The Cambridge O Level Biology Syllabus provides the course framework for Cambridge O Level Biology 5090. The current syllabus covered on this page is intended for examinations in 2026, 2027 and 2028 and includes the biological concepts, applications and practical skills students are expected to study.
The syllabus contains 19 main topics, beginning with cells and classification and progressing through biological molecules, enzymes, plant and human physiology, reproduction, inheritance, biotechnology, ecology and conservation. Each topic is further divided into specific areas of study that define the required subject content.
This page arranges the Cambridge O Level Biology Syllabus topic by topic and connects relevant lessons with detailed Biology Notes Online resources. Students can use the course outline to identify topics for study, organize revision and move directly to notes for individual biological concepts.
The course also places emphasis on experimental and practical biology skills, including observations, measurements, experimental design, interpretation of results and evaluation of scientific methods. Cambridge states that practical work forms an integrated part of the Biology course.
1. Cells
- Cell structure and function
- Human Cell Structure and Functions
- Cell – Definition, Structure, Types, Functions, Examples
- Animal Cell – Diagram, Structure, Types, Functions
- Cell – Structure, Characteristics, Types, Size and Shape, Functions
- Eukaryotic Cell – Definition, Structure, Functions, Examples
- Prokaryotic cells – Definition, Structure, Characteristics, Examples
- Prokaryotic Cell and Eukaryotic Cell
- Difference Between Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells – Prokaryotic Vs Eukaryotic Cells
- Cell Compartmentalization – Definition, Types, Origins, Importance, Advantages
- Cell Organelles – Structure, Functions, Diagram
- Specialised cells, tissues and organs
2. Classification
- Concept and use of a classification system
- Features of organisms
- Three-domain system – Carl Woese’s Classification
- Whittaker’s Five Kingdom Classification
3. Movement into and out of cells
- Diffusion – Definition, Causes, Significance, Examples
- Osmosis – Definition, Types, Mechanism, Significance, Examples
- Active Transport – Definition, Types, Process, Functions, Examples
- Passive Transport – Definition, Types, Examples
4. Biological molecules
- carbohydrates
- lipids (fats and oils)
- proteins
- DNA
- Describe and be able to do chemical tests for:
- starch (iodine solution)
- glucose and maltose (Benedict’s solution) – Benedict’s Test – Principle, Reagents, Procedure, Result, Limitation
- protein (biuret test)
- lipids (ethanol emulsion test)
5. Enzymes
- Enzymes – Structure, Types, Mode of Action, Functions, Applications, Examples
- Enzyme action
- Effects of temperature and pH
6. Plant nutrition
7. Transport in flowering plants
8. Human nutrition
- Diet
- Human digestive system
- Describe the functions of the main regions of the digestive system, limited to:
- mouth – ingestion, physical digestion, chemical digestion of starch by amylase
- salivary glands – secretion of saliva containing amylase
- stomach – physical digestion, chemical digestion of protein by protease, presence of hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions
- small intestine (duodenum and ileum) – chemical digestion of starch by amylase, maltose by maltase, protein by protease and lipids by lipase
- liver – production of bile and storage of glycogen
- gall bladder – storage of bile
- pancreas – alkaline secretion containing amylase, protease and lipase
- ileum and colon – absorption
- rectum and anus – egestion
- Describe the functions of amylase, maltase, protease and lipase, listing the substrates and end-products, limited to:
- amylase breaks down starch to maltose
- maltase breaks down maltose to glucose
- protease (pepsin and trypsin) breaks down protein to amino acids
- lipase breaks down lipids to fatty acids and glycerol
- Describe the functions of the main regions of the digestive system, limited to:
- Absorption and assimilation in intestine
9. Human gas exchange
10. Respiration
- Respiration
- Physiological control of respiration – Components, Methods
- Difference Between Breathing and Respiration – Breathing vs Respiration
- Aerobic respiration
- Anaerobic respiration
- Difference between Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration – Aerobic vs Anaerobic Respiration
11. Transport in humans
- Circulatory system
- Heart
- Blood vessels
- Blood
12. Disease and immunity
- Disease
- Antibiotics
- Immunity
- Immunity – Definition, Types, Mechanism, Components, and Immunization
- Innate Immunity vs. Acquired Immunity (Adaptive immunity)
- Active Immunity – Definition, Characteristics, Types, Examples
- Passive Immunity – Definition, Types, Characteristics, Examples
- Innate Immunity – Definition, Types, Mechanism
- Adaptive (Acquired) Immunity
- Humoral Immunity – Definition, Mechanism
- Autoimmunity – Definition, Types, Tolerance, Pathogenesis, Mechanisms
- Differences between Active Immunity and Passive Immunity
- Differences between Humoral Immunity and Cell mediated Immunity
13. Excretion
- Excretion
- Urinary system
14. Coordination and control
- Mammalian nervous system
- Mammalian Sense organs
- Mammalian hormones
- Homeostasis
- Temperature control
- Blood glucose control
15. Coordination and response in plants
- Coordination and response in plants
- Phototropism – Definition, Types, Mechanism, Importance, Examples
16. Development of organisms and continuity of life
- Nuclear division
- Asexual and sexual reproduction
- Asexual Reproduction
- Asexual Reproduction in bacteria
- Asexual Reproduction in Plants
- Sexual Reproduction – Stages, Types, Advantages, Examples
- Sexual reproduction in plants
- Sexual reproduction in humans
- Difference Between Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
17. Inheritance
- Variation
- DNA
- Inheritance
- Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance – Mendelian Inheritance
- Cytoplasmic or Extra-Nuclear Inheritance – Definition, Examples, Significance
- Sex-linked Inheritance – Definition, Characteristics, Examples
- Polygenic Inheritance (Quantitative inheritance) – Characteristics, Mechanism, Examples, Importance
- Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
- Quantitative Inheritance in Plant Breeding
- What is Non-Mendelian Inheritance?
- Selection
- Selection Methods For Self pollinated Plants – Breeding self-pollinated species
- Artificial Selection – Theory, Types, Advantages, Examples
- Natural Selection – Definition, Theory, Types, Examples
- Difference between Natural and artificial selection – Natural vs artificial selection
- Differences Between Pureline Selection and Mass Selection
- Mass Selection Method – Procedure, Applications, Merits, Demerits
- Speciation – Definition, Causes, Types, Process
- Pureline Selection – Procedure, Applications, Advantages, Disadvantages
18. Biotechnology and genetic modification
- Biotechnology
- Genetic modification
- Applications of Plant Biotechnology
- Agrobacterium-Mediated Gene Transfer in Plants
- Bacterial Transduction – Definition, Types, Steps, Examples
- Bt Crops – Definition, Types, Advantages, Limitations
- Bacterial Transformation – Definition, Principle, Steps, Examples
- BT Cotton – Definition, Features, Development, Advantages, Limitations
19. Relationships of organisms with one another and with the environment
- Energy flow
- Nutrient cycles
- Carbon cycle – Definition, Steps, Importance, Examples
- Carbon Fixation – Process, Pathways, Importance
- Nitrogen Cycle – Definition, Steps, Importance, Examples
- Biogeochemical Cycle – Definition, Importance, Examples
- Nitrogen Fixation – Definition, Importance, Processes
- Sulphur cycle – Definition, Steps, Types, Importance
- Decomposition – Definition, Types, Process, Advantages
- Microbial degradation of Pectin – Enzymes, Steps, Mechanisms
- Microbial Degradation of Chitin – Microorganisms, Enzymes, Steps, Mechanisms
- Ecosystems
- Population – Definition, Characteristics, Growth, Regulation, Types
- Speciation – Definition, Causes, Types, Process
- Population genetics – Unitary and modular population, Hardy-Weinberg law
- Population Characteristics
- Community – Definition, Types, Characterisitcs, Importance
- Community Characteristics – Dominance, Diversity, Species richness, Abundance, Stratification
- Climax Community – Definition, Characteristics, Theories
- Biodiversity – Definition, Types, Importance, Conservation
- Biodiversity Hotspots – Definition, Criteria, Importance, Examples
- Effects of humans on ecosystems
- Conservation
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: The Cambridge O Level Biology Syllabus information provided on this page is intended for educational and reference purposes only. Biology Notes Online is an independent educational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by or officially associated with Cambridge International Education. The syllabus has been independently organised to help students locate and understand the required Biology 5090 topics. Students and teachers should consult the official Cambridge International syllabus for the latest curriculum, examination requirements, updates and administrative information. For copyright concerns or content-related enquiries, contact biologynotesonlinecontact@gmail.com.
References
- Cambridge International Education. (n.d.). Cambridge O Level Biology (5090).
Cambridge O Level Biology 5090 – Official Course Page Cambridge International - Cambridge International Education. (2024). Cambridge O Level Biology 5090 syllabus for examinations in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Official Cambridge O Level Biology 5090 Syllabus PDF Cambridge International - Cambridge International Education. (n.d.). Cambridge O Level Subjects.
Cambridge O Level Subjects Cambridge International - Cambridge International Education. (n.d.). Cambridge O Level Biology (5090): Published Resources.
Cambridge O Level Biology Published Resources