Biology Home Learning Pack Challenges

Home , Ed Yong, Matthew Cobb, The Life Scientific

Biology Home Learning NAME______Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology

Biology

Home Learning Pack Challenges

Please find attached a pack of work to help prepare you for Sixth Form.

I am delighted that you have shown an interest in Biology. In order to get you thinking about the subject, I have drawn up a challenge pack to help you prepare for studies in the 6th form such as biology research activities, books to read, films to watch on a rainy afternoon, useful websites to browse when Snapchat and Instagram lose their shine.

For a look at the syllabus: ● A-Level Biology Specification https://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/171736-specification- accredited-a-level-gce-biology-a-h420.pdf

Useful websites/apps- register now: ● Physics and Maths Tutor https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level- ocr-a/ is a website you should bookmark. It hosts past questions and mark schemes that are invaluable. ● For biology news, check in with https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment

Please email me [email protected] if you have any queries or questions.

In the meantime, I want to say a big thank you for your hard work and I am so very sorry you have lost your opportunity to complete the exams. During these unprecedented times it’s important to keep going and know we will be back to normal soon.

Kind regards

Dr Isamah Head of Biology Woolwich Polytechnic Sixth Form

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CONTENTS

1. Home Learning Activities ● Learn how to make ‘Cornell Notes’ ● Write Cornell Notes on the cell and endosymbiosis ● Write Cornell Notes on de-extinction ● Research Project

2. Reading ● Biology text books ● Scientific journals ● Newspapers and news websites ● Magazines ● Blogs ● Popular science books ● Twitter

3. Audiovisual ● Radio and podcasts ● Lectures ● TV ● Films

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HOME LEARNING ACTIVITIES Reading, note making and independent research are crucial for A Level biology.

Learn how to make ‘Cornell Notes’ Writing ‘Cornell Notes’ is an excellent skill. Learn how to set out a page of A4 paper and put it into practice (see below).

Write Cornell Notes on the cell and endosymbiosis Read this article and produce a single A4 sheet of Cornell Notes www.stem.org.uk/system/files/elibrary- resources/legacy_files_migrated/16945-catalyst_22_3_512.pdf

Write Cornell Notes on de-extinction Read this article and produce a single A4 sheet of Cornell Notes www.stem.org.uk/system/files/elibrary-resources/2017/09/Catalyst%20- %20Edition%2029%20-%20De-extinction.pdf

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Research activity A level Biology will build on your knowledge from GCSE to help you understand new and more demanding ideas. Choose one of the following research activities.

DNA and the Genetic Code In living organisms nucleic acids (DNA and RNA have important roles and functions related to their properties. The sequence of bases in the DNA molecule determines the structure of proteins, including enzymes. The double helix and its four bases store the information that is passed from generation to generation. The sequence of the base pairs – adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine – tells ribosomes in the cytoplasm how to construct amino acids into polypeptides and produce every characteristic we see. DNA can mutate leading to diseases including cancer and sometimes anomalies in the genetic code are passed from parents to babies in disease such as cystic fibrosis. Read the information on these websites (you could make more Cornell notes if you wish): http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/z36mmp3/revision http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/biology/dna-and-genetic-code And take a look at these videos: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-twisting-tale-of-dna-judith-hauck http://ed.ted.com/lessons/where-do-genes-come-from-carl-zimmer Task: Produce a wall display to put up in your classroom in September. You might make a poster or do this using PowerPoint or similar. Your display should use images, keywords and simple explanations to: • Define gene, chromosome, DNA and base pair • Describe the structure and function of DNA and RNA • Explain how DNA is copied in the body • Outline some of the problems that occur with DNA replication and what the consequences of this might be.

Biodiversity The variety of life, both past and present, is extensive, but the biochemical basis of life is similar for all living things. Biodiversity refers to the variety and complexity of life and may be considered at different levels. Biodiversity can be measured, for example within a habitat or at the genetic level. Classification is a means of organising the variety of life based on relationships between organisms and is built around the concept of species. Originally classification systems were based on observable features but more recent approaches draw on a wider range of evidence to clarify relationships between organisms. Adaptations of organisms to their environments can be behavioural, physiological and anatomical. Adaptation and selection are major factors in evolution and make a significant contribution to the diversity of living organisms. Read the information on these websites (you could make more Cornell notes if you wish): http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/biology/ecological-concepts http://www.s-cool.co.uk/a-level/biology/classification And take a look at these videos: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-is-biodiversity-so-important-kim-preshoff http://ed.ted.com/lessons/can-wildlife-adapt-to-climate-change-erin-eastwood Task: Write a persuasive letter to an MP, organisation or pressure group promoting conservation to maintain biodiversity. Your letter should: Define what is meant by species and classification Describe how species are classified Explain one way scientists can collect data about a habitat, giving an example Explain adaptation and how habitat change may pose a threat to niche species

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READING Biology text books Once the term starts, you must purchase your own copy of the recommended textbook or e-book. Other book, revision guides are available, but make sure that they are OCR approved and cover the specification from 2015 onwards.

Main Text Book Revision Guide Essential! (YEAR 12)

ISBN-13: 978-1447990796 ISBN 9781782949084

£20-30 £10

Scientific journals It is excellent practice to sign up for news alerts from the two leading scientific journals Nature and Science. Both these journals employ journalists who produce the best science news and features there is. Have a short-cut on your phone and dip into these sites regularly on the way to and from school to stay at the cutting-edge of your subject.

https://www.nature.com/news https://www.sciencemag.org/news

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Newspapers and news websites Quality newspapers and news websites, such as The Guardian, The Telegraph and The Independent and the BBC all carry excellent science news, features and opinion pieces and you should have short-cuts to at least one of these.

www.theguardian.com/science www.independent.co.uk/news/science e

www.telegraph.co.uk/science www.bbc.co.uk/news/ science_and_environment

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Magazines

New Scientist, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife and BBC Focus can all be purchased at the newsagents, though many New Scientist and National Geographic stories are available online without a subscription at their website or on Facebook.

www.new www.facebook.com www.facebook.com www.national scientist.com / /sciencefocus/ geographic.com www.facebook.com wildlifemagazine/ www.facebook.com / /natgeo/ newscientist/

Blogs

Laelaps (dinosaurs) https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/laelaps/ Mind Hacks (neuroscience) https://mindhacks.com/ GrrlScientist (zoology and ornithology) https://www.forbes.com/sites/grrlscientist/ Why Evolution is True (evolution) https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/

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Popular science books

Reading beyond the syllabus is vital. There are so many brilliant popular science books to choose from. You should aim to have read at least one of these books by September and one on the go at all times.

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9 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME______Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology

Twitter

@marynmck Maryn McKenna – science journalist who writes about antibiotic 51K resistance @virginiahughes Virginia Hughes – deputy editor-in-chief for @BuzzFeedNews, 36K writing on neuroscience, genetics and behaviour @carlzimmer Carl Zimmer – New York Times columnist blogging about the life 284K sciences @edyong209 Ed Yong – science writer at The Atlantic and one of the best science 205K journalists around @adamrutherford Adam Rutherford – journalist and presenter of BBC Inside Science 105K for Radio 4 @evolutionistrue Jerry Coyne – evolutionary biologist who isn’t afraid to speak his 35K mind @vaughanbell Vaughan Bell – UCL neuropsychologist writing about the brain and 52K neuroscience @sapinker Steven Pinker – cognitive scientist at Harvard 610K @dgmacarthur Daniel MacArthur – genome and big data scientist 35K @sbaroncohen Simon Baron-Cohen – cognitive neuroscientist and expert on autism 45K at Cambridge University @wanderinggaia Gaia Vince – writer, broadcaster and author of Adventures in the 7K Anthropocene and Transcendence @matthewcobb Matthew Cobb – zoologist at Manchester University and the author 9K of The Idea of the Brain

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AUDIOVISUAL

Radio and podcasts

Inside Science Thursdays, news and features live at 4.30pm and 9pm on Radio 4 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b036f7w2/episodes/downloads

The Life Scientific, interviews with leading scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015sqc7/episodes/downloads

The Infinite Monkey Cage, science meets intelligent comedy https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00snr0w/episodes/downloads

The Naked Scientists, Cambridge University-run radio show https://www.thenakedscientists.com/science-podcasts

Lectures

Masses of amazing talks to choose from https://www.ted.com/talks?topics%5B%5D=biology

Super archive of inspiring science lectures https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures

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The following television programmes and documentaries are recommended for biology. Horizon BBC science and philosophy documentary series iPlayer

Blue Planet I and II David Attenborough iPlayer

Planet Earth I and II David Attenborough iPlayer

Life on Earth David Attenborough iPlayer

Africa David Attenborough iPlayer

Meat. A Threat to our Planet Liz Bonnin iPlayer Super Smart Animals Liz Bonnin iPlayer

From Ice to Fire Helen Czerski

FILMS Gattaca (1997)

A genetically inferior man assumes the identity of a superior one in order to pursue his lifelong dream of space travel.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (2017) Prime Video

An African-American woman becomes an unwitting pioneer for medical breakthroughs when her cells are used to create the first immortal human cell line in the early 1950s.

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Virunga (2014) Netflix

The Oscar-nominated true story of the rangers risking their lives to save Africa’s most precious national park and its endangered gorillas.

Andromeda Strain (1971)

Science fiction by the great thriller writer Michael Cricthon (he of Jurassic Park fame). Humans begin dying when an alien microbe arrives on Earth.

Chasing Coral (2017) Netflix

Divers, scientists and photographers round the world mount an epic underwater campaign to document the disappearance of coral reefs.

Lorenzo’s Oil (1992)

Based on a true story. A young child suffers from an autoimmune disease. The parents research and challenge doctors to develop a new cure for his disease.

Something the Lord Made (2004)

Professor Snape (the late great Alan Rickman) in a very different role. The film tells the story of the scientists at the cutting edge of early heart surgery as well as issues surrounding racism at the time.

The C Word (2016) Netflix

To solve the mystery of cancer, challenging the status quo is a must. Witness how lifestyle and societal changes may help beat the disease.

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The following 40-minute test is designed to test your recall, analysis and evaluative skills and knowledge. Remember to use your exam technique: look at the command words and the number of marks each question is worth. A suggested mark scheme is provided for you to check your answers.

1. a) What are the four base pairs found in DNA?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (2)

b) What does DNA code for?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (1)

c) Which organelle in a cell carries out this function?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (1)

2. a) What theory did Charles Darwin propose?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (1)

b) Why did many people not believe Darwin at the time?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (1) c) Describe how fossils are formed. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (3)

d) The fossil record shows us that there have been some species that have formed and some that have become extinct. i) What is meant by the term ‘species’?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (2)

ii) Describe how a new species may arise:

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………(3)

3. Ecologists regularly study habitats to measure the species present and the effect of any changes. 1 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME______Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology

One team of ecologists investigated the habitat shown in the picture below:

Image taken from http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/soilquality/Dune%20Succession.pdf

a) Define the following keywords: i) Population

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

ii) Community

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2)

b) Give an example of one biotic factor and one abiotic factor that would be present in this habitat

Biotic: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Abiotic: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (2) c) Describe how the ecologists would go about measuring the species present between the coast and the inland.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (6) 4. Every living organism is made of cells.

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Image taken from http://prestigebux.com/worksheet/label-an-animal-cell-worksheet

a) Label the following parts of the animal cell:

2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5 ……..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

8 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (3) b) Describe how is the structure of the cell membrane related to its function?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (3)

5. A medical research team investigated how quickly the body deals with glucose after a meal. They studied the blood glucose concentration of people who exercised versus those who did not. Here are their results:

Hours after eating

Image taken from https://memoirsofanamnesic.wordpress.com/category/blood-glucose/

a) What organ in the body regulates blood glucose concentration?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (1) b) Explain how the stages that would bring about a return to normal blood glucose concentrations.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME______Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (4)

c) Name one variable the researchers will have controlled.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (1)

d) The researchers made the following conclusion: “Blood glucose returns to normal values for all people after 4 hours” To what extent do you agree with this conclusion.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… (3)

6. Scientists need to be able to interpret data in graphs to decide if there are trends in the results. For each graph bellow, describe the trend.

…………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………(4) Images taken from: http://www.everythingmaths.co.za/science/lifesciences/grade-10/05-support-and-transport-systems- inplants/images/56aff2f9b6c5b041688f745ca928990c.png http://www.bbc.co.uk/staticarchive/afa3f2b16b4d58d077943c96929c9a4020fea83a.gif http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem-eng/Biotech-Environ/Projects00/temph/enzyme.html http://www.myearthwatchexperience.com/Essential%20Ecology.htm

Suggested Mark Scheme:

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Question Answer Marks

1 a Adenine-Thymine Cytosine- 1 Guanine 1

b Protein/enzymes 1

c Ribosomes 1

2 a Evolution (by natural selection) 1

b Not enough evidence 1

c (Plant/animal dies) and is quickly buried in sediment 1 Not all conditions for decay are present 1 Hard parts of the body are replaced by minerals 1

d i Organisms that can reproduce to produce viable offspring/offspring 1 that can also reproduce (fertile)

ii 3 from Geographical isolation/named example 1 Mutation of genes 1 Natural Selection/selective advantage 1 Species can no longer interbreed (not produce fertile offspring) 1

3 a i A group of organisms, all of the same species, and all of whom live 1 together in a particular habitat.

ii The total of all populations living together in a particular habitat. 1

b Biotic – one from: Predators, prey, plant, microbes 1 Abiotic – one from: Availability of water, temperature, mineral concentration, reference 1 to climate/weather

c Measure out a transect 1 Using a tape measure 1 Use a quadrat 1 At regular (named) intervals 1 Identify species present 1 Using a key/guide 1

4 A 2 Nucleolus 1 5 Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum 1 8 Golgi body 1

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Question Answer Marks

4 b Any 3 from the following structure and function must be given. Lipid bilayer - has a hydrophobic inside and hydrophilic outside, allowing for selective permeability 1 Proteins - allow for specific substances to come or some molecules to 1 pass through, Cholesterol - allows for fluidity of the membrane, 1 Glycoproteins - for cell identification they serve as markers 1

5 a Pancreas 1

b 3 from Pancreas detects change 1 Insulin secreted 1 By alpha cells 1 Respiration increased 1 Uptake of glucose increased 1 Liver increases storage of glucose as glycogen 1

c Any one from: 1 Amount of chocolate, time taken to eat, other food/drink consumed, age, gender, weight, fitness level/metabolic rate, health/pre existing conditions, use of medicines/drugs

d Any three from Data suggests that blood glucose returns to normal 1 Doesn’t show how much exercise has been done 1 Doesn’t say age/gender/other named variable 1 May only be true for chocolate/only one type of food investigated 1

6 Top left: transpiration increases when wind speed increases/there is a 1 positive correlation Top right: rate increases with pH until the optimum is reached, after 1 the optimum, rate decreases Bottom left: Increasing light initially increases the rate of 1 photosynthesis, but after a while remains constant Bottom right: Population increases slowly at first and then increases at 1 a greater rate/increases exponentially

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