The nature of things

Yeats College teacher Katrina Davitt provides a step-by-step guide through each section of the Biology exam paper as well as advice on exam technique and sample answers

Biology is a fascinating, relevant and thought-provoking subject that remains a popular choice among Leaving Cert students. It is an exciting branch of science that allows students to study and understand processes they would be familiar with in more detail, such as the circulatory system, while also exploring innovations such as developments in the area of genetics, which are currently having a positive impact on diseases such as cancer.

The Biology syllabus covers a wide range of topics including the basic structure of animal and plant cells and how they work together to build organ systems. It also covers pollution and conservation within ecology where we study the human impact on our planet – a topic that is becoming more prevalent in our every-day lives – and the study of the misuse of antibiotics, the development of antibiotic resistance and the impact this is having on healthcare systems.

Success in the 2018 Biology exam will not only require a detailed knowledge of each topic but you must also have a good understanding of keywords and definitions. You will need to show your ability to interpret the exam questions and apply the relevant material to your answers. The course contains a number of definitions and keywords that must be learned and your studies must also include practising clearly labelled diagrams and the methods and results for the 22 mandatory experiments.