Biology
A level
AQA Biology/Pearson Applied Human Biology
Y11 Bridging work
Now that you’ve chosen to study biology/applied human biology in more depth, you may be feeling rather unsure about starting your A-Level biology course. But do not worry - this guide is designed to help you with the transition to the A-Level course.
Below is a list of topics that you should already be familiar from GCSE but you may need to refresh your memory!
- Cells (eukaryotic and prokaryotic)
- Enzymes
- Respiration
- Diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- DNA
- The heart
Your task is to research one of the areas and produce a presentation of your chosen topic. The way in which you present your ideas is entirely up to you but your presentation should last approximately 5 minutes. Some examples are….produce a powerpoint….make a model….create an animation….make a video….write a poem…the more creative the better!
Having an awareness of current issues is always useful, especially if you are considering a career in biology related subjects such as nursing, medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. Get into the habit of checking the news, either online, television or newspapers. You could also read New Scientist magazine.
Recommended reading:
- Richard Dawkins (e.g. The Selfish Gene)
- Matt Ridley (e.g. The Red Queen)
- Steve Jones (e.g. Almost Like a Whale)
- James Watson, DNA: The Secret of Life.
- Any ‘Introduction to A level Biology’ books
Recommended TedEd video playlists:
- https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_savage_rumbaugh_the_gentle_genius_of_bonobos?referrer=playlist-animals_that_amaze – My favourite animal
- https://www.ted.com/talks/louie_schwartzberg_the_hidden_beauty_of_pollination?referrer=playlist-insects_are_awesome – Insects are awesome!
- https://www.ted.com/playlists/23/the_future_of_medicine - The future of medicine
- https://www.ted.com/playlists/7/ocean_wonders - Ocean wonders
Recommended websites:
- http://www.ibiblio.org/virtualcell/index.htm - An interactive cell biology site
- http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/VL/GG - A web site showing illustrations of many processes of biotechnology
- http://www.uq.oz.au/nanoworld - Visit the world of electron-microscopy
- http://www.dnai.org/a/index.html - Explore the genetic code
- http://nobelprize.org - Details of the history of the best scientific discoveries
- http://nature.com - The site of the scientific journal
- http://royalsociety.org - Podcasts, news and interviews with scientists about recent scientific developments
- http://www.nhm.ac.uk - The London Natural History Museum’s website with lots of interesting educational material
Competition time!
The Royal Society of Biology annual photography competition invites amateurs to submit photographs on a particular theme.
‘Our changing world’ is the theme of the competition in 2020. Life on Earth is dynamic and we invite you to capture these transformations.
Your photograph could illustrate the changes which occur within nature, including metamorphosis and shifts from young to adult. You might wish to depict how habitats develop during ecological succession, how wildlife adapts, or the impacts humans have on nature. We also welcome entries that explore this theme at the cellular, genetic and molecular level, exploring how life can change at a variety of different scales.
Prizes
There are two categories in the competition, each with a cash prize:
- Photographer of the Year (18 and over) - £1,000 top prize
- Young Photographer of the Year (under 18) - £500 top prize
For more information or to enter then please visit this website:
https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/rsb-competitions/photography-competition
The closing date for entries is 23:59 BST on 24th July 2020.
If you enter the competition don’t forget to send Miss Bowden and Ms Cruse an email….we’d love to see your photo entry!