• Exam practice

    • GCSE Biology: exam-style questions

      AQA GCSE foundation and higher triple science exam practice with Bitesize interactive quizzes covering feedback and common errors in cells, organisation and more.

    • GCSE Biology: quick-fire questions

      Foundation and higher exam quiz based on AQA GCSE biology past papers to boost your revision in photosynthesis, respiration, plant disease and more.

  • Podcasts

    • The Cell

      All living things are made of cells, which is why they’re called the building blocks of life.

    • The organisation of plants and animals

      Learn all about plant and animal organisation with Dr Alex Lathbridge.

    • Infection and response

      Learn all about infection and response for your GCSE biology exam with Dr Alex Lathbridge.

    • Homeostasis

      Learn all about homeostasis for your GCSE Biology exam with Dr Alex Lathbridge.

    • Inheritance, variation and evolution

      Learn all about inheritance, variation and evolution for your GCSE Biology exam with Dr Alex Lathbridge.

    • Ecology

      Learn all about ecology for your GCSE Biology exam with Dr Alex Lathbridge.

    • Science exam techniques

      Learn all about science exam techniques for your GCSE science exams with Dr Alex Lathbridge.

  • Cell biology

    • Cell structure - AQA

      Organisms are made up of cells. Most organisms are multicellular and have cells that are specialised to do a particular job. Microscopes are needed to study cells in detail.

    • Cell division - AQA

      Chromosomes carry genetic information in a molecule called DNA. A type of cell division called mitosis ensures that when a cell divides each new cell produced has the same genetic information.

    • Transport in cells - AQA

      For an organism to function, substances must move into and out of cells. Three processes contribute to this movement – diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

    • Sample exam questions - cell biology - AQA

      Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.

  • Organisation

    • Animal organisation - gaseous exchange systems - AQA

      Most animals and plants consist of different types of cells organised as tissues, organs and systems. The human respiratory system is a body system adapted for efficient gas exchange.

    • Animal organisation - digestion - AQA

      The major nutrients required for a healthy diet are carbohydrates, proteins and lipids. The digestive system breaks down large molecules of food, which are then absorbed into the bloodstream.

    • Animal organisation - transport systems - AQA

      Multicellular organisms require transport systems to supply their cells and remove waste products. In humans, one of the functions of the circulatory system is to transport substances.

    • Plant organisation - AQA

      Plant cells, tissues and organs are adapted to their functions. The stem, root and leaves form an organ system that transports substances into, around and out of a plant.

    • Non-communicable diseases - AQA

      Health is the state of physical and mental well-being. Factors work together and affect physical and mental health. A disease is a disorder that affects an organism's body, organs, tissues or cells.

    • Sample exam questions - organisation - AQA

      Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.

  • Infection and response

    • Communicable diseases - AQA

      Pathogens are disease-causing viruses, bacteria, fungi or protists, which can infect animals and plants. Humans have an immune system, which can defend them from pathogens.

    • Treating, curing and preventing disease - AQA

      Some diseases can be treated with antibiotics. Vaccinations allow protection against specific diseases, but the level of protection depends on the amount of people vaccinated.

    • Monoclonal antibodies - Higher - AQA

      Monoclonal antibodies are identical copies of one type of antibody.

    • Plant disease - AQA

      Pathogens are disease-causing viruses, bacteria, fungi or protists which attack plants as well as animals. Plants have physical and chemical defences against pathogens.

    • Sample exam questions - infection and response - AQA

      Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.

  • Bioenergetics

    • Photosynthesis - AQA

      Plants make their own food using photosynthesis. The food that plants produce is important, not only for the plants themselves, but for the other organisms that feed on the plants.

    • Respiration - AQA

      All organisms respire in order to release energy to fuel their living processes. The respiration can be aerobic, which uses glucose and oxygen, or anaerobic which uses only glucose.

    • Sample exam questions - bioenergetics - AQA

      Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.

  • Homeostasis and response

  • Inheritance, variation and evolution

    • Reproduction, the genome and gene expression - AQA

      Reproduction occurs in all organisms. DNA is important, as it allows new proteins to be synthesised. Mutations in the DNA can have serious implications.

    • Genetic inheritance - AQA

      Our genes are inherited from our parents, and the different combinations of these genes make us unique. Genetic inheritance controls the characteristics of all living things.

    • Variation - AQA

      Variation in species can be generated by genetics. Mutations arise spontaneously and can sometimes lead to genetic disorders or death. Genes can be inserted into a genome through genetic engineering.

    • Evolution - AQA

      Evolution is the change of inherited characteristics within a population over time through natural selection, which may result in the formation of a new species.

    • Classification of living organisms - AQA

      Living things are classified using a system developed by Carl Linnaeus. Organisms are commonly named by the binomial system of genus and species.

    • Sample exam questions - inheritance, variation and evolution - AQA

      Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.

  • Ecology

    • Adaptations, interdependence and competition - AQA

      The abundance and distribution of organisms in an ecosystem is determined by biotic and abiotic factors. Animals and plants have adaptations to allow them to compete for resources.

    • Organisation of an ecosystem - AQA

      The feeding relationships between organisms in an ecosystem can be seen in food chains. Sampling allows us to measure the abundance and distribution of these species.

    • Decomposition - AQA

      Decomposition, or decay, is the breakdown of dead matter. The rate at which this happens depends upon the number of decomposing microorganisms, the temperature, and water and oxygen availability.

    • Biodiversity and the effect of human interaction on ecosystems - AQA

      Biodiversity is a measure of how many different species live in an ecosystem. Human activities like changing land use, deforestation and peat bog destruction reduce this.

    • Trophic levels in an ecosystem - AQA

      Feeding relationships are shown in food chains. Each stage is a trophic level. Biomass is a measure of the total mass of living material in each trophic level.

    • Food production - AQA

      Factors such as the increase in human population, new pests and pathogens, overhunting and armed conflict, can result in food scarcity in some countries.

    • Sample exam questions - ecology - AQA

      Understanding how to approach exam questions helps to boost exam performance. Question types will include multiple choice, structured, mathematical and practical questions.

  • Practical skills

    • Practical skills

      Scientific investigations have several stages - planning, collecting data, analysing data and evaluation. It is important to understand how to carry out each stage of the investigation.

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