Shiing-Shen Global Olympiad: Biology Syllabus

This syllabus outlines the comprehensive biology content assessed in the Shiing-Shen Global Olympiad, integrating molecular biology, physiology, ecology, biotechnology, and Olympiad-level biological reasoning.

1

Cell Structure and Function

  • Prokaryotic vs eukaryotic cells
  • Membrane-bound organelles
  • Fluid mosaic model and transport
  • Cytoskeleton and motor proteins
  • Identifying organelles (Mitochondria, Ribosomes, Chloroplasts, etc.) and their specific roles.
2

Cell Division

  • Phases of Mitosis and Meiosis
  • Significance in growth, repair, and reproduction
  • The Cell Cycle and its regulation
3

Human Anatomy and Physiology I

  • Digestive system
  • Circulatory system
  • Respiratory system
  • Excretory system
  • Skeletal and muscular systems
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Human Anatomy and Physiology II

  • Nervous system
  • Sensory receptors
  • Endocrine regulation
  • Reproductive system
  • Immune responses
5

Classical Genetics and Heredity

  • Mendelian inheritance
  • Non-Mendelian patterns
  • Sex-linked traits
  • Gene mapping
  • Polygenic inheritance
6

Molecular Genetics

  • DNA double helix structure and base pairing
  • Basics of transcription and translation (Protein Synthesis)
  • Genetic mutations and their effects
7

Energetics and Enzymes

  • Biological thermodynamics
  • Enzyme kinetics and inhibition
  • ATP and coupled reactions
  • Cellular respiration
  • Fermentation pathways
8

Photosynthesis and Plant Metabolism

  • Chloroplast structure
  • Light-dependent reactions
  • Calvin cycle
  • C4 and CAM adaptations
  • Xylem and phloem transport
9

Ecology and Conservation Biology

  • Population dynamics
  • Community interactions
  • Ecosystem energetics
  • Biomes and biodiversity
  • Conservation strategies
10

Evolutionary Biology and Phylogenetics

  • Mechanisms of evolution
  • Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium
  • Speciation processes
  • Phylogenetic trees
  • Major evolutionary transitions
11

Cell Signaling and Development

  • Signal transduction pathways
  • Cell cycle regulation
  • Embryonic development
  • Hox genes
  • Stem cells
12

Biotechnology and Genomics

  • Recombinant DNA technology
  • PCR and electrophoresis
  • DNA sequencing
  • CRISPR-Cas9
  • Medical and agricultural applications
13

Ethology and Biosystematics

  • Behavioral ecology
  • Innate vs learned behavior
  • Animal communication
  • Taxonomic classification
  • Microbial diversity

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