A resource aimed at GCSE (14-16 year old) biology students, this resource consists of a series of instructions for four food test investigations (testing for a reducing sugar, protein, starch and fat), each of which can be printed out and positioned at various locations/work stations in a laboratory. The resource also contains a worksheet for students to fill in as they complete each investigation - students should test a known sample of a food substance first in order to see for themselves the positive result/colour change before then testing an unknown mixture.

A complete summary of all three main statistical tests required for AQA Biology: 95% confidence limits and standard error, spearman rank and chi-squared. The worksheet focuses on the basic routine of each test rather than getting bogged down with detailed explanations of the theory behind them. A useful resource to give to students as a summary once statistical tests have been taught. Each summary provides data for students to analyse and practice each test. There is also a quick quiz at the start, whereby students need to select the appropriate statistical test for each investigation. Key words: Statistical tests, 95% confidence limits, standard error, chi-squared, spearman rank, maths, degrees of freedom, critical value, probablity, null hypothesis

This resource consists of two worksheets aimed at advanced biology students or level 3 applied science students. The first worksheet is a simple review of how an electron microscope functions and the key points about magnification, resolution and TEM/SEM (the image is that of a tapeworm head). The second worksheet is a table comparing electron microscopes with light microscopes. Three different web references are given and students are required to use these to complete the table. At the end of the exercise, they should be able to confidently compare and contrast light microscopes with electron microscopes.

Biology students often struggle to calculate rates of reaction from graphs. This worksheet provides an explanation of how to calculate rates of reaction from graphs followed by two practice examples. This is a useful worksheet to use as preparation for any practical investigation that will require this skill with data analysis.

This is an activity aimed at KS3-4 lower ability students, enabling them to learn the basics of lock and key theory via model building. The resource shows clear learning objectives includes a step by step series of tasks that gradually develop the model, with key questions for students to answer along the way. The resource also includes a personal learning checklist for completion before and after the lesson to show progress, along with a peer assessment sheet for students to assess each other. Key words: enzyme, substrate, lock and key, active site, denaturation, rate, reaction, products, protein, plasticine, personal learning checklist, peer assessment

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource focuses on the mechanism of action of second messengers (using cAMP as an example), activated by an initial hormone. The worksheet contains several questions that lead students through a logical series of key points - a weblink is also included for students to research their answers further. Key words: cAMP, second messenger, adenylate cyclase, hormone, adrenaline, ATP, AMP, response, endocrine

A practical method sheet for use by A-Level students investigating the effect of temperature on amylase, but also useful for teachers and technicians. Provides simple bullet point instructions that are easy to follow and also a full equipment list. A classic practical in A-Level Biology; please note that the practical procedure requires use of a colorimeter. Key words: Colorimeter, enzyme, amylase, rate, reaction, technician, buffer, iodine, substrate, products, temeprature, denature

A worksheet aimed at advanced level biology students, this resource is useful as a review of how colorimeters work and how they should be operated. The second worksheet contains a list of questions on different types of error that may result from laboratory investigations, some of which may be experienced when using a colorimeter: zero errors, systematic errors and random errors. The third worksheet is a differentiated version of the above, with an emphasis towards more simple ideas on the difference between qualitative and quantitative errors and calibration curves.

A resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet links understanding of mitosis to the mechanisms by which various cancer chemotherapy drugs (taxol, vincristine, methotrexate, adriamycin and cytoxan) work. Keywords: cancer, mutation, disease, chemotherapy, mitosis, tumour, malignant, benign

A resource aimed at advanced level biology students (or high ability GCSE students) that provides questions on how different limiting factors affect the rate of photosynthesis. The emphasis is on interpretation of rate of reaction graphs, with logical reasoning being used to identify and explain the main limiting factors. Answers to all the questions are provided on the second page of the worksheet. Key words: limiting factor, photosynthesis, graph, plateau, temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity

A resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet provides some more unusual examples of dihybrid cross genetics including malvidin production in primrose, kernel colour in wheat and fruit colour in squash; all students will be aware of the classic 9:3:3:1 ratio, but they can often struggle when other factors such as codominance are included in the question. This resource is ideal stretch and challenge material for more able students once they have mastered the basics of the dihybrid cross. It is also ideal preparation for the more challenging questions on this topic favoured by most exam boards. Keywords: dihybrid, ratio, cross, genetics

Worksheet that asks students to work through a chi-squared analysis of data from an investigation into PTU tasting ability. Useful as a lesson starter or plenary review on chi-sqaured. Keywords: chi-squared, statistics, PTU, tasting, null hypothesis, probability, degrees of freedom, critical value

A worksheet aimed at A-Level Biology students that requires students to read a passage of text, study diagrams and answer questions that require application of knowledge on the Carbon Cycle. The stimulus material is in the context of space science research and mapping of the Earth's oceans. Phytoplankton are a major carbon sink and their numbers are declining, possibly as a result of global warming. This worksheet considers the implications of this change. Keywords: Phytoplankton, Carbon cycle, space, satellite, envisat, sink. oceans, greenhouse, global warming

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource provides prompts and questions to guide student research into co-ordination and homeostasis of the human body. The worksheet consists of questions relating to the role, nature and mechanisms of hormones, local chemical mediators and the nervous system. Key words: nervous system, hormones, homeostasis, chemical mediator, receptor, signal, communication, impulse, co-ordination

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource provides a series of exercises that help students understand the nature of the genetic code and the impact of mutations. Students are required to decode a piece of DNA using the decode table provided, before then considering how a substitution, deletion or addition could change how the sequence is decoded. This is an excellent resource for driving home the point about frameshift mutations and how some mutations may be silent.

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students who are studying a topic on gene technology and the role of restriction endonucleases. The worksheet consists of task where students are required to choose the most appropriate restriction enzyme to cut out a gene from a piece of DNA. Students are given four different examples of restriction enzymes, together with information about the recognition sequence for each enzyme. Using this information, students must then select the most appropriate enzyme to cut out the gene. Key words: restriction endonuclease, gene, recognition sequence

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet is ideal as a starter task (or alternatively as a homework preparation/background reading exercise) that covers the reasons why meiosis takes place and the nature of gametes produced from meiosis. This is a useful exercise to conduct with students to establish the 'big picture' prior to study of individual stages of meiotic cell division. Keywords: meiosis, chromosomes, interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, haploid, diploid, reduction division, independent assortment, variation, genetic, evolution

A worksheet aimed at advanced level biology students, this resource provides a list of key statements and key words related to the topic of mitosis. The worksheet can be used as a revision activity whereby students draw out cell diagrams depicting each stage of mitosis and then use the key words and statements to annotate their diagrams appropriately. Key words: key words, key statements, mitosis, centrioles, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis, interphase, chromosomes, nucleus, spindle fibres

A worksheet aimed at advanced level biology students which introduces the concept of nervous and hormonal control of the body. The worksheet consists of some introductory questions that require students to consider the nature, mechanisms, speed and duration of hormonal communication versus nervous communication. Key words: communication, hormone, nerve, impulse, endocrine, neurotransmitter, chemical messenger

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this is ideal as a starter or plenary task following a topic on glucose homeostasis. The worksheet consists of eighteen questions related to glucose homeostasis (a 'what am I?' quiz) which require single word answers. All answers are provided on the second page of the worksheet. A good activity to consolidate key word vocabulary from this topic. Key words: glucose, glycogen, homeostasis, starch, gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, liver, pancreas, islets of langerhans, alpha cells, beta cells