Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 224-225. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic. Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to diseases or to produce bigger better fruits. Bacterial cells have been genetically engineered to produce useful substances such as human insulin to treat diabetes. Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. In genetic engineering, genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ and transferred to cells of other organisms. Crops that have had their genes modified in this way are called genetically modified (GM) crops. GM crops include ones that are resistant to insect attack or to herbicides. GM crops generally show increased yields. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored. Modern medical research is exploring the possibility of genetic modification to overcome some inherited disorders. (HT) Students should be able to describe the main steps in the process of genetic engineering. In genetic engineering: • enzymes are used to isolate the required gene; this gene is inserted into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus • the vector is used to insert the gene into the required cells • genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants, or microorganisms at an early stage (egg or embryo) in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.

Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 186-187. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored.

Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 184-185. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic. Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to diseases or to produce bigger better fruits. Bacterial cells have been genetically engineered to produce useful substances such as human insulin to treat diabetes. Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. In genetic engineering, genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ and transferred to cells of other organisms. Crops that have had their genes modified in this way are called genetically modified (GM) crops. GM crops include ones that are resistant to insect attack or to herbicides. GM crops generally show increased yields. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored. Modern medical research is exploring the possibility of genetic modification to overcome some inherited disorders. (HT) Students should be able to describe the main steps in the process of genetic engineering. In genetic engineering: • enzymes are used to isolate the required gene; this gene is inserted into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus • the vector is used to insert the gene into the required cells • genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants, or microorganisms at an early stage (egg or embryo) in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.

Making the most of photosynthesis lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class and HIGHER TIER ONLY students. You will require access to computers/tablets for this lesson as it is heavily research based. You may decide to set this part of the spec as homework although my students thoroughly enjoyed designing the most affordable greenhouse. * NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. Enjoy this lesson for free as a token of appreciation for all the hard work you've done this term :) AQA spec link: 4.4.1.2 Relevant chapter: B8 Photosynthesis. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 128-129 Students are required to know the following; Limiting factors are important in the economics of enhancing the conditions in greenhouses to gain the maximum rate of photosynthesis whilst still maintaining profit.

Photosynthesis required practical (RP 6). This practical was completed in one lesson, students were asked to construct a graph from their data for homework. AQA spec link: 4.4.1.1 Relevant chapter: B8 Photosynthesis. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 126-127 Students are required to know the following; investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic organism such as pondweed. AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Selective breeding lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.3 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 182-183. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the impact of selective breeding of food plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding (artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular genetic characteristics. Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding involves choosing parents with the desired characteristic from a mixed population. They are bred together. From the offspring those with the desired characteristic are bred together. This continues over many generations until all the offspring show the desired characteristic. The characteristic can be chosen for usefulness or appearance: • Disease resistance in food crops. • Animals which produce more meat or milk. • Domestic dogs with a gentle nature. • Large or unusual flowers. Selective breeding can lead to ‘inbreeding’ where some breeds are particularly prone to disease or inherited defects. WS 1.3, 1.4 Explain the benefits and risks of selective breeding given appropriate information and consider related ethical issues.

Evolution by natural selection lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 + 4.6.2.2 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 180-181. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to: • state that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species • recall that all variants arise from mutations and that: most have no effect on the phenotype; some influence phenotype; very few determine phenotype. Mutations occur continuously. Very rarely a mutation will lead to a new phenotype. If the new phenotype is suited to an environmental change it can lead to a relatively rapid change in the species. Students should be able to describe evolution as a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species. The theory of evolution by natural selection states that all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago. Students should be able to explain how evolution occurs through natural selection of variants that give rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment. If two populations of one species become so different in phenotype that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring they have formed two new species.

Variation lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 178-179. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe simply how the genome and its interaction with the environment influence the development of the phenotype of an organism. Differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population is called variation and may be due to differences in: • the genes they have inherited (genetic causes) • the conditions in which they have developed (environmental causes) • a combination of genes and the environment. NB: Mutations reference will be taught in the subsequent lesson.

A great homework based on photosynthesis, can be set over a weekend. Students are also required to access knowledge from previous topics (B4).

Selective breeding lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.3 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 222-223. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the impact of selective breeding of food plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding (artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular genetic characteristics. Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding involves choosing parents with the desired characteristic from a mixed population. They are bred together. From the offspring those with the desired characteristic are bred together. This continues over many generations until all the offspring show the desired characteristic. The characteristic can be chosen for usefulness or appearance: • Disease resistance in food crops. • Animals which produce more meat or milk. • Domestic dogs with a gentle nature. • Large or unusual flowers. Selective breeding can lead to ‘inbreeding’ where some breeds are particularly prone to disease or inherited defects. WS 1.3, 1.4 Explain the benefits and risks of selective breeding given appropriate information and consider related ethical issues.

Evolution by natural selection lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 + 4.6.2.2 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 220-221. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to: • state that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species • recall that all variants arise from mutations and that: most have no effect on the phenotype; some influence phenotype; very few determine phenotype. Mutations occur continuously. Very rarely a mutation will lead to a new phenotype. If the new phenotype is suited to an environmental change it can lead to a relatively rapid change in the species. Students should be able to describe evolution as a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species. The theory of evolution by natural selection states that all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago. Students should be able to explain how evolution occurs through natural selection of variants that give rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment. If two populations of one species become so different in phenotype that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring they have formed two new species.

Variation lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 218-219. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe simply how the genome and its interaction with the environment influence the development of the phenotype of an organism. Differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population is called variation and may be due to differences in: • the genes they have inherited (genetic causes) • the conditions in which they have developed (environmental causes) • a combination of genes and the environment. NB: Mutations reference will be taught in the subsequent lesson.

How plants use glucose lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video’s, practice questions, peer assessment worksheet and mini review. *Top paper friendly tip: the information in the ‘How to use glucose’ worksheet can also be found in the textbook therefore isn’t required to be printed.* NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.4.1.3 Relevant chapter: B8 Photosynthesis. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 128-129 Students are required to know the following; The glucose produced in photosynthesis may be: •• used for respiration •• converted into insoluble starch for storage •• used to produce fat or oil for storage •• used to produce cellulose, which strengthens the cell wall •• used to produce amino acids for protein synthesis. To produce proteins, plants also use nitrate ions that are absorbed from the soil. AT 8-Tests to identify starch, glucose and proteins using simple qualitative reagents

Aims In this activity students will use an aseptic (sterile) technique and a small part of a cauliflower ‘flower’ to clone and create an entirely new plant. Learning outcomes After completing this practical, students should be able to: • state why plant clones are genetically identical to each other • explain how using tissue culture creates a clone of a plant • explain why it is easier to clone a plant than an animal • explain and carry out a practical accurately and safely in order to successfully clone a plant. Specification references: B1.1.4 Cell differentiation B1.2.3 Stem cells

Stem cells dilemmas lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability separates class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: slide animations, embedded video, practice questions with answers on slides. AQA spec link: 4.1.2.3 Relevant chapter: B2 Cell division. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 32-33 Specification requires students to know the following; In therapeutic cloning an embryo is produced with the same genes as the patient. Stem cells from the embryo are not rejected by the patient’s body so they may be used for medical treatment. The use of stem cells has potential risks such as transfer of viral infection, and some people have ethical or religious objections. Stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of plants quickly and economically. •• Rare species can be cloned to protect from extinction. •• Crop plants with special features such as disease resistance can be cloned to produce large numbers of identical plants for farmers.

Stem cells (introduction) lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability separates class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: slide animations, embedded video, practice questions with answers on slides. AQA spec link: 4.1.2.3 Relevant chapter: B2 Cell division. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 30-31 Specification requires students to know the following; A stem cell is an undifferentiated cell of an organism which is capable of giving rise to many more cells of the same type, and from which certain other cells can arise from differentiation. Students should be able to describe the function of stem cells in embryos, in adult animals and in the meristems in plants. Stem cells from human embryos can be cloned and made to differentiate into most different types of human cells. Stem cells from adult bone marrow can form many types of cells including blood cells. Meristem tissue in plants can differentiate into any type of plant cell, throughout the life of the plant. Knowledge and understanding of stem cell techniques are not required. Treatment with stem cells may be able to help conditions such as diabetes and paralysis

Rate of photosynthesis lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video's and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.4.1.1 Relevant chapter: B8 Photosynthesis. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 126-127 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the effects of temperature, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and the amount of chlorophyll on the rate of photosynthesis. Students should be able to: • measure and calculate rates of photosynthesis • extract and interpret graphs of photosynthesis rate involving one limiting factor •plot and draw appropriate graphs selecting appropriate scale for axes •translate information between graphical and numeric form. Solve simple algebraic equations. MS 1a, 1c, 2c, 4a, 4c (HT only) These factors interact and any one of them may be the factor that limits photosynthesis. (HT only) Students should be able to explain graphs of photosynthesis rate involving two or three factors and decide which is the limiting factor. (HT only) Students should understand and use inverse proportion – the inverse square law and light intensity in the context of photosynthesis. (HT only) Limiting factors are important in the economics of enhancing the conditions in greenhouses to gain the maximum rate of photosynthesis while still maintaining profit. (HT only) WS 1.4 Use data to relate limiting factors to the cost effectiveness of adding heat, light or carbon dioxide to greenhouses.

Attached is the sample assessment material on UNIT 1 For the NEW (2016) BTEC applied science specification. I have given my students each a copy of the sample paper (w/o mark scheme) for an open book assessment, in preparation for their mocks but you can use it is as a class test. For ease of use i converted the PDF file into a word document which i have also attached. It was very fiddly to find this on the pearson website and i dislike editing pdf documents so i hope it has saved you some hassle. Please leave a review to let me know if it was useful or how you used it in your lesson.