Biology
9
specification units
52
named subtopics
Year 8–Year 11
year groups
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology is organised here into 9 specification units covering 52 named subtopics, studied across Year 8–Year 11. The units are Key concepts in biology, Cells and control, Genetics, Natural selection and genetic modification, Health, disease and the development of medicines, Plant structures and their functions, Animal coordination, control and homeostasis, Exchange and transport in animals and Ecosystems and material cycles.
Each subtopic is tagged on the question bank, so you can practise one skill at a time, sit a full Edexcel GCSE past paper, or build a mixed worksheet from several units at once. Answers are checked against the Pearson Edexcel GCSE mark scheme, awarding method, accuracy and final-answer marks separately so you can see exactly where marks were lost.
Key concepts in biology is the widest unit on this specification with 7 subtopics, so it is usually the highest-value place to start revision.
Key concepts in biology
- Eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells
- Animal and plant cells
- Specialised cells
- Microscopy and magnification
- Enzymes and the rate of reactions
- pH, temperature and enzyme activity
- Transport across cell membranes
Cells and control
- Mitosis and the cell cycle
- Growth in animals and plants
- Stem cells and their uses
- The nervous system and reflexes
- The brain and central nervous system
Genetics
- Sexual and asexual reproduction
- Meiosis
- DNA structure and the genome
- Genetic inheritance and Mendel
- Inherited disorders and sex determination
- Variation and mutation
Natural selection and genetic modification
- Evolution and natural selection
- Evidence for evolution and classification
- Selective breeding
- Genetic engineering
- Tissue culture and biotechnology
Health, disease and the development of medicines
- Health and communicable disease
- Pathogens and the spread of disease
- Sexually transmitted infections and prevention
- Plant defences and detecting disease
- The human immune system
- Antibiotics and the development of medicines
- Non-communicable disease and lifestyle
Plant structures and their functions
- Photosynthesis
- Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
- Transport in plants: xylem and phloem
- Transpiration and translocation
- Plant hormones and their uses
Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
- Hormones and the endocrine system
- The menstrual cycle and its hormonal control
- Hormones in reproduction and contraception
- Control of blood glucose and diabetes
- Thyroxine, adrenaline and negative feedback
- Osmoregulation and the kidney
Exchange and transport in animals
- Surface area to volume ratio and exchange
- The circulatory system and blood
- The heart and blood vessels
- Gas exchange and the respiratory system
Ecosystems and material cycles
- Ecosystems, communities and interdependence
- Abiotic and biotic factors
- Sampling and measuring populations
- Biodiversity and human impact
- The carbon cycle
- The water and nitrogen cycles
- Decomposition and preserving food
How to revise Edexcel GCSE Biology
- 1
Diagnose with one mixed set
Start with a mixed set drawn from all 9 units to find where Biology marks are actually being lost, rather than revising what already feels comfortable.
- 2
Drill unit by unit
Work through the subtopics in order, from Key concepts in biology to Ecosystems and material cycles, doing short focused sets rather than long unfocused sessions.
- 3
Sit a full past paper under timing
Once two or three units are solid, sit a complete Edexcel GCSE Biology paper to timing and mark it against the official mark scheme.
- 4
Re-practise only the dropped marks
Convert every dropped mark into a targeted set on that subtopic, then re-test it a week later to check the fix stuck.
Continue with Biology
Every board and level we cover for this subject
GCSE Biology revision notes14 topic and subtopic notes with worked examples
Predicted papersPractice papers built from the topics that recur most
Past paper practiceSit whole papers online with examiner-grade marking
Other specifications for this subject
Biology — frequently asked questions
Everything students and parents ask about revising Edexcel GCSE Biology.
The fastest route is past-paper-first revision: practise exam-style questions by topic, mark every answer against the real Pearson Edexcel GCSE mark scheme, then drill the topics where you lose marks. On MathsGradeUp you can do all of this for Biology in one place — topic practice, full past papers and instant examiner-grade feedback.
Pearson Edexcel GCSE Biology is mapped to the official specification and covers 9 units, including Key concepts in biology, Cells and control, Genetics, Natural selection and genetic modification, Health, disease and the development of medicines, Plant structures and their functions and more. Every unit is broken down into subtopics so you can target exactly what you need to revise.
Yes. You can open full Edexcel GCSE Biology past papers, write directly on them with pen and maths tools, save your work, export a PDF, and submit for examiner-grade marking against the mark scheme.
Yes — our predicted papers for Biology are assembled from the topics that recur most in Pearson Edexcel GCSE exams and the topics you have practised least. They are a revision aid built from the specification, not leaked content.
Each answer is checked against the real Pearson Edexcel GCSE mark scheme, awarding method, accuracy and final-answer marks the way a real examiner would. You see exactly where marks were earned or dropped, with feedback you can act on.
Biology on the Pearson Edexcel GCSE specification is aimed at Years 8–11. You can filter practice by year group and topic so the questions always match where you are in the course.
Yes. The Biology content follows the current Pearson Edexcel GCSE specification, including all units and subtopics, so what you practise reflects what you will actually be examined on.
Yes — Biology practice, past papers and marking are free during our early launch period. Subscription plans may be introduced later, but launch users get full access now.
You do not just get an answer to copy. Biology marking guides you with hints, worked steps and mark-scheme-based feedback so you understand the method and pick up the marks yourself next time. Calculation-style questions are tagged so you can practise both structured and extended-response answers.
Yes. Parents and tutors can see completed Biology practice, accuracy, weak topics and overall exam readiness, making it easy to support revision and focus on the right areas.
Short, regular sessions beat occasional long ones. Aim for a few focused Biology sessions a week, always finishing by marking your work so each session ends with clear next steps. The progress dashboard shows what to revise next.