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UPDATED TO 2023-2025 SYLLABUS

CAIE IGCSE

BIOLOGY
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE THEORY SYLLABUS
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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY

The label should point directly to the requested

1. Drawings component/part.
Ensure a ruler is used to draw a label line
Details
1.1. Drawing Specimens Ensure you focus on details such as the number of
body segments or the number of sections seen in the
Make sure you use a sharp pencil.
given image.
Your outline is clear.
Make sure you draw the same number as in the given
The drawing should be as large as space provided.
image.
Ensure your drawing does not go over any printed
Proportions
matter, i.e. the question or the marks.
Ensure that the image is enlarged proportionately
It has definite outlines (no 'sketchy’ lines)
means all the parts are increased in size
No shading.
proportionately and not only one of the parts.
No arrow heads when labelling
For example: If an insect image is to be redrawn,
Lines point exactly at the labelled part.
make sure you increase all the 3 body parts along
with the legs in size and not only the body parts.
1.2.
2. Magnification
2.1. Calculating Magnification

1.3. Labellings

Conversions

1. 1m = 100cm
2. 1cm = 10mm
3. 1mm = 1000µm

The unit of magnification must have an X…. before the value.

3. Comparisons

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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY
Independent Variable: The variable you will change
Make sure the points you use to compare diagrams are Dependent Variable: The variable you will measure.
visible in the diagrams Control Variable: Variables that you will keep the same.
Use labels on the diagrams as your guide Use this mnemonic: I Don’t Care So Run Away (IDCSRA)
You can compare numbers shape and proportional sizes. · IV – State the independent variable, describe how are you
Don't compare sizes unless you're given a scale. going to maintain it (include names of apparatus), State the
values with units. State at least 3 values.

4. Drawing Graphs · DV – State the dependent variable, State the units, State
how you are going to measure it
· CV – State three different control variables, describe how
Use a sharp pencil
you are going to control them
Label both axes (with the variable) including the units.
· Safety – State a safety measure and how would you
For example, Temperature/°C and a key may be needed
eliminate the risk
to indicate different plots
· Repeat – State Repeat the experiment three times
Choose an even scale for each axis that uses up as much
· Average – State that you would calculate an average
of the grid as possible.
(Numerical Data)
Use the entire given grid.
· Do not give a conclusion as you have not performed the
The scale should be linear which means the
experiment.
difference between 2 numbers on an axis should
remain constant.
Your graph should occupy more than 50 % of the 5.1. Common Different Independent
given grid on both planes. Variables
The independent variable is plotted on the x-axis
The dependent variable (i.e. the one that changes due to
a change of the other) is plotted on the y-axis.
Join your plotted points with ruled lines
Even if a line of best fit is asked, join all points with
ruled lines except the anomalous reading point.
When drawing bar charts, all bars must be of the same
width
The bars, when drawn cannot touch each other
Use crosses “(×)” or “⊙” to mark the data points (for
scatter graphs)

4.1. Bar Charts and Histogram Charts

Optional: Include a control experiment if possible.

6. Enzyme Activity
2H2 O2 (l) → 2H2 O (l) + O2
​ ​ ​ ​

This reaction can be catalyzed by an enzyme (catalase) or

by a non-biological catalyst (Manganese IV oxide)

Method:

5. Planning Investigations

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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY

Put 3 cm3 of hydrogen peroxide in a test tube. Starch: Add a few drops of iodine solution, +ve result =
Add fresh potato strips and shake gently. blue-black colour
Keep your thumb on top of the test tube, or use a Reducing Sugars: Add Benedict’s reagent, and then the
stopper, to retain the gas. mixture is heated in a water bath for 2 to 3 minutes.
Do the “glowing splint” test → the splint relights +ve result (increasing concentration of sugar) = blue
Positive control: repeat original experiment using → brick red
manganese IV oxide → bubbles of O2 form -ve result = remains blue
Proteins: Add few drops of Biuret reagent, +ve result =
Conclusion: Reaction happens because of a catalyst
purple/lilac color, -ve result = remains blue
1st negative control: repeat original experiment using
boiled potato strips → nothing happens Fats: For the emulsion test, ethanol is added to the
Conclusion: Enzymes denature when they are at high mixture and poured into a test tube with an equal
amount of distilled water, +ve result = milky-white
temperatures
emulsion.
2nd negative control: repeat original experiment using
Vitamin C: Add 1 cm3 of DCPIP solution and a small
water instead of hydrogen peroxide → nothing happens
Conclusion: hydrogen peroxide is the substrate amount of food sample (as a solution) to a test tube. A
3rd negative control: repeat in a cold environment, the positive test will show the blue colour of the dye
disappearing.
effervescence should be slower
Conclusion: enzymes don’t work as well in the cold

7. Food Tests

8. Factors of Photosynthesis
8.1. Chlorophyll Is Necessary for
Photosynthesis

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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY

Take a potted plant with variegated (green and white) Take two destarched potted plants.
leaves. Cover both the plants with bell jars and label them as A
Destarch the plant by keeping it in complete darkness for and B.
48hrs Inside A, keep NaHCO­3 (sodium bicarbonate). It produces
Expose the plant to the sunlight for a few days. CO2.
Leaf boiled in water for 2 minutes to break down cell
Inside B, keep NaOH (Sodium hydroxide). It absorbs CO2.
walls,
Keep both the set-ups in the sunlight for at least 6 hours.
denature enzymes and allow for easier penetration by
Perform the starch test on both of the plants.
ethanol.
The leaves of Plant A will turn black after the starch test
Warmed in ethanol until leaf is colourless to extract
The leaves of Plant B will remain orange/brown after
chlorophyll,
starch test
which would mask observation
Dipped in water briefly: to soften leaf and then Leaf is
placed on a white tile and iodine is added. If starch is
present, colour will be blue-black and if absent, it will
remain orange

8.4. Investigating what happens when

8.2. Light Is Necessary for
varying the factors affecting
Photosynthesis
photosynthesis
Destarch the plant by keeping it in darkness for 48hrs
Place a stencil over part of a leaf Light intensity: First a lamp is placed as close as
Place the leaf in sunlight for 4-6 hours possible to the apparatus, then the experiment is
Remove the stencil and test for starch repeated several times, each times with the lamp further
-ve result = parts which received light turn black away from the apparatus. Heat from the bulb is
+ve result = parts which didn’t receive light remain prevented by placing a clear glass sheet between the
yellow/brown lamp and the apparatus, and the pond weed used is left
for several minutes in each new light intensity to allow it
to adjust to new conditions before rate is measured.
Carbon dioxide: vary the amount of hydrogen
carbonate in the solution, this supplies the plant with
carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
Temperature: set up the apparatus in several different-
temperature environments

8.3. Carbon Dioxide Is Necessary for

Photosynthesis

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10. Investigating Insulation

9. Investigating Transpiration Flask A represents a hairless mammal, B represents a

mammal with dry fur and C represents a mammal with
Use a sharp razor blade to cut a leafy shoot under water. wet fur
Insert the leafy shoot through the hole of the stopper Equal amounts of hot water are added to the flask and
provided with the potometer. temperature change after a set period of time is
Fill the potometer with water and fit the stopper holding measured using a submerged thermometer.
the leafy shoot to the apparatus. Lowest temperature change means best insulated.
Trap an air bubble in the capillary tube by the following
procedures:
dip the end of the capillary tube into a beaker of 11. Respiration
water,
close the tap of the reservoir, Respiration: the breakdown of nutrient molecules to
take away beaker of water and allow the plant to release the energy between their bonds.
transpire
re-immerse the capillary tube into the beaker of Aerobic Respiration
water again.
Estimate rate of transpiration by measuring distance Chemical reactions in cells that use oxygen to break
moved by the air bubble per unit time. down nutrient molecules to release energy.
Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water
C6H1206 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O

Anaerobic Respiration

Chemical reactions in cells that do not use oxygen to

break down nutrient molecules to release energy. It
releases much less energy per glucose molecule than
aerobic respiration.
In yeast: Glucose → carbon dioxide + ethanol C6H12O6 +
→ 2CO2 + 2C2H5OH.
In muscles during vigorous exercise: Glucose → Lactic
acid

Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Respiration

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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY

As temperature increases, molecules gain more kinetic

energy, moving faster and colliding successfully at a higher
rate. Therefore, up to a certain point, as temperature
increases, the rate of respiration increases. However,
because respiration is an enzyme-catalysed reaction, the
enzymes begin to denature at specific temperatures.
Therefore, if the temperature increases drastically from
optimum, the reaction rate will slow down, as the reaction
can no longer be catalysed by enzymes properly.

14. Geotropism
Freshly germinate seedlings inside a glass jar, the seed is
held by a roll of moist clotting paper.
Seedlings are allowed to grow for a further five days,
with the jars placed a) the right way up b) upside down
and c) on its side.
In each case the roots will turn to go downwards, and the
shoot turns to grow upwards,

12. Good Procedures

Repeat readings to spot anomalous errors or to calculate
an average
Avoid making parallax errors, {the line of sight should be
perpendicular to the reading on the scale}
Look carefully at any scale that is used
Notice the unit in which the scale is calibrated - always
give the unit of any measurement
Notice the maximum reading that can be obtained
Notice the smallest change in value that can be obtained 15. Phototropism
Aim to use quantities that have magnitudes that are
towards the upper values of the scale There are three groups of oat shoots:
A) Has its tips removed, B) tips are covered and C) are
untreated.
13. Germination The coleoptiles are measured, and lengths recorded.
They are put in light proof boxes with one gap which only
B will germinate fastest because it has access to water, allow light to enter laterally
and oxygen, and is at a warm temperature. They are measured 2-3 days later, and new lengths are
A does not have access to water recorded.
C does not have access to oxygen Untreated coleoptiles will grow the most as they would
D has a very cold temperature even though all other bend towards the light
factors are present

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CAIE IGCSE BIOLOGY

1. The number of rows and columns should be as per

the data provided.
2. Each row and column should have a heading with
units.
3. Units should be mentioned only in the heading and
not with individual values

16. Common Tips 4. All the readings should be entered to the same
number of decimal places.
5. Tables should be drawn with a pencil and details
For food tests always mention the original colour. For should be written with a pen.
example, colour of the reagent changes from blue to 6. Numerical data should be presented as true numbers
green if reducing sugar is present. for example 0.7 and not.7
The intensity of colour can be measured using a 7. Do not leave any cell blank. Use – for a missing value
colorimeter to compare the nutrient content in the given and 0 for zero.
samples.
You can also measure the time taken for colour change
to be observed, if you are comparing the nutrient
content in 2 given samples.
Some common sources of error include:
Not repeating the experiment
Difficulty in judging the colour end point
Using the same glass rod for stirring
Timing all the experiments at the same time
Not measuring the volume of a liquid using an
appropriate apparatus.
Improvements to the above errors can be:
Repeat the experiment
Use a colorimeter or use a white tile
Wash the rod or use separate rods
2 people perform the experiment or perform the
experiment one after the other
Use a measuring cylinder

17. Tabulate the Result

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CAIE IGCSE
Biology

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