Singapore · SEABSyllabus
Biology syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the Singapore Biologysyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Biomolecules and Enzymes
Module overview →- What are the main food molecules made of, and what does the body use each one for?Describe the elements and building blocks of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, and state the role of each in living organisms7 min answer →
- What are enzymes, and how do temperature and pH affect how well they work?Explain that enzymes are biological catalysts, describe the lock and key model, and explain the effects of temperature and pH on enzyme activity8 min answer →
- How can we test a food to find out which food molecules it contains?Describe the food tests for starch, reducing sugars, proteins and fats, including the reagents used and the colour changes seen7 min answer →
Cell Structure and Organisation
Module overview →- What parts make up animal and plant cells, and how are the two kinds of cell different?Identify the parts of animal and plant cells, state the function of each part, and describe the differences between animal and plant cells7 min answer →
- How are cells adapted to their jobs, and how do they build up into a whole organism?Describe how cells are specialised for their functions and explain how cells are organised into tissues, organs, organ systems and organisms7 min answer →
- How do we use a light microscope to see cells, and how do we work out how much bigger the image is?Use a light microscope to observe cells, prepare a simple slide, and calculate magnification using the relationship between image size and actual size7 min answer →
Ecology and Environment
Module overview →- How does energy from the Sun pass through living things in a food chain?Describe food chains and food webs, and explain how energy flows from the Sun through producers and consumers7 min answer →
- How does human activity harm the environment, and what can be done about it?Describe the effects of human activity on the environment, including pollution and habitat loss, and ways to reduce the harm7 min answer →
- How does carbon move between the air, living things and the ground, over and over again?Describe the carbon cycle, including the roles of photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition and combustion7 min answer →
Homeostasis and Coordination
Module overview →- How does the body keep its internal conditions steady, such as the level of glucose in the blood?Define homeostasis and explain how blood glucose is controlled by insulin and the role of negative feedback7 min answer →
- How does the eye detect light, and how does it adjust to bright and dim conditions?Describe the structure of the human eye and explain how it responds to changes in light intensity7 min answer →
- How does the body send fast messages, and how does a reflex protect us automatically?Describe the parts of the human nervous system and explain the reflex arc as a fast, automatic response7 min answer →
Movement of Substances
Module overview →- How can a cell move substances against the concentration gradient, and why does this need energy?Define active transport, explain why it requires energy, and describe examples such as mineral uptake by root hairs7 min answer →
- What is diffusion, and how does it move substances into and out of cells?Define diffusion, describe how substances move down a concentration gradient, and explain its importance in living organisms7 min answer →
- What is osmosis, and what happens to cells placed in different solutions?Define osmosis as the movement of water across a partially permeable membrane and explain its effects on animal and plant cells8 min answer →
Nutrition
Module overview →- How is the structure of a leaf suited to carrying out photosynthesis?Describe the structure of a leaf and explain how its features are adapted for photosynthesis and gas exchange7 min answer →
- How do green plants make their own food, and what do they need to do it?State the word equation for photosynthesis, describe the raw materials and conditions needed, and explain how light, carbon dioxide and temperature affect the rate8 min answer →
- How does the body break down food and absorb the useful parts?Describe the parts of the human digestive system, the process of physical and chemical digestion, and the absorption of digested food8 min answer →
Reproduction and Inheritance
Module overview →- How are features passed from parents to offspring, and how can we predict them?Explain the basics of inheritance using genes and alleles, and work out simple genetic crosses with a Punnett square8 min answer →
- How do flowering plants reproduce, from pollination to making a seed?Describe the parts of a flower and explain pollination, fertilisation and seed formation in flowering plants7 min answer →
- How do humans reproduce, and what happens from fertilisation to birth?Describe sexual reproduction in humans, including fertilisation and the development of the baby in the uterus7 min answer →
Respiration and Gas Exchange
Module overview →- How do cells release the energy in food, and what changes when there is no oxygen?Define respiration, write word equations for aerobic and anaerobic respiration, and compare the energy they release7 min answer →
- How do the alveoli swap oxygen for carbon dioxide between the air and the blood?Explain how gas exchange happens in the alveoli and describe how they are adapted for fast diffusion7 min answer →
- How does air get into and out of the lungs when we breathe?Describe the parts of the human breathing system and explain how breathing in and breathing out happen7 min answer →
Transport in Organisms
Module overview →- What is blood made of, and what does each part do?Describe the components of human blood and explain the functions of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and plasma7 min answer →
- How does the heart pump blood around the body, and why do we have a double circulation?Describe the structure of the human heart and the circulatory system, and explain how blood is pumped around the body in a double circulation8 min answer →
- How do plants move water and food around without a heart?Describe how water and mineral salts are transported in the xylem and how food is transported in the phloem, and explain transpiration7 min answer →