A British trained KS3-5 Biology teacher, I have over 20 years teaching in the UK and internationally. I have taught AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR curricula.
A British trained KS3-5 Biology teacher, I have over 20 years teaching in the UK and internationally. I have taught AQA, CIE, Edexcel and OCR curricula.
This first lesson starts with a recall from KS4 of the outline of the structures and roles of phloem and xylem. The lesson then progresses on to describe their distribution in roots, stems and leaves. The second lesson progresses onto identification of the vascular bundles on micrographs, to look at the structures of the xylem and phloem in detail and describe their internal structures to their function. The lesson concludes with an overview of the role of companion cells.
This lesson starts with a recall of the structure of phloem tubes and their companion cells. Students then learn of the process of translocation from source to sink. Finally, the lesson covers why some parts of the plant may be a source and sink at different times of the year. Fully resourced, exam questions included.
In this lesson, students identify the reproductive organs and describe their roles in fertilisation. They then progress to describe and explain the features of the gametes, finishing with outlining stages of fertilisation and the formation of a zygote. Videos and exam questions included.
In this lesson students learn what an STI is with reference to what HIV is and describe how HIV can lead to AIDS. Students learn how HIV is transmitted and how transmission of STI’s can be controlled (B). Fully resourced with exam questions.
This lesson starts with a review the meaning of the term ‘species’ and then students learn of the three domains: Archaea, Bacteria and Eukarya. The lesson progresses to look at the characteristics of the four Eukarya Kingdoms, finishing off with an outline how viruses are classified.
This lessons cover the explanation of the causes of phenotypic variation and the differences between discontinuous and continuation in terms of genetics. The lesson covers the T-Test to compare two difference samples of variation including worked examples.
This lesson covers the environmental factors can act as stabilising, disruptive and directional forces of natural selection and how selection, the founder effect, genetic drift and the bottleneck effect may affect allele frequencies in populations.
Lesson covers the following diseases in terms of genes, the proteins they encode, and the phenotype expressed: Albinism; Sickle Cell Anaemia; Haemophilia; Huntingdon’s Disease. The lesson also cover the role of gibberellin in plants and effects of the two alleles that code for it’s functional enzyme.
This lesson recalls Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and discusses how DNA sequences can be used to show evolutionary relationships between species. The lesson then looks at how speciation occurs as a result of Allopatric speciation and Sympatric speciation.
This lesson covers how proteins are made, including the role of RNA polymerase, messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomes and the role of start and stop codons. The lesson progresses into the roles of the DNA template (antisense) strand in transcription, codons on messenger RNA and anticodons on transfer RNA. Fully resourced with video’s and practise exam questions.
This lesson is the class practical outlined in the CIE specification. The lesson starts by recalling how to calculate surface area and volume, calculating surface area to volume ratios and then the Investigation into diffusion in different sized cells using agar blocks. The lesson concludes by explaining the relationship between cell size and diffusion rate.
This lesson explores differences between prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses. Students start by recalling eukaryote cell structure in plants and animals and then they are introduced to additional organelles, which they research and are then presented with review slides to ensure they have all the information. Throughout the PPT there are micrographs of specimens so students are able to identify individual organelles. The lesson concludes with a multiple choice quiz.
This lesson can be taught over several sessions. Students start by revisiting how to prepare slides for viewing under the miscroscope, and how to draw observations to A Level standard. YouTube videos and practical tasks are included. The PPT includes micrographs of cells for students calculate magnification and actual size. Later, students are taught how to use a graticule and stage micrograph when calibrating a microscope with practise calculations, working out sizes of specimens. The lesson concludes with a research task on the differences between light, and electron microscopes. The PPT is interspaced with exam questions to assess progress. Also included is a practical booklet that students can use to independently conduct the miscroscope practical, if required.
This lesson covers the role and structure of photosystems on the thylakoid membrane and the reaction centres within. A good lesson to teacher prior to the Light Dependent Reaction as it helps students to visualise how light is transferred through the chloroplast.
This lesson can be taught over several sessions. Students start by revisiting KS4 concepts on the role of ATP and then looking at it’s structure. The lesson then progresses to how it is made and how it releases energy, finishing off with why ATP is referred to as the universal energy currency. The PPT is interspersed with exam practise questions and mark schemes. Additional exam practise material and Biofact Sheet is also included.
This lesson covers all stages of respiration with an interactive PPT and other resources to support stuents. The lesson starts with a review of mitochondria structure, ATP role and structure and the introduction of the different types of phosphorylation. The lesson then progress through the four stages of respiration including a running total of ATP used/produced at each stage. Also supplied are Biofact sheets and CIE exam questions.
This lesson starts by recalling ATP structure and Y12 learning on glucose structure. Students have opportunity to build a glucose model using moly beads. The lesson then revisits concepts of oxidation and reduction and introduces concepts of co-enzymes NAD, FAD and CoA and their role as carriers of hydrogen. The lesson concludes with 2 optional activities.
The lesson starts with details on why anaerobic respiration is needed and how it works in mammals and yeast. It progresses to explore why ATP yield is less, then concluding with rice and it’s adaptations to grow in anaerobic conditions.