A worksheet aimed at biology students aged 14-18 years, this resource provides a series of prompts and questions to help students plan an investigation into osmosis. The practical investigation is a classic one involving potato chips and different concentrations of sucrose solution - the worksheet asks students to consider the variables involved, the range and concentrations of sucrose solution required and then asks students to produce a written plan based on these considerations.

A resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet provides a written schedule for the extraction of chlorophyll from leaves followed by analysis via chromatography. Rf values for various pigments are included in a reference table (including chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, phaeophytin, xanthophyll and carotene); students can attach their chromatograms to the worksheet, calculate Rf values for each pigment and identify using the reference table. This is a good practical exercise to cover at the start of a topic on photosynthesis, and emphasises the fact that various pigments are responsible for harnessing light energy during the light dependent reactions. Key words: Light dependent, chlorophyll, Rf value, chromatography, chromatogram, solvent front, extraction, leaf, phaeophytin, xanthophyll, carotene, absorption spectra, action spectrum

A worksheet aimed at advanced level biology students, this resource consists of an identification exercise whereby students are asked to name each organelle in a 3D diagram of a cell, followed by questions about the functions of some of these organelles. The second worksheet provides questions on calculating the magnification of a mitochondrion and the principles of magnification, resolution and electron micrographs - these questions are common place on most advanced biology specifications, so it is useful to practise these questions during lessons.

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.

A resource aimed at advanced level biology students, this worksheet leads students through an area that often causes difficulty - interpreting evidence for the Calvin Cycle. The worksheet looks at the classic experiment performed by Melvin Calvin that provided evidence for the sequence of events that occurs in cyclic photophosphorlyation or the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis. The worksheet introduces the idea of radioactive tracers and asks students to predict the effect of switching lights off or reducing carbon dioxide levels. Graphs are shown recording the levels of RuBP and GP in response to these changes. Answers to each question are provided on the second page of this worksheet Key words: Light independent reaction, cyclic photophosphorylation, ATP, RNADP, glycerate - 3- phosphate, triose phosphate, ribulose bisphosphate, ribulose phosphate, light dependent reaction, calvin cycle

This worksheet is designed to work with the web-based world mapper resource - an ingenious programme that distorts the world map according to the prevalence of certain factors. For example, if cholera deaths was the selected factor, Africa would be hugely increased in size on the map, whereas North America would shrink to become almost invisible. This worksheet allows students to see the impact of various factors of their own choosing on birth rate, death rate and overall population size. A great way for students to find out for themselves how various factors affect the global population. Key words: Population, geography, death rate, birth rate, disease, economics, religion, biology, map, world, earth, continent, countries, europe, north america, south america, asia, oceania

A worksheet with method and subsequent questions (including a higher ability challenge question) on the effect of lipase and bile salts on the breakdown of fat present in milk. A good practical activity for GCSE and A-Level students alike, which demonstrates the impact of bile as an emulsifying agent. Key words: phenolpthalein, milk, ph, bile, fat, triglyceride, temperature, lipase

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 resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet is ideal as a starter or plenary recap of the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis. The worksheet includes a space for students to draw out the series of light dependent reactions from memory, but importantly, they are then asked a series of questions to identify the role of each substance. This is a very useful way of ensuring that students have understood the details of the reaction rather than just repeating diagrams parrot-fashion. Key words: photosynthesis, light dependent, photosystems, chlorophyll, chloroplasts, thylakoid, stroma, electrons, reduction, oxidation, phosphorylation, ATP, NADP

A resource aimed at post-16 biology students, this worksheet contains a list of written instructions for students to draw in order to recreate a diagram of the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis. This task can be given to the whole class and then a printed diagram of the light dependent reaction given out at the end of the activity for students to compare their drawing to; alternatively the class can be divided into two at the start of the lesson - half get a diagram of the light dependent reaction and are asked to describe each stage while the other half get this worksheet and are asked to draw a diagram; the two halves of each class can then be asked to verbally feedback to each other. This is a useful way of turning an otherwise dry topic into an involving and engaging activity. Key words: Photosynthesis, light, chloroplast, thylakoid, granum, photosystem, photolysis, NADP, ATP

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource focuses on how the HIV virus has evolved resistance to drug treatments over the last few decades and how some individuals have evolved resistance to the virus. The resource contains two articles (from BBC News and Medical News Today) as stimulus material followed by questions that require students to link their knowledge to these real-life applied examples. This resource is ideal stretch and challenge material for more able students once they have completed a topic on evolution. Key words: HIV, resistance, evolution, disease, virus, AIDS, drugs, medicine

A worksheet aimed at advanced level biology students, this resource uses mallards as an example of directional selection. Students are required to predict the effect of climate changes to the amount of subcutaneous fat in a population of mallards over time. The worksheet requires students to predict the effect on a normal distribution curve and then finally explain the process of directional selection using the key phrases provided. Key words: directional, selection, mallard, normal distribution, reproductive success, differential, frequency, alleles, variation

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource focuses on the structure and layout of cells in the retina. The worksheet includes reference to the phenomena of retinal convergence, structure of rods and cones, bleaching and dark adaptation. Key words: Retina, Eye, rods, cones, sclera, choroid, bipolar cell, ganglion cell, sensory neurone, blind spot, fovea, visual axis, lens, suspensory ligament, ciliary muscles, pupil, iris

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource consists of a labelling exercise on the structure and layout of cells in the retina. The worksheet continues with synoptic style application questions about various visual phenomena (e.g. visual acuity, night blindness, averted vision, bleaching of rods and cones). These questions are ideal for building synoptic understanding of how and why the cells of the retina are structured. Key words: Retina, Eye, rods, cones, sclera, choroid, bipolar cell, ganglion cell, sensory neurone, blind spot, fovea, visual axis, lens, suspensory ligament, ciliary muscles, pupil, iris

A resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet focuses on how food is digested in both the mouth and stomach. The worksheet contains both factual information and questions that discuss the breakdown of carbohydrates by salivary amylase and proteins by pepsin. The physiology of the stomach is also covered along with consideration of endopeptidase enzymes. Key words: stomach, mouth, saliva, amylase, maltose, starch, goblet cells, oxyntic cells, hydrochloric acid, endopeptidase, exopeptidase, protein, pepsin

A resource aimed at advanced biology students that recaps the basic details of kidney function via the use of key words inserted into a passage of text. The worksheet continues on to a research activity that focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of kidney transplant and dialysis treatment. Weblinks for the research are provided. Key words: kidney, transplant, dialysis, glomerulus, filtration, proximal convoluted tubule, distal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, collecting duct, aldosterone, anti diuretic hormone, osmosis, reuptake, hydrostatic pressure

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource serves as a recap of key events that occur during muscle contraction. The worksheet includes reference to the appearance of striated muscle fibres when in a state of contraction and relaxation (e.g. I bands, A-bands, H-zone) and the sequence of events that occur at the neuromuscular junction when a nerve impuse triggers muscle contraction. Key words: muscle, fibres, A-band, I-band, H-zone, contraction, relaxation, calcium, troponin, tropomyosin, myosin, actin

A worksheet suitable for Level 3 Applied Science Students (but easily adaptable for advanced biology), this worksheet requires students to research the key processes involved in mitosis. The worksheet is written in the style of a BTEC task but it could also be used as a homework activity for any advanced biology class about to study mitosis. Several question prompts are provided along with a weblink to an interactive animation, allowing students to research their own answers to each of the questions Keywords: Mitosis, prophase, anaphase, metaphase, telophase, interphase, chromosomes, centromere, diploid, research

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this resource provides a table with screenshot diagrams from an online animation that explains how the sliding filament theory works. Students are required to write their own notes in the relevant spaces. The weblink to the animation is provided at the top of the worksheet. Key words: muscle, sliding filament, theory, contraction, relaxation, actin, myosin

An activity aimed at GCSE biology (age 14-16) students on the topic of stem cells. The activity includes a powerpoint presentation and a questionnaire word document. The powerpoint can be printed out on separate sheets of A4 and posted around the classroom for students to find - each slide has a suitable image together with clear explanatory text. The questionnaire matches the slides and so students can then match the answer to the relevant question. In terms of delivery, students can be paired up after they complete the activity and asked to verbally test each other on their knowledge of stem cells, checking that the information gathered has been understood. This can then lead into a whole class teacher-led discussion using the powerpoint slides to summarise the topic and check responses to each question. The activity includes coverage of the nature of stem cells, embryonic versus adult stem cells, IVF, uses of stem cells, ethical issues, tissue culture and medical treatments that are possible using stem cell therapy.