This worksheet is aimed at either GCSE or A-Level students studying microbiology. The worksheet is an ideal lesson starter to use following preparation and incubation of agar plates that have been inoculated with bacteria (from unpasteurised milk in this example, but easily adaptable for any other source of bacteria). The worksheet introduces the idea of binary fission and the concept of a visible colony being made of many thousands of individual bacterial cells. The worksheet also includes an activity on counting bacterial colonies and estimating numbers based on dilutions that would set students up well for a subsequent lesson where they did this activity using their own agar plates. Key words: Agar, bacteria, colony, estimate, milk, pasteurisation, binary fission

This worksheet provides a series of questions on the topic of lipids and triglyceride fats that could be used as a plenary activity after a lesson on this topic has been taught. Key words:lipids, triglyceride, fats, fatty acids, saturated, unsaturated, lipase

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 single page method sheet for carrying out the reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar test. This resource would be suitable as a concise guide to the these biochemical tests and is aimed at Advanced Level biology students or BTEC Level 3 students.

A worksheet that provides a matching exercise for key definitions related to ecology (e.g. population, community, ecosystem, niche, etc). Useful as a plenary task once this topic has been covered, which provides students with a written record of what each term means. Key words: Ecology, ecosystem, population, niche, community, competition, intraspecific, interspecific, habitat, environment

A worksheet aimed at A-Level Biology students that compares and contrasts pyramids of number with pyramids of biomass. The worksheet requires students to perform simple calculations of total biomass and consideration of the pyramid shapes that result. Key words: biomass, number, pyramid, energy, loss, efficiency

A resource aimed at post-16 biology students, this worksheet contains a list of written instructions for students to draw in order to recreate a diagram of the light independent reactions of photosynthesis. This task can be given to the whole class and then a printed diagram of the light independent reactions given out at the end of the activity for students to compare their drawing to; alternatively the class can be divided into two at the start of the lesson - half get a diagram of the light independent reactions and are asked to describe each stage while the other half get this worksheet and are asked to draw a diagram; the two halves of each class can then be asked to verbally feedback to each other. This is a useful way of turning an otherwise dry topic into an involving and engaging activity. Key words: photosynthesis, light independent, RuBP, G3P, TP, ATP, RNADP, NADP, Calvin cycle, photophosphorylation, RUBISCO

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet is ideal as a starter task (or alternatively as a homework preparation/background reading exercise) that covers the reasons why meiosis takes place and the nature of gametes produced from meiosis. This is a useful exercise to conduct with students to establish the 'big picture' prior to study of individual stages of meiotic cell division. Keywords: meiosis, chromosomes, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, haploid, diploid, reduction division, independent assortment, variation, genetic, evolution

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students which concisely deals with the causes and mechanisms of hypothermia and hyperthermia. The worksheet concludes by looking at how endotherms and ectotherms regulate body temperature. Both sections of the worksheet include questions that help students to build their understanding withe reference to graphical displays of core temperature for each scenario. Key words: temperature, hypothermia, hyperthermia, endotherm, ectotherm

A worksheet aimed at biology students aged 14-18 years, this resource provides a series of prompts and questions to help students plan an investigation into osmosis. The practical investigation is a classic one involving potato chips and different concentrations of sucrose solution - the worksheet asks students to consider the variables involved, the range and concentrations of sucrose solution required and then asks students to produce a written plan based on these considerations.

A worksheet aimed at A-Level Biology students which sets out a series of research tasks for students to learn about the nitrogen cycle. A good resource to use at the start of this topic as homework or in class by dividing out each piece of key research among the class. Internet websites are listed which provide useful animations and information for students to use as they complete their research. Key words: nitrogen cycle, deamination, ammonification, denitrification, nitrification, nitrogen fixation, nitrogen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium ions, symbiotic

A resource aimed at post-16 biology students, this worksheet contains a list of written instructions for students to draw in order to recreate a diagram of the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis. This task can be given to the whole class and then a printed diagram of the light dependent reaction given out at the end of the activity for students to compare their drawing to; alternatively the class can be divided into two at the start of the lesson - half get a diagram of the light dependent reaction and are asked to describe each stage while the other half get this worksheet and are asked to draw a diagram; the two halves of each class can then be asked to verbally feedback to each other. This is a useful way of turning an otherwise dry topic into an involving and engaging activity. Key words: Photosynthesis, light, chloroplast, thylakoid, granum, photosystem, photolysis, NADP, ATP

A worksheet containing a simple comparison table looking at the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA followed by questions that ask students to consider why chromosomes may sometimes appear single stranded and sometimes double stranded. A useful exercise for students to become acquainted with chromosome appearance before learning about mitosis, meiosis, etc. Key words: mitosis, meiosis, chromosomes, cells, division, eukaryotic, prokaryotic, DNA

A resource aimed at advanced biology, applied science or physical education students, this worksheet provides several questions that lead students through the topic of blood doping. Lance Armstrong is used as a contextual example of an athlete that has been disgraced following the revelation that he was involved in blood doping; the worksheet provides questions on the effect of EPO, the impact on blood cell counts and how haematocrit tests could be used to provide evidence. The worksheet also has follow up questions on the use of steroids and diuretics in sports. Key words: Sports, Blood, doping, haematocrit, EPO, steroids, diuretics, lance armstrong, blood volume, steroids

A worksheet aimed at higher ability 14-16 students or advanced post 16 biology students, this resource provides a research task for students to independently learn about the topic of thermoregulation. Various prompts are provided along with a set of internet links that students can use for their research. Key words: thermoregulation, vasoconstriction, vasodilation, sweating, shivering, piloerection, homeostasis, negative feedback

A worksheet aimed at A-Level or high ability GCSE biology students, looking at the different trophic levels found in a typical food chain and the reasons why energy is lost at each level. The worksheet also introduces percentage efficiency calculations when calculating energy loss. Useful as either an introduction at the start of this topic or as a revision activity. Key words: Energy, trophic levels, food chains, percentage efficiency, respiration, photosynthesis, decomposers, kilojoules

A worksheet aimed at 14-18 year old biologists which recaps the basics of stimulus and response in the nervous system, along with the details of the reflex arc. Key words: stimulus, reflex, arc, neurone, sensory, motor, relay, receptor, response

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource consists of a series of questions related to the mechanisms, symptoms and treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Key words: diabetes, glucose, homeostasis, pancreas, liver, insulin, glucagon

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 resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet contains question requiring students to convert measurements between millimetres, micrometres and nanometres; the final two questions require students to make measurements in order to work out the magnification of a louse and the real size of a red blood cell. This worksheet is ideal as a starter activity to recap a lesson on magnification and units of measurement.