A resource aimed at BTEC Level 3 Applied Science students, this worksheet provides a series of research prompts for students to explore the nature of a scientific theory. The context of the theory of evolution is used in this task, with students being required to research the evidence for this theory and some of the competing and discredited ideas that were believed (and still are by some individuals) until the evidence for evolution by natural selection became overwhelming.

A resource aimed at Level 3 Applied Science students, this worksheet provides a series of research prompts to guide students to independently learn about the technique of electrophoresis. The worksheet includes clear questions, a weblink for further information and information on how the work will be assessed. The second worksheet included with this resource provides a marking grid that can be used as part of a peer assessment exercise, with students assessing and grading each other's work depending on which criteria have been met and the quality of the work produced.

A resource aimed at advanced biology students, this worksheet provides a series of questions requiring one word answers on the topic of the immune system. Areas covered include non specific defence, specific defence, inflammation, barriers, phagocytes, lymphocytes, antibodies, antigens, T-cells, B-cells. Useful as a resource to recap key terminology, questions can be deleted or added as required. Answers to all the question are given on the second page of the worksheet.

A resource aimed at GCSE (14-16 year old) students on the topic of cell magnification and cell division. The resource consists of a worksheet with questions that cover units of measurement conversion, recognising structures in cells from actual light micrograph images, calculation of magnification and defining the words 'gene' and 'chromosome'.

A resource aimed at GCSE (14-16 year old) students and tailored specifically for AQA specifications, this crossword provides 16 crossword clues that relate to key vocabulary covered in the topic of mitosis (e.g. cytokinesis, interphase, centromere, chromosome, etc). This resource is ideal for students to practice using key vocabulary and can be used as either a starter or plenary task in lessons. An answer key is provided on the second page. Key words: Mitosis, interphase, cytokinesis, chromosome, division, nucleus, paternal, maternal, gene, cancer, asexual, growth, repair, centromere, clone, identical

A resource aimed at GCSE (14-16) biology students, this activity requires students to construct a model of cells at different stages of division in order to learn how chromosomes behave during mitosis. The worksheet includes images of cells at different stages of division to assist students and also some questions that should be completed at each stage of the process.

A resource aimed at either GCSE (14-16 year olds) or Advanced (16 -19 year olds) biology students, this worksheet provides a diagram of a typical prokaryotic (bacterial) cell. The task involves labelling the diagram to identify each organelle, followed by a mix and match task to describe the function of each organelle. This resource is ideal for use as either a starter activity to recap previous learning or as a plenary exercise following a lesson on this topic. Key words: prokaryotic, cell, organelle, capsule, membrane, cytoplasm, ribosomes, nucleoid, chromosome

This resource is aimed at GCSE (14-16 year old) biology students and consists of two worksheets. The first worksheet is an introduction to the concept of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems and involves a mix and match task to sort key definitions. The worksheet also has a table to fill in with specific examples of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems. The second worksheet consists of eleven questions that are related to an online video that neatly (in the space of 3-4 minutes) introduces the topic of the digestive system. Students watch the video (link to the video is provided on the worksheet) and answer the questions as they go. This is ideal to use as a starter task for a lesson on the digestive system.

This resource consists of two 'active video' worksheets linked to online Youtube videos (links provided on the worksheet). Each video consists of a three to four minute video clip showing some engaging applications of diffusion. The first video clip shows a team of scientists testing shark repellent under water and the second shows a skunk spraying musk as a defense mechanism. Each worksheet provides simple questions that students answer while watching the video - providing the opportunity to then commence a full lesson on the topic of diffusion.

A worksheet aimed at GCSE (14-16 year old) students, this resource is ideal as a starter activity following a lesson on the principles of osmosis. The worksheet includes several questions that probe understanding of what osmosis is, how we can use knowledge of osmosis to predict water movement into and out of cells and finally a challenge question on how salt can be used to kill slugs by dessicating them. Keywords: osmosis, water, hypertonic, hypotonic, isotonic, concentration, turgid, flaccid, plasmolysed, slug, salt

An activity aimed at either 7-10 year olds (simply do the activity described on the first two pages and ask students to describe their observations) or 11-14 year old students(ask students to complete the worksheet of questions on diffusion), this resource provides a really engaging way of of showing students the phenomenon of diffusion in a quick, simple, creative and edible way! Students are tasked with creating a simple picture or image on a plate using vegetable oil and a drinking straw. Skittle sweets/candy are then added to each area of the image and water is added. The colours from the skittle sweets/candy will start to diffuse and spread across the plate, colouring the image in. The colours are prevented from running into each other by the lines of oil. The activity provides a great way of discussing key questions such as why the colours are spreading, why are some colours spreading faster than others, what effect different temperature water has on the rate of spread of the colour and why oil stops the colours from spreading any further. Most importantly though, the investigation is a FUN science activity tailored to Christmas! The resource includes: Instruction sheet with diagrams, question worksheet for 11-14 year olds and various templates designs for Christmas pictures Key words: diffusion, colour, art, christmas, santa, holly, reindeer, fun, skittles, spread, investigation

Science students often struggle to understand the concept of a control investigation, something which is regularly examined by most exam board specifications. This worksheet explains clearly what a control investigation is and then provides several practice investigations which require students to describe a suitable control. Finally, the worksheet provides an extra 'challenge' question for more able students to describe how control experiments were important in establishing the germ theory of disease and debunking the myth of spontaneous generation.

This resource is aimed at A-Level Biology students and lists the mechanisms behind each of four different lung diseases and disorders: asthma, tuberculosis, pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. As well as being a useful collection of revision notes in itself, the task here is for students to explain how each of these diseases causes a reduced tolerance to exercise - this is often asked in exam questions and requires students to apply their knowledge of Fick's Law. Each disease will impact on surface area, concentration gradient and/or thickness of exchange surface thereby reducing the rate of diffusion; the challenge is for students to explain this

A worksheet aimed at high ability GCSE or advanced level biology or applied science students, this resource provides a research task for students to complete independently on the topic of thermoregulation. The worksheet has clear criteria for the research task and provides several individual prompts that lead students through the task. Weblinks are provided at the end of the worksheet. Key words: thermoregulation, temperature, research, vasoconsstriction, vasodilation, shivering, piloerection, respiration, core temperature

A worksheet aimed at advanced biology students, this is a useful resource to check understanding and factual recall with students following a topic on synaptic transmission. The worksheet includes a sequencing exercise for the main events involved with an excitatory synapse and further questions related to how the synapse functions. Key words: synapse, excitatory, acetylcholine, vesicles, neurotransmitter

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 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

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

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.