Biology is all around us, visible and invisible. It exists in ourselves, in parks, rivers and ponds. The consequences of it are manifested in farms, the food manufacturing industries, medical sciences and genetic engineering. To study biology is to develop our understanding of the living world and marvel at the efficiency of the life processes in animals, plants and microorganisms. Such knowledge not only enriches and ignite our curiosity but we can appreciate and benefit from its application in the areas of agriculture, the programs of the NHS, species conservation and preservation and most recently the genome project. More significantly, studying Biology provides the opportunity for personal and intellectual development that foster life skills that are fundamental in any career that we pursue. The careers of the future will demand of us the ability to make decisions, analyse and evaluate seemingly valid claims as well as work in collaboration with our peers and communicate effectively. To study biology is to be prepared for the challenges of the future and having the capacity to adapt in order to be successful. Core content 1. Biological molecules 2. Cells 3. Organisms exchange substances with their environment 4. Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms 5. Energy transfers in and between organisms (A-level only) 6. Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments (A-level only) 7. Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems (A-level only) 8. The control of gene expression (A-level only)