All 21 IGCSE Biology Topics (Cambridge 0610)
Browse the full Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus in topic order. Each guide explains the Biology first, then shows how the idea is used in questions and practical work.
Checked against the 2026–2028 syllabus and reviewed through the named Biology editorial panel.
Plan
Use the syllabus checklist
Separate Core and Supplement statements and record what can be explained without notes.
Apply
Review practical skills
Connect theory to variables, methods, graphs, drawings and evaluation.
Check
Attempt fresh questions
Confirm the topic with written answers rather than familiarity alone.
Cells & the basics of life
5 topicsTopic 1
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
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
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
Biological molecules
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the food tests, the roles of water, and DNA structure (Supplement).
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Topic 5
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
Plant nutrition
Photosynthesis equations, limiting factors, leaf structure and adaptations, and the classic investigation questions.
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Topic 8
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
Human nutrition
Balanced diet and deficiencies, the alimentary canal, chemical digestion and bile (Supplement), and absorption through villi.
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Topic 9
Transport in animals
Single vs double circulation, heart structure and coronary heart disease, blood vessels and blood components.
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Topic 10
Diseases & immunity
Pathogens and transmissible disease, the body's defences, active and passive immunity (Supplement), vaccination and antibodies.
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Topic 11
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
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
Excretion in humans
Kidney structure and function, the nephron. Filtration and reabsorption (Supplement), and dialysis (Supplement).
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Topic 14
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
Drugs
Medicinal drugs and antibiotics, plus the misused drugs content. Alcohol and heroin (Supplement).
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Reproduction, genetics & evolution
3 topicsTopic 16
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
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
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
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
Human influences on ecosystems
Food supply, habitat destruction and biodiversity, pollution and eutrophication (Supplement), conservation and sustainability.
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Topic 21
Biotechnology & genetic modification
Why microorganisms are used, fermenters, enzymes and insulin production, and genetic modification concepts (Supplement).
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Build a revision sequence
Use the revision method to decide how to learn each topic, the 8-week plan to schedule it and the exam-format guide to balance work across the three components.