This lesson describes how to calculate the mean and standard deviation of collected data and describes how these values may be interpreted. The PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets are part of the second lesson in a series of 2 lessons which have been designed to cover point 4.7 (Investigating diversity) of the AQA A-level Biology specification. It is important to note that the students will not be required to calculate the standard deviation in written papers but that they do need to understand how these values are obtained and what they could indicate.
The lesson begins with an introduction of the standard deviation as a measure of the spread around the mean. The students will learn that interpreting the data is a critical requirement of this A-level course and this initial portion of the lesson considers how the spread of the data around the mean can lead to differing suggestions about reliability. A step by step guide walks the students through each stage of the calculation of the standard deviation, which includes the calculation of the mean, and they will complete a worked example with the class. A quick quiz round introduces the values of 68 and 95 in a fun way to encourage the students to remember that if the focus of the data shows a normal distribution, 68% of the observations are within +/- one standard deviation and 95% are within 2 standard deviations. The final task challenges the students to apply their knowledge to data about the birth weights of humans at a UK hospital on one day in 2020.
Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 29%
A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.
Bundle
Maths in A-level Biology (AQA A-level Biology)
"Overall, at least 10% of the marks in assessments for biology will require the use of mathematical skills" This sentence is taken directly from the AQA A-level Biology specification and clearly shows that being able to apply these skills in the context of biology will have a significant impact on a student's chances of success. This bundle has been created to cover as much of those mathematical skills as possible A revision lesson is also included in this bundle which acts as a fun and engaging revision of the range of calculations
£15.00
Bundle
Topic 4: Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms (AQA A-level Biology)
Every one of the lessons included in this bundle is detailed, engaging and fully-resourced, and has been written to cover the content as detailed in topic 4 of the AQA A-level Biology specification. The wide range of activities will maintain engagement whilst supporting the explanations of the content to allow the students to build a deep understanding of genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms. The following 18 lessons covering the 7 sub-topics are included in this bundle: 4.1: DNA, genes and chromosomes * DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes * Genes 4.2: DNA and protein synthesis * Genome, proteome and the structure of RNA * Transcription and splicing * Translation 4.3: Genetic diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during meiosis * The genetic code * Gene mutations * Chromosome mutations * Meiosis 4.4: Genetic diversity and adaptation * Genetic diversity * Natural selection * Directional and stabilising selection * Adaptations 4.5: Species and taxonomy * Species and taxonomy 4.6: Biodiversity within a community * Biodiversity within a community * Calculating an index of diversity * The balance between conservation and farming 4.7: Investigating diversity * Investigating diversity * Interpreting mean values and the standard deviation If you would like to sample the quality of the lessons in this bundle, then download the DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, structure of RNA, gene mutations, natural selection and standard deviation lessons as these have been uploaded for free
£27.50
Bundle
Topics 4.4 - 4.7 (AQA A-level Biology)
These 9 lessons are highly detailed and are filled with a wide range of tasks that will engage the students whilst covering the following specification points in topics 4.4, 4.5, 4.6 and 4.7 of the AQA A-level Biology specification: 4.4 Genetic diversity as the number of different alleles of genes in a population and a factor enabling natural selection to occur The principles of natural selection in the evolution of populations Directional and stabilising selection Natural selection results in anatomical, physiological or behavioural adaptations 4.5 Two organisms belong to the same species if they are able to produce fertile offspring The taxonomic hierarchy comprising domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species The use of the binomial name to identify species 4.6 Biodiversity can relate to a range of habitats Species richness Calculating an index of diversity The balance between conservation and farming 4.7 Investigating genetic diversity with, or between species, by comparing observable characteristics or nucleic acids and the structure of proteins Calculating and interpreting the mean and standard deviation If you download the natural selection and standard deviation lessons which have been shared for free then you will be able to see the quality of lessons included in this bundle
£15.00
Something went wrong, please try again later.
As always, a great resource. Really enjoy this style of presentation of material and so do the students. Thank you for sharing.
Report this resourceto let us know if it violates our terms and conditions.
Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.
£0.00