A worksheet for A-Level Biology students, for use after the main statistical tests have been taught. Students often learn statistical tests by rote, but lack the independence of thought to select appropriate statistical tests for an investigation they have designed. This worksheet provides various examples of possible titles for quick and simple investigations that can be done in the space of a lesson or for homework - students must then select the appropriate statistical test to analyse their results. Key words: Statistics, Chi-squared, 95% confidence limits and standard error, spearman rank, independent, investigation, biology, A-Level

A worksheet aimed at A-Level Biology students which sets out a series of research tasks for students to learn about the nitrogen cycle. A good resource to use at the start of this topic as homework or in class by dividing out each piece of key research among the class. Internet websites are listed which provide useful animations and information for students to use as they complete their research. Key words: nitrogen cycle, deamination, ammonification, denitrification, nitrification, nitrogen fixation, nitrogen, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium ions, symbiotic

A differentiated worksheet on enzymes that begins by recapping some basic knowledge and then provides a method for an investigation into where catalase is found in different organisms. At the end of the investigation, there are various discussion points on the impact of increasing surface area, the effect of high temperatures and how widespread catalase is as an enzyme in organisms from different biological kingdoms. Keywords: Enzyme, substrate, active site, hydrogen peroxide, denatured, liver, potato, surface area

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

This activity sheet is suitable for A-Level Biology and BTEC Level 3 Science students; it is part of my DRAW IT series and contains a list of descriptions that detail how competitive and non-competitive inhibitors work. Students are tasked with reading each description carefully and then illustrating each description; meanwhile, other students in the class can be given the textbook style diagrams and are asked to provide a written commentary. After both sets of students have finished, they can then be paired up and tasked with comparing their written notes/ illustrations and explain the process to each other. Finally, the lesson can be concluded by asking students to verbally describe each step in the process during a question and answer plenary. I first devised DRAW IT tasks as a way of turning fairly dry subject material into something more interactive and student led. DRAW IT tasks can easily change a teacher led session into a much more engaging, enjoyable and competitive classroom activity.

A worksheet that allows students to work through the main points about each blood vessel: artery, arteriole, venule, vein and capillary. Covers aspects of both structure and function of blood vessels.

A worksheet aimed at A-Level Biology students that looks at various examples of restriction enzymes and whether they are suitable for cutting out a gene from a sequence of DNA. Students must look carefully at the restriction recognition sequence for each enzyme and decide whether it is suitable for removing the gene. This is based on whether the recognition sequence occurs in the middle of the gene or at the ends and whether the enzyme will leave blunt or sticky ends. Key words: Restriction, enzyme, blunt, sticky, gene, DNA, EcoR1, HindIII, BamH1

A worksheet of questions related to the nitrogen cycle which students are required to research. Each series of questions is divided into separate categories according to which part of the cycle they relate to: nitrogen fixation, nitrification, ammonification, denitrification, etc. A useful worksheet to issue at the start of a topic as background research for students to gain familiarity with the key ideas. Keywords: Nitrogen, cycle, ammonifiication, denitrification, nitrification, saprobiont, decay, fixation

An activity aimed at A-Level Biology students. This activity involves a series of statements that can be given to a class at the start of a lesson with the instruction that they draw the nitrogen cycle based on this information. Students should initially do this in pairs but can then be teamed up in larger groups to show, discuss and explain their own diagrammatic interpretations of the nitrogen cycle. Finally, the whole class can be brought together to discuss the best way of joining these statements together into an agreed nitrogen cycle. Key words: Nitrogen, cycle, ammonification, nitrification, denitrification, saprobiont, decay, symbiotic, rhizobium, azotobacter, decomposition, photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, fossilisation, assimilation, feeding, herbivore, carnivore, carbonate

An activity aimed at A-Level Biology students. This activity involves a series of statements that can be given to a class at the start of a lesson with the instruction that they draw the carbon cycle based on this information. Students should initially do this in pairs but can then be teamed up in larger groups to show, discuss and explain their own diagrammatic interpretations of the carbon cycle. Finally, the whole class can be brought together to discuss the best way of joining these statements together into an agreed Carbon Cycle. Key words: Carbon, cycle, decomposition, photosynthesis, respiration, combustion, fossilisation, assimilation, feeding, herbivore, carnivore, carbonate, ocean, diffusion

A single powerpoint slide that can be printed A3 size and used as a homework task for A-Level Biology students. Many students do not appreciate the link between their knowledge of biochemistry, photosynthesis and plant growth. This activity will make clear that every biological molecule present in a plant can trace itself to the glucose first produced in photosynthesis and subsequent modification into proteins, lipids and nucleic acids via the addition of further minerals.

A resource aimed at Advanced Biology students, this worksheet provides a diagram and questions on how the cardiac cycle is under myogenic control. The worksheet begins with a labelling activity, requiring students to recall key vocabulary such as sino-atrial node, atrioventricular node, Bundle of His and Purkinje fibres. The next task requires sequencing of the appropriate events that occur as electrical impulses are generated within heart muscle. Finally, the worksheet provides some questions requiring more detailed understanding as to why these events happen in the order that they do. An ideal resource to use as either a plenary or lesson starter to recap and consolidate knowledge. Key words: sino-atrial node, atrioventricular node, Bundle of His, Purkinje fibres, systole, diastole, atria, ventricles

A series of eleven questions that require one or two word responses. The worksheet is aimed at biology students who have just completed a lesson on heart structure. The worksheet would be useful as a starter or plenary to consolidate basic key terms and understanding. Answers are provided to all the questions. Key words: heart, atria, ventricle, aorta, vena cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, blood, pressure, valves, pump

This worksheet is aimed at A-Level Biology students and covers the principles of restriction mapping of plasmids using restriction enzymes. This is often a difficult topic for students to understand, but this worksheet covers the basic principle, worked examples and also provides some questions for students to practice the principles. Key words: Restriction, enzyme, plasmid, mapping, kilobases, DNA, base pairs, restriction site, fragment, electrophoresis

A worksheet that reviews the basics of enzymes and also introduces the idea of activation energy. Useful for a lesson review after a first introductory lesson on lock and key theory Keywords: Enzyme, substrate, complex, activation energy, active site, denaturation, protein

This worksheet provides a series of questions on the topic of lipids and triglyceride fats that could be used as a plenary activity after a lesson on this topic has been taught. Key words:lipids, triglyceride, fats, fatty acids, saturated, unsaturated, lipase

A summary worksheet for A-Level Biology comprising three exercises, including calculation of population growth, interpretation of survival curves and interpretation of population pyramids (showing increasing, stable and decreasing population). Key words: Population, pyramid, biology, survival, curves, graph, growth, increase, percentage

A method sheet that discusses how to extract your own DNA from cheek cells. Highly engaging and suitable as a starter activity for any biology topic involving nucleic acids. Much more interesting than the usual extraction of DNA from Kiwi fruit or onions!

A worksheet to review the basics of the carbon cycle, identify carbon sources and sinks and review the main causes of increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Key words: Carbon cycle, source, sink, trees, photosynthesis, respiration, fossilisation, combustion, decomposition, greenhouse, global warming

A resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet contains a practical schedule for the Hill reaction - a classic practical investigation which provides evidence for the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis. The worksheet contains practical instructions, tables for students to complete with their observations and a list of follow up questions that probes understanding of both the experimental procedure and importance of controls plus the background biochemical theory. The experiment is simple to set up (I recommend using spinach leaves) and straightforward to perform making it an ideal practical to add to what can otherwise be a fairly 'dry' topic. Key words: Hill reaction, NADP, light dependent reaction, light independent reaction, photosynthesis, chloroplast, cells, DCPIP, reduction, colour, expeirment, investigation, control