Biology Paper 1 Overview

Paper 1

• Paper 1 of the exam is worth 150 marks and lasts 2.5 hours.
• Learners must answer all 3 questions on Paper 1.
• Paper 1 covers a wide range of topics from the chemistry of life to support and transport systems in plants and animals.

Chemistry of Life

• This section is worth 33 marks and covers the fundamental chemical components of living organisms.

Cells: Basic Units of Life

• This section is worth 19 marks and focuses on the structure and function of cells, the basic building blocks of all living organisms.

Cell Division (Mitosis)

• This section is worth 19 marks and covers the process of mitosis, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Plant and Animal Tissues

• This section is worth 28 marks and explores the different types of tissues found in plants and animals, highlighting their specialized functions.

Plant Organs

• This section is worth 9 marks and focuses on the major organs of plants, such as roots, stems, and leaves, and their roles in plant growth and survival.

Support and Transport Systems: Plants

• This section is worth 23 marks and covers the structures and mechanisms responsible for providing support and transporting nutrients and water in plants.

Support Systems: Animals

• This section is worth 19 marks and focuses on the skeletal and muscular systems, which provide support and movement in animals.

Paper 2

• Paper 2 of the exam is also worth 150 marks and lasts 2.5 hours.
• Learners must answer all 3 questions on Paper 2.
• Paper 2 explores various aspects of life, from the transport systems in mammals to the history of life on Earth.

Transport Systems in Mammals

• This section is worth 32 marks and covers the circulatory system in mammals, which is responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, and waste products throughout the body.

Biosphere to Ecosystems

• This section is worth 54 marks and delves into the interconnectedness of life on Earth, from the global biosphere to specific ecosystems.

Biodiversity and Classification

• This section is worth 21 marks and explores the vast diversity of life on Earth and the systems used to classify living organisms.

History of Life on Earth

• This section is worth 43 marks and delves into the evolution of life on Earth, from the earliest single-celled organisms to the diversity of life we see today.