Here’s a clear and concise breakdown of the IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus (2023–2025)

organized into 21 chapters with their specific subtopics:

1. Characteristics and Classification of Living Organisms

• 7 characteristics of living organisms (MRS GREN).

• The concept of classification: Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species.

• Features of:

o Animals: Vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish).

o Arthropods: Insects, arachnids, crustaceans, myriapods.

o Plants: Flowering and non-flowering plants.

o Fungi, Protoctista, prokaryotes, and viruses.

2. Organisation of the Organism

• Structure and function of plant and animal cells.

• Differences between plant and animal cells.

• Specialized cells: Red blood cells, root hair cells.

• Levels of organisation: Cells → tissues → organs → systems → organisms.

3. Movement in and out of Cells

• Processes of movement:

o Diffusion: Movement of particles.

o Osmosis: Movement of water.

o Active transport: Movement against a concentration gradient.

• Applications: Gas exchange, water uptake by plants.

4. Biological Molecules

• Importance of biological molecules:

o Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and water.

• Food tests:

o Starch (iodine), glucose (Benedict’s), proteins (Biuret), lipids (emulsion test).

5. Enzymes

• Enzymes as biological catalysts.

• The lock-and-key hypothesis.

• Factors affecting enzyme activity:

o Temperature.

o pH.

6. Plant Nutrition

• Photosynthesis:

o Equation: Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen.

o Factors affecting photosynthesis: Light, temperature, CO₂.

• Structure of the leaf and its adaptations.

• Mineral nutrition: Nitrates (proteins) and magnesium (chlorophyll).

7. Human Nutrition

• Components of a balanced diet.

• Effects of malnutrition and deficiency diseases.

• The digestive system:

o Function of organs.

o Role of enzymes: Amylase, protease, lipase.

o Absorption in the small intestine (villi structure).

8. Transport in Plants

• Transport systems:

o Xylem: Water and mineral ions.

o Phloem: Sucrose and amino acids.

• Transpiration and factors affecting its rate.

9. Transport in Animals

• Structure of the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries).

• Components of blood:
 o Plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets.

• The immune system: Role of antibodies and vaccination.

10. Diseases and Immunity

• Types of pathogens:

o Bacteria, viruses, fungi, protoctists.

• Body defenses:

o Physical barriers: Skin, mucus.

o Immune response: Role of white blood cells and vaccination.

11. Gas Exchange in Humans

• Structure of the human gas exchange system:

o Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.

• Gas exchange in alveoli:

o Adaptations for diffusion.

• Breathing mechanism (inhalation and exhalation).

12. Respiration

• Types of respiration:

o Aerobic respiration: Glucose + oxygen → CO₂ + water.

o Anaerobic respiration: Glucose → lactic acid.

• Comparison of energy release in aerobic vs. anaerobic respiration.

13. Excretion in Humans

• Organs of excretion:

o Lungs (CO₂), kidneys (urea), skin (sweat).

• Structure of the urinary system.

• Function of nephrons in filtering and excretion.

14. Coordination and Response

• The nervous system:

 o Neurons (sensory, relay, motor).

o Reflex arcs.

• Endocrine system:

o Role of hormones (e.g., insulin, adrenaline).

• Plant responses:

o Tropisms (phototropism, gravitropism) and auxins.

15. Drugs

• Types of drugs:

o Medicinal (antibiotics).

o Recreational (alcohol, nicotine, heroin).

• Effects of drugs on the nervous system.

16. Reproduction in Plants

• Asexual reproduction:

o Runners (strawberries), tubers (potatoes).

• Sexual reproduction:

o Structure of flowers, pollination, fertilization.

o Seed and fruit formation, seed dispersal.

17. Reproduction in Humans

• Male and female reproductive systems.

• Fertilization, implantation, and development of the fetus.

• The menstrual cycle.

• Methods of birth control.

18. Inheritance

• Chromosomes, genes, and DNA.

• Monohybrid inheritance:

o Dominant and recessive alleles.

o Genetic diagrams and Punnett squares.

19. Variation and Natural Selection

• Variation:

o Continuous (height) and discontinuous (blood group).

• Natural selection:

o Evolution, survival of the fittest.

• Role of mutations in variation.

20. Organisms and their Environment

• Energy flow in ecosystems:

o Food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.

• Cycles:

o Carbon cycle and nitrogen cycle.

21. Human Influences on Ecosystems

• Human impact on the environment:

o Pollution (air, water, soil).

o Deforestation and habitat destruction.

• Conservation:

o Methods of sustainable resource use and protecting endangered species.

Biotechnology and Genetic Modification

This topic is part of the broader study of how humans use biological processes for industrial and
medical purposes.

Key Subtopics

1. Biotechnology

• Definition:
The use of living organisms or biological processes to manufacture useful products or
solve problems.

• Applications:

1. Food production:

▪ Yeast in bread-making and brewing (anaerobic respiration:

fermentation).

▪ Yoghurt production using lactic acid bacteria.

2. Enzymes in industry:

▪ Use of pectinase in fruit juice production.

▪ Use of biological washing powders (proteases and lipases).

3. Production of antibiotics:

▪ Role of fungi (e.g., Penicillium) in antibiotic production.

2. Genetic Modification (Genetic Engineering)

• Definition:
The process of altering the DNA of an organism by introducing genes from another
species.

• Process:

1. Identifying and isolating the desired gene.

2. Using restriction enzymes to cut the DNA and a ligase enzyme to join it.

3. Inserting the gene into a vector (e.g., plasmids or viruses).

4. Introducing the vector into the target organism.

5. Allowing the modified organism to grow and express the desired gene.

• Examples of Genetic Modification:

1. Production of human insulin by genetically modified bacteria.

2. Development of pest-resistant crops (e.g., Bt maize).

3. Herbicide-resistant crops to improve agricultural yields.

3. Genetic Modification in Medicine

• Producing hormones like insulin for diabetes treatment.

• Creating vaccines using genetically modified organisms.

4. Advantages and Disadvantages

• Advantages:

o Increased crop yield and food security.

o Medical benefits like improved treatments.

o Reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilizers.

• Disadvantages:

o Ethical concerns (e.g., “playing God”).

o Potential environmental impacts (e.g., effects on non-target species).

o Risk of genetically modified organisms spreading to wild populations.

This structure reflects the 2023–2025 syllabus precisely, broken down for clarity. Then each
chapter is separated into specific chapters to help understanding.