Biology Competition

Another competition!

Following on from the success of the "Your body, your consent?" event, we are running another, similar competition.

Again, only five places are available...

and again, the event is being held at The Royal College of Surgeons.

This time the title of the event is Surgical Skills and it is being hosted by professional surgeons.

Through this workshop, you will be able to learn genuine medical skills, such as the suturing of wounds. You will also be able to speak about the pathway into medicine and what the entry interview for medical school consists of.

Competition details to come in the new year, so keep an eye on the blog and notice board!

Laura :)

Countdown to end of term has begun!

So, what will you all be doing this time next week?

If you are an A level student you will probably be starting to plan your revision for January formal or mock exams. BTEC students will be thinking about a work schedule for improving/completing assignments, or maybe revising for a GCSE exam in the New Year. I'm sure you are all thinking about the shopping/eating/partying/relaxation you are about to enjoy too!

As second or third year students at H6FC will know, this time of year heralds an annual event of startling magnitude in the Biology department -

THE BIG FAT CHRISTMAS QUIZ and associated festive fun!

Join us in the S2 grotto at any point during Thursday morning to take part in games and activities with a festive theme. BIG FAT CHRISTMAS QUIZ at 10.30am.

Laura :)

Festive Liz Climo comic

John Hunter and the history of the Hunterian Museum

Hello hello!

As you will recall, 5 lucky students recently took part in a fascinating event called "Your body, your consent?" which looked at ethics in biomedicine.

This event was hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists at the Hunterian Museum.

We have compiled some key information about the history of the Hunterian Museum, which you will find here:

History of the Hunterian museum - by Laura Nicholls

Some issues discussed during the event - by Omario Brown

Issues surrounding organ donation - by Ebru Kupeli

Repatriation of human tissue - by Nada Najafi

Laura :)

World AIDS Day 2012

World AIDS Day: Saturday December 1st 2012

Tomorrow is World AIDS Day. Each year on December the 1st people all around the world unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The annual day provides an opportunity for people to show their support for those living with HIV, commemorate those who have died and raise awareness.

2011 saw the highest ever number of people being newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK.

We need to raise awareness and educate others. As biology students you are in a good position to familiarise yourself with the facts and spread the word.

Look at the NAT website for information about HIV:

World AIDS Day

and if you do nothing else in response to this blog post, take this quiz:

Are you HIV aware?

You will notice your teachers wearing red ribbons to mark World AIDS day and you can get one of your own from me.

Laura :)

"Your body, your consent?" event a success!

Hi all.

Yesterday the five winners of our recent biology competition took part in an event hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists.

The event was titled "Your body, your consent?" and involved discussion with professional pathologists about issues in bioethics. Here are just some of the questions raised:

How should human tissue be treated during medical research?
What are the laws surrounding use of human tissue in research?
Should people be allowed to buy or sell organs for donation?
When and how is a post-mortem carried out?
Should human tissues be put on public display in museums?

You will be able to find out more about the event soon from the 5 students who took part.

Laura :)

A presentation on Darwin - by Omario Brown

Hi all,

I am pleased to say that we have managed to recruit another student contributor - Omario Brown.

Omario is a member of the BTEC Extended Diploma (Yr 1) group and has already shown himself to be an extremely talanted young scientist.

Here is the PowerPoint from a presentation Omario recently gave during a tutorial session. He decided to focus on one of his heroes, Charles Darwin.

Charles Darwin

Take a look, it's great.

Laura :)

Unit 13 Assignment 1 - Separation techniques

Hi BTEC Level 3 Yr 2s,

Here is the link to the summary table you need to complete for P2. You also need to copy any practical sheets you have for the TLC you did in chemistry last year.

Separation techniques

Laura :)

Who influences science?

Hello again BTEC Level 3 Yr 1 class,

Here are the worksheets for your new assignment:

Research 1 - What's the agenda?

Table to complete - What's the agenda?

Laura :)

Discovering Darwin

Hello BTEC L3 Yr 1 class,

Here is the link for some information about The Beagle voyage.

The Beagle Voyage

and here is the link you need for the flow diagram (P1 of your assignment). Finish this during half term break please and hand it in first lesson back.

Development of Darwin's theory - flow diagram template

See ya!

Laura :)

A2 Biology past paper questions

Hi gang,

Check the A2 biology documents page (tab on right side of blog) for revision material.

Have a good half term and I wish a very happy Eid to those who celebrate it.

Laura :)

A2 Anne's half term revision

Hi to all you A2s


Here is a revision checklist for the topics you have covered with me and Izabela:
Checklist

You need some exam question practice

Quick multiple choice online questions


And for ecology stuff (make sure you try the agroecology stuff - AQA are dead keen on it)

Unit 4 general revision stuff

Don't forget S-cool etc.

Also, there are questions and past papers on the AQA A level Biology website

Cheers,
Anne

Biological molecules

Hello all,

Here is a link to a question sheet about biological molecules.

This is mainly relevant to the BTEC Level 3 Yr 2, but would make useful revision/extension work for any biology students.

Biological molecules

Have a good Tuesday!

Laura :)

AS Half term revision

Hi All

After half term hols you will be given an assessment. This is really important and you need to revise thoroughly for it. Here is a revision checklist of what you should know so far. You can download it and check off what you know.

Checklist

These are some questions you can download and print. They are not all totally relevant (they were written for Edexcel) but most of them overlap and they are useful practice.

1 Cell components

2 Cell membranes

3 Food tests

4 Enzymes

5 Bio molecules

Make sure you check out all the usual revision sites - Get Revising, S-cool etc.

Anne

Quiz deadline extended

Hi, 

I've had some emails from people saying they really wanted to enter the competition quiz but were really busy with maths / science assignments yesterday. 

I understand you're all under a lot of pressure, so I've re-opened the quiz and you now have until 8pm on Monday (22nd) to email your answers to:

biologyh6fc@gmail.com

Thanks to the people who already got their entries in.

Laura :)

Quiz of the week

Link to competition quiz 

Good luck!

Email your answers to biologyh6fc@gmail.com by 8pm this eve.

Laura :)

Competition now open!!

Hi all.

We have the opportunity to attend a free event on Thursday 29th November, at the Royal College of Surgeons (Hunterian Museum) focusing on some of the ethical issues within biomedical science.

There are only 4 places available for this fantastic event.

Here's what you need to do to be in with a chance of coming along:

1. Register your interest by emailing me: biologyh6fc@gmail.com

2. Keep an eye on the biology S2 noticeboard and the biology blog (better still, subscribe for email updates!).

There will be 3 opportunities to win a place at this event.


COMPETITION - round 1. Quiz of the week via the Bio blog Friday 19th Oct

The quiz will go live at 8am on Friday morning and close at 8pm Friday evening. Email your answers to biologyh6fc@gmail.com


COMPETITION - round 2. News editorial to be submitted by Monday 22nd Oct

Write an editorial piece about any biology-related current news story, including a neutral discussion of any associated ethical issues.

Email your editorial piece to biologyh6fc@gmail.com by 6pm on Monday 22nd Oct.

Your editorial will be published on Wednesday 24th Oct. NO MORE THAN 500 WORDS please.

COMPETITION - round 3. Prize draw Thursday 25th Oct

Any unsuccessful applicants will be automatically entered into a prize draw on Thursday 25th October for a last chance to win a place at this amazing event.

Good luck!

Laura :)

More biology in the news

Genetic mutation and toxins entering the food chain

Could biological pest control save the farming industry millions of pounds?

An old news story, but still fascinating and raising some uncomfortable ethical issues:

Hybrid robotics using rat brain cells


Comments, as always, very welcome!


Laura :)

Nada's first blog post!

Let's boost it!

Hello!

This is my first post for the biology blog and I decided to base it all around boosting your memory! 

5 top tips for memory boosting (especially useful for exams)

The most important thing to remember:

 

You are not computers so do not stress yourselves out! 

I found this picture interesting!

enjoy!

Leave any comments if you have any more tips for improving memory!

Nada <(")

Fertility levels - Distinction data

Distinction data

Fertility hormones

This post is for the BTEC Level 3 year 2 class

Useful weblinks for tasks 3 and 4 of your current assignment.

Female hormones (click on the "infertility" tab)

Fertility hormones


And here is a link to your case studies:

Rushone, Yordanos and Malody

Luzia, Caroline and Luciana

Gulbahar, Victor, Dahir and Shamsa

Abdi, Levent, Nada and Mayur


I can't wait to see these role plays tomorrow afternoon!

Laura :)

Everything is ok...

Magic button

Laura :)

Well done BTEC Level 2 students!

Well done to the BTEC Level 2 class who stayed behind after their

lesson UNTIL AFTER 5pm TODAY to finish their assignment work up to Distinction level!! Wow! Excellent attitude guys! You're superstars!

Anne and Zabed will be VERY proud of you. Keep up the good work and I think we'll see some excellent grades achieved in your class!

Laura and Izabela

:)

Fertility and reproductive systems PPT

Fertility hormones and reproductive systems

Remember - love safely! ;)

Laura

Science in the media

This post is mostly relevant to the BTEC Level 3 Yr 1 class, but other people may find it interesting too.

Dr Andrew Wakefield

Measles and the MMR vaccine

How much do you know about Dr Gillian McKeith?

Space technology could save lives on earth

Surgeon who operated in a cellar during wars

GM crops in California

GM study on rats



A useful website to check the facts about "scare stories" in the media:
NHS behind the headlines

Invasion of the crayfish! Eek!

Ooh-er! Sounds a bit painful...

Crayfish in Hampstead Ponds

worrying for swimmers and even more threatening to the local wildlife. It's not just happening here...

Crayfish elsewhere in the UK

and crayfish aren't the only invading species impacting on native wildlife...

American mink

Grey squirrel

Parakeets in London

Bambi!


What do you think about these issues?

Laura :)

A2 Biology - exam question resources

F.A.O: A2 Biologists

Further to our discussion in today's study session, here is the link to the AQA website. You have probably all used this before to search for past papers, but here it is anyway...


AQA exam past papers


Don't forget you have the exam-style questions in the textbook too.

I will try to get together some topic-specific example questions, but that's going to take me a bit of time. I'll keep you posted!

Thanks again for your patience, make sure you read over your notes and textbook/revision guide.

Your first mock exam will be after half term break.


Laura :)

Student contributor to blog and a link to make you smile!

Happy Wednesday!

Nada from our BTEC Level 3 year 2 class has agreed to be our first regular student contributor to the blog! Hurray!

Watch this space for reviews and interesting science-related stuff that she has found on the web. I'm looking forward to her first post, coming soon.

If anyone else wants to contribute to the blog on a regular basis, let me know. Remember you can email me with any "one-off" contributions if you stumble upon an interesting website or hear about something cool that's going on in the world.

Here's a link to Liz Climo's comics. Lovely and vaguely biology-related (sometimes)! Liz Climo comics

Laura :)

A successful (though soggy) A2 fieldtrip on Friday and we welcome Izabela Martin!

Hello people,

A very BIG thank you to the A2 biologists who made it down to Walthamstow Marshes for fieldwork on Friday. You were great and kept smiling, even as the rain ran down your faces! I am impressed!

We extend a warm welcome to Izabela Martin, who has joined the Bio team to fill-in for Anne over the next few weeks. Izabela has a really interesting background in Biology which she's happy to speak about, so ask her lots of questions!! 

Have a good week everyone!

Laura :)

A2 Fieldtrip is on!!

Hi chaps,

I am pleased to announce that the A2 ecological sampling on Walthamstow Marshes will be going ahead today.

The ground is a bit boggy and slippery after recent heavy rain, so suitable footwear is a must (boots/wellies with good grips - not slippy trainers please!). Wear a coat, because it will almost certainly rain at some point!

I am expecting to see you all at 1.30 at the agreed meeting point, but please ADD YOUR NAME AS A COMMENT below this post to confirm that you'll be there.

Cheers gang, see you at 1.30.

Laura :)

A2 Biology work

Anne's A2 Biology work, Wednesday 26th September

AS Biology work

Anne's AS Biology work, Wednesday 6th September

Cools science links

Hi all,

I'm going to start posting links to cool science stuff as frequently as possible. Soooo, here are a few to start with. Take a look at them and please let me know of any other good ones I should add.

Thanks, happy browsing!

Laura.

• Check out the Scishow channel on youtube (it's also on facebook and twitter)

A quirky chap called Hank tells you all sorts of interesting (and often disgusting) science stuff! The films are usually under 5 minutes in length. This week I have particularly enjoyed watching one about weed and another about mind-controlling parasites!

• If you have an iPhone or other swanky android-type gadget, I thoroughly recommend the free Flipboard  app.

This is a news portal that brings together stories from a vast range of sources. You can customise it to show categories that interest you and if you include "Science" in your preferences it will update regularly with science news stories.

• Take a look at EarthSky for a mixture of multi-disciplinary science news.

Some of the articles deal with some pretty high-level stuff, so it's worth checking it regularly if you're studying a science subject.  

• Those of you who know me probably already know how much I love BBC Focus magazine. If you can, get a subscription (birthday/Christmas present..?). The website has archived material, so take a look.

• Here are a couple of good revision sites for A level Biology (may be useful for BTEC too) biologyguide.net    spolem.co.uk

Get well soon Anne!

As you are all aware, Anne B currently has a broken ankle.

Anne had hoped to make a super-fast recovery during the summer, but this has unfortunately not been the case and she has to stay home to recover.

A-level people please come to your normal lessons tomorrow (Wednesday 26th) for news about what will be happening with your classes in Anne's absence. You can ask me questions and hopefully I will be able to reassure those of you who are feeling anxious about it.

BTEC people, your tutor will keep you updated, so wait to hear from Zabed or Will.

I'm sure you all join me in wishing Anne well. I know she's feeling VERY frustrated at the moment because she is a person who can't usually sit still for 5 minutes!!!

Laura :)

BED Yr 1 - Tissue types EMIs

Hello year 1 class! Here is a link to the website I used in class today. There are other useful links on the blog if you take a look at my post from 22nd September 2011.

Micrographs


Laura :)

Welcome to the new academic year!

WELCOME BACK to all of our continuing Biology students and a very WARM WELCOME to our new first year Biologists.

Things coming up this term:

- Competition to take part in an exclusive event hosted by medical professionals at the Royal College of Surgeons, dealing with some of the ethical issues involved in modern medical science.

- A2 Biology field work on Walthamstow Marshes. We hope to see some wonderful plant and animal life...maybe even some rarities!

- Shisha awareness campaign. Learn the facts - spread the word.

- Enrichment activities and student organisations, including the Animal Welfare Group and Debating Team

WATCH THIS SPACE!! Laura.

Unit 2 Revision

Revision notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S_zbk0RW9PPLSSxTddO94MuNUbHx2ip3SmBEGbhUSXQ/edit#

Plants Plants Plants

I will not be in this week. Laura will cover your mock exam - extremely good of her! - and I will be back next week. Below is the work I want you to do. It needs to be completed for next Wednesday.

Here are the instructions for Friday's lesson:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TjoVvS9x8-BxJqUuaFdn5LDRj6WlX0N5P__vcz-ic9U/edit

Here is the leaf cross-section diagram
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gjqTMMvvGjnCwpTTEJFA8_hefDUF0o7FKLkg3gt0FeA/edit

Here is the table of adaptations
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uYy75zF_Kyv2R5DlxOAVftURWrXpYjfqcIzypuhlm6U/edit

Here are some extra notes
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gjqTMMvvGjnCwpTTEJFA8_hefDUF0o7FKLkg3gt0FeA/edit