Free Cambridge A Level Biology Notes (9700): Topic-by-Topic
You can get free Cambridge A Level Biology notes for every 9700 topic on the Tutopiya Learning Portal, with a quiz for each topic. The table below links each topic straight to its notes and quiz, and marks whether it is AS or A Level content. Use the notes to learn the content, then check yourself with the quiz and past papers.
Key takeaways
- Free topic notes and quizzes for Cambridge International A Level Biology (9700) are below, in syllabus order.
- Check whether each topic is AS or A Level content, because papers are split by level.
- Notes alone rarely secure an A or A*. Combine them with active recall and timed past papers.
- Other free sources, such as ZNotes and Physics & Maths Tutor, work well alongside the portal.
9700 at a glance
| Paper | Level | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | AS | 40 multiple-choice questions on AS content |
| Paper 2: AS Level Structured Questions | AS | Structured questions on AS content |
| Paper 3: Advanced Practical Skills | AS | Laboratory practical |
| Paper 4: A Level Structured Questions | A Level | Structured questions on A Level content, drawing on AS knowledge |
| Paper 5: Planning, Analysis and Evaluation | A Level | Written paper on experimental design and data |
Free Cambridge A Level Biology notes by topic
| Topic | Level | Covers | Free notes | Start a quiz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cell Structure | AS | The microscope in cell studies, Cells as the basic units of living organisms | Free notes | Quiz |
| Biological Molecules | AS | Testing for biological molecules, Carbohydrates and Lipids, Proteins, Water | Free notes | Quiz |
| Enzymes | AS | Mode of action of enzymes, Factors that affect enzyme action | Free notes | Quiz |
| Cell Membranes and Transport | AS | Fluid mosaic membranes, Movement into and out of cells | Free notes | Quiz |
| The Mitotic Cell Cycle | AS | Replication and division of nuclei and cells, Chromosome behaviour in mitosis | Free notes | Quiz |
| Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis | AS | Structure of nucleic acids and replication of DNA, Protein synthesis | Free notes | Quiz |
| Transport in Plants | AS | Structure of transport tissues, Transport mechanisms | Free notes | Quiz |
| Transport in Mammals | AS | The circulatory system, Transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide, The heart | Free notes | Quiz |
| Gas Exchange | AS | The gas exchange system | Free notes | Quiz |
| Infectious Diseases | AS | Infectious diseases, Antibiotics | Free notes | Quiz |
| Immunity | AS | The immune system, Antibodies and vaccination | Free notes | Quiz |
| Energy and Respiration | A Level | Energy, Respiration | Free notes | Quiz |
| Photosynthesis | A Level | Photosynthesis as an energy transfer process, Investigation of limiting factors | Free notes | Quiz |
| Homeostasis | A Level | Homeostasis in mammals, Homeostasis in plants | Free notes | Quiz |
| Control and Coordination | A Level | Control and coordination in mammals, Control and coordination in plants | Free notes | Quiz |
| Inheritance | A Level | Passage of information from parents to offspring, The roles of genes in determining the phenotype, Gene Control | Free notes | Quiz |
| Selection and Evolution | A Level | Variation, Natural and artificial selection, Evolution | Free notes | Quiz |
| Classification, Biodiversity and Conservation | A Level | Classification, Biodiversity, Conservation | Free notes | Quiz |
| Genetic Technology | A Level | Principles of genetic technology, Genetic technology applied to medicine, Genetically modified organisms in agriculture | Free notes | Quiz |
The whole syllabus is on the Cambridge International A Level Biology portal page. Not sure where to start? Try the diagnostic challenge to find your weakest topics first.
What good Biology notes look like
- Labelled diagrams. Cells, membranes, the heart, the nephron and the chloroplast should be drawn from memory.
- Process sequences. Write processes such as protein synthesis, respiration and the immune response as numbered steps.
- Precise vocabulary. Mark schemes reward exact terms, so keep a glossary of key words for each topic.
How to revise with free notes
- Start from the syllabus. Tick off each topic in the table as you finish its notes.
- Read, then close the notes. Write down everything you remember, then check what you missed.
- Take the topic quiz. A quick quiz after each topic shows whether the content has stuck.
- Move to past papers. Practise exam questions for that topic, then full timed papers closer to the exam.
- Mark with the mark scheme. Compare your wording with the mark scheme and add missing key terms to your notes.
Common mistakes
- Reading notes without drawing diagrams from memory
- Vague wording where the mark scheme expects specific terms
- Neglecting data-handling and practical skills for Papers 3 and 5
Other free Biology sources
- ZNotes: free, condensed student-written notes for many Cambridge A Level subjects. See our ZNotes alternatives for A Level.
- Physics & Maths Tutor (PMT): free notes and topic questions for many subjects. See PMT alternatives for A Level.
- Past papers: free from the exam board and archive sites. See PapaCambridge alternatives for A Level.
- Your exam board: the syllabus or specification, specimen papers and examiner reports show exactly what is assessed.
Topic deep dives on our blog
- Carbohydrates And Lipids in Cambridge International A Level Biology (9700)
- Homeostasis In Plants in Cambridge International A Level Biology (9700)
- Transport Mechanisms in Cambridge International A Level Biology (9700)
When notes aren’t enough
If the same topics keep costing marks, a one-to-one tutor who teaches 9700 can find the gap quickly. Tutopiya tutors set their own rates, plans start from 4 hours a month, and the trial lesson is free with no card required.
Related
- Save My Exams alternative for Cambridge A Level Biology
- 9700 exam trends
- Free A Level notes for every subject
- Websites like Save My Exams for A Level
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Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free Cambridge A Level Biology notes? +
The Tutopiya Learning Portal has free notes and a quiz for every 9700 topic, linked in the table on this page. ZNotes, Physics & Maths Tutor and the exam board's own materials are other useful free sources.
Which Cambridge A Level Biology topics are AS? +
In the 9700 syllabus, topics 1 to 11 (cell structure through immunity) are AS content. Topics 12 to 19, from energy and respiration to genetic technology, are A Level content examined in Paper 4.
Are free notes enough for an A* in Cambridge A Level Biology? +
Rarely on their own. Use notes to learn the content, then test yourself with quizzes and timed past papers, and compare your answers with mark schemes.
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