This concise lesson acts as an introduction to topic 5.3, Energy and Ecosystems, and describes how plant biomass is formed, measured and estimated. The engaging PowerPoint is the 1st in a series of 3 lessons which have been designed to cover the detailed content of topic 5.3 of the AQA A-level Biology specification. A quiz round called REVERSE Biology Bingo runs throughout the lesson and challenges students to recognise the following key terms from descriptions called out by the bingo caller: community ecosystem abiotic factor photosynthesis respiratory substrate biomass calorimetry The ultimate aim of this quiz format is to support the students to understand that any sugars produced by photosynthesis that are not used as respiratory substrates are used to form biological molecules that form the biomass of a plant and that this can be estimated using calorimetry. Due to the clear link to photosynthesis, a series of prior knowledge checks are used to challenge the students on their knowledge of this cellular reaction but as this is the first lesson in the topic, the final section of the lesson looks forwards and introduces the chemical energy store in the plant biomass as NPP and students will also meet GPP and R so they are partially prepared for the next lesson.

This lesson describes the steps involved in the closure of the Venus flytrap as a response to touch by an insect or an arachnid. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the detail of point (1) of topic 15.2 of the CIE A-level biology specification (for assessment in 2025 - 27). The lesson begins with a recall of tropisms as directional growth responses in plants and a short amount of time is allocated to discuss the importance of phototropism and gravitropism. This leads into the introduction of thigmotropism as a directional response to touch, before the students will learn that the closure of the Venus flytrap is an example of a thigmonastic response, a response that’s independent of direction. The students are presented with a passage that describes the classification, and structure of the Venus flytrap, as well as the stimulus that results in the closure. They must answer 8 exam-style questions on the content of the passage, which challenges their understanding of the current topic and links to other topics such as organelles and biological molecules. All answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to allow students to assess their progress. The rest of the lesson focuses on the steps involved in the mechanism of closure, including the detection of touch by the sensors in the trigger hairs, the movement of ions, and the elongation of the cells in the lobes of the modified leaves.

This lesson explains how to calculate the mitotic index and then explores what a high value may indicate about the tissue that was sampled. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the 2nd lesson in a series of 3 which have been planned to cover the content of point 2.2 of the AQA A-level biology specification. As shown in the cover image, the lesson begins with a bit of fun, as the students are challenged to use three clues to identify three uses of the term index in biology. They’ll learn that the index of diversity is covered in a topic 4 lesson and that this lesson focuses on the mitotic index. The students are challenged on their knowledge of the mitotic cell cycle throughout the lesson and one of these questions is used to introduce the meaning of the index and the formula. A series of exam-style questions challenge them to apply their understanding, and the answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to enable the students to assess their progress. Moving forwards, the different meanings of high values are considered, including growing and repairing tissues, and then to explain how an elevated mitotic index can indicate that cell division has become uncontrolled. This prepares students for the next lesson where tumour formation and cancer will be covered.

This lesson describes how lipids and amino acids are used in respiration, as an alternative to glucose. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the content of topic 3 point (f) of A2 unit 3 as set out in the WJEC A-level biology specification. The lesson begins with a challenge, where the students have to recognise the key term substrate using either 1 or 2 descriptions. The definition of a respiratory substrate is provided and students will learn that although glucose is the chief respiratory substrate, lipids and amino acids can be metabolised to generate molecules of ATP. A quick quiz round is used to introduce the relative energy value per gram of carbohydrate and then this is used as a reference value for the remainder of the lesson. Students will learn that the energy value is higher for lipids and this is explained, making reference to the proton gradient in the final stage of aerobic respiration. The final part of the lesson considers amino acids and makes a link to deamination, and explores how the entry point into respiration depends upon the keto acid which was formed. The lesson contains multiple understanding checks and all answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to allow students to assess their progress.

This fully-resourced lesson looks at the blood circulation in a mammal and considers how the pulmonary circulation differs from the systemic circulation. The engaging PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the third part of point 3.4.1 of the AQA A-level Biology specification The lesson begins with a focus on the double circulatory system and checks that students are clear in the understanding that the blood passes through the heart twice per cycle of the body. Beginning with the pulmonary circulation, students will recall that the pulmonary artery carries the blood from the right ventricle to the lungs. An opportunity is taken at this point to check on their knowledge of inhalation and the respiratory system as well as the gas exchange between the alveoli and the capillary bed. A quick quiz is used to introduce arterioles and students will learn that these blood vessels play a crucial role in the changes in blood pressure that prevent the capillaries from damage. When looking at the systemic circulation, time is taken to look at the coronary arteries and renal artery as students have to be aware of these vessels in addition to the ones associated with the heart. In the final part of the lesson, students are challenged to explain how the structure of the heart generates a higher pressure in the systemic circulation and then to explain why the differing pressures are necessary. This lesson has been written to tie in with the other uploaded lessons from topic 3.4.1 (mass transport in animals)

A detailed lesson presentation (37 slides) and associated worksheets that looks at the different pieces of evidence that scientists use to support evolution and discusses how these support the theory. The lesson begins by challenging students to decide which piece of evidence is the key piece in supporting evolution (fossils). Students will then have to arrange a number of statements to describe how a fossil is formed. Students are introduced to the fossil record and questions are used to check that they understand where the oldest fossils would be found. Moving forwards, students are given three pieces of evidence that would be observed in the fossil record and they are challenged to explain how each of these supports the theory of evolution. Quick competitions are then used to get the students to see some extinct organisms in the Dodo and Woolly Mammoth and again they are questioned on how extinct animals support the theory of evolution. Further evidence in rapid changes in species and molecular comparison is discussed. There are regular progress checks throughout the lesson so that students can assess their understanding and there is a set homework included.

This lesson guides students through the calculation of mitotic indices and explores what a high value may indicate about the sampled tissue. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been planned to cover the content of point 3.16 of the Edexcel International A-level biology specification. The lesson begins with a bit of fun, as the students are challenged to use three clues to identify three uses of the term index in biology. They’ll learn that the index of diversity is covered in a topic 4 lesson and that this lesson focuses on the mitotic index. The students are challenged on their knowledge of the mitotic cell cycle throughout the lesson and one of these questions is used to introduce the meaning of the index and the formula. A series of exam-style questions challenge them to apply their understanding, and the answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to enable the students to assess their progress. Moving forwards, the different meanings of high values are considered, including growing and repairing tissues, and then to explain how an elevated mitotic index can indicate that cell division has become uncontrolled which can lead to tumour formation.

A detailed and engaging lesson presentation (43 slides) and accompanying worksheets that introduces students to the disease, Diabetes (mellitus), and focusses on the similarities and differences between types I and II. The lesson begins by challenging the students mathematically to get the answers 1 and 2 and then to see whether they can link these numbers to a disease. A variety of tasks, which includes competitions and progress checks, are used to get the students to recognise the differences and state which of the types they belong to. This lesson has been designed for GCSE students and can be used with higher level students. However, a lesson more appropriate for A-level Biology students is named “Diabetes Mellitus Type I and II” and is available in my resources

This lesson explains the relative energy values of the respiratory substrates, carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been planned to cover the content of point 12.1 (4) of the CIE A-level biology specification (for assessment in 2025 - 2027). The lesson begins with a challenge, where the students have to recognise the key term substrate using either 1 or 2 descriptions. The definition of a respiratory substrate is provided and students will learn that although glucose is the chief respiratory substrate, lipids and proteins can be metabolised to generate molecules of ATP. A quick quiz round is used to introduce the relative energy value per gram of carbohydrate and then this is used as a reference value for the remainder of the lesson. Students will learn that the energy value is higher for lipids and this is explained, making reference to the stages of respiration that will be covered in greater depth in the 12.2 lessons. The final part of the lesson considers proteins and makes a link to deamination, which again will be covered later in the course. The lesson contains multiple understanding checks and all answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to allow students to assess their progress.

This lesson describes the protective effect of a simple reflex, as exemplified by those which involve the sensory, relay and motor neurones. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the final lesson in a series of 3 lessons which have been planned to cover the content of point 6.1.1 of the AQA A-level biology specification, titled “Survival and response”. As shown on the cover image, the lesson begins with a challenge, where the students have to recognise the connection between key terms which have been grouped together. This will remind them of the names of three types of neurones, the three types of muscle tissue and some reflexes. Time is taken at the start to ensure that students understand that although the brain might be informed of a reflex, it isn’t involved in the processing to coordinate the movement. At the same time, the role of the other part of the CNS, the spinal cord in spinal reflexes, is emphasised. This lesson has been specifically planned to build on their knowledge of reflex actions from GCSE and to build in the detail that will support them in this lesson and as they move through the content of topic 6. Ultimately, students will understand how the rapid response of a simple reflex allows organisms to avoid damage and survive, due to the nervous pathway only consisting of three neurones, and therefore less synapses than other reactions. Understanding checks, in the form of exam-style questions are written into the lesson and the answers embedded into the PowerPoint to allow students to assess their progress against the current topic. The two other lessons in this series covering the detail of specification point 6.1.1 are named “responses in flowering plants” and “taxes and kineses”.

A concise lesson presentation (20 slides) and associated worksheet that guides students through phylogenetic trees and helps them to be able to interpret these diagrams. The lesson begins by stating three key points about the trees which will form the basis of their understanding. Moving forwards, a series of questions with explained answers are used to show how common ancestors in the past can be used to work out which present day organisms are the most closely related. Students are given lots of opportunities to assess their understanding and check that they can explain. This lesson has been written for GCSE but could be used as a recap for those students studying at A-level

This lesson describes how iPS cells are formed from fibroblasts and discusses why this method is less controversial than the use of embryonic stem cells. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the 2nd lesson in a series of 2 lessons which covers the content of point 7.3 (stem cells) of the Edexcel A-level biology B specification. The lesson begins with a SPOT THE ERRORS task, where students have to use their knowledge of pluripotent cells from the previous lesson to identify the 3 errors and make corrections. The aim of this task is to remind them that pluripotent cells are found in embryos and can divide in unlimited numbers before finally becoming fully differentiated somatic cells. Moving forwards, the students are introduced to fibroblasts as examples of these somatic cells and the opportunity is taken to challenge their knowledge of collagen as this is a substance produced by these cells. The answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to allow the students to assess their recall of this topic 1 content. A quick quiz is used to introduce the acronym iPS and students will learn that fibroblasts can be reprogrammed to form induced pluripotent cells using specific transcription factors. The remainder of the lesson challenges them to answer questions about the use of iPS cells in regenerative medicine after reading a passage about an example. This allows them to recognise that deriving these cells from adult tissues as opposed to embryonic stem cells raises less problems and the transplant into the same person reduces the risk of rejection.

This lesson has been designed to cover the content of the 1st part of specification point 6.1.2 of the AQA A-level Biology specification which states that students should know the basic structure of a Pacinian corpuscle and be able to use its function as a representation of sensory receptors. By the end of the lesson students will understand that sensory receptors respond to specific stimuli and how a generator potential is established. The lesson begins by using a quiz to get the students to recognise the range of stimuli which can be detected by receptors. This leads into a task where the students have to form 4 sentences to detail the stimuli which are detected by certain receptors and the energy conversion that happen as a result. Students will be introduced to the idea of a transducer and learn that receptors always convert to electrical energy which is the generator potential. The remainder of the lesson focuses on the Pacinian corpuscle and how this responds to pressure on the skin. The involvement of sodium and potassium ions is introduced so discussions on how the membrane potential changes from resting potential in the establishment of a generator potential are encouraged. This lesson has been written for students studying on the AQA A-level Biology course and ties in nicely with other uploaded lessons which cover the content of topic 6

This lesson describes the biological meaning of species, populations, gene pool and allele frequency and explains how these terms are linked. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources are part of the 1st lesson in a series of 2 lessons that cover the detail of specification point 7.2 (Populations) of the AQA A-level biology. The two living species of the African elephant, the forest and bush elephant, are used as examples to demonstrate the meaning of species and to show how they exist as one or more populations. A quick quiz introduces the term gene pool in an engaging way and then the allele frequency of three versions of the GBA gene demonstrates how these frequencies can change in small populations. In doing so, students are briefly introduced to genetic drift which they will encounter in an upcoming topic. The students are challenged throughout the lesson with understanding checks and prior knowledge checks as well as exam-based questions where they have to comment on the validity of a scientist’s conclusion. The other lesson in topic 7.2 is the Hardy-Weinberg principle.

This concise lesson covers the content of specification point 5.1.5 (l) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification which states that students should be able to demonstrate and apply an understanding of the action of neuromuscular junctions. Due to a number of similarities between these structures and cholinergic synapses, this lesson uses prior knowledge of these connections between neurones to build a good understanding of the junctions. Students will discover that the events that occur at an axon tip mirror those which happen at the pre-synaptic bulb and this is then developed to look at the differences in terms of the events once the acetylcholine has bound to its receptor sites. There is a focus on the structure of the sarcolemma and time is taken to explain how the action potential is passed from this membrane to the transverse tubules in order to stimulate the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. As a result, this lesson ties in nicely with the following lesson on the contraction of skeletal muscle and students will be able to link the binding to troponin in that lesson to the release of these ions from this lesson. Both of the main tasks of the lesson have been differentiated so that students of all abilities can access the work and make progress. This lesson has been designed for those students studying on the OCR A-level Biology course and ties in nicely with the other uploaded lessons on module 5.1.5 (Animal and plant responses)

This is a fast-paced lesson which goes through the main steps of selective breeding and looks at the potential risks of this process. The lesson begins by looking at the characteristics of a number of organisms that would be selected. Time is taken to ensure that students understand that selective breeding is not a new thing and has been going on for a very long time and therefore some of the problems associated with this are now being experienced. The actual process is reduced down into 5 steps which can be recalled and applied to questions. The remainder of the lesson looks at the potential issues with selective breeding. The reduction in the nose size of pugs is explored as an example of the health problems which bred animals may face. This lesson has been written for GCSE students.

This lesson describes how to prepare and examine microscope slides and the use of staining in light microscopy. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover points 2.1.1 (b & c) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification and describe how the eyepiece graticule and stage micrometer are used to measure the size of an object with a light microscope and the use of eosin and methylene blue. The main task of this lesson involves a step by step guide which walks students through the methodology and the use of the scale on the stage micrometer to identify the size of the divisions of the eyepiece graticule and this will need them to convert between units. Moving forwards, the students are challenged to apply this method to a series of exam-style questions and the mark scheme is displayed on the PowerPoint so that they can assess their understanding. In the last lesson, they were briefly introduced to the idea that some specimens need to be stained as light passes completely through transparent samples and the remainder of the lesson builds on this knowledge. Students will learn that cell populations, structures within cells and biological tissues can be distinguished using stains and a series of questions will challenge them to make links to biological molecules, organelles and infections. Links are also made to the upcoming topic of epithelial tissue in the respiratory system. This lesson has been specifically written to tie in with the previous lesson on light and electron microscopes and 2 rounds of the sub-module quiz competition are found in this lesson.

This lesson describes how communication occurs between cells by cell signalling. The PowerPoint and accompanying resource have been designed to cover point 5.1.1 (b) of the OCR A-level Biology A specification and focuses on the use of the nervous system for communication between the CNS and effectors and the release of hormones to bring about responses. As this is one of the first lessons to be delivered in module 5, this lesson has been specifically planned to prepare students for the upcoming topics of neuronal and hormonal communication. Students begin by learning that cell signalling governs the basic activities of cells and coordinates multiple cell actions. Moving forwards, the next part of the lesson focuses on the nervous system and students will learn that an electrical impulse will be conducted on a somatic or an autonomic motor neurone depending upon the type of muscle to be stimulated. This provides some introductory information for modules 5.1.3 and 5.1.5. The remainder of the lesson describes how the hormones that are secreted by the cells of endocrine glands allow communication with target cells and the different actions of peptide and steroid hormones is considered.

This detailed lesson describes the structure and properties of the cell membrane, focusing on the phospholipid bilayer and membrane proteins. Fully resourced, the PowerPoint and accompanying worksheets have been designed to cover the first part of point 2.3 of the AQA A-level Biology specification and clear links are made to Singer and Nicholson’s fluid mosaic model The fluid mosaic model is introduced at the start of the lesson so that it can be referenced at appropriate points throughout the lesson. Students were introduced to phospholipids in topic 1 and so an initial task challenges them to spot the errors in a passage describing the structure and properties of this molecule. This reminds them of the bilayer arrangement, with the hydrophilic phosphate heads protruding outwards into the aqueous solutions on the inside and the outside of the cell. In a link to some upcoming lessons on the transport mechanisms, the students will learn that only small, non-polar molecules can move by simple diffusion and that this is through the tails of the bilayer. This introduces the need for transmembrane proteins to allow large or polar molecules to move into the cell by facilitated diffusion and active transport. Proteins that act as receptors as also introduced and an opportunity is taken to make a link to an upcoming topic so that students can understand how hormones or drugs will bind to target cells in this way. Moving forwards, the structure of cholesterol is covered and students will learn that this hydrophobic molecule sits in the middle of the tails and therefore acts to regulate membrane fluidity. The final part of the lesson challenges the students to apply their newly-acquired knowledge to a series of questions where they have to explain why proteins may have moved when two cells are used and to suggest why there is a larger proportion of these proteins in the inner mitochondrial membrane than the outer membrane.

Amino acids are the monomers of polypeptides and this lesson describes their structure and makes links to related topics such as genes and dipeptides. The engaging PowerPoint has been designed to cover the first part of point 1.4.1 of the AQA A-level Biology specification and provides a clear introduction to the following lesson on the formation of dipeptides and polypeptides. The lesson begins with a prior knowledge check, where the students have to use the 1st letters of 4 answers to uncover a key term. This 4-letter key term is gene and the lesson begins with this word because it is important for students to understand that these sequences of bases on DNA determine the specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide. Moving forwards, students are given discussion time to work out that there are 64 different DNA triplets and will learn that these encode for the 20 amino acids that are common to all organisms. The main task of the lesson is an observational one, where students are given time to study the displayed formula of 4 amino acids. They are not allowed to draw anything during this time but will be challenged with 3 multiple choice questions at the end. This task has been designed to allow the students to visualise how the 20 amino acids share common features in an amine and an acid group. A quick quiz round introduces the R group and time is taken to explain how the structure of this side chain is the only structural difference, before cysteine is considered in greater detail due to the presence of sulfur atoms. Students are briefly introduced to disulfide bridges so they will recognise how particular bonds form between the R groups in the tertiary structure which is covered in the next lesson. The lesson concludes with one more quiz round called LINK TO THE FUTURE where the students will see the roles played by amino acids in the later part of the course such as translation and mineral ions.