Education: A to Z of A-Levels - Biology ; OUR WEEKLY SERIES DESIGNED TO HELP YOU PICK THE RIGHT COURSE

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What is it? Supposedly the easiest of the three sciences. At AS- level you start with cells and molecules, how a cell is built and what's in it - carbohydrate, protein, fats. You follow on into animals and plants, looking at reproduction (yes, the birds and the bees) and ecology, or at least you do if you're studying with the Edexcel exam board. At A-level, you take a few of the topics in greater depth, eg respiration and photosynthesis. You also study more sophisticated genetics as well as evolutionary biodiversity.

Why do it? Because you have always loved collecting insects, like the great American entomologist E O Wilson, and/or because you think it will be useful …