Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610) Syllabus

Biology (0610) syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Biology (0610) in Cambridge IGCSE, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Characteristics and Organisation of Living Things

   4 topics

   • Characteristics of living organisms
     • The seven life processes
     • Classification and binomial naming
     • Dichotomous keys
   • Cell structure and organisation
     • Plant and animal cells
     • Specialised cells, tissues and organs
     • Size of specimens and magnification
   • Movement into and out of cells
     • Diffusion
     • Osmosis
     • Active transport
   • Biological molecules and enzymes
     • Carbohydrates, proteins and fats
     • Food tests
     • Enzyme action and factors affecting it
2. 2

   Plant and Human Nutrition

   3 topics

   • Photosynthesis
     • Word and balanced equations
     • Limiting factors
     • Leaf structure
   • Human nutrition
     • Balanced diet and deficiencies
     • The alimentary canal
     • Digestion, absorption and assimilation
   • Transport in plants
     • Xylem and phloem
     • Transpiration and translocation
3. 3

   Transport, Respiration and Coordination

   4 topics

   • Transport in animals
     • The heart and circulatory system
     • Blood vessels and blood components
   • Gas exchange and respiration
     • Gas exchange in humans
     • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
   • Excretion and homeostasis
     • The kidney and urine formation
     • Control of body temperature and blood glucose
   • Coordination and response
     • Nervous system and reflex arcs
     • Hormones and the endocrine system
     • Tropisms in plants
4. 4

   Reproduction, Inheritance and Variation

   4 topics

   • Reproduction
     • Asexual and sexual reproduction
     • Sexual reproduction in plants
     • Human reproductive system and pregnancy
   • Chromosomes, genes and DNA
     • DNA structure and protein synthesis
     • Mitosis and meiosis
   • Inheritance
     • Monohybrid crosses and Punnett squares
     • Codominance and sex determination
   • Variation and selection
     • Genetic and environmental variation
     • Natural selection and evolution
     • Selective breeding
5. 5

   Ecology, Organisms and Environment

   4 topics

   • Ecosystems and energy flow
     • Food chains and webs
     • Energy transfer and pyramids
   • Nutrient cycles
     • The carbon cycle
     • The nitrogen cycle
   • Human impact on ecosystems
     • Pollution and its effects
     • Deforestation and conservation
   • Biotechnology and genetic modification
     • Use of microorganisms and enzymes
     • Genetic engineering

Biology (0610) flashcards for Cambridge IGCSE

22 of 69 cards from the Biology (0610) deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the seven characteristics shared by all living organisms (MRS GREN)?

   Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction, Excretion, and Nutrition.

2. Define respiration as a characteristic of living organisms.

   The chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules to release energy for metabolism.

3. Define excretion as a characteristic of living organisms.

   The removal of the toxic waste products of metabolism (e.g. carbon dioxide and urea), toxic materials, and substances in excess.

4. Define sensitivity (irritability).

   The ability to detect and respond to changes (stimuli) in the internal or external environment.

5. List the structures found in a typical animal cell.

   Cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, and ribosomes.

6. Which structures are present in plant cells but absent in animal cells?

   Cell wall (made of cellulose), chloroplasts, and a large permanent (central) vacuole containing cell sap.

7. State the function of the cell membrane.

   It controls what enters and leaves the cell; it is partially permeable.

8. State the function of mitochondria.

   They are the site of aerobic respiration, releasing energy for the cell.

9. State the function of ribosomes.

   They are the site of protein synthesis (assembling amino acids into proteins).

10. Give the order of structures from smallest to largest in biological organisation: cell, organ, tissue, organ system, organism.

    Cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism.

11. Define diffusion.

    The net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration (down a concentration gradient), as a result of their random movement; it does not require energy.

12. Define osmosis.

    The net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a partially permeable membrane.

13. Define active transport.

    The movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower to a region of higher concentration (against the gradient) using energy from respiration and carrier proteins.

14. What happens to a plant cell placed in a solution with lower water potential (concentrated)?

    Water leaves the cell by osmosis, the vacuole shrinks and the membrane pulls away from the cell wall; the cell becomes flaccid and then plasmolysed.

15. Name the three main classes of carbohydrate and give a building-block example.

    Monosaccharides (e.g. glucose), disaccharides (e.g. maltose), and polysaccharides (e.g. starch, glycogen, cellulose).

16. What are the building blocks (smaller molecules) that make up proteins, fats and starch?

    Proteins are made of amino acids; fats (lipids) are made of fatty acids and glycerol; starch is made of glucose units.

17. State the chemical elements present in carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

    Carbohydrates and fats contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen; proteins also contain nitrogen (and sometimes sulfur).

18. Give the food test and positive result for starch.

    Add iodine solution; a positive result changes the colour from orange-brown to blue-black.

19. Give the food test and positive result for reducing sugars.

    Add Benedict's solution and heat; a positive result changes from blue to green/yellow/orange/brick-red.

20. Give the food tests for protein and for fats.

    Protein: Biuret test turns from blue to purple/violet. Fats: ethanol emulsion test produces a white/cloudy emulsion.

21. What is an enzyme?

    A biological catalyst, made of protein, that speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up (lowering the activation energy).

22. Explain how temperature affects enzyme activity, including denaturation.

    Rate increases with temperature up to an optimum; above this the enzyme's active site changes shape (denatures), so the substrate no longer fits and the reaction rate falls.

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