Biology
14
specification units
52
named subtopics
Year 12–Year 13
year groups
Pearson Edexcel International A Level Biology is organised here into 14 specification units covering 52 named subtopics, studied across Year 12–Year 13. The units are Lifestyle, Health and Risk, Transport and the Circulatory System, Biological Molecules and Enzymes, Cell Structure and Membranes, Cell Division and Development, Biodiversity and Conservation, Practical Skills in Biology I, Photosynthesis and Energy, Environment and Ecosystems, Microbiology and Immunity, Respiration and Muscles, Homeostasis and Coordination, Gene Technology and Practical Skills in Biology II.
Each subtopic is tagged on the question bank, so you can practise one skill at a time, sit a full Edexcel IAL past paper, or build a mixed worksheet from several units at once. Answers are checked against the Pearson Edexcel International A Level mark scheme, awarding method, accuracy and final-answer marks separately so you can see exactly where marks were lost.
Biological Molecules and Enzymes is the widest unit on this specification with 5 subtopics, so it is usually the highest-value place to start revision.
Lifestyle, Health and Risk
- Health, risk and correlation
- Cardiovascular disease risk factors
- Diet, energy balance and obesity
Transport and the Circulatory System
- The mammalian heart and cardiac cycle
- Blood vessels and tissue fluid formation
- Atherosclerosis and blood clotting
Biological Molecules and Enzymes
- Carbohydrates and lipids
- Proteins and their structure
- Enzymes and the rate of reactions
- DNA, RNA and protein synthesis
- Genetic inheritance and mutation
Cell Structure and Membranes
- Cell ultrastructure and organelles
- Cell membranes and transport
- Microscopy and measurement
Cell Division and Development
- DNA replication and the cell cycle
- Mitosis and meiosis
- Stem cells and cell differentiation
- Sexual reproduction and gametes
Biodiversity and Conservation
- Natural selection and evolution
- Classification and the species concept
- Biodiversity and adaptation
- Conservation and plant fibres
Practical Skills in Biology I
- Planning and experimental design
- Data collection and recording
- Analysis and evaluation
- Microscopy techniques
Photosynthesis and Energy
- Light-dependent reactions
- The Calvin cycle
- Limiting factors of photosynthesis
Environment and Ecosystems
- Climate change and the carbon cycle
- Effect of temperature on organisms
- Biodiversity, niches and ecosystems
- Evolution, speciation and Hardy-Weinberg
Microbiology and Immunity
- Bacteria, viruses and microbial growth
- Aseptic technique and culturing
- The immune response and antibodies
- Antibiotics and drug action
Respiration and Muscles
- Glycolysis, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation
- Anaerobic respiration
- Muscles and movement
Homeostasis and Coordination
- Homeostasis and the internal environment
- The kidney and osmoregulation
- The nervous system and nerve impulses
- Synapses and neurotransmitters
- Hormonal control and the endocrine system
Gene Technology
- DNA sequencing and PCR
- Genetic modification and biotechnology
- Applications of gene technology
Practical Skills in Biology II
- Advanced experimental design
- Statistical analysis of data
- Evaluation of methodology
- Independent investigation
How to revise Edexcel IAL Biology
- 1
Diagnose with one mixed set
Start with a mixed set drawn from all 14 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 Lifestyle, Health and Risk to Practical Skills in Biology II, 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 IAL 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
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 IAL Biology.
The fastest route is past-paper-first revision: practise exam-style questions by topic, mark every answer against the real Pearson Edexcel International A Level 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 International A Level Biology is mapped to the official specification and covers 14 units, including Lifestyle, Health and Risk, Transport and the Circulatory System, Biological Molecules and Enzymes, Cell Structure and Membranes, Cell Division and Development, Biodiversity and Conservation 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 IAL 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 International A Level 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 International A Level 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 International A Level specification is aimed at Years 12–13. 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 International A Level 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.