Topic 8: The control of gene expression (AQA A-level Biology)

Each of the 12 lessons included in this bundle have been written to specifically cover the content as detailed in topic 8 of the AQA A-level Biology specification (The control of gene expression). The wide range of activities will maintain engagement whilst supporting the explanations of the biological knowledge to allow the students to build a deep understanding of this potentially difficult topic!

Lessons which cover the following specification points are included in this bundle:

• Gene mutations and their effect on the structure of proteins
• Most of a cell’s DNA is not translated
• Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent and unipotent stem cells
• Regulation of transcription by transcription factors
• The role of oestrogen in initiating transcription
• Epigenetic control of gene expression in eukaryotes
• Inhibition of transcription by increased DNA methylation or decreased acetylation of histones
• Translation of mRNA can be inhibited by RNA interference
• The main characteristics of benign and malignant tumours
• Determining the genome of simpler organisms to determine the proteome and its applications
• The development of DNA sequencing methods
• The production of DNA fragments through use of enzymes or a gene machine
• The role of the PCR to amplify DNA fragments
• The transfer of DNA into a host cell
• The use of labelled DNA probes to screen patients for heritable conditions, drug responses and to identify health risks
• VNTRs
• The technique of genetic fingerprinting to analyse DNA fragments

If you would like to see the quality of the lessons, download the producing DNA fragments and DNA methylation and acetylation lessons as these have been uploaded for free