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Biology Home Learning Pack Challenges

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Biology Home Learning Pack Challenges 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 1 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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 2 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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 3 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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 4 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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 5 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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 6 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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/ 7 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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. 8 | Page Biology Home Learning NAME_____________________ Please use this pack if you are interested in continuing studying Biology 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
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