The following synoptic worksheets are provided to help consolidate learning from different areas of the specification. Differentiated versions of these worksheets will also be provided later in the year.

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Worksheet 1: Planning an investigation
This worksheet gives practice in the planning part of an investigation. The investigation used is the effect of varying light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in Elodea. Students are guided by questions through the sort of things they need to think about in order to score high marks in Sc1 marks. Background information and extension work on the application of the inverse-square law is provided.
Important prior knowledge
Details of the process of photosynthesis and factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.

Worksheet 2: Recording and analysing results
Some data from the investigation planned in worksheet 1 is provided. Students are required to construct tables and graphs of the data, and to comment on whether the results fit their predictions from worksheet 1.
Important prior knowledge
It is suggested that pupils use a spreadsheet to construct tables and graphs.

Worksheet 3: Carnivorous plants
Students are provided with an extract from an article on carnivorous plants. They are asked a number of questions to give them practice in reading and interpreting information. The questions cover a number of areas of biology.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the Institute of Biology for permission to reproduce an extract from "Carnivorous plants" by Barry Rice, published in Biologist December 2002, vol.9, no.6.
http://www.iob.org/
For further information on our journals and activities, or to contact the Institute of Biology, click on the link above.
Important prior knowledge
Background understanding of stimulus and response, sensory receptors, plant mineral nutrition, natural selection, decomposition, pollution by fertilisers and other effects of humans on ecosystems.

Worksheet 4: Biological washing powders
A short description of the use of enzymes in biological washing powders is used to test students on various topics, including their knowledge of enzymes, protein structure, protein synthesis, genetic engineering and the use of microorganisms in biotechnology, as well as in planning an investigation.
Important prior knowledge
Background knowledge and understanding of the above topics.

Worksheet 5: Natural selection
Students are presented with some 'invented' data about an insect pest that develops resistance to an insecticide. They are led through an exercise which illustrates the principle of natural selection, and tested on their understanding of related terminology.
Important prior knowledge
Principles of natural selection, mutation, insecticide resistance, biological control and the harmful effects of insecticides. Graph plotting.

Worksheet 6: Mendel's peas
A worksheet testing the student's understanding of Mendel's experiments in monohybrid inheritance and the application of modern terminology to his results.
Important prior knowledge
Mendelian genetics.

Worksheet 7: Specialised plants
This worksheet describes some of the adaptations shown by plants living in dry habitats, particularly those of Ammophila. It asks students to explain how these adaptations allow these plants to survive.
Important prior knowledge
Transpiration and the factors affecting it. Involvement of osmosis in the uptake of water by roots. The meaning of 'conservation'.

Worksheet 8: Bones, joints and muscles act as levers
This is largely (but not entirely) an 'extension' exercise which deals with the mechanics of bones as levers, and the principle of moments. It also questions students on their knowledge of muscle contraction, posture and joints.
Important prior knowledge
The skeleton and movement, muscle contraction, structure of a synovial joint.

Worksheet 9: Making slides of cells
A practical worksheet describing some familiar slide preparations: animal cells, plant cells, mitosis.
Important prior knowledge
Use of the microscope. Cell structure, stages of mitosis

Worksheet 10: Effects of exercise on the blood system
An exercise in interpreting data. Students are provided with a table showing the blood flow to various organs before and during exercise and asked to answer a series of questions relating to the data.
Important prior knowledge
Structure and function of the heart and blood vessels. Role of the skin in temperature control