Fossils and extinction lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.3.5 Relevant chapter: B14 Genetics and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 192-193 Students are required to know the following; Fossils are the ‘remains’ of organisms from millions of years ago, which are found in rocks. Fossils may be formed: • from parts of organisms that have not decayed because one or more of the conditions needed for decay are absent • when parts of the organism are replaced by minerals as they decay •as preserved traces of organisms, such as footprints, burrows and rootlet traces. Many early forms of life were soft-bodied, which means that they have left few traces behind. What traces there were have been mainly destroyed by geological activity. This is why scientists cannot be certain about how life began on Earth. WS 1.3 Appreciate why the fossil record is incomplete.

Evidence for evolution lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.3.4 Relevant chapter: B15 Genetics and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 242-243 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe the evidence for evolution including fossils and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The theory of evolution by natural selection is now widely accepted. Evidence for Darwin’s theory is now available as it has been shown that characteristics are passed on to offspring in genes. There is further evidence in the fossil record and the knowledge of how resistance to antibiotics evolves in bacteria.

Evidence for evolution lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.3.4 Relevant chapter: B14 Genetics and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 190-191 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe the evidence for evolution including fossils and antibiotic resistance in bacteria. The theory of evolution by natural selection is now widely accepted. Evidence for Darwin’s theory is now available as it has been shown that characteristics are passed on to offspring in genes. There is further evidence in the fossil record and the knowledge of how resistance to antibiotics evolves in bacteria.

Aerobic respiration lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes powerpoint timers, slide animations, embedded video's and mini review. NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. AQA spec link: 4.4.2.1 Relevant chapter: B9 Respiration. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 134-135 Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe cellular respiration as an exothermic reaction which is continuously occurring in living cells. The energy transferred supplies all the energy needed for living processes. Respiration in cells can take place aerobically (using oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen), to transfer energy. Students should be able to compare the processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration with regard to the need for oxygen, the differing products and the relative amounts of energy transferred. Organisms need energy for: •• chemical reactions to build larger molecules •• movement •• keeping warm. Aerobic respiration is represented by the equation: glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water Students should recognise the chemical symbols: C6H12O6, O2, CO2 and H2O.

"Please note this lesson has been changed since the former review, view the comments for more details* Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 230-231. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored.

Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 224-225. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic. Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to diseases or to produce bigger better fruits. Bacterial cells have been genetically engineered to produce useful substances such as human insulin to treat diabetes. Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. In genetic engineering, genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ and transferred to cells of other organisms. Crops that have had their genes modified in this way are called genetically modified (GM) crops. GM crops include ones that are resistant to insect attack or to herbicides. GM crops generally show increased yields. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored. Modern medical research is exploring the possibility of genetic modification to overcome some inherited disorders. (HT) Students should be able to describe the main steps in the process of genetic engineering. In genetic engineering: • enzymes are used to isolate the required gene; this gene is inserted into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus • the vector is used to insert the gene into the required cells • genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants, or microorganisms at an early stage (egg or embryo) in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.

Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 186-187. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored.

Genetic engineering lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides, worksheet and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.4 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 184-185. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe genetic engineering as a process which involves modifying the genome of an organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic. Plant crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to diseases or to produce bigger better fruits. Bacterial cells have been genetically engineered to produce useful substances such as human insulin to treat diabetes. Students should be able to explain the potential benefits and risks of genetic engineering in agriculture and in medicine and that some people have objections. In genetic engineering, genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ and transferred to cells of other organisms. Crops that have had their genes modified in this way are called genetically modified (GM) crops. GM crops include ones that are resistant to insect attack or to herbicides. GM crops generally show increased yields. Concerns about GM crops include the effect on populations of wild flowers and insects. Some people feel the effects of eating GM crops on human health have not been fully explored. Modern medical research is exploring the possibility of genetic modification to overcome some inherited disorders. (HT) Students should be able to describe the main steps in the process of genetic engineering. In genetic engineering: • enzymes are used to isolate the required gene; this gene is inserted into a vector, usually a bacterial plasmid or a virus • the vector is used to insert the gene into the required cells • genes are transferred to the cells of animals, plants, or microorganisms at an early stage (egg or embryo) in their development so that they develop with desired characteristics.

Making the most of photosynthesis lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for a higher ability class and HIGHER TIER ONLY students. You will require access to computers/tablets for this lesson as it is heavily research based. You may decide to set this part of the spec as homework although my students thoroughly enjoyed designing the most affordable greenhouse. * NB: If you are unable to play embedded videos please view slide notes for link. Enjoy this lesson for free as a token of appreciation for all the hard work you've done this term :) AQA spec link: 4.4.1.2 Relevant chapter: B8 Photosynthesis. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 128-129 Students are required to know the following; Limiting factors are important in the economics of enhancing the conditions in greenhouses to gain the maximum rate of photosynthesis whilst still maintaining profit.

Photosynthesis required practical (RP 6). This practical was completed in one lesson, students were asked to construct a graph from their data for homework. AQA spec link: 4.4.1.1 Relevant chapter: B8 Photosynthesis. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 126-127 Students are required to know the following; investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic organism such as pondweed. AT skills covered by this practical activity: AT 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Selective breeding lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.3 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 182-183. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the impact of selective breeding of food plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding (artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular genetic characteristics. Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding involves choosing parents with the desired characteristic from a mixed population. They are bred together. From the offspring those with the desired characteristic are bred together. This continues over many generations until all the offspring show the desired characteristic. The characteristic can be chosen for usefulness or appearance: • Disease resistance in food crops. • Animals which produce more meat or milk. • Domestic dogs with a gentle nature. • Large or unusual flowers. Selective breeding can lead to ‘inbreeding’ where some breeds are particularly prone to disease or inherited defects. WS 1.3, 1.4 Explain the benefits and risks of selective breeding given appropriate information and consider related ethical issues.

Evolution by natural selection lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 + 4.6.2.2 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 180-181. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to: • state that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species • recall that all variants arise from mutations and that: most have no effect on the phenotype; some influence phenotype; very few determine phenotype. Mutations occur continuously. Very rarely a mutation will lead to a new phenotype. If the new phenotype is suited to an environmental change it can lead to a relatively rapid change in the species. Students should be able to describe evolution as a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species. The theory of evolution by natural selection states that all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago. Students should be able to explain how evolution occurs through natural selection of variants that give rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment. If two populations of one species become so different in phenotype that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring they have formed two new species.

Variation lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability (trilogy/combined) class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 Relevant chapter: B13 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology trilogy edition textbook-Page 178-179. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe simply how the genome and its interaction with the environment influence the development of the phenotype of an organism. Differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population is called variation and may be due to differences in: • the genes they have inherited (genetic causes) • the conditions in which they have developed (environmental causes) • a combination of genes and the environment. NB: Mutations reference will be taught in the subsequent lesson.

A great homework based on photosynthesis, can be set over a weekend. Students are also required to access knowledge from previous topics (B4).

Selective breeding lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.3 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 222-223. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to explain the impact of selective breeding of food plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding (artificial selection) is the process by which humans breed plants and animals for particular genetic characteristics. Humans have been doing this for thousands of years since they first bred food crops from wild plants and domesticated animals. Selective breeding involves choosing parents with the desired characteristic from a mixed population. They are bred together. From the offspring those with the desired characteristic are bred together. This continues over many generations until all the offspring show the desired characteristic. The characteristic can be chosen for usefulness or appearance: • Disease resistance in food crops. • Animals which produce more meat or milk. • Domestic dogs with a gentle nature. • Large or unusual flowers. Selective breeding can lead to ‘inbreeding’ where some breeds are particularly prone to disease or inherited defects. WS 1.3, 1.4 Explain the benefits and risks of selective breeding given appropriate information and consider related ethical issues.

Evolution by natural selection lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. NB: If you are unable to play videos a URL link can be found in the slide notes. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 + 4.6.2.2 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 220-221. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to: • state that there is usually extensive genetic variation within a population of a species • recall that all variants arise from mutations and that: most have no effect on the phenotype; some influence phenotype; very few determine phenotype. Mutations occur continuously. Very rarely a mutation will lead to a new phenotype. If the new phenotype is suited to an environmental change it can lead to a relatively rapid change in the species. Students should be able to describe evolution as a change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time through a process of natural selection which may result in the formation of a new species. The theory of evolution by natural selection states that all species of living things have evolved from simple life forms that first developed more than three billion years ago. Students should be able to explain how evolution occurs through natural selection of variants that give rise to phenotypes best suited to their environment. If two populations of one species become so different in phenotype that they can no longer interbreed to produce fertile offspring they have formed two new species.

Variation lesson created in accordance to the NEW AQA Specification (9-1). Designed for higher ability class, although content can be adjusted to suit any ability. Includes: embedded videos and timers, slide animations, practice questions with answers on slides and an interactive quiz. AQA spec link: 4.6.2.1 Relevant chapter: B14 Variation and evolution. AQA Biology third edition textbook-Page 218-219. Students are required to know the following; Students should be able to describe simply how the genome and its interaction with the environment influence the development of the phenotype of an organism. Differences in the characteristics of individuals in a population is called variation and may be due to differences in: • the genes they have inherited (genetic causes) • the conditions in which they have developed (environmental causes) • a combination of genes and the environment. NB: Mutations reference will be taught in the subsequent lesson.