell cycle including the stages interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase and cytokinesis

2.2 Be able to describe the importance of mitosis in growth, repair and asexual reproduction

2.3 Be able to describe the division of a cell by mitosis as the production of two daughter cells, each with identical sets of chromosomes in the nucleus to the parent cell, and that this results in the formation of two genetically identical diploid body cells

2.4 Be able to describe cancer as the result of changes in cells that lead to uncontrolled cell division

CELL DIVISION - cell cycle - mitosis, meiosis and sexual reproduction, binary fission

2.5 Be able to describe growth in organisms, including:

(a) cell division and differentiation in animals

(b) cell division, elongation and differentiation in plants

Stem cells and uses, and an introduction to cell differentiation and specialisation

Hormone control of plant growth and uses of plant hormones

2.6 Be able to explain the importance of cell differentiation in the development of specialised cells

2.7 Be able to demonstrate an understanding of the use of percentiles charts to monitor growth

2.8 Be able to describe the function of embryonic stem cells, stem cells in animals and meristems in plants

2.9 Discuss the potential benefits and risks associated with the use of stem cells in medicine

CELL DIVISION - cell cycle - mitosis and meiosis in sexual reproduction

Stem cells and an introduction to cell specialisation

2.13 Be able to explain the structure and function of sensory receptors, sensory neurones, relay neurones in the CNS, motor neurones and synapses in the transmission of electrical impulses, including the axon, dendron, myelin sheath and the role of neurotransmitters

2.14 Be able to explain the structure and function of a reflex arc including sensory, relay and motor neurones

An introduction to the nervous system including the reflex arc

Practicals you may have encountered

Investigating human responses to external stimuli.

Investigating reaction times.

Investigating the speed of transmission of electrical impulses in the nervous system

Topic 3 Genetics  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

(Exam revision summary for Edexcel GCSE 9-1 combined science paper 1 biology 1, Topic 3 "Genetics")

You should be able to ....

3.3 Be able to explain the role of meiotic cell division, including the production of four daughter cells, each with half the number of chromosomes, and that this results in the formation of genetically different haploid gametes.

 The stages of meiosis are not required

CELL DIVISION - cell cycle - mitosis, meiosis and sexual/asexual reproduction, binary fission

3.4 Be able to describe DNA as a polymer made up of:

(a) two strands coiled to form a double helix

(b) strands linked by a series of complementary base pairs joined together by weak hydrogen bonds

(c) nucleotides that consist of a sugar and phosphate group with one of the four different bases attached to the sugar

DNA structure and Protein Synthesis

3.5 Be able to describe the genome as the entire DNA of an organism and a gene as a section of a DNA molecule that codes for a specific protein

Introduction to the GENOME, gene expression - considering chromosomes, alleles, genotype, phenotype, variations

3.6 Be able to explain how to extract DNA from fruit

3.12 Be able to explain why there are differences in the inherited characteristics as a result of alleles

3.13 Be able to explain the terms:  chromosome, gene, allele, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous, genotype, phenotype, gamete and zygote

DNA and RNA structure and Protein Synthesis and an experiment to extract DNA

Introduction to the GENOME, gene expression - considering chromosomes, alleles, genotype, phenotype, variations

3.14 Be able to explain monohybrid inheritance using genetic diagrams, Punnett squares and family pedigrees.

Introduction to the inheritance of characteristics and genetic diagrams (including Punnett squares)  including technical terms, Mendel's work and inherited genetic disorder, genetic testing

3.15 Be able to describe how the sex of offspring is determined at fertilisation, using genetic diagrams

Inherited characteristics and human sexual reproduction, genetic fingerprinting and its uses

3.16 Be able to calculate and analyse outcomes (using probabilities, ratios and percentages) from monohybrid crosses and pedigree analysis for dominant and recessive traits.

3.19 Be able to state that most phenotypic features are the result of multiple genes rather than single gene inheritance.

Introduction to the inheritance of characteristics and genetic diagrams (including Punnett squares)  including technical terms, Mendel's work and inherited genetic disorder, genetic testing

3.20 Be able to describe the causes of variation that influence phenotype, including:

(a) genetic variation – different characteristics as a result of mutation and sexual reproduction

(b) environmental variation – different characteristics caused by an organism’s environment (acquired characteristics)

Evolution - theories and evidence, variation, speciation - new/old species & extinctions, selective breeding

3.21 Discuss the outcomes of the Human Genome Project and its potential applications within medicine

3.22 Be able to state that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species and that these arise through mutations

3.23 Be able to state that most genetic mutations have no effect on the phenotype, some mutations have a small effect on the phenotype and, rarely, a single mutation will significantly affect the phenotype

Introduction to the GENOME, gene expression - considering chromosomes, alleles, genotype, phenotype, variations

An introduction to genetic variation and the formation and consequence of mutations 

Practicals you may have done

Investigating the variations within a species to illustrate continuous variation and discontinuous variation.

Investigating inheritance using suitable organisms or models.

Topic 4  Natural selection and genetic modification  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

(Exam revision summary for Edexcel GCSE 9-1 combined science paper 1 biology 1, Topic 4 "Natural selection and genetic modification")

Evolution - theories and evidence, variation, speciation - new/old species & extinctions, selective breeding

You should be able to ....

4.2 Be able to explain Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection

4.3 Be able to explain how the emergence of resistant organisms supports Darwin’s theory of evolution including antibiotic resistance in bacteria

4.4 Be able to describe the evidence for human evolution, based on fossils, including:

(a) Ardi from 4.4 million years ago

(b) Lucy from 3.2 million years ago

(c) Leakey’s discovery of fossils from 1.6 million years ago

4.5 Be able to describe the evidence for human evolution based on stone tools, including:

(a) the development of stone tools over time

(b) how these can be dated from their environment

4.7 Be able to describe how genetic analysis has led to the suggestion of the three domains rather than the five kingdoms classification method

4.8 Be able to explain selective breeding and its impact on food plants and domesticated animals

4.10 Be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism to introduce desirable characteristics

4.11 (HT only) Be able to describe the main stages of genetic engineering including the use of:

(a) restriction enzymes,  (b) ligase,  (c) sticky ends,  (d) vectors

4.14 Evaluate the benefits and risks of genetic engineering and selective breeding in modern agriculture and medicine including practical and ethical implications

Evolution - theories and evidence, variation, speciation - new/old species & extinctions, selective breeding

Genetic engineering: uses - making insulin, medical applications, GM crops and food security

Cloning - tissue culture of plants and animals, uses of cloning techniques

Topic 5   Health, disease and the development of medicines  (revision study notes for Edexcel gcse combined science biology)

(Exam revision summary for Edexcel GCSE 9-1 combined science paper 1 biology 1, Topic 5 "Health, disease and the development of medicines")

You should be able to ....

5.1 Be able to describe health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

5.2 Be able to describe the difference between communicable and noncommunicable diseases

5.3 Be able to explain why the presence of one disease can lead to a higher susceptibility to other diseases

5.4 Be able to describe a pathogen as a disease-causing organism including viruses, bacteria, fungi and protists

Keeping healthy - communicable diseases - pathogen infections

Keeping healthy - non-communicable diseases - risk factors for e.g. cancers

5.5 Be able to describe some common infections, including:

(a) cholera (bacteria) causes diarrhoea

(b) tuberculosis (bacteria) causes lung damage

(c) Chalara ash dieback (fungi) causes leaf loss and bark lesions

Plant diseases and defences against pathogens and pests

(d) malaria (protists) causes damage to blood and liver

(e) HIV (virus) destroys white blood cells, leading to the onset of AIDS

Keeping healthy - communicable diseases - pathogen infections

5.6 Be able to explain how pathogens are spread and how this spread can be reduced or prevented, including:

(a) cholera (bacteria) - water

(b) tuberculosis (bacteria) – airborne

(c) Chalara ash dieback (fungi) - airborne

(d) malaria (protists) - animal vectors

Keeping healthy - communicable diseases - pathogen infections 

Plant diseases and defences against pathogens and pests

5.8 Be able to explain how sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are spread and how this spread can be reduced or prevented, including:

(a) Chlamydia (bacteria)

(b) HIV (virus)

Keeping healthy - communicable diseases - pathogen infections

5.12 Be able to describe how the physical barriers and chemical defences of the human body provide protection from pathogens, including:

(a) physical barriers including mucus, cilia and skin

(b) chemical defence including lysozymes and hydrochloric acid

Keeping healthy - defence against pathogens, infections, treating diseases, vaccination, drugs, monoclonal antibodies, detecting diseases

5.13 Be able to explain the role of the specific immune system of the human body in defence against disease, including:

(a) exposure to pathogen

(b) the antigens trigger an immune response which causes the production of antibodies

(c) the antigens also trigger production of memory lymphocytes

(d) the role of memory lymphocytes in the secondary response to the antigen

Keeping Healthy - How do our bodies defend themselves against infectious diseases?

5.14 Be able to explain the body’s response to immunisation using an inactive form of a pathogen

5.16 Be able to explain that antibiotics can only be used to treat bacterial infections because they inhibit cell processes in the bacterium but not the host organism

5.20 Be able to describe that the process of developing new medicines, including antibiotics, has many stages including discovery, development, preclinical and clinical testing

Keeping Healthy - How do our bodies defend themselves against infectious diseases?

Keeping healthy - defence against pathogens, infections, treating diseases, vaccination, new drugs and testing, monoclonal antibodies, detecting diseases and development of new drugs and medicines

5.23 Be able to describe that many non-communicable human diseases are caused by the interaction of a number of factors including cardiovascular diseases, many forms of cancer, some lung and liver diseases and diseases influenced by nutrition

Keeping healthy - non-communicable diseases - risk factors for e.g. CVD, cancers

Homeostasis - control of blood sugar level - insulin and diabetes

5.24 Be able to explain the effect of lifestyle factors on non-communicable diseases at local, national and global levels, including:

(a) exercise and diet on obesity and malnutrition, including BMI and waist : hip ratio calculations

BMI = weight (kg) ÷ (height in m)²

(b) alcohol on liver diseases

(c) smoking on cardiovascular diseases

Keeping healthy - diet and exercise, body/mass/hip indexes

Keeping healthy - non-communicable diseases - risk factors for e.g. CVD, cancers, body/mass/hip indexes

5.25 Be able to evaluate some different treatments for cardiovascular disease, including:

(a) life-long medication

(b) surgical procedures

(c) lifestyle changes

Keeping healthy - diet and exercise, body/mass/hip indexes

Keeping healthy - non-communicable diseases - risk factors for e.g. CVD, cancers, body/mass/hip indexes

Human circulatory system - heart, lungs, blood, blood vessels, causes/treatment of cardiovascular disease

Practicals you may have encountered

Investigating antimicrobial properties of plants.

Investigating the conditions affecting growth of micro-organisms (using resazurin dye).

Doc Brown's Edexcel GCSE combined science biology exam revision notes

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