Yr11/12 Biology Transition
Step up to A level
Work your way through these Biology GCSE Essentials so that you are in a great positin to start your A level studies.
Aim to complete one topic a week starting with cells all the way to transport in plants and circulation and ventilation in animals.
Essential Knowledge!
These are the topics that we consider essential for you to have mastered in preparation for you to be a brilliant A level biologist
Topic 1
Cells
Cells transition lesson presentation
Read this document- it guides you through this session and gives you links to revision notes and worksheets
Use these flash cards - they cover cells as well as topics that are coming up
Try these questions and here are the answers
And some more questions here and the answers
And yet more questions with their answers
Topic 2
Microscopes
Microscopes transition lesson presentation
Read this document- it guides you through this session and gives you links to revision notes and worksheets
Watch these videos:
SnapRevise types of microscopes
GCSE required microscopes practical
Microscope calculations and units
Using a graticule and other maths skills
SnapRevise microscopes summary
Use these revision notes to fill any gaps
Try exam questions from
Physics and Maths Tutor- Cell biology exam Qs
And these magnification exam questions
Topic 3
DNA, nucleotides and proteins
DNA, nucleotides and protein synthesis lesson presentation
Read this document- it guides you through this session and gives you links to revision notes and worksheets
Watch these videos:
Use these flash cards and revision notes -
they cover inheritance as well as genetics so useful for A level too
This summary sheet and this key words sheet will help to consolidate your understanding
And why not make this Lego DNA model?
And here are some exam questions as well as Physics and Maths Tutor - search for genetics questions
Topic 4
Movement in and out of cells
Movement in and out of cells lesson presentation
Read this document- it guides you through this session and gives you links to revision notes and worksheets
Watch these videos:
Use these flash cards and revision notes
These summary quick questions will consolidate what you aknow
And remember Physics and Maths Tutor - search for questions form a different exam board just for fun
Topic 5
Transport in animals
Transport in animals lesson presentation
Read this document- it guides you through this session and gives you links to revision notes and worksheets
Watch these videos:
Use these flash cards and revision notes
These summary quick questions will consolidate what you know
And remember Physics and Maths Tutor - search for questions form a different exam board just for fun
Topic 6
Photosynthesis and
transport in plants
Transport in plants lesson presentation
Read this document- it guides you through this session and gives you links to revision notes and worksheets
Watch these videos:
SnapRevise Leaf structure and adaptations for photosynthesis
And because you like to sing.... here's the Photosynthesis Song
Use these flash cards and revision notes
These summary quick questions will consolidate what you know- answers here
Test yourself with these exam Qs and As
And remember Physics and Maths Tutor - search for questions form a different exam board just for fun
Biology websites to explore
Videos are also a really good way of helping you get to grips with a topic. Here are some of our favourites:
SnapRevise- videos are free on YouTube and if you like these you can subscribe to the programme
Mr W's Science Music Videos- catchy tunes to help you remember
Crash Course- over the top presentation but fab science
Amoeba Sisters - another really good site
Ted Ed Biology - not A level specific but some really interesting short, sharp videos
And if you really love science then take your pick from Ted Talks
Test yourself with some exam questions- GCSE and A level here
Physics and Maths Tutor have lots of exam questions . Sort by topic and why not try questions from a different exam board....after all....it's all biology! And if you have mastered the GCSE questions try some A level questions for each topic- you may suprise yourslef with how much you can answer
Maths Made Easy also has a selection of exam questions and study resources- dip into the A level questions and see how you get on
And Revision Science is good for filling those gaps- and this site has A level too- take a look
Take a short course and learn something new
FutureLearn Schools has 100s of free courses
Coursera gives you acess to courses from around the world
Open Learn also has lots of free course for you to try
Biology books to read
The course text book OCR AS/A level Biology A Student Book 1 , published by Pearson, ISBN: 9781447990796
For general A level biology reading Advanced Biology: Principles and Applications Clegg and MacKean ISBN: 9780719576706
CPG revision guides will be available to order for the science department in the autumn term. We recommend A-Level Biology: OCR A Year 1 & 2 Complete Revision & Practice ISBN: 9781789080353
You may aslo like CPG A-Level Biology: Essential Maths Skills ISBN: 9781847623232
To bridge the gap between GCSE and A level try CPG Head Start to A-level Biology ISBN: 9781782942795
And keep your GCSE text books and revision guides- lots of what you cover at A level builds upon prior GCSE knowledge and these text books are an excellent way of filling gaps in your knowledge
Useful A Level biology resources
At Sir Isaac Newton we follow OCR Biology A- you can read the specification here. Also take a look at these resources so that you are prepared for what lies ahead: