Biological molecules is often a topic that students struggle with in A-Level Biology. This resource provides a table in which students can pull together all their notes on the different categories of molecules, including carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Nucleic acids are also included as extension and to foster links between different units.

This worksheet serves as a recap of the food tests taught in A-Level Biology: Benedict's test for reducing sugars, ethanol emulsion test for fats, biuret test for protein and the iodine test for starch. The resource can be used as either a starter or plenary to recap the reagents required and the expected observations for a positive test. Key words: iodine, starch, benedict's, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, biuret, protein, ethanol, emulsion, fat, hydrolysis

A starter or plenary task on the topic of the carbon cycle, designed for A-Level students. The worksheet asks students to suggest their own labels for each key process involved in the cycle and then identify carbon sources, sinks and ways in which human activity is contributing to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Key words: Carbon, cycle, sources, sinks, global warming, deforestation, greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide

A worksheet designed for A-Level Biology students that reviews the meaning of key words related to ecology (population, community, ecosystem, etc). The worksheet includes questions on the ethics of conservation work carried out by ecologists and includes full answers at the end. Key words: Ethics, ecology, ecosystem, abiotic, biotic, conservation, population, community, niche, competition, risk, hazard

Ideal for use as a starter activity for A-Level Biology students following a topic on energy flow through food chains. This resource shows a diagrammatic representation of a food chain, with energy values quoted at each transfer stage. the questions require students to perform calculations and identify key processes involved in energy transfer through a food chain. Key words: energy, transfer, food chain, respiration, decomposition, photosynthesis, productivity, calcualtions, kilojoules, metres

A worksheet designed for A-Level biology students that requires independent research into the nature of crop pests and the problems they cause for farmers. The worksheet includes website references to guide students in their research. Key words: Crops, pests, pest control, farming, profits, pesticides, predators, biological control, monoculture, bioaccumulation, specific, cost effective, stable, contact, systemic, residual

This is a worksheet that focuses on how proteins form increasingly complex structures (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary). There are extension questions at the end for the more able. The resource is suitable for A-Level Biology students and would be a useful plenary or starter exercise once a lesson on protein structure had been completed. Key words: Protein, amino acids, condensation, peptide, primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, conformation

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource focuses on how restriction enzymes can be used to map the position of genes within a plasmid. The worksheet consists of background information on restriction enzymes followed by a question whereby students can use logical thought to work out the position of a gene within a larger sequence of DNA. Key words: bacteria, host, gene, mapping, restriction endonucleases

A resource aimed at 14-18 year old biology students, this worksheet provides an exercise on the inheritance of coat colour in dogs. The worksheet provides a template for students to organise their cross diagrams carefully and also provides a challenge question at the end, requiring students to explain how they could test for homozygosity (the classic 'test cross' or 'back cross'). Key words: Monohybrid, inheritance, genetics, test cross, back cross

A resource aimed at Advanced Level Biology students, this worksheet introduces the dual layout of the mammalian circulatory system and then provides a series of questions that would consolidate understanding following a dissection of a heart. The worksheet effectively provides a starter and plenary task to any lesson involving a heart dissection. Key words: Circulatory, heart, pulomonary, aorta, artery, vein, valves, cardiac, ventricles, atria

A quiz that tests students understanding on the first part of the nitrogen cycle, involving nitrogen fixation. There is a series of twenty one questions that require simple responses. This is ideal to use as a lesson starter activity as a check on whether students can remember the detail of what they have been taught and serves to reinforce vocabulary.

An activity aimed at GCSE or A-Level biology (age 14-18) students on the topic of intensive rearing of livestock. The activity includes a powerpoint presentation and a questionnaire word document. The powerpoint can be printed out on separate sheets of A4 and posted around the classroom for students to find - each slide has a suitable image together with either explanatory text or thought provoking image. The questionnaire matches the slides and so students can then match the answer to the relevant question. In terms of delivery, students can be paired up after they complete the activity and asked to verbally test each other on their knowledge of intensive rearing, checking that the information gathered has been understood. This can then lead into a whole class teacher-led discussion using the powerpoint slides to summarise the topic and check responses to each question. The activity includes coverage of the reasons for intensive rearing, the ways in which energy efficiency is increased, the use of growth hormone, use of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance and various ethical issues.

An original Christmas science investigation that requires minimal preparation of resources and is ideal for that final lesson before the Christmas holiday/vacation begins! In this investigation, students are asked to stare at an image relating to Christmas. Some examples are provided in the resource (e.g. holly, santa, christmas tree baubles, etc) but you could supplement these with your own if desired. Gradually, light sensitive cones in the retina of the eye become fatigued causing the appearance of a ghostly afterimage in the field of view for a few seconds/minutes afterwards. Quite literally, students will see the apparition of a giant christmas image everywhere they look! The investigation requires students to take it in turns varying the length of time they are exposed to the image and determine the effect this has on the time foor the afterimage to remain. Follow up optional extension questions require students to explain the reason for the colour of the afterimage. The activity would best be delivered to either high ability GCSE biology students or advanced level biology students with some prior discussion on the trichromatic theory of colour vision.

A questionnaire that can be given to students as part of a homework or research task on the subject of MMR vaccinations. The questions are thought provoking and force students to think about how they would act in the situation of getting their own children vaccinated. This activity works well as a starter activity to ignite debate - particularly when students are tasked with using this questionnaire on members of their own family and reporting the results back to class.

An activity aimed at either advanced level biology students or level 3 BTEC applied science students, this resource provides a nice, quick and simple activity that illustrates the primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins - using nothing more than paper and sellotape! This activity provides a way in which students can see the three dimensional structure of protein for themselves - once the activity is completed, the teacher can then display ribbon diagrams of proteins (e.g. enzymes, haemoglobin, etc) so that students can see the connection between textbook diagrams and images and their model.

A resource aimed at BTEC Level 3 Applied Science students, this worksheet provides a series of research prompts for students to explore the nature of a scientific theory. The context of the theory of evolution is used in this task, with students being required to research the evidence for this theory and some of the competing and discredited ideas that were believed (and still are by some individuals) until the evidence for evolution by natural selection became overwhelming.

An unusual resource that brings history and science together with an activity that introduces the concept of carbon-14 radioactive dating of archeological remains. The task provides an introduction to radioactive dating, followed by questions whereby students are required to calculate percentage reduction of carbon-14 . Finally, students can then calculate the approximate year when Richard III died based on the half life of carbon-14.

A resource aimed at Level 3 Applied Science students, this worksheet provides a series of research prompts to guide students to independently learn about the technique of electrophoresis. The worksheet includes clear questions, a weblink for further information and information on how the work will be assessed. The second worksheet included with this resource provides a marking grid that can be used as part of a peer assessment exercise, with students assessing and grading each other's work depending on which criteria have been met and the quality of the work produced.