This lesson describes how only part of a cell’s DNA is translated and explains how the potency of a stem cell determines its ability to specialise. The engaging and detailed PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been planned to cover all of the content in point 8.2.1 of the AQA A-level biology specification.
The lesson begins by challenging the students to recall any existing knowledge of stem cells, to check that they remember that these cells differentiate, before the concept of cell potency is introduced to allow them to recognise that not all cells can differentiate into the same amount of cell types. A quick quiz is used to introduce pluripotency, unipotency, totipotency and multipotency before they are challenged to use their understanding of language to order these along the potency continuum. Beginning with totipotency, time is taken to go through details of each of these cell types, including where these cells are located. During the section of the lesson considering pluripotency, induced pluripotent stem cells are discussed and their potential for use in regenerative medicine is explored. Understanding checks through exam-based questions are embedded throughout the lesson (as well as the answers) to allow students to assess their current understanding and to address any gaps immediately. There are also prior knowledge checks so students can link to other topics from the specification and there is a maths in biology question so their mathematical skills are challenged in line with that element of the course.
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Topic 8.2: Gene expression is controlled by a number of features (AQA A-level biology)
This bundle contains 5 detailed and engaging lessons, which have been planned to contain a variety of tasks that enable students to assess their understanding of the current topic and encourages them to make links to previously covered topics. The lessons cover the following content from topic 8.2 of the AQA A-level biology specification: * Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent and unipotent cells * iPS cells * The stimulation or inhibition of the transcription of target genes * Epigenetic control of gene expression by increased DNA methylation and decreased acetylation of histones * The inhibition of translation of target mRNA by RNA interference * The main characteristics of benign and malignant tumours If you would like to view the quality of these lessons, then download the DNA methylation and acetylation lesson as this has been uploaded for free.
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
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