All 21 IGCSE Biology Topics (Cambridge 0610)
The complete 0610/0970 syllabus, topic by topic. Our guides are deliberately different from generic revision notes: each one is angled on how Cambridge marks the topic: worked exam questions with mark schemes, common mistakes, and how to phrase the 6-mark answer.
Written and reviewed for accuracy by our Biology specialists. New guides are added in quality batches. Depth first, never filler.
Cells & the basics of life
5 topicsTopic 1 · Guide available
Characteristics & classification of living organisms
MRS GREN, the binomial system, the five kingdoms, vertebrate and arthropod groups, dichotomous keys, and viruses, bacteria and fungi (Supplement).
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Topic 2 · Guide available
Organisation of the organism
Animal, plant and bacterial cell structure, specialised cells, tissues and organs, and the size & magnification calculations examiners love.
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Topic 3 · Guide available
Movement into & out of cells
Diffusion, osmosis (including water potential, turgor and plasmolysis) and active transport. The most predictable 6-mark territory in the whole syllabus.
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Topic 4 · Guide available
Biological molecules
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the food tests, the roles of water, and DNA structure (Supplement).
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Topic 5 · Guide available
Enzymes
Enzyme action and specificity, the effect of temperature and pH, and the practical investigations that feed straight into Papers 5 and 6.
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Plants
2 topicsTopic 6 · Guide available
Plant nutrition
Photosynthesis equations, limiting factors, leaf structure and adaptations, and the classic investigation questions.
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Topic 8 · Guide available
Transport in plants
Xylem and phloem, water uptake, transpiration and the factors affecting it, and translocation (Supplement).
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The human body
8 topicsTopic 7 · Guide available
Human nutrition
Balanced diet and deficiencies, the alimentary canal, chemical digestion and bile (Supplement), and absorption through villi.
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Topic 9 · Guide available
Transport in animals
Single vs double circulation, heart structure and coronary heart disease, blood vessels and blood components.
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Topic 10 · Guide available
Diseases & immunity
Pathogens and transmissible disease, the body's defences, active and passive immunity (Supplement), vaccination and antibodies.
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Topic 11 · Guide available
Gas exchange in humans
Features of gas-exchange surfaces, lung structure, ventilation, the effects of exercise, and smoking-related disease.
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Topic 12 · Guide available
Respiration
Aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration in humans and yeast, oxygen debt (Supplement), and how to keep it separate from breathing in your answers.
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Topic 13 · Guide available
Excretion in humans
Kidney structure and function, the nephron. Filtration and reabsorption (Supplement), and dialysis (Supplement).
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Topic 14 · Guide available
Coordination & response
The nervous system and reflex arc, the eye, hormones and adrenaline, homeostasis. Temperature and blood glucose (Supplement), tropisms and auxins (Supplement).
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Topic 15 · Guide available
Drugs
Medicinal drugs and antibiotics, plus the misused drugs content. Alcohol and heroin (Supplement).
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Reproduction, genetics & evolution
3 topicsTopic 16 · Guide available
Reproduction
Asexual and sexual reproduction, flower structure, pollination and germination, human reproduction, the menstrual cycle and hormones (Supplement), and STIs.
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Topic 17 · Guide available
Inheritance
Chromosomes, genes and proteins, mitosis and meiosis, monohybrid crosses and Punnett squares, co-dominance and sex linkage (Supplement).
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Topic 18 · Guide available
Variation & selection
Continuous and discontinuous variation, adaptive features, natural selection and evolution, and selective breeding.
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Ecology & the environment
3 topicsTopic 19 · Guide available
Organisms & their environment
Energy flow, food chains and webs, trophic levels and pyramids, the carbon cycle, the nitrogen cycle (Supplement) and population growth.
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Topic 20 · Guide available
Human influences on ecosystems
Food supply, habitat destruction and biodiversity, pollution and eutrophication (Supplement), conservation and sustainability.
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Topic 21 · Guide available
Biotechnology & genetic modification
Why microorganisms are used, fermenters, enzymes and insulin production, and genetic modification concepts (Supplement).
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Revising for the exam itself?
Pair these topic guides with the 8-week revision plan, the 0610 exam format guide and the 6-mark answer technique.
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