Final Countdown Biology

EXAM DATES: Paper 1; 7/06/2023 , Paper 2; 16/06/2023 , Paper 3; 21/06/2023

Useful Biology Revision Sources (you should be aware of these by now)

1) KnowIT powerpoints with practice Qs for the 2 topics you have done - these are good to review the basics and test your
recall. PiXL KnowIT and GraspIT each topic
2) GraspIT questions and MS sheets. These are a bit more 'exam-style' and test your application a bit more PiXL
KnowIT and GraspIT each topic
3) PiXL Checklists for each topic against the spec. to track your revision Checklists for each topic
4) ZigZag booklets Other useful resources
Websites/ youtube
1) Snaprevise Sunday Sessions (Youtube) - 1 hour long revision seminars recorded from lockdown. Going through tricky
topics and then showing you how to do exam Qs on them. REALLY good for the harder topics
e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3Y5Yb-40vs
2) Miss Estruch videos - all AQA specific and excellent - precise and concise for revision. Her website also has some free
downloadable resources in the 'shop' https://missestruch.co.uk/
3) Mathsmadeeasy https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-biology-revision/
4) https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/biology-revision/a-level-aqa/ which now has walking talking mocks and full
papers https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/past-papers/a-level-biology/ I don't recommend these yet as you are only
1/2 way through Y12 content but you could look at them nearer Easter. Especially the As papers 1 and 2 for practice
5) Savemyexams https://www.savemyexams.co.uk/ is very useful for topic Qs and breaking down the answers
6) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvU7aSTF9Kg&list=PL9IouNCPbCxVF0IVlwiILW-TmAMYX5OO7 tV. Clear and
concise revision videos on concepts
And lastly... books!
If you haven't borrowed the COLLINS book for the AQA Biology scheme I strongly recommend it, especially if you are going
for A*/A/B grades.

WEEKS
To go
Student actions Resources
10 Revise following topics using the specification, create a - Exam
revision resource eg. Flash cards, mind map: question
13/02/23 booklet
- Specification
(Majority)
in your
Membranes (T2: Cells)
assessment
 Option 1: Watch this ‘Sunday Sessions’ tutorial all about
folder
membrane structure and function and the required practicals
- Extra exam
involved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTKSkTbKwdk
Summarise notes and answer the questions as you watch
questions can
 Option 2: Use the specification as a guide to braindump the
be accessed
information you can remember about membranes and the
from physics
beetroot RP. Add in with another colour using the text book/ and maths
revision notes what you forgot afterwards. Review the tutor and
experiment carefully and produce a summary to show us. maths made
 THEN EVERYONE complete the practice Q pack here. Self-assess easy websites
but bring the ones you struggled with to your teacher to go
through. https://EUEYIOQ.exampro.net
 (Minority)
Genetic Diagrams and Pedigree Charts (T7: Inheritance)
 https://DAQYCOF.examp ro.net complete these practice
questions using your notes if you need. The MS is also
attached to self-assess, then bring in the ones you
struggled with for your teacher to go through. Also here:

Extension: Complete exam question booklet on these topics in

timed exam conditions.
HALF TERM – Optional: Practice paper 1 in timed conditions as home and self-assess:
https://mmerevise.co.uk/a-level-biology-revision/aqa-a-level-biology-past-papers/
9 Revise following topics using the specification, create a - Exam
27/02/23 revision resource eg. Flash cards, mind map: question
booklet
- Specification
(Majority)
in your
(T2: Cells) 3.2.4 Cell Recognition and The Immune System – this is
assessment
a big and quite tricky section of the spec so look through it
folder
carefully
- Extra exam
 Option 1: Watch this ‘Sunday Sessions’ tutorial all about humoral
questions can
and cellular responses https://www.youtube.com/watch?
be accessed
v=K3Y5Yb-40vs Summarise notes and answer the questions as
you watch. Watch the matching Miss Estruch videos for the
from physics
sections of the spec you struggle with in this topic.
and maths
 Option 2: Use the specification as a guide for the headings to
tutor and
produce Cornell notes/ mind maps the information on this
maths made
section. easy websites
 THEN EVERYONE complete the practice Q pack here. Self-assess
but bring the ones you struggled with to your teacher to go
through. https://OIWESIL.exampro.net

(Minority)
Topic 3 (3.3.2 Gas Exchange)
 Produce a summary of how the following organisms
undergo gas exchange using your specification as a
 checklist: Single-celled organisms, insects, fish,
dicotyledonous plants. Include diagrams
 Complete the practice questions here:
https://QIPOTIP.exampro.net

8 Revise following topics using the specification: - Exam

Minority: 3.4.1 - 3.4.3 (Topic 4, sections 1,2,3 in the specification) question
Produce revision notes on these areas of the spec. In the way you booklet
06/03/23 prefer. Remember DETAIL here – especially with key terms. Watch - Specification
the relevant sections here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=- in your
assessment
3s0y4yu_a8if you want to.
folder
Now try the practice paper here and mark your own answers
https://OIOAWOR.exampro.net
- Extra exam
questions can
be accessed
from physics
and maths
tutor and
maths made
easy websites
Majority: 3.2.1 - 3.2.2 Cell structure and methods of Studying Cells. -
Use your revision guides here and practice memory learning the content
in detail. Produce labelled diagrams and notes if you need to, but focus
on recall. The questions are all application questions to challenge you a
bit more. Answer them using the link below and self-assess.
https://SYXIDIM.exampro.net

Optional but important for some of you! Working on your essay

practice...
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6ToQ1GBs7Y Watch this
youtube video where a Top, Middle and Lower band essay is
marked. Use this to help you – read the model essays to help you.
2) Use this info and the marking from your teacher to RE-WRITE a
section of your essay and ask your teacher to look it over for you.
Make the AO1 and AO2 sections clear
3) Plan 2 essays on 2 pieces of A4. Divide each piece into 6 boxes
and summarise your ideas and key words for each one in the
boxes. Pick from;
A) Write an essay on the importance of cycles in Biology
B) Write an essay explaining the importance of ATP in living
organisms
There is more help in the ‘essay’ folder in the Final Countdown 23 folder
 in Teams here: Paper 3 Essay Help
7 Revise following topics using the specification: - Exam
Minority: 3.4.5, 3.4.6, 3.4.7 (Topic 4, species and taxonomy, question
13/03/23 Biodiversity, investigating diversity) booklet
Option 1: Watch these 3 x 20 minute revision videos going through - Specification
the 3 sections of the spec and the matching exam Qs. Make in your
revision notes in a format you find most helpful (e.g. Cornell Notes/ assessment
Mind map) and try the Qs with the video on pause. Self-assess folder
these as you go through. Bring evidence of this to your next lesson. - Extra exam
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SYqQyEPY34 questions can
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJ03yJlmw50 be accessed
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJFS09uEoog from physics
and maths
Option 2: Review your notes on these spec references and attempt tutor and
the Q paper here: https://UIPEKUO.exampro.net Self-assess and maths made
bring evidence of this to your lesson with any Qs you want going easy websites
through.

Majority: 3.3.4.1 Mass Transport in Animals incl. Required

Practical 5 (dissection)
Option 1: Watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=S0W0stmqfmQ which summarised the section of the spec with
practice exam Qs. Make notes as you wish, and pause to complete
the Qs with the video then self-assess. OR this video if you prefer
the Snaprevise Sunday tutorials 😊
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4UI53QsqMs

Option 2: Revise this topic carefully focussing on memory learning

key words and concept. Take particular care of the depth you need
and terms for oxygen dissociation curves/ tissue fluid formation for
example and don’t forget the required practical!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI4pno0npCc for a run
through

The complete the practice paper here and self-assess:

https://LONURUE.exampro.net Let us know if there are ones you
don’t understand and we can help you by going through them.
 6 Revise following topics using the specification: -
Minority: Try the whole of this paper 1 in timed conditions at
20/03/23 home. Self-assess and bring to your minority lesson to have it
checked by your teacher. They will go through on the visualiser
any questions you struggled with: https://YIHODIR.exampro.net

Majority: 3.3.4.2 Mass Transport in Plants

Use 2 sides of A4 Paper. On one side SUMMARISE the process of
TRANSPIRATION – COHESION TENSION THEORY and on the other
summarise TRANSLOCATION – MASS FLOW HYPOTHESIS. Use your
revision guide to help you, focusing on key words and images.
Memory learn the steps in both processes. Use the videos here if
you need help understanding them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKbi1AJJzxU and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jAxyj1ZDhA
Try the practice questions here: AQA_Biology_Organisms exchange
substances with their environment_KnowIT_A level -
QUESTIONS.docx just do the plant transport ones 😊
Exam paper if you want to practice exam Qs instead here:
https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/pdf-pages/?pdf=https%3A%2F
%2Fpmt.physicsandmathstutor.com%2Fdownload%2FBiology%2FA-level%2FTopic-Qs
%2FAQA%2F3-Exchange-of-Substances%2FSet-C%2F3.4%2520Mass%2520Transport
%2520in%2520Plants%2520QP.pdf ms https://www.physicsandmathstutor.com/pdf-
pages/?pdf=https%3A%2F%2Fptop.only.wip.la%3A443%2Fhttps%2Fpmt.physicsandmathstutor.com%2Fdownload%2FBiology
%2FA-level%2FTopic-Qs%2FAQA%2F3-Exchange-of-Substances%2FSet-C
%2F3.4%2520Mass%2520Transport%2520in%2520Plants%2520MS.pdf
 5 Majority: 3.7.1 Inheritance (Topic 7) https://
Complete the booklet of practice Qs for this part of the filestore.aqa.org.uk/
27/03/23 specification. Use your revision guide if you need to, then self- resources/biology/
assess it. For any types of inheritance you are struggling with seek specifications/AQA-
some help from youtube or your teacher 7401-7402-SP-
Optional PPQ here if you want more Qs: 2015.PDF
https://FOGEBAR.exampro.net
All the CGP
Workbook Qs and
the markschemes are
here Scanned CGP
Workbook Questions
and Answers but we
will give you a paper
copy of them in your
lesson

Minority: 3.8.2 Control of Gene Expression (Topic 8)

Produce thorough revision notes on the following areas of the
specification using a mind map/ cornell notes/ flashcards- YOU
NEED TO USE YOUR SPECIFICATION TO GUIDE THESE NOTES
PLEASE! Focus on memory learning detail and terms
3.8.2.1 Most of a cell’s DNA is not translated (A-level only)
3.8.2.2 Regulation of transcription and translation (A-level only)
3.8.2.3 Gene expression and cancer (A-level only)
Optional PPQ here if you want to try more Qs:
https://TERINUP.exampro.net - I have tried to pick ones that
relate to experiments/ analysing results etc. As these are
harder!

Easter Practice Paper 1 & 2 Exam Paper Given to

ho.lidays you with Mark
Complete the practice papers in timed and exam conditions. Mark Scheme
them with the mark scheme and then annotate notes from revision Use the specification
the areas of weakness. You can access model papers and video to check weaker
walkthroughs here: areas
-
Extension: Pick areas of weakness and create 1 page on each
question you got wrong using your revision notes

4 Maj Topic 3.5.1: Photosynthesis -

17/04/23 Option 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y7vg2ZvNFs 1 hour
tutorial on photosynthesis. Try the practice questions and make notes as
you work through. Try the KnowIT and GraspIT questions on the topic
 here: AQA_Biology_Energy transfers in and between
organisms_KnowIT_A_level.pptx or AQA_Biology_Energy transfer in and
between organisms_GraspIT_A_level.docx
Review the 2 required practicals here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=L48ldASuqgA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iJzZ_tJVtI and
produce summaries of the methods, control variables and expected
results.

Option 2: Using just your memory and a piece of A3/A4 paper try and
draw out the entire process of the LDR and LIR (Calvin cycle). Transform
this into a 1 page summary of WRITING explaining the whole process,
focussing on use of key terminology.
Review both of the required practicals using the links above if you need
to, the Collins text book is v. good for this (borrow from the library if you
can!)

Then everyone: PPQ here with Qs that link to other areas of the
specification https://UANYBYC.exampro.net

Minority Topic: 3.6.1 Stimuli, both internal and external, are detected
and lead to a response and 3.6.2 Nervous coordination

Option 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=PfkYrMoIL7M&pp=ygUnc25hcHJldmlzZSBuZXJ2b3VzIGNvb3JkaW5hdGl
vbiBhIGxldmVs Watch this 1 hour tutorial about the nervous system and
action potentials. Make notes and try the Qs as you go.
Produce summaries and memory learning --> Response rods/ cones,
Control of heart rate. Make sure this content is LEARNT by heart. Do not
do the exam Qs unless you are comfortable with this content.

Option 2: If you are quite confident with these areas of the spec then go
straight to the PPQ here for response 3.6.1
https://KYUEYOH.exampro.net
Or here for the 3.6.2 Nervous Coordination
https://LAQEQUX.exampro.net

Majority: Full paper 1 in timed conditions at home (break the paper up -

3 into 2 if you want to, try and complete without any notes if you can but
24/04/23 use revision guides to support if you really need to). Mark this and bring
it in next week
Paper and MS here: Paper 1 (2 options for you in there)

Minority: 3.5.3 Energy Transfers topic – Energy and Ecosystems, 3.5.4

Nutrient cycles

Produce revision material on these spec points OR complete the KnowiT

Questions and Answers (here: AQA_Biology_Energy transfer in and
 between organisms_GraspIT_A_level.docx and answers
AQA_Biology_Energy transfer in and between
organisms_GraspIT_A_level_Answers.docx or AQA_Biology_Energy
transfers in and between organisms_KnowIT_A_level.pptx)

PPQ and MS available here: https://DUVIKEV.exampro.net

2 Majority: Gene Technologies - 3.8.4.1 Recombinant DNA technology,

01/05/23 3.8.4.2 Differences in DNA between individuals of the same species can
be exploited for identification and diagnosis of heritable conditions,
3.8.4.3 Genetic fingerprinting

Option 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH9FYpa1Upk Watch this 1 hour

summary of this topic. Make notes, and try to condense these notes down for
memorisation.

Option 2: Try the KnowIT/ GraspIT Questions to check what areas you need to go
back over. They can be found with MS here: AQA_Biology_The control of gene
expression_KnowIT_A_level.pptx and here AQA_Biology_The control of gene
expression_GraspIT_A_level_Answers.docx AQA_Biology_The control of
gene expression_GraspIT_A_level_write on sheet.docx

Try the PPQ here and self-assess: https://CUFIDYR.exampro.net

Minority: 3.6.4 Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal

environment: 3.6.4.1 Principles of homeostasis and negative feedback, 3.6.4.2
Control of blood glucose concentration, 3.6.4.3 Control of blood water potential

Required practical 11: Production of a dilution series of a glucose solution and

use of colorimetric techniques to produce a calibration curve with which to
identify the concentration of glucose in an unknown ‘urine’ sample. Don’t forget
this required practical!

Option 1: Watch this 1 hour summary video on the kidney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNDdlNZ0op4 and glucose regulation
summarised here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qhSo1Gk-9k. Produce
revision notes while you watch

Option 2: Produce consolidation notes on these 2 areas of the spec from memory,
then go through with your revision guide and check what you remember and
what you don’t. Use your revision guide to help fill the gaps!
 PPQ here and MS to try after for all: https://MYSEQEB.exampro.net

1 Minority - Stats Tests – produce a summary of the AQA Stats tests

08/05/23 you need to know about, when to use them, what they test for and
an example of how to interpret the results. Check these here: and
then try the practice questions in the booklets and self-assess;
Statistical Tests Help folder has everything you need