QCE Biology Notes
Browse 39 free QCE Biology notes across Units 1-4, organised by topic with syllabus points, worked examples and quick checks.
39 QCE Biology notes across Units 1-4, covering 9 topics for syllabus revision, external exams and ATAR study.
Use these notes as the first pass for a QCE syllabus point, then test the same topic with practice questions, feedback or subject-specific study guides.
Unit 1: Cells and multicellular organisms
Cells as the basis of life
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Cell types, organelles and microscopy
Learn cell types, organelles and microscopy for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Stem cells, biological hierarchy and specialised tissues
Learn stem cells, biological hierarchy and specialised tissues for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Fluid-mosaic membranes and cell transport
Learn fluid-mosaic membranes and cell transport for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Surface-area-to-volume ratio and diffusion
Learn surface-area-to-volume ratio and diffusion for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
Cellular energy, gas exchange and plant physiology
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ATP, metabolism and cellular respiration
Learn atp, metabolism and cellular respiration for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Alveoli, capillaries and gas-exchange gradients
Learn alveoli, capillaries and gas-exchange gradients for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Photosynthesis, plant transport and transpiration
Learn photosynthesis, plant transport and transpiration for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
Exchange of nutrients and wastes
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Biomolecules, digestion and nutrient exchange
Learn biomolecules, digestion and nutrient exchange for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Nephrons, filtration and selective waste removal
Learn nephrons, filtration and selective waste removal for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Enzymes, metabolic control and rate investigations
Learn enzymes, metabolic control and rate investigations for QCE Biology Unit 1 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
Unit 2: Maintaining the internal environment
Homeostasis
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Feedback, receptors and nervous–endocrine control
Learn feedback, receptors and nervous–endocrine control for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Neurons, action potentials and synaptic transmission
Learn neurons, action potentials and synaptic transmission for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Thermoregulation and heat-exchange strategies
Learn thermoregulation and heat-exchange strategies for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Osmoregulation and plant water balance
Learn osmoregulation and plant water balance for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
Infectious disease and epidemiology
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Pathogens, pathogenesis and self-recognition
Learn pathogens, pathogenesis and self-recognition for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Innate immunity, inflammation and plant defence
Learn innate immunity, inflammation and plant defence for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Adaptive immunity, antibodies and immune memory
Learn adaptive immunity, antibodies and immune memory for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Antimicrobials, inhibition evidence and First Nations knowledges
Learn antimicrobials, inhibition evidence and first nations knowledges for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Disease transmission, control and biosecurity
Learn disease transmission, control and biosecurity for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
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Epidemiology, outbreak data and vaccination programs
Learn epidemiology, outbreak data and vaccination programs for QCE Biology Unit 2 through mechanisms, worked evidence, practical design and common misconceptions.
Unit 3: Biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life
Biodiversity and populations
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Biodiversity levels and species concepts
Learn QCE Biology biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, plus species concepts and their limitations.
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Classification and dichotomous keys
Learn Linnaean classification, naming species, dichotomous keys and why classification systems change with new evidence.
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Sampling methods and bias
Learn random, systematic and stratified sampling, quadrats, transects, capture-recapture and bias control in QCE Biology.
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Biodiversity measures and population estimates
Learn species richness, evenness, percentage cover, percentage frequency, Simpson's diversity index and the Lincoln index.
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Distribution, abiotic and biotic factors
Learn how abiotic and biotic factors affect species distribution, abundance, microhabitats and ecosystem classification.
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Population growth and reproductive strategies
Learn exponential and logistic growth, population change calculations, carrying capacity links and r- and K-selected strategies.
Functioning ecosystems and succession
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Energy flow and productivity
Learn energy transfer, biomass, ecological pyramids, gross productivity, net productivity and transfer efficiency.
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Water, carbon and nitrogen cycles
Learn how matter is transferred and transformed through the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles in ecosystems.
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Species interactions, niches and keystone species
Learn predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, niches, competitive exclusion and keystone species.
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Carrying capacity, human impacts and ecosystem data
Learn carrying capacity, overexploitation, habitat destruction, monocultures, pollution and ecological data interpretation.
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Ecological succession
Learn primary and secondary succession, pioneer species and changes in abiotic factors, biodiversity and biomass.
Unit 4: Heredity and continuity of life
Genetics and heredity
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DNA, chromosomes and replication
Learn DNA structure, genes, chromosomes, histones, plasmids and DNA replication with helicase, DNA polymerase and Okazaki fragments.
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Mutations, meiosis, karyotypes and variation
Learn point and frameshift mutations, meiosis, crossing over, independent assortment, fertilisation, gametogenesis and karyotypes.
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Protein synthesis and gene regulation
Learn transcription, RNA processing, translation, codons, anticodons, mutation effects, chromatin regulation, transcription factors and HOX genes.
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Inheritance patterns and genetic data
Learn dominant, recessive, autosomal, sex-linked, polygenic and multiple-allele inheritance using pedigrees, Punnett squares and histograms.
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Recombinant DNA, PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA profiling
Learn recombinant DNA, restriction enzymes, plasmids, DNA ligase, PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA profile interpretation.
Continuity of life on Earth
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Microevolution, allele frequencies and selection
Learn microevolution, mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, natural selection, allele frequencies and selection pressures.
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Macroevolution, speciation and isolation
Learn macroevolution, divergent, convergent, parallel and coevolution, plus allopatric, sympatric and parapatric speciation.
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Evolutionary evidence, phylogenies and evolutionary time
Learn comparative genomics, conserved sequences, cladograms, phylograms, molecular data, evolutionary radiation and mass extinctions.
Questions about these Biology notes
Are these notes free?
Yes. Every note on this subject page is public and can be read without an account.
What do these revision notes cover?
The current library covers Units 1-4 across 9 topics. Open a note to see its exact syllabus points and worked coverage.
Are they official curriculum notes?
No. Sylligence writes original study support around the published curriculum. Use the current authority syllabus and your school materials for official requirements.
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