The contents of Higher Human Biology with Answers are set out as the three units are in the exam syllabus, which makes organising teaching a lot easier.

A great deal of the content is the same as the original Higher Grade Human Biology text. Only the layout has changed. So you will again find testing your knowledge panels placed within the sub-topics. This is a good way of getting students to reread the text for consolidation.

There are no changes either in the “applying your knowledge” questions. And at the end of each section an essay question with a marking scheme is provided; in some cases the reader is also directed to appropriate areas in the text for important points that should be included. This is good practice for the exam. Having questions and answers in the same text must surely improve the student’s learning and help to build up confidence.

I have a few minor negative points. Some questions referred to tables and figures that are on a different page. This is annoying for the reader, who has to browse over several pages for pertinent information.

It is annoying, too, that the new layout means any worksheets teachers prepared with references to particular pages in Higher Grade Human Biology will have to be reviewed and changed.

Also, there was a chance to correct what I feel is badly explained biology. There are many references to enzymes working via the lock and key principal. Pupils think of a fixed, hard mechanical process and not the induced fit, hand and glove analogy that is more appropriate.

Overall, the book covers all the main points in the syllabus, it allows students to reflect on the material through its questioning (with the reassuring answers supplied) and it is easy on the eye.

Duncan McColl is head of biology at Dalbeattie High, Dumfries amp; Galloway