Cambridge A-Level Biology 9700: Command words and keywords

Cambridge International A-level Biology (9700) uses the standard Cambridge command words. Examiner reports emphasise correct biological terms, cause–effect and structure–function links, and application to unfamiliar contexts. Paper 5 (planning, analysis, evaluation) has specific expectations for practical skills.

Command words in Biology 9700

Command word	What to do	Common mistake
State	Short answer; one point per mark	Overwriting
Identify	Choose from diagram/data	Adding explanation
Define	Precise biological meaning	Vague
Describe	What/how; no “why”	Adding explanation
Explain	Why/how; cause–effect; structure–function	Only describing
Suggest	Apply to unfamiliar context	Textbook recall
Compare	Similarities and differences	Listing separately
Evaluate	Judge; conclude with evidence	No conclusion
Calculate	Show working; units	Wrong formula
Draw / Label	Clear diagram; accurate labels	Messy or mislabelled
Predict	What will happen based on knowledge	Unsupported
Outline	Main points	Too much detail

Paper 5: Planning, analysis, evaluation

• Planning—method, variables, control, safety; clear and practicable
• Analysis—data, graphs, conclusions;biological reasoning
• Evaluation—reliability, limitations, improvements; specific points

Keywords examiners look for

Cells and molecules

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Mitochondrion	Site of aerobic respiration	Mitochondria (plural when singular needed)
Ribosome	Protein synthesis	Mitochondrion
ATP	Adenosine triphosphate; energy currency	”Energy”
Substrate	Molecule enzyme acts on	”Chemical”
Active site	Region where substrate binds	”Slot”
Osmosis	Water; partially permeable membrane	Including solutes
Diffusion	Down concentration gradient	Against gradient
Active transport	Against gradient; energy; carrier	Without membrane
Membrane	Partially permeable; selective	”Wall”
DNA replication	Semi-conservative	”Copying”
Transcription	DNA → mRNA	Translation
Translation	mRNA → protein	Transcription
Codom	Three bases coding for amino acid	”Gene”
Allele	Form of a gene	Gene
Genotype	Genetic makeup	Phenotype
Phenotype	Observable characteristic	Genotype

Genetics and evolution

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Linkage	Genes on same chromosome	”Together”
Crossing over	Exchange of genetic material	”Mixing”
Natural selection	Differential survival/reproduction	”Evolution”
Selection pressure	Factor favouring some alleles	”Pressure”
Speciation	Formation of new species	”Evolution”
Allele frequency	Proportion of allele in population	”How many”

Ecology and ecosystems

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Population	Group of same species	Community
Community	All populations in habitat	Ecosystem
Ecosystem	Community + abiotic factors	Habitat
Succession	Change in community over time	”Change”
Biodiversity	Variety of life	”Variety”

Practical (Paper 5)

Term	Use correctly	Avoid
Independent variable	What you change	”Input”
Dependent variable	What you measure	”Output”
Control variable	Kept constant	”Control” (experiment)
Reliability	Repeatability	Accuracy
Validity	Fair test; measures what it should	Reliability
Limitation	Source of error or weakness	Generic “human error”

What examiner reports say

• Describe vs Explain—describe = what; explain = why/how
• Application—weak response to unfamiliar contexts; apply to new data or organisms
• Paper 5—planning and evaluation are weak areas; be specific
• Genetic diagrams—correct notation; explain outcomes
• Precision—correct terms; cause–effect; structure–function

Tips for Biology 9700

1. Underline the command word before answering
2. Explain—cause–effect; structure–function; application to context
3. Paper 5—variables, method, graph, evaluation with specific points
4. Genetic diagrams—correct notation (e.g. Aa, not A/a)
5. Past papers + mark schemes show acceptable wording

How Tutopiya helps

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Based on Cambridge International A-level Biology 9700 syllabus. Check the latest syllabus for your exam series.