A detailed worksheet/activity that introduces the idea of calorimetry as a means of measuring the energy value of foods. The worksheet provides space for initial readings and subsequent calculations. There is discussion of how to calculate and use specific heat capacity followed by questions on the limitations of this investigation. Finally, as extension material, the worksheet has an exercise on spearman rank statistical test to see whether there is a link between the amount of energy in food and the fat content. Suitable for use with A-Level biology students as a part of a practical investigation during any topic on energy transfer, food chains, etc. Key words: Energy, food chains, specific heat capacity, spearman rank, statistical test, fat, combustion, burning, calorimeter

A worksheet that displays data for an investigation into the mental arithmetic ability of male and female students. The task is then to analyse the data using 95% confidence limits and standard error statistical test. A useful starter or plenary exercise or this could be adapted into a full investigation in its own right. Key words: Investigation, mental arithmetic, 95% confidence limits, statistics, null hypothesis, standard error, standard deviation, male, female

A worksheet that uses a respirometer as an example of a spearman rank exercise. Students are required to analyse the data provided to see whether there is any correlation between temperature and oxygen consumption. Key words: Spearman Rank, temperature, respirometer, oxygen, correlation, consumption, null hypothesis, probability

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 resource aimed at either high ability 14-16 year olds or 16+ students, this worksheet provides an introductory starter activity on the topic of distillation. The resource requires students to explain what is happening at each stage of some typical distillation equipment and calculate percentage yield as a preamble to a lesson where these very techniques are practised.

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.