ClickBiology

AS Level: PowerPoint presentation on how the CFTR protein works

PowerPoint presentation: What causes cystic fibrosis

This follows the diagrams within the AS Level textbook describing how the viscosity of mucus is regulated by the CFTR protein and how a non-functional CFTR protein results in cystic fibrosis. The slides are fully animated and follows the various movements across the membrane. I think it is also important to add that the CFTR protein is a gated channel protein and requires ATP for it to change its shape. However, this is still facilated diffusion and NOT active transport as the chloride ions still diffuse down their concentration gradient. I saw a past exam question that introduced the use of ATP with the CFTR protein and it confused nearly all of the students into thinking it was active transport. It is probably very useful to read the textbook so that the explanations for slides 2, 3 and 4 are easy to give but I think, even if you don´t have the textbook the slides are easy to understand (plus I plan to do a quick video soon, which will help). The remaining 3 slides quickly explain how cystic fibrosis affects the lungs, digestive and reproductive systems.

The textbook used:

A2 Edexcel Biology: Hormones and performance enhancing drugs

Powerpoint presentation:

A2 Biology Topic 7 Hormones

Worksheet:

Banned substances and practices in sports

This is a Powerpoint that is based on the final chapter for Topic 7 Run for your life (from the concept approach textbook). I do think though it is adaptable for either the context or concept approach. It includes 2 animated slides to show the action of steroid and peptide hormones. I also added a slide to explain what steroids are and give examples of steroid hormones plus other steroids found in the body. I have been a little naughty and not added any quiz or activity slides throughout the presentation, but obviously teachers can add those. There is an essay at the end base don the ethics section in the text book and is a copy of the essay question included, so I think the teachers guide will have the answer scheme.

Inner life of the cell: narrated and annotated version

This is the longer 8 minute version with narration. Again not wide screen as the image stays sharper in this version. Slow to load so give time for buffering. If these links are lost then the main site Biovisions has download versions (but small screen only as far as I can work out).

Inspirational video: Inner life of the cell

I can´t believe I haven´t put a link to this video before. It is from Harvard university and it is truly amazing. The version below is for the three minute version. Although it isn´t wide screen this version seems to be the sharpest and shows up best on white boards. I like to use this as an introduction to cell biology for my students and then tell them that at the end they will understand much of what they see. Then at the end I show them the 8 minute annotated and narrated version. It is my favourite video and there is a TED talk by its creator as well, for anyone wanted to know more of how and why it was made. Give it time to buffer before showing, can take awhile. Enjoy:

IGCSE Enzymes worksheets (for Cambridge)

This selection of worksheets are designed to be used with the Mary Jones IGCSE Biology textbook as they refer to diagrams and questions in the book. However, these are only a few and so they can easily be altered to be used with other books. I will be putting a general version with added diagrams later on.

The worksheets are used to guide the students through the chapter on Enzymes and to think about what they are reading, rather than just copying out information. The questions are usually phrased in a similar way to exam questions and are in order of the text in the book, so it is simple to work their way through. The only time the answers are not available is when the question begins with the word “suggest”, here the have to use their knowledge from previous questions (and common sense) to answer them. There is also a video on the site reviewing enzymes for students (one of my earlier attempts!). The worksheets are below, each is 2 or 3 pages in length:

What are enzymes?

Enzymes and temperature

Enzymes and pH

Enzymes in seed germination

Enzymes in industry