Biology

Course summary

The Lower Sixth starts by exploring the structure of biological molecules including nucleic acids. You learn about the ultrastructure of cells, getting to explore the intricacies of the organelles, before moving on to study cellular transport and immunity. In the summer term you will learn about exchange of materials and how this is maximised by Fick’s Law, a principle that is applicable to all surfaces where diffusion takes place. The exploration of how materials are transported, genetic coding, genetic diversity and biodiversity are also studied. The Upper Sixth starts by studying the biochemistry of respiration and photosynthesis. You get the opportunity to explore nervous and homeostatic control in greater depth than at GCSE and cover genetics in more detail. The final section involves exploring the ever-expanding area of control of gene expression, including the role of technology in manipulating this.