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IB Biology

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IB Biology Review Guide
A Free Online Study Guide

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

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)

Introduction to the Guide
How to use this Guide
Study Guide

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

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


  1. https://ibpublishing.ibo.org/server2/rest/app/tsm.xql?doc=d_4_biolo_gui_1402_1_e&part=2&chapter=3