Precise but not accurate ? Language of Measurement - crucial for Biology Practical Exam Questions

December 21, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Precision, control variables, independent variables ? Confusing for many students, however, particularly important now that this year practical skills are assessed in the exam paper.

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Respiration Photosynthesis and AS knowledge - a terrific synoptic A-level Biology question

December 15, 2016 Tom Whitburn

One from the OCR Unifying concepts paper, combines respiration and photosynthesis.

(a) think photolysis and Oxygen accepting electrons ...

(b) is about phosphorylation and diffusion gradients

(d) is about endosymbionts and prokaryotes

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Prompting some festive recapping ? - Looking back at first year A-level Biology topics

December 14, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Prompting some festive recapping ? - Looking back at first year A-level Biology topics

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Attack of the Sap Suckers ! Synoptic Comprehension - A level Biology

December 13, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Attack of the Sap Suckers ! Synoptic Comprehension - A level Biology

Linking Photosynthesis and Respiration - a wonderful synoptic exercise for A-level Biology

December 12, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Try this, a terrific exercise to link Photosynthesis and Respiration. Excellent end of term revision.

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Understanding "Meselson and Stahl" with an Excellent resource from #HHMI - A-level Biology

December 8, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Seems to be a huge challenge for some students

Try using this animation and this one and an excellent set of interviews

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Fiendish Alert ! 10 Multiple Choice Questions for A-level Biology

December 7, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Be warned these are not straightforward

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Uploaded a set of new Respiration Tutorials to my Youtube Channel - A-level Biology

December 5, 2016 Tom Whitburn

I have made a series of 9 short (5-7 mins) video tutorials to try to help students understand glycolysis, link reaction, krebs cycle, anaerobic respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, chemiosmosis and the use of other respiratory substrates. I hope you find them of use.

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Splat and Flash..... ATP and Fireflies - #OCR Synoptic Biology A-level

December 1, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Another from the past.

Terrific question about DNA, diffusion, ATP production and fireflies going out in a blaze of glory....

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Vaccines, Plasmids and Monkeys... More Synoptic Questions - A-level Biology #ocr #eduqas

November 28, 2016 Tom Whitburn

From an Old OCR Unifying concepts paper. ....

Don't panic, the question is not about DNA vaccines or plasmids.

The question is about differences between protein and DNA structure, protein synthesis, post translational modification of protein, clonal selection, mutation of pathogens. All of which are on the specification.

Multiple Choice Questions to make you think - A-level Biology

November 25, 2016 Tom Whitburn

The OCR spec is now partly examined through some terrific multiple choice questions. This is a assessment format that is unusual to many students. Here are 9 questions from an Old paper that will stimulate some thought.

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Success by outcome not effort..More efficient revision for A-level Biology

November 21, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Most students revise by copying out textbooks that they didn't understand when they were taught the concepts. There are better ways of learning and revising.

Here is one way of revising Biological Molecules, print these on card then cut out and go through with a friend - then try making your own.

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Hot flower traps fly ... Another Synoptic Question to make you think #alevelbiology

November 15, 2016 Tom Whitburn

Dont panic, the question is not about the Cuckoopint flowers that you have never heard of, its about aerobic respiration, mitochondria, oxygen consumption - all of which are topics that you are familiar with.

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Unexpected return from Project Bean ..."Plants engage students"- Shock. #alevelbiology

November 11, 2016 Tom Whitburn

When I teach plant reproduction in the spring I give every student a broad bean. We discuss seed shape and function and the conditions that might be needed for germination.