Specification points
Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) Human Biology 4HB1
169 points in 12 topics, with Edexcel's codes and titles.
Grade boundaries·Edexcel command words
Codes and titles are read by a script from Edexcel's published specification and have not been checked by a person. What each point covers is in the specification itself: Edexcel’s specification.
1 Cells and tissues
- 1.1 Cell structures seen with light and electron microscopes
- 1.2 Functions of cell structures
- 1.3 Structure of DNA
- 1.4 DNA replication
- 1.5 Genes and the genetic code
- 1.6 RNA
- 1.7 DNA mutations
- 1.8 Protein synthesis
- 1.9 Principles of genetic engineering
- 1.10 Uses of mitosis
- 1.11 Stages of mitosis
- 1.12 Embryonic and adult stem cells
- 1.13 Advantages, disadvantages and ethics of stem cell use
- 1.14 Cells, tissues and organs
- 1.15 Structure of human tissues
- 1.16 Egg and sperm cells: structure and function
2 Biological molecules
- 2.1 Elements in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
- 2.2 Structure of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids
- 2.3 Food tests
- 2.4 Practical: vitamin C content of food
- 2.5 Practical: energy content of food
- 2.6 Enzymes as biological catalysts
- 2.7 Enzyme action and factors affecting activity
- 2.8 Practical: temperature, pH and enzyme activity
- 2.9 Uses of immobilised enzymes
- 2.10 Practical: immobilised enzymes and alginate beads
3 Movement of substances into and out of cells
4 Bones, muscles and joints
5 Coordination
- 5.1 Structure of neurones
- 5.2 Plan of the central nervous system
- 5.3 Main areas of the brain
- 5.4 The spinal cord and the reflex arc
- 5.5 Receptors and stimuli
- 5.6 Pathway of a nerve impulse
- 5.7 Practical: sensory receptors in the skin
- 5.8 Nerve impulses and synapses
- 5.9 Hormones and endocrine glands
- 5.10 Nervous and hormonal systems compared
- 5.11 Structure and function of the eye
- 5.12 Eye defects and their treatment
- 5.13 Structure and function of the ear
- 5.14 Noise exposure and hearing
- 5.15 Practical: range of audible frequencies
- 5.16 Legal and illegal drugs
- 5.17 Effects of alcohol
- 5.18 Mental illness: schizophrenia and depression
- 5.19 Alzheimer's disease, dementia and Parkinson's disease
6 Nutrition and energy
- 6.1 A balanced diet
- 6.2 Variations in dietary needs
- 6.3 Sources and functions of nutrients
- 6.4 Deficiency diseases
- 6.5 The alimentary canal and digestion
- 6.6 Peristalsis and dietary fibre
- 6.7 Digestive enzymes
- 6.8 Bile production and role
- 6.9 The villus and absorption
- 6.10 Teeth and their care
- 6.11 BMI, obesity and cholesterol
- 6.12 Hygienic food preparation and storage
7 Respiration
8 Gas exchange
- 8.1 Structure of the thorax
- 8.2 Intercostal muscles, diaphragm and ventilation
- 8.3 Adaptations of the lungs for gas exchange
- 8.4 Lung volumes and spirometer traces
- 8.5 Practical: exercise, breathing rate and lung capacity
- 8.6 Regulation of blood carbon dioxide
- 8.7 Aerobic exercise
- 8.8 Long-term benefits of exercise
- 8.9 Pulse rate and fitness
- 8.10 Heart rate during exercise and adrenaline
- 8.11 Practical: exercise and pulse rate
- 8.12 Oxygen debt
- 8.13 Damage caused by smoking
9 Internal transport
- 9.1 Composition of the blood
- 9.2 Role of plasma
- 9.3 Tissue fluid and the lymphatic system
- 9.4 Adaptations of red blood cells
- 9.5 ABO blood groups and transfusions
- 9.6 White blood cells
- 9.7 Blood clotting
- 9.8 Arteries, veins and capillaries
- 9.9 Plan of the circulatory system
- 9.10 Structure and function of the heart
- 9.11 Causes, prevention and treatment of heart disease
- 9.12 Problems with heart transplants
- 9.13 Statins and plant stanol esters
- 9.14 Beta-blockers
- 9.15 Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
- 9.16 Hypertension
- 9.17 ACE inhibitors
- 9.18 Production of monoclonal antibodies
- 9.19 Monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis and treatment
10 Homeostatic mechanisms
- 10.1 The skin and temperature regulation
- 10.2 Definition of excretion
- 10.3 Structure and functions of the renal system
- 10.4 Variation in urine composition
- 10.5 Hypothalamus, pituitary gland and osmoregulation
- 10.6 ADH and water content of the blood
- 10.7 Insulin, glucagon and blood glucose
- 10.8 Homeostasis and negative feedback
- 10.9 Kidney transplants and dialysis
- 10.10 Practical: diffusion through Visking tubing
- 10.11 Functions of the liver
11 Reproduction and heredity
- 11.1 Fertilisation
- 11.2 Development of the embryo from a zygote
- 11.3 Meiosis and variation
- 11.4 Male and female reproductive systems
- 11.5 Hormones in the menstrual cycle
- 11.6 Progesterone, placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord
- 11.7 Hormones and secondary sexual characteristics
- 11.8 Birth and breast feeding
- 11.9 Human growth and development
- 11.10 Methods of contraception
- 11.11 Advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive methods
- 11.12 IVF
- 11.13 Alleles
- 11.14 Genetic terms
- 11.15 Sex chromosomes
- 11.16 Sex determination
- 11.17 Random fertilisation and variation
- 11.18 Multiple alleles and ABO blood groups
- 11.19 Monohybrid inheritance
- 11.20 Family pedigrees
- 11.21 Inherited conditions
- 11.22 Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis
- 11.23 Random fertilisation and variation (repeated)
- 11.24 Genetic and environmental variation
12 Disease
- 12.1 General course of a disease
- 12.2 Pathogenic microorganisms
- 12.3 Structure and reproduction of viruses
- 12.4 Ebola and HIV: transmission, treatment and prevention
- 12.5 Bacteria and bacterial growth curves
- 12.6 Effects of antibacterial agents and antibiotics
- 12.7 Cholera and gonorrhoea
- 12.8 Oral rehydration therapy
- 12.9 Athlete's foot
- 12.10 Mosquitoes, houseflies and disease transmission
- 12.11 Treatment and prevention of malaria and typhoid
- 12.12 The antibody-antigen reaction
- 12.13 How vaccines work
- 12.14 Natural, artificial, active and passive immunity
- 12.15 Sources and role of antibiotics
- 12.16 Resistant pathogens such as MRSA
- 12.17 Decomposers and decomposition
- 12.18 Sewage treatment