IB Biology

This guide is currently being updated to the new syllabus effective 2015-2016.

or viewed here on the web.
 * Authorised copies of the IB Syllabus can be obtained from the International Baccalaureate

The following links are useful for the 2014 syllabus, with exams commencing in 2016:
 * IBPal

The link that follow are useful for the remaining section of the 2009 syllabus that will end 2015/2016:

and for assistance with the Internal Assessment go to Lab Banks again by Stephen Taylor.
 * Open Door by Paul Billiet
 * i-Biology by Stephen Taylor
 * by Stephanie Castle is a Youtube series of screen and videocasts
 * for students in a hurry
 * also by Stephen Taylor

Syllabus (2015-2016)


 * Introduction to the Guide
 * How to use this Guide
 * /Study Guide/

Topic 1: /Cell biology/

 * 1.1 Introduction to Cells
 * 1.2 Ultrastructure of cells
 * 1.3 Membrane structure
 * 1.4 Membrane transport
 * 1.5 The origin of cells
 * 1.6 Cell division

Topic 2: /Molecular biology/

 * 2.1 Molecules to metabolism
 * 2.2 Water
 * 2.3 Carbohydrates and lipids
 * 2.4 Proteins
 * 2.5 Enzymes
 * 2.6 Structure of DNA and RNA
 * 2.7 DNA replication, transcription and translation
 * 2.8 Cell respiration
 * 2.9 Photosynthesis

Topic 3: /Genetics/

 * 3.1 Genes
 * 3.2 Chromosomes
 * 3.3 Meiosis
 * 3.4 Inheritance
 * 3.5 Genetic modification and biotechnology

Topic 4: /Ecology/

 * 4.1 Species, communities and ecosystems
 * 4.2 Energy flow
 * 4.3 Carbon cycling
 * 4.4 Climate change

Topic 5: /Evolution and biodiversity/

 * 5.1 Evidence for evolution
 * 5.2 Natural selection
 * 5.3 Classification of biodiversity
 * 5.4 Cladistics

Topic 6: /Human physiology/

 * 6.1 Digestion and absorption
 * 6.2 The blood system
 * 6.3 Defence against infectious disease
 * 6.4 Gas exchange
 * 6.5 Neurons and synapses
 * 6.6 Hormones, homeostasis and reproduction

Topic 7: /Nucleic acids/

 * 7.1 DNA structure and replication
 * 7.2 Transcription and gene expression
 * 7.3 Translation

Topic 8: /Metabolism, cell respiration, and photosynthesis/

 * 8.1 Metabolism
 * 8.2 Cell respiration
 * 8.3 Photosynthesis

Topic 9: /Plant biology/

 * 9.1 Transport in the xylem of plants
 * 9.2 Transport in the phloem of plants
 * 9.3 Growth in plants
 * 9.4 Reproduction in plants

Topic 10: /Genetics and evolution/

 * 10.1 Meiosis
 * 10.2 Inheritance
 * 10.3 Gene pools and speciation

Topic 11: /Animal physiology/

 * 11.1 Antibody production and vaccination
 * 11.2 Movement
 * 11.3 The kidney and osmoregulation
 * 11.4 Sexual reproduction

Option A: /Neurobiology and behavior/

 * A.1 Neural development
 * A.2 The human brain
 * A.3 Perception of stimuli
 * A.4 Innate and learned behaviour
 * A.5 Neuropharmacology
 * A.6 Ethology

Option B: /Biotechnology and bioinformatics/

 * B.1 Microbiology: organisms in industry
 * B.2 Biotechnology in agriculture
 * B.3 Environmental protection
 * B.4 Medicine
 * B.5 Bioinformatics

Option C: /Ecology and conservation/

 * C.1 Species and communities
 * C.2 Communities and ecosystems
 * C.3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems
 * C.4 Conservation of biodiversity
 * C.5 Population ecology
 * C.6 Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles

Option D: /Human physiology/

 * D.1 Human nutrition
 * D.2 Digestion
 * D.3 Functions of the liver
 * D.4 The heart
 * D.5 Hormones and metabolism
 * D.6 Transport of respiratory gases