Edexcel · GCSE

GCSE Biology Topics

174 lessons across 9 units

This is the complete topic map for the Edexcel GCSE Biology course — every unit and topic from the specification in one place: 174 lessons across 9 units, from Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology to Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles. Each topic below opens a focused revision lesson, so revision can start from the course as the exam board organises it — not from a guess about what might come up. Lessons marked Higher cover content that only appears on Higher-tier papers; everything unmarked is for all students.

Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology21 lessons

1.4 Number, size and scale

1.5 Quantitative units relating to cells

1.8 Enzyme denaturation

1.12 Enzymes in synthesis and breakdown

1.15 Transport across membranes

Topic 2 – Cells and control17 lessons

2.1 Mitosis and the cell cycle

2.5 Growth in organisms

2.7 Percentile charts

2.8 Stem cells and meristems

2.12B Nervous system damage and treatment

2.14 Reflex arc

2.16B Eye defects

2.17B Correcting eye defects

Topic 3 – Genetics23 lessons

3.5 Genome and gene

3.7B DNA and protein structure

3.12 Alleles and inheritance

3.13 Genetics terminology

3.15 Sex determination

3.17B ABO blood groups

3.18B Sex-linked disorders

3.19 Polygenic features

3.21 Human Genome Project

3.22 Genetic variation in populations

3.23 Mutations and phenotype

Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification14 lessons

4.4 Human evolution from fossils

4.8 Selective breeding

4.11 Stages of genetic engineering

Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines30 lessons

5.9B Plant physical defences

5.10B Plant chemical defences

5.12 Human non-specific defences

5.15B Immunisation evaluation

5.19B Cross-sectional area calculations

5.20 Developing medicines

5.21B Monoclonal antibody production

5.22B Monoclonal antibody uses

5.25 Cardiovascular treatments

Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions16 lessons

6.4 Limiting factor interactions

6.7 Root hair cells

6.9 Transpiration

6.10 Translocation

6.12 Water uptake factors

6.13 Transpiration rate calculations

6.16B Commercial plant hormones

Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis22 lessons

7.1 Endocrine system

7.4 Menstrual cycle stages

7.5 Menstrual cycle hormones

7.6 Hormonal contraception

7.10B Thermo- and osmoregulation

7.11B Skin and thermoregulation

7.15 Type 1 diabetes

7.16 Type 2 diabetes

7.21B Kidney failure

Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals12 lessons

8.8 Heart and circulation

8.9 Cellular respiration

8.10 Aerobic vs anaerobic

Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles19 lessons

9.1 Levels of organisation

9.2 Abiotic and biotic factors

9.4 Species relationships

9.9 Human ecosystem interactions

9.13 Carbon cycle

9.16B Indicator species

9.17B Decomposition – food preservation

9.18B Decomposition – composting

What Edexcel GCSE Biology covers

The course is organised into 9 units: Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology (21 lessons), Topic 2 – Cells and control (17 lessons), Topic 3 – Genetics (23 lessons), Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification (14 lessons), Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines (30 lessons), Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions (16 lessons), Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis (22 lessons), Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals (12 lessons) and Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles (19 lessons). Together that's 174 lessons — the whole course, with nothing skipped and nothing added.

How to revise with this page

Little and often beats cramming. One topic a night, done properly — read it, try the questions, check yourself — moves a grade more than a weekend binge the week before the exam. The list above is deliberately complete so you can tick through it a topic at a time.

Start from what's coming up, not from the beginning. If a class test or mock is near, open the unit it covers and work through those topics first. Between assessments, work through units in order — later topics usually build on earlier ones.

For parents:you don't need to know the subject to help. Ask which topic tonight's lesson was, open it here, and let them teach it back to you — explaining something out loud is one of the most effective revision techniques there is. Signed-in students see ticks appear on this page as topics are completed, so progress through the course is visible at a glance.

Common questions

What topics are in Edexcel GCSE Biology?

Edexcel GCSE Biology covers 174 topics across 9 units: Topic 1 – Key concepts in biology, Topic 2 – Cells and control, Topic 3 – Genetics, Topic 4 – Natural selection and genetic modification, Topic 5 – Health, disease and the development of medicines, Topic 6 – Plant structures and their functions, Topic 7 – Animal coordination, control and homeostasis, Topic 8 – Exchange and transport in animals and Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles. Each topic on this page opens a focused revision lesson.

How many topics are in Edexcel GCSE Biology?

There are 174 topics in Edexcel GCSE Biology, grouped into 9 units. Some content is marked Higher tier and only appears on Higher-tier papers.

Is this the full Edexcel GCSE Biology specification?

Yes — this page lists every unit and topic on the Edexcel GCSE Biology specification, in the order the exam board organises it. Nothing is skipped and nothing is added.