I am a teacher of Biology and Chemistry based in Devon. Currently teaching in Exeter.
Currently teaching Edexcel iGCSE for Year 9-11 pupils and teaching AQA Biology to AS/A2 pupils.
I try to make engaging resources that involve a mix of collaborative activities as well as resources to encourage pupils to work independently.
Also interested in promoting more of an awareness of mental health.
Twitter: @mrsjmseaton-burn
I am a teacher of Biology and Chemistry based in Devon. Currently teaching in Exeter.
Currently teaching Edexcel iGCSE for Year 9-11 pupils and teaching AQA Biology to AS/A2 pupils.
I try to make engaging resources that involve a mix of collaborative activities as well as resources to encourage pupils to work independently.
Also interested in promoting more of an awareness of mental health.
Twitter: @mrsjmseaton-burn
Key word lists in full for all topics and then a document for each topic so that pupils can fill in the key terms.
Would be good for revision or at the end of a topic or give out at the beginning of a topic and get pupils to fill through as you go through the topic.
Please let me know any feedback by tweeting @missjmbooth including if you would improve any definitions!
Hope they are of use.
I am also in the process of making quizlet quizzes for each topic, so far:
Topic 1: https://quizlet.com/193309185/as-aqa-biology-topic-1-flash-cards/
Topic 2: https://quizlet.com/193328323/as-aqa-biology-topic-2-flash-cards/
Topic 3: https://quizlet.com/193344976/as-aqa-biology-topic-3-flash-cards/
Topic 4: https://quizlet.com/193310387/as-aqa-biology-topic-4-flash-cards/
Topic 5: https://quizlet.com/193349817/a2-aqa-biology-topic-5-flash-cards/
Topic 6:https://quizlet.com/193350308/a2-aqa-biology-topic-6-flash-cards/
Topic 7: https://quizlet.com/193373257/a2-aqa-biology-topic-7-flash-cards/
Topic 8: https://quizlet.com/193373345/a2-aqa-biology-topic-8-flash-cards/
Topic 6 & 8 have been updated to correct the numbers down the side!
If you want discount from a quizlet teacher account so you can track students progress of learning these key terms use this link:https://quizlet.com/upgrade?referrer=missjmbooth to get 20% off.
Revision diagrams for all topics of the new AQA AS Biology specification:
Section 3.1: Biological Molecules
3.1.1 Monomers and Polymers
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
3.1.3 Lipids
3.1.4.1 Proteins
3.1.4.2 Enzymes
3.1.5.1 Nucleic acid structure
3.1.5.2 DNA Replication
3.1.6 ATP
3.1.7 Water
3.1.8 Inorganic Ions
Section 3.2: Cells
3.2.1.1 Eukaryotic cells
3.2.1.2 Prokaryotic cells and viruses
3.2.1.3 Studying cells
3.2.2 Mitosis
3.2.3 Transport across cell membranes
3.2.4 Cell recognition and the immune system
Section 3.3 Organisms exchange substances with their environment
3.3.1 Surface area to volume ratio
3.3.2 Gas exchange
3.3.3 Digestion and absorption
3.3.4.1 Mass transport in animals
3.3.4.2 Mass transport in plants
Section 3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
3.4.1 DNA, genes and chromosomes
3.4.2 DNA and protein synthesis
3.4.3 Genetic diversity - mutations and meiosis
3.4.4 Genetic diversity and adaptation – natural selection
3.4.5 Species and taxonomy
3.4.6 Biodiversity
3.4.7 Investigating biodiversity
As well as sheets on the required practicals required and the techniques that they should be aware of.
A2 Revision Diagrams available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-biology-new-a2-specification-revision-diagrams-for-topic-5-6-7-and-8-and-required-practicals-11634218
All page numbers are relating to Oxford AQA Biology 2nd Edition A Level textbook by Glenn Toole and Susan Toole 2015. Diagrams are also from this source.
A booklet and powerpoint I have put together from a few resources along with my own additions.
Huge thank you to robertsteaching who did all of the step by step exam questions at the end of the powerpoint and handout which I downloaded from here: https://www.tes.com/member/RobertsTeaching
Thank you very much to @mrsjmasters for sharing her booklet with me which is where most of this comes from!
And thank you to AQA for all of the brilliant resources and eg. questions on indices, units, standard form, ratio and plotting equations which I got from here:
http://www.aqa.org.uk/resources/science/as-and-a-level/teach/maths-skills-briefings
Hope it is useful!
Updated slightly as I made a typo on a standard form Q and corrected the density Q and the how many DNA nucleotides are there Q.
Over 100 slides powerpoint covering all parts of 3.7.1 Inherited Change (and introduction to Hardy Weinberg (3.7.2) as well) complete with handouts and past paper question practice.
Key terms card sort to recap AS key terms
Inherited Change Key Terms (and answers)
Monohybrid inheritance Qs
Sickle cell anaemia handout
Multiple alleles and ABO Blood group inheritance handout
Sex inheritance and linkage handout
Dihybrid inheritance handout and autosomal linkage handout
Autosomal linkage past paper Q (and MS)
Epistasis handout with past paper Q (and MS)
Probability and using chi squared handout
More chi squared questions
2 booklets of loads of 3.7.1 Inherited Change genetics questions - split into even and odd questions (just so one booklet can be given at the end of covering the topic and one before exam leave).
Mindmaps for pupils to fill in covering all of Edexcel iGCSE Triple Award and Double Award Biology. Based on the NEW iGCSE Specification triple and double award revision diagrams (for exams from 2019).
Each slide is a separate mind map, to be printed A3 size ideally:
Section 1: The nature and variety of living organisms a) Characteristics of living organisms and b) Variety of living organisms
Section 2: Structures and functions in living organisms a) Levels of organisation b) Cell structure
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms c) Biological molecules
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms d) Movement of substance into and out of cells
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms e) Nutrition - Flowering plants and g) Gas exchange
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms e) Nutrition - Humans
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms e) Nutrition - Humans (2)
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms f) Respiration and g) Gas exchange in humans
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms h) Transport and Transport in flowering plants
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms h) Transport in humans
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms h) Transport in humans (2)
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms i) Excretion in flowering plants and humans
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms j) Co-ordination and response - flowering plants and humans
Section 2: Structures and function in living organisms j) Co-ordination and response - humans continued
Section 3a: Reproduction and 3a: flowering plants reproduction
Section 3a: 3a: flowering plants reproduction (2)
Section 3a: Human reproduction
Section 3a: Human reproduction (2)
Section 3a: Human reproduction (3)
Section 3b: Inheritance
Section 3b: Inheritance (2)
Section 4: Ecology and the environment a) The organism in the environment and b) Feeding relationships
Section 4: Ecology and the environment c) Cycles within ecosystems
Section 4: Ecology and the environment d) Human influences on the environment
Section 5: Uses of biological resources a) Food production
Section 5: Uses of biological resources b) Selective breeding and c) Genetic modification
Section 5: Uses of biological resources d) Cloning
Also includes required 2 pages of practical summary sheets.
PDF versions as well in case of formatting issues.
Section 3.5: Energy transfers in and between organisms
3.5.1 Photosynthesis
3.5.2 Respiration
3.5.3 Energy and ecosystems
3.5.4 Nutrient cycles
Section 3.6 Organisms respond to changes in their internal and external environments
3.6.1 Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected and lead to a response
3.6.1.1 Survival and response
3.6.1.2 Receptors
3.6.1.3 Control of heart rate
3.6.2 Nervous co-ordination
3.6.2.1 Nerve impulses
3.6.2.2 Synaptic transmission
3.6.3 Skeletal muscles are stimulated to contract by nerves and act as effectors
3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment
3.6.4.1 Principles of homeostasis
3.6.4.2 Control of blood glucose concentration
3.6.4.3 Control of blood water potential
Section 3.7: Genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems
3.7.1 Inheritance
3.7.2 Populations
3.7.3 Evolution may lead to speciation
3.7.4 Populations in ecosystems
Section 3.8 The control of gene expression
3.8.1 Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure of proteins
3.8.2 Gene expression is controlled by a number of features
3.8.2.1 Most of a cell’s DNA is not translated
3.8.2.2 Regulation of transcription and translation
3.8.2.3 Gene expression and cancer
3.8.3 Using genome projects
3.8.4 Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function allowing a better understanding of organism function and the design of new industrial and medical processes
3.8.4.1 Recombinant DNA technology
3.8.4.2 Differences in DNA between individuals of the same species can be exploited for identification and diagnosis of heritable conditions
3.8.4.3 Genetic fingerprinting
As well as sheets on the A2 required practicals required and the techniques that they should be aware of.
Similar structure to my previous AS resource https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-biology-new-as-specification-revision-diagrams-for-topic-1-2-3-and-4-and-required-practicals-11634215
All page numbers are relating to Oxford AQA Biology 2nd Edition A Level textbook by Glenn Toole and Susan Toole 2015. Diagrams are also from this source.
A handout for pupils covering key things to think about when attempting the AQA Essay along with a powerpoint to go through the key parts in lessons.
From AQA Past Paper Questions and the guidance on their website - added a few more as I realised some of the mark schemes has disappeared for some reason!
NB. Updated essay tips documents as marking criteria provided by AQA has changed!!
Includes presentation covering theory of 3.4.1 and 3.4.2 along with accompanying handout.
Also has a key word list for Topic 4 with answers.
Also attached a polypeptide storyboard with gaps to fill in as well as a handout of key steps.
Contains a modelling activity for protein synthesis as detailed below.
Protein synthesis/DNA replication modelling activity (updated now to include a version that does not need straws!) - needs a bit of preparation but really useful for getting pupils to understand the process and if laminated can be reused many times.
You need to print the following documents for the model:
DNA-STRUCTURE: need printing on A3 then slicing up the middle and a treasury tag putting between the two strands so they can be opened.
DNA nucleotides need cutting out individually.
RNA-nucleotides need cutting out individually (you might want to do these on different colour paper)
Protein-synthesis-model: contains tRNA/amino acids/ribosome - tRNA molecules need to be printed and a bit of sticky back velcro stuck to them and their corresponding amino acid cut out and attached to other side of velcro.
Ribosome needs printing on A3.
Sellotape/masking tape/blue tac is needed to stick the nucleotides together.
DNA replication I normally carry out when I do DNA replication as when you’ve set up the resource you may as well use it again!
Similar GCSE resource available here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/resource-12030676
Worksheets as an extension at GCSE or recap at A Level/ activity at A Level.
Filled in boxes and blank boxes to fill in versions.
Nice diagrams to summarise the process of mitosis and meiosis (Also as a PDF in case the formatting messes up when downloaded as a word document).
Designed to be emailed to pupils or put on to an online portal where they can click on the links to revise topics they are unsure of.
Please comment if you find any links which are better than any of these or have any extras to add!
The pages and colours are linked to how my school teaches the specification so each teacher is on one page and has either red and orange fill or blue and green fill but this can be edited to suit you.
This is a fun revision resource for the new AQA AS Specification.
The idea if that they can play in pairs or groups. They have to shuffle the cards and then play snap - so keep putting the cards face up one after another.
If a pupil says snap then they have to explain what both cards have on them and make a link between the two cards. If their partner/rest of the group thinks the link is a valid link (i.e. Biuret test will be positive if a protein is present) then they get to keep both cards.
The winner has the most cards at the end.
The pictures summarise the following topics:
Section 3.1: Biological Molecules
3.1.1 Monomers and Polymers
3.1.2 Carbohydrates
3.1.3 Lipids
3.1.4.1 Proteins
3.1.4.2 Enzymes
3.1.5.1 Nucleic acid structure
3.1.5.2 DNA Replication
3.1.6 ATP
3.1.7 Water
3.1.8 Inorganic Ions
Section 3.4 Genetic information, variation and relationships between organisms
3.4.1 DNA, genes and chromosomes
3.4.2 DNA and protein synthesis
3.4.3 Genetic diversity - mutations and meiosis
3.4.4 Genetic diversity and adaptation – natural selection
3.4.5 Species and taxonomy
3.4.6 Biodiversity
3.4.7 Investigating biodiversity
Protein synthesis activity - needs a bit of preparation but really useful for getting pupils to understand the process.
DNA nucleotides need printing on A3 then slicing up the middle and a treasury tag putting between the two strands so they can be opened. RNA nucleotides need cutting out individually. Sellotape/masking tape is needed to stick them together. tRNA molecules need to be printed and bit of sticky back velcro stuck to them and their corresponding amino acid.
Film to show what it looks like when pupils make the animation.
Correct the mistakes activity as well.
Also a storyboard as well for pupils to complete - one fill in the gaps, one with full description.
Updated February 2022 as the diagram on the handout had incorrect complementary bases on the tRNA! Also added a storyboard activity as well.
Mindmaps for pupils to fill in covering all of AQA iGCSE Triple Award Biology and answers on a different document:
Cell structure
Movement between cells
Circulation (x2)
Human impact on the environment
Disease and immunity
Antibiotics and drugs
Biological molecules
Digestion and enzymes
Breathing and respiration
Nervous system and homeostasis (temperature control)
Adaptation and interdependence
Photosynthesis
Plants as organisms (x2)
DNA and cell division
Stem cells and cloning
Genetics (x2)
Genetic engineering
Evolution
Evolution/Classification/Fossils/Extinction
Homeostasis - Water and Ion & Glucose concentration
Energy Transfers
Cycles and decay
Practical terminology
And Double Award Mindmaps with:
Cell structure
Movement between cells
Disease and immunity
Antibiotics and drugs
Biological molecules
Digestion and enzymes
Breathing and respiration
Nervous system and homeostasis (temperature control)
Adaptation and interdependence
Plants as organisms (x2)
Photosynthesis
DNA and cell division
Stem cells and cloning
Genetics (x2)
Genetic engineering
Evolution
Evolution/Classification/Fossils/Extinction
Energy transfers and controlling glucose concentration
Energy Transfers
Cycles and decay
Practical terminology
These are what I have put together for Year 7 lessons next year.
I haven’t used them yet so they will probably need tweaking!
Topics include:
Life processes
Cell structure
Variation
Classification
Micro-organisms
Plant reproduction
Human reproduction
Ecology
Thank you to Mrs Masters @mrsjmasters who provided me with her templates (some of the cell structure one includes parts from her booklet!) She has written an interesting article on how she uses booklets here: https://pedagoggles.wordpress.com/2019/02/08/teaching-with-booklets/
I have removed our school marking guidance and lab rules so you would need to put your school guidelines in these places.
Updated to include clearer marking guidance and quizlet QR codes.
An idea I have developed further from @LessonToolbox
Use hexagons to encourage pupils to understand how the key words for a topic link together. More information here: https://lessontoolbox.wordpress.com/2016/03/27/buzzing-about-hexagons/
Also includes a blank version of just hexagons that you can get a set laminated so pupils can write key words on them and you can use them for multiple tasks.
Revision sheets for AQA A2 Biology.
Sections 4.1-4.7 are thanks to shooppoop. I have just added section 4.8 on as well.
If you have switched to the new AQA Biology A Level please check out the revision sheets that I have made for the new specification for the AS Level too:
https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/aqa-biology-new-as-specification-revision-diagrams-for-topic-1-2-3-and-4-and-required-practicals-11244072
The card sorts can be cut out by pupils and stuck onto A3 paper or you can use it as a laminated reusable card sort. I have also included a picture of what the final versions look like.
If they require a bit more help the C and N cycle blank sheets can be used and the cards arranged into the gaps on there or they can be used further down the line to get them to fill them in for revision.
There is also a worksheet summarising decay - saprobionts and detritivores along with the answers.