Biology

Biology

​Introduction

Biology is the study of life. Through the study of biology students employ the processes of science in their investigations and explore the diversity of life and the inter-relationship between organisms and their environment. 

Students develop an understanding and knowledge of the unit of life-the cell-whose structures and processes are shared by all living organisms and, in so doing, gain an insight into the uniqueness, function and role of organisms, including themselves. In addition, they become aware of the use by humans of other living organisms and their products to enhance human health and the human environment and make informed evaluations about contemporary biological issues

Syllabus Structure

The syllabus is composed of science for the inquiring syllabus mind or pure science, which constitutes approximately 70% of the syllabus, and the technological, political, social and economic aspects of biology, which constitutes the remaining 30%.

The syllabus consists of three units:


 5th Year Biology Scheme of Work 2023-2024


September- November

Chapter 1: The Scientific Method

Chapter 2: The Characteristics of Life

Chapter 3: Food and Biomolecules

Chapter 8: Cell Structure

Chapter 9: Cell Diversity

Chapter 11: Cell Continuity

Chapter 12: Enzymes 

Chapter 10: Movement Through Membranes


November- February

Chapter 13: Photosynthesis

Chapter 14: Respiration

Chapter 26: Homeostasis and Gaseous Exchange

Chapter 15: DNA Structure and Protein Synthesis

Chapter 16: Genetic Inheritance


February- June

Chapter 17: Variation, Evolution and Genetic Engineering

Chapter 4: Introduction To Ecology

Chapter 5: The effects of Humans on the Environment

Chapter 6: Ecological Relationships and Population Dynamics

Chapter 7: The Study of An Ecosystem


September- November

Chapter 18: Classification and Viruses

Chapter 19: Monera (Prokaryotae)

Chapter 20: Fungi and Protists

Chapter 33: The Human Defence System

Chapter 21: Flowering Plant Structure and Tissues

Chapter 22: Transport, Nutrition and Food Storage in the Flowering Plant

Chapter 23:Transport in Humans

Chapter 24: The Blood

Chapter 31: The Endocrine System


November- February

Chapter 28: Plant Response to Stimuli

Chapter 34: Sexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Chapter 35: Asexual Reproduction in Flowering Plants

Chapter 25: Human Nutrition 

Chapter 27: Excretion and Osmoregulation

Chapter 32: The Musculoskeletal System


February- May

Chapter 36: Human Reproduction 1: The Reproductive Systems and the Menstrual Cycle

Chapter 37: Human Reproduction 2: From Fertilisation to Birth

Chapter 29: The Human Nervous System

Chapter 30: The Sense Organs


Mandatory Leaving Certificate Experiments 


(a) To test for the presence of reducing sugars

(b) To test for polysaccharides e.g. starch

(c) To Test for fat(lipid) in olive oil: brown paper test

(d) To test for protein in milk or in egg albumen: biuret test for soluble protein.


(a) To identify three habitats within a selected ecosystem.

(b) To identify five flora and five fauna using simple keys.


(a) To conduct a quantitative survey of plants in an ecosystem.

(b) To conduct a quantitative survey of animals in an ecosystem.


(a) To prepare and examine animal cells-unstained and stained, under the light microscope.

(b) To prepare and examine plant cells-unstained and stained, under the light microscope.


(a) To investigate the effect of exercise on pulse rate.

(b) To investigate the effect of exercise on breathing rate.

Senior Cycle Biology