Biology: should I choose it?

What will I learn?

How will I be assessed?

Progression and companion subjects

No complete companion or exclusion review is attached to this profile. Check the official course-entry conditions, language eligibility and your school’s sequence before enrolling. Links between resource hubs show related learning; they do not establish a compulsory prerequisite.

Will I find it hard?

Difficulty depends on your experience, interests, teaching and assessment. These are our reflection prompts, not an official difficulty rating.

• Look at how much data, calculation and graph interpretation appear in the sample for this particular science.
• Can you explain the ideas in your own words as well as recall the terminology?
• Do investigations and evaluating evidence interest you? Check the course’s practical requirements.

Does it scale up or down?

Biology, 2025. Table 6 of QTAC’s 2025 report publishes separate raw and scaled subject medians for General subjects with at least 50 students. Historical cohort data cannot predict your result or a future scaling direction.

Scaling is not a measure of difficulty or a guaranteed bonus. Prioritise content you can engage with and required subjects for courses you are considering.

Try a little of the subject

Cells as the basis of life

Every living thing is built from one or more cells , and every cell comes from an existing cell. Biologists sort cells into two broad groups. Prokaryotic cells (bacteria and archaea) are small, usually 1–10 µm across, and have no membrane-bound nucleus. Their DNA is a single circular chromosome sitting in a region called the nucleoid , often with extra small DNA loops called plasmids . They contain small 70S ribosomes, a cell membrane, cytoplasm and usually a cell wall made of peptidoglycan. Some have a capsule, pili or a flagellum. Eukaryotic cells (animals, plants, fungi and protists) are typically 10–100 µm across. Their linear chromosomes are enclosed in a nucleus with a double membrane (the nuclear envelope). They contain larger 80S ribosomes and many membrane-bound organelles , which divide the cell into compartments so that incompatible reactions can run at the same time. Key eukaryotic organelles and their functions: Nucleus – stores DNA and controls cell activity; the nucleolus assembles ribosome subunits. Ribosomes – sites of protein synthesis; free in the cytosol or attached to rough ER. Rough endoplasmic reticulum – membrane network studded with ribosomes; folds and transports proteins destined for export or membranes. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum – no ribosomes; synthesises lipids and steroids and detoxifies drugs. Golgi apparatus – stacks of flattened sacs that modify, sort and package proteins into vesicles. Mitochondria – double-membraned; site of aerobic cellular respiration, producing ATP. Lysosomes – vesicles of digestive enzymes that break down worn-out organelles and engulfed material. Vacuoles – storage sacs; plant cells have one large central vacuole that holds water and keeps the cell turgid. Chloroplasts – double-membraned, contain chlorophyll;

Original practice question: Which structure is found in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells?

This is ATARMAxxing’s original sample learning material. It is not an official assessment task or a prediction of your school’s workload.

Explore the resources

Open the Biology subject hub and free preview (opens in a new tab)

• Biology — QCE Units 3 & 4 (opens in a new tab)

Core subject information and planning are free. Full study resources are optional.