Topic Papers Generate practice questions

Edexcel IGCSE Biology topic guide

Structure and functions in living organisms questions

Build from cells to organ systems and explain how plants and animals obtain resources, release energy and respond to change.

Edexcel IGCSE Biology Topic 2

Structure and functions in living organisms topic overview

Structure and functions in living organisms covers cells, biological molecules, movement across membranes, nutrition, respiration, gas exchange, transport, excretion and co-ordination.

Link structure to function at the correct level of organisation, use biological terminology precisely, and connect each observation or data trend to the underlying process.

Generate practice questions Open the Biology paper generator

Question types in structure and functions in living organisms

  1. Cell, tissue and organ diagrams requiring labels, comparisons and adaptations.
  2. Practical investigations involving enzymes, osmosis, photosynthesis, respiration and transport.
  3. Data and calculation questions using rates, percentage change, magnification and surface area.
  4. Extended explanations of nutrition, gas exchange, circulation, excretion and homeostasis.

Structure and functions in living organisms subtopics

Choose a subtopic for its syllabus points, answering guidance and worked exam questions.

2.a Level of organisation How organelles, cells, tissues, organs and systems work together. 2.b Cell structure Cell structures and their functions, specialised cells and stem cells. 2.c Biological molecules Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, food tests and enzyme activity. 2.d Movement of substances into and out of cells Diffusion, osmosis, active transport and practical investigations of cell transport. 2.e Nutrition Photosynthesis, mineral nutrition, balanced diets, digestion and absorption. 2.f Respiration Aerobic and anaerobic respiration, energy release and measuring respiration rates. 2.g Gas exchange Gas exchange in leaves and lungs, ventilation and the effects of smoking. 2.h Transport Plant transport, transpiration, blood, the heart and circulation. 2.i Excretion Removing metabolic waste, kidney function and control of water balance. 2.j Co-ordination and response Nerves, reflexes, hormones, homeostasis and plant responses.