The 0610 Syllabus Checklist (Printable)

All 21 Cambridge IGCSE Biology topics as tickable statements. (S) marks Supplement content. Extended candidates need everything; Core candidates can skip (S) rows.

Tip: tick only what you could explain to someone else without notes. “I've seen it before” is not a tick. Prefer ticking on screen? Use the interactive checklist.

1. Characteristics & classification of living organisms

List and explain the characteristics of living organisms (MRS GREN)
Define species and use the binomial naming system
Classify vertebrates (5 classes) and arthropods (4 groups) by visible features
Use and construct dichotomous keys
Describe features of the five kingdoms (S)
Describe features of viruses, bacteria and fungi (S)

2. Organisation of the organism

Label animal and plant cells and state the function of each structure
Describe bacterial cell structure
Relate specialised cells (root hair, red blood cell, ciliated, etc.) to their functions
Order cell → tissue → organ → organ system with examples
Calculate magnification and actual size (including unit conversions mm ↔ µm)

3. Movement into & out of cells

Define diffusion and state the factors affecting it
Define osmosis using the words water potential and partially permeable membrane
Describe and explain osmosis experiments (potato strips, Visking tubing)
Explain turgid, flaccid, plasmolysis in plant tissue (S)
Define active transport and explain why it needs energy from respiration (S)

4. Biological molecules

List the elements in carbohydrates, fats and proteins and their building blocks
Describe the food tests: iodine, Benedict's, biuret, ethanol emulsion, DCPIP
State the roles of water as a solvent
Describe DNA structure (double helix, base pairing A–T, C–G) (S)

5. Enzymes

Define enzyme and catalyst; explain enzyme specificity (active site, substrate, products)
Describe and explain the effect of temperature on enzyme activity (use 'denatured', never 'killed')
Describe and explain the effect of pH on enzyme activity
Explain enzyme action in terms of complementary shape and kinetic energy of molecules (S)
Plan/interpret enzyme investigations (variables, controls, rates)

6. Plant nutrition

State the word and balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis
Explain limiting factors (light, CO₂, temperature) and interpret graphs (S)
Describe leaf structure and relate each adaptation to photosynthesis
Describe the starch test and experiments on light/chlorophyll/CO₂ requirement
State the importance of nitrate and magnesium ions for the plant

7. Human nutrition

Describe a balanced diet and the causes/effects of deficiencies (vitamin C, D, iron, calcium, protein)
Label the alimentary canal and associated organs; describe each region's function
Describe mechanical digestion: teeth types and peristalsis
Describe chemical digestion: amylase, protease, lipase. Sites and substrates/products
Explain the role of bile (neutralising and emulsifying) (S)
Explain how villi adapt the small intestine for absorption

8. Transport in plants

State the functions and positions of xylem and phloem
Describe the pathway of water: root hair → root cortex → xylem → leaf
Define transpiration and explain the effects of temperature, humidity and wind speed
Explain water movement in terms of evaporation and the transpiration pull (S)
Define translocation (sources and sinks) (S)

9. Transport in animals

Describe single and double circulation and the advantage of double (S)
Label heart structure; explain valves, septum and the thicker left ventricle wall
Describe coronary heart disease. Causes, risk factors and prevention
Compare arteries, veins and capillaries (structure ↔ function)
List blood components and their functions; describe clotting (fibrinogen → fibrin)

10. Diseases & immunity

Define pathogen and transmissible disease; describe direct and indirect transmission
Describe the body's defences: skin, nose hairs, mucus, stomach acid, white blood cells
Explain phagocytosis and antibody production by lymphocytes (S)
Explain active vs passive immunity and how vaccination works (S)
Explain the importance of hygienic food preparation, waste disposal and sewage treatment

11. Gas exchange in humans

List the features of gas exchange surfaces (large area, thin, well supplied with blood/ventilated)
Label the gas exchange system (trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli)
Describe the differences between inspired and expired air and test with limewater
Explain the role of ribs, intercostal muscles and diaphragm in ventilation (S)
Explain the effects of exercise on breathing rate and depth

12. Respiration

Define respiration as releasing energy from nutrient molecules (never 'producing energy')
State uses of energy in the body and the word/chemical equation for aerobic respiration
State the word equations for anaerobic respiration in muscles and in yeast
Explain oxygen debt and how lactic acid is removed (S)
Describe investigations using respiring seeds/organisms

13. Excretion in humans

Define excretion; state the substances excreted by lungs and kidneys
Label the urinary system and describe the kidney's role
Describe the nephron: filtration at the glomerulus and reabsorption of glucose, water, ions (S)
Outline dialysis and discuss kidney transplants (S)
Explain why urea is formed (deamination of excess amino acids in the liver) (S)

14. Coordination & response

Describe the human nervous system (CNS + peripheral) and the reflex arc in full sequence
Label the eye and explain pupil reflex and accommodation
Define hormone; describe adrenaline's effects
Define homeostasis; explain temperature regulation (vasodilation/vasoconstriction, sweating, shivering) (S)
Explain blood glucose control by insulin and glucagon; relate to Type 1 diabetes (S)
Define phototropism and gravitropism; explain the role of auxin (S)

15. Drugs

Define drug; describe the use of antibiotics (bacteria only, not viruses)
Explain antibiotic resistance and how to limit it (S)
Describe the effects of excessive alcohol consumption (S)
Describe the effects of heroin misuse and the link to injecting and HIV (S)

16. Reproduction

Define asexual and sexual reproduction and discuss advantages/disadvantages of each (S)
Label an insect-pollinated flower; compare with wind-pollinated
Describe pollination, fertilisation and the conditions for germination
Label male and female reproductive systems; describe fertilisation and development of the fetus
Describe the menstrual cycle and the roles of oestrogen, progesterone, FSH and LH (S)
Describe methods of birth control and how STIs (incl. HIV) spread and are controlled

17. Inheritance

Define gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous
Describe mitosis (growth, repair, asexual reproduction) and meiosis (gamete production) (S)
Complete and interpret monohybrid crosses with Punnett squares, including 3:1 and 1:1 ratios
Explain sex determination (XX/XY)
Explain co-dominance (blood groups) and sex-linked inheritance (colour blindness) (S)
Describe how a gene codes for a protein via mRNA (S)

18. Variation & selection

Distinguish continuous and discontinuous variation with examples
Define mutation and state causes (radiation, chemicals)
Define adaptive feature and interpret examples (hydrophytes, xerophytes) (S)
Describe natural selection step by step (variation → competition → survival → reproduction → inheritance)
Compare natural selection with selective breeding
Explain antibiotic-resistant bacteria as evidence of evolution (S)

19. Organisms & their environment

Define producer, consumer, herbivore, carnivore, decomposer, food chain/web, trophic level
Explain energy loss between trophic levels and why food chains are short (S)
Draw and interpret pyramids of numbers, biomass and energy
Describe the carbon cycle
Describe the nitrogen cycle including the roles of bacteria (S)
Interpret population growth curves (lag, log/exponential, stationary, death phases) (S)

20. Human influences on ecosystems

Describe how modern technology increases food production
Explain the negative impacts of monocultures and intensive livestock production (S)
Describe the reasons for and effects of habitat destruction and deforestation
Explain eutrophication of water (fertiliser → algal bloom → decomposition → oxygen depletion) (S)
Describe the causes and effects of plastic pollution
Explain conservation: endangered species, seed banks, captive breeding, sustainable resources

21. Biotechnology & genetic modification

Explain why bacteria are useful in biotechnology (rapid reproduction, plasmids, no ethical concerns)
Describe the role of yeast in bread and biofuel production
Describe the use of pectinase, biological washing powders and lactase
Describe fermenter conditions (temperature, pH, oxygen, nutrients, agitation, sterility) (S)
Define genetic modification; outline insulin production using GM bacteria (S)
Discuss advantages and disadvantages of GM crops (S)

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