OCR A Level Biology Textbook

Every topic covered, with clear explanations, diagrams, tables and worked examples throughout.

Our OCR A Level Biology textbook goes deeper than revision notes, so you build real understanding before you tackle exam questions. Organised by topic and fully aligned to the current OCR A specification, for Year 12 and Year 13.

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  • Detailed explanations – not just what, but why
  • Clear, labelled diagrams and visuals
  • Worked examples and calculations
  • Detailed, yet concise, summary tables
  • Spec reminders and useful tips
  • Fully aligned to the OCR A specification
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Year 12 Textbook

Modules 2, 3 & 4

Every Year 12 topic, from cells and biological molecules to exchange, transport and disease.

£24.99
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Year 13 Textbook

Modules 5 & 6

Every Year 13 topic, from nerves, hormones and respiration to genetics and ecosystems.

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Topics covered

  1. Microscopy
  2. Using Microscopes
  3. Microscopy Calculations
  4. Preparing Microscope Slides
  5. Eukaryotic Cell Structure
  6. Prokaryotic Cell Structure
  7. Interpreting Micrographs
  8. Comparing Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic Cells
  9. Organelle Involvement in Protein Synthesis
  10. Water
  11. Introduction to Macromolecules
  12. Carbohydrates
  13. Lipids
  14. Proteins
  15. Inorganic Ions
  16. Chemical Tests for Biomolecules
  17. Colorimetry
  18. Chromatography
  19. Nucleotides and Nucleic Acids
  20. DNA Replication
  21. Genetic Code
  22. Protein Synthesis
  23. Enzymes
  24. Cofactors and Inhibitors
  25. Factors Affecting Enzyme Activity
  26. Biological Membranes
  27. Transport Across Membranes
  28. Water Potential and Osmosis
  29. Eukaryotic Cell Cycle
  30. Mitosis and Cytokinesis
  31. Meiosis
  32. Stem Cells
  33. Organisation in Animals
  34. Organisation in Plants
  1. Exchange Surfaces
  2. Observing Exchange Surfaces
  3. Mammalian Gaseous Exchange System
  4. Mammalian Ventilation
  5. Oxygen Uptake in Mammals
  6. Measuring Oxygen Uptake in Mammals
  7. Ventilation and Gas Exchange in Gills
  8. Ventilation and Gas Exchange in Insects
  9. Comparing Gas Exchange Systems
  10. Transport Systems in Animals
  11. Blood Vessels
  12. The Heart
  13. Coordination of the Cardiac Cycle
  14. Erythrocytes and Oxygen Transport
  15. Carbon Dioxide
  16. Tissue Fluid Formation
  17. The Need for Transport Systems in Plants
  18. Plant Vascular Systems
  19. Interpreting Photomicrographs of Plant Tissue
  20. Plant Transport of Water
  21. Plant Adaptations to Water
  22. Translocation
  1. Communicable Diseases
  2. Plant Defences Against Pathogens
  3. Non-Specific Defences in Animals
  4. Introduction to White Blood Cells
  5. Secondary Defences
  6. B and T Lymphocytes
  7. The Primary and Secondary Immune Response
  8. Immunity
  9. Antibodies
  10. Autoimmune Diseases
  11. Vaccination and Epidemics
  12. Developing New Medicines
  13. Antibiotics and Their Use
  14. Biodiversity
  15. Human Impact on Biodiversity
  16. Conserving Biodiversity
  17. Conservation Agreements
  18. Measuring Biodiversity
  19. Calculating Biodiversity
  20. Measuring Genetic Biodiversity
  21. Variation
  22. Causes of Variation
  23. Adaptations
  24. Natural Selection
  25. Evolution and Speciation
  26. Evidence for Natural Selection
  27. Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace
  28. Classification
  29. Phylogenetics
  1. The Need for Communication Systems
  2. Introduction to Communication Systems
  3. Homeostasis and Feedback Systems
  4. Thermoregulation: Ectothermy and Endothermy
  5. The Importance of Excretion
  6. Functions of the Liver
  7. Liver Anatomy and Histology
  8. Interpreting Photomicrographs of the Liver
  9. Kidney Anatomy and Histology
  10. Kidney Nephrons: Filtering the Blood
  11. Osmoregulation: The Collecting Duct and ADH
  12. Interpreting Photomicrographs of the Kidney
  13. Kidney Failure
  14. Urine Analysis
  15. Introduction to the Nervous System
  16. Principles of Neuronal Communication
  17. Sensory Receptors
  18. Neurones
  19. Nerve Impulses
  20. Myelinated and Unmyelinated Neurones
  21. Introduction to Synapses
  22. Synaptic Action
  23. Introduction to the Endocrine System
  24. Principles of Hormonal Communication
  25. Hormones: Types and Mechanisms
  26. Adrenal Glands
  27. Pancreas Anatomy and Histology
  28. Control of Blood Glucose
  29. Diabetes Mellitus
  30. Treating Diabetes
  31. Introduction to Plant Responses
  32. Types of Plant Responses
  33. Plant Responses to Herbivory
  34. Principles of Plant Coordination
  35. The Roles of Plant Hormones
  36. Hormonal Control of Shoot and Root Elongation
  37. Hormonal Control of Stem Elongation
  38. Hormonal Control of Seed Germination
  39. Hormonal Control of Apical Dominance
  40. Hormonal Control of Leaf Loss
  41. Hormonal Control of Stress Responses
  42. Commercial Uses of Plant Hormones
  43. Communication Systems in Animals
  44. The Mammalian Nervous System
  45. The Central Nervous System
  46. The Peripheral Nervous System
  47. Reflexes
  48. Controlling Heart Rate
  49. The Fight or Flight Response
  50. Mammalian Muscle Structure
  51. Neuronal Control of Striated Muscle
  52. Myofibrils and the Sliding Filament Theory
  53. How Muscles Contract
  54. Importance of ATP in Muscle Contraction
  55. Photosynthesis and Chloroplasts
  56. Photosystems and the Electron Transport Chain
  57. The Light-Dependent Reactions
  58. The Light-Independent Reactions
  59. Uses of Triose Phosphate
  60. Photosynthetic Pigments in Plants
  61. Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis
  62. Thin-Layer Chromatography of Plant Pigments
  63. Introduction to Respiration
  64. Mitochondria Structures and Functions
  65. Glycolysis
  66. The Link Reaction
  67. The Krebs Cycle
  68. The Importance of Coenzymes in Cellular Respiration
  69. Oxidative Phosphorylation and Chemiosmosis
  70. Anaerobic Respiration
  71. Respiratory Substrates
  72. Respiratory Quotient
  73. The Interrelationship between Photosynthesis and Respiration
  74. Factors Affecting the Rate of Respiration
  75. Investigating the Rate of Respiration
  1. Cellular Control
  2. The Lac Operon
  3. Controlling the Cell Cycle
  4. Control of Body Plans
  5. Gene Mutations
  6. Introduction to Phenotypic Variation
  7. Generating Genetic Variation
  8. Interactions between Genes and the Environment
  9. Continuous and Discontinuous Variation
  10. Introduction to Genetic Inheritance
  11. Principles of Mendelian Inheritance
  12. Genetic Diagrams and Punnett Squares
  13. Monohybrid and Dihybrid Crosses
  14. Multiple Alleles
  15. Codominance
  16. Autosomal Linkage
  17. Sex Linkage
  18. Epistasis
  19. Modified Phenotypic Ratios
  20. Chi-squared Test
  21. Evolution and Natural Selection
  22. Speciation
  23. Geographical and Reproductive Isolation
  24. Hardy-Weinberg
  25. Artificial Selection
  26. Disadvantages of Artificial Selection
  27. DNA Sequencing
  28. The Polymerase Chain Reaction
  29. Electrophoresis
  30. DNA Profiling
  31. Uses of DNA Profiling
  32. Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
  33. Genetic Modification
  34. Gene Therapy
  35. Ethical Issues in Genetic Manipulation
  36. Introduction to Clones
  37. Natural Cloning in Plants
  38. Artificial Cloning of Plants
  39. Natural and Artificial Cloning in Animals
  40. Introduction to Biotechnology
  41. Culturing Microorganisms
  42. Standard Growth Curve
  43. Calculating Microorganism Population Growth
  44. Batch and Continuous Fermentation
  45. Factors Affecting the Growth of Microorganisms
  46. Introduction to Immobilised Enzymes
  47. Immobilising Enzymes
  48. Ecosystems
  49. Biomass Transfers
  50. Food Chains and Food Webs
  51. Manipulating Biomass Transfers
  52. Recycling in Ecosystems
  53. The Carbon Cycle
  54. The Nitrogen Cycle
  55. Succession
  56. Introduction to Sampling Methods
  57. Measuring Abundance
  58. Measuring Distribution
  59. Populations and Limiting Factors
  60. Population Growth and Carrying Capacity
  61. Interactions between Populations
  62. Predator-Prey Relationships
  63. Conservation and Preservation
  64. Managing Ecosystems and Resources
  65. Sustainable Management of Ecosystems for Timber
  66. Sustainable Management of Ecosystems for Fish

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