IB Biology
IB Biology Review Guide
A Free Online Study Guide
This guide is currently being updated to the new syllabus effective 2015-2016.
- Authorised copies of the IB Syllabus can be obtained from the International Baccalaureate
or viewed here on the web.
The following links are useful for the 2014 syllabus, with exams commencing in 2016:
The link that follow are useful for the remaining section of the 2009 syllabus that will end 2015/2016:
- Open Door by Paul Billiet
- i-Biology by Stephen Taylor
- [1] by Stephanie Castle is a Youtube series of screen and videocasts
- [2]for students in a hurry
- [3] also by Stephen Taylor
and for assistance with the Internal Assessment go to Lab Banks again by Stephen Taylor.
Syllabus (2015-2016)
2015-16 Syllabus[1]
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
- 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