United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 11 Biology
An intensive exploration of biological principles from the molecular level to entire ecosystems. Students examine the mechanisms of inheritance, the complexity of human homeostasis, and the urgent challenges facing global biodiversity.
Cellular Energetics and Bioenergetics
Investigating how organisms harness and transform energy through the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.
Analyzing the limiting factors of photosynthesis and how plants optimize glucose production for growth.
Comparing the biochemical pathways of energy release and the physiological effects of oxygen debt in humans.
Exploring the role of enzymes and energy in the synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.
Homeostasis and Response
Examining how the body maintains a constant internal environment through nervous and hormonal control systems.
Mapping the structure and function of the CNS and the mechanics of reflex arcs.
Analyzing the endocrine system's role in blood glucose regulation and the impact of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Exploring the hormonal control of the menstrual cycle and the ethical dimensions of fertility treatments.
Inheritance, Variation, and Evolution
Decoding the genome and understanding the mechanisms that drive the diversity of life on Earth.
Investigating the structure of DNA, the role of genes, and the significance of the Human Genome Project.
Using Punnett squares and pedigree charts to predict the outcomes of monohybrid crosses and inherited disorders.
Exploring Darwin's theory and the evidence for evolution through the fossil record and antibiotic resistance.
Ecology and Biodiversity
Analyzing the interactions within ecosystems and the impact of human activity on the biosphere.
Studying the flow of energy and the cycling of nutrients through biotic and abiotic components.
Assessing how pollution, land use, and global warming are driving the current extinction crisis.
Evaluating methods to feed a growing population while minimizing environmental degradation.
Disease and Bio-Security
Understanding the nature of pathogens and the sophisticated defenses of the human immune system.
Classifying viruses, bacteria, protists, and fungi and their mechanisms of infection.
Detailing the roles of white blood cells, antibodies, and the process of vaccination.
Exploring the rigorous process of testing new medicines from laboratory to clinical trials.
Practical Biology and Synoptic Review
Consolidating laboratory skills and connecting themes across the entire biology specification.
Refining the ability to identify variables, reduce uncertainty, and evaluate experimental validity.
Applying mathematical tools to interpret biological data, including mean, median, and standard deviation.
Synthesizing knowledge from different units to solve complex, multi-disciplinary biological problems.