Cambridge · O Level
Cambridge O Level Biology
Cambridge O Level Biology (5090). What it covers, how it is assessed, a link to the official syllabus, and the free study material Marlbridge publishes for it.
- Syllabus
- 5090
- Board
- Cambridge
- Qualification
- O Level
- Not your course?
- Change course
Topics and resources
Each topic below is from the official Cambridge document for Cambridge O Level Biology (5090), with its study guides, revision notes and practice questions together. Everything here is for Cambridge O Level Biology (5090) only.
- Learn with study guides
- Revise with revision notes
- Practise with practice questions
Searches topic names and resource titles for this course only.
No Biology (5090) resources match “”.
- Try one shorter word, or check the spelling.
- Try the wording the syllabus uses for the topic, as listed below once you clear the search.
- Some topics have no Marlbridge resource yet; they are still listed.
- Topic 1
Cells
Covers Cell structure and function, Specialised cells, tissues and organs
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 2
Classification
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 3
Movement into and out of cells
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 4
Biological molecules
Covers Biological molecules
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 5
Enzymes
Covers Enzyme action, Effects of temperature and pH
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 6
Plant nutrition
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 7
Transport in flowering plants
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 8
Human nutrition
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 9
Human gas exchange
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 10
Respiration
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 11
Transport in humans
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 12
Disease and immunity
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 13
Excretion
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 14
Coordination and control
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 15
Coordination and response in plants
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 16
Development of organisms and continuity of life
- Topic 17
Inheritance
Study guides
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 18
Biotechnology and genetic modification
Revision notes
Practice questions
- Topic 19
Relationships of organisms with one another and with the environment
Revision notes
Source: Cambridge Assessment International Education — official syllabus PDF — 2026-2028 series. Verified 2026-08-18. Subtopics are shown where Marlbridge has entered them; a topic may have more in the official document. A topic listed here is part of the syllabus; it does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.
About this course
- Qualification
- Cambridge O Level Biology
- Spec code
- 5090
- Does Marlbridge teach it?
- Yes — request a free trial class
- Who teaches it?
- Saad Zai · Harris Zaman · Hina Mogul · Ameer Hamza
- Are resources available?
- Yes — 57 published
- Is enrolment open?
- Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
- Official syllabus
- Cambridge syllabus
- Topic checklist
- Printable 5090 checklist
- Where was this verified?
- 2026-08-18, official Cambridge specification
Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Cambridge specification on 2026-08-18.
Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.
The qualification
Cambridge O Level Biology (5090)
Marlbridge's summary of the course
With an emphasis on human biology, the Cambridge O Level Biology syllabus enables learners to understand the technological world in which they live, and take an informed interest in science and scientific developments.
The board's own description is on the official Cambridge syllabus page.
Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Cambridge syllabus page for your examination year.
Assessment structure
Component-based qualification
| Component | Duration | Marks | Weighting | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Multiple Choice | 1h | 40 | 30% | Multiple choice |
| Paper 2: Theory | 1h 45m | 80 | 50% | Written exam |
| Paper 3: Practical Test | 1h 30m | 40 | 20% * | Practical |
| Paper 4: Alternative to Practical | 1h | 40 | 20% * | Alternative to practical |
* Candidates sit one of the components marked with an asterisk, not all of them.
Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27. Same structure as O Level Chemistry 5070 and Physics 5054, independently re-confirmed from Biology's own source PDF (Assessment overview, p.9): Paper 1 Multiple Choice 1h/40 marks/30%; Paper 2 Theory 1h45/80 marks/50%; practical component is a choice of Paper 3 Practical Test (1h30/40 marks/20%) OR Paper 4 Alternative to Practical (1h/40 marks/20%), both externally assessed. Examination-series window 2026-2028 (June and November series); no separate first-teaching date published.
Questions about this course
How is Cambridge Biology (5090) assessed?
Cambridge Biology (5090) is assessed through: Paper 1 (Multiple Choice) — 1h, 40 marks, 30% of the qualification; Paper 2 (Theory) — 1h 45m, 80 marks, 50% of the qualification; one of Paper 3 (Practical Test) — 1h 30m, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification or Paper 4 (Alternative to Practical) — 1h, 40 marks, 20% of the qualification. It is a component based qualification. Source: official Cambridge specification, verified 2026-08-27.
What topics does Cambridge O Level Biology (5090) cover?
19 topics in the current syllabus: Cells; Classification; Movement into and out of cells; Biological molecules; Enzymes; Plant nutrition; Transport in flowering plants; Human nutrition; Human gas exchange; Respiration; Transport in humans; Disease and immunity; Excretion; Coordination and control; Coordination and response in plants; Development of organisms and continuity of life; Inheritance; Biotechnology and genetic modification; Relationships of organisms with one another and with the environment. The printable topic checklist lists every topic and subtopic on one page.
Can I get a tutor for Cambridge O Level Biology (5090)?
Yes. Marlbridge teaches Cambridge O Level Biology (5090) live online, one-to-one or in small groups, taught by a named subject teacher from its academy in Lahore, Pakistan. The first trial class is free.
Are there free Cambridge O Level Biology (5090) revision notes and practice questions?
Yes. Marlbridge has published 57 free resources for this course (study guides, practice questions, revision notes), free to read with no sign-up.
The subject
Biology teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.
Biology at other qualifications
These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.
- Cambridge A Level Biology Syllabus 9700
- Cambridge IGCSE Biology Syllabus 0610
- Pearson Edexcel A Level Biology Syllabus YBI11
- Pearson Edexcel IGCSE Biology Syllabus 4BI1
- AQA GCSE Biology Syllabus 8461
- AQA A Level Biology Syllabus 7402
- OCR GCSE Biology Syllabus J247
- OCR A Level Biology Syllabus H420
- OxfordAQA IGCSE Biology Syllabus 9201
- OxfordAQA A Level Biology Syllabus 9610
- International Baccalaureate IB Diploma Programme Biology Syllabus DP Biology
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