Question 1
Potato cylinders were left in sucrose solutions of different concentrations for two hours. The graph shows the percentage change in their mass. Which solution has the same water concentration as the potato cells?
National 5 Biology course content
Three areas, 19 key areas. An 80-mark paper and a 20-mark assignment.
26 weeks, 104 hours in all
Start with Section 1
Cells, membranes and DNA: 14.4 of your hours. It is 3 of the 20 questions on our Section 1 practice papers, 15%.
| Section | Your hours | Share of the papers |
|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Cells, membranes and DNA | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 2: Proteins, genetic engineering and respiration | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 3: New cells, nerves and hormones | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 4: Reproduction and inheritance | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 5: Transport and absorption | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 7: Photosynthesis, food and evolution | 14.4 | 15% |
| Section 6: Ecosystems and sampling | 9.6 | 10% |
Week by week
- Week 1Section 1: Cells, membranes and DNA
- Week 2Section 1: Cells, membranes and DNA
- Week 3Section 1: Cells, membranes and DNA
- Week 4Section 1: Cells, membranes and DNA, Section 2: Proteins, genetic engineering and respiration
- Week 5Section 2: Proteins, genetic engineering and respiration
- Week 6Section 2: Proteins, genetic engineering and respiration
- Week 7Section 2: Proteins, genetic engineering and respiration
- Week 8Section 2: Proteins, genetic engineering and respiration, Section 3: New cells, nerves and hormones
- Week 9Section 3: New cells, nerves and hormones
- Week 10Section 3: New cells, nerves and hormones
- Week 11Section 3: New cells, nerves and hormones, Section 4: Reproduction and inheritance
- Week 12Section 4: Reproduction and inheritance
- Week 13Section 4: Reproduction and inheritance
- Week 14Section 4: Reproduction and inheritance
- Week 15Section 4: Reproduction and inheritance, Section 5: Transport and absorption
- Week 16Section 5: Transport and absorption
- Week 17Section 5: Transport and absorption
- Week 18Section 5: Transport and absorption
- Week 19Section 7: Photosynthesis, food and evolution
- Week 20Section 7: Photosynthesis, food and evolution
- Week 21Section 7: Photosynthesis, food and evolution
- Week 22Section 7: Photosynthesis, food and evolution, Section 6: Ecosystems and sampling
- Week 23Section 6: Ecosystems and sampling
- Week 24Section 6: Ecosystems and sampling
- Week 25A timed Section 1 practice paper and two Section 2 questions, then review every lost mark
- Week 26A timed Section 1 practice paper and two Section 2 questions, then review every lost mark
| Question paper | 80 marks in 2 hours, 80% of the course mark |
|---|---|
| Section 1 | 20 multiple-choice questions, 20 marks |
| Section 2 | Structured and extended-response questions, 60 marks |
| Assignment | 20 marks, done in school |
| Grades | A to D |
The three areas
- Cell biology: cell structure, membranes, DNA and proteins, enzymes, genetic engineering, respiration.
- Multicellular organisms: mitosis, nerves and hormones, reproduction, inheritance, transport, absorption.
- Life on Earth: ecosystems, sampling, photosynthesis, energy, food production, evolution.
The paper is shorter from 2027
From session 2026 to 27 the question paper is 80 marks in 2 hours: 20 multiple-choice marks and 60 in Section 2. The course content itself has not changed.
Try 2 questions
Question 2
A student measures the heights of 40 adults and groups them as shown in the bar chart. What percentage of the adults are 180 cm or taller?
Next step
Questions people ask
Is the assignment covered here?
No. The assignment is planned and written up in school. This course is for the question paper.
Has the content changed for 2027?
No. The paper is shorter, but the key areas are the same.