Category Archives: revision

Revision of Unit 1: Cells in Action

animal cell cake

This is a model of an animal cell made from cake showing the different organelles of a typical cell. The nucleus is shown by the freckle, mitochondrian was shown by the purple jelly beans, the lysosomes were the yellow jelly beans, the centrioles was the musk sticks which were then placed on the cytosol (icing), the vaccuole was shown by two freckles placed upside-down, the endoplasmic reticulum was made with yellow snakes and the rough endoplasmic reticulum was made with yellow snakes with 100’s and 1000’s laces on top to make the ribosomes and for the golgi compex was made by placing a pink snake on the icing.

This activity was enjoyed by the year 11 biology group. Making a model of a cell meant that we could relate to what a real one looked like. This made it easier to remember the names of parts of the cell and what their function was.

Chapter 1 (Cell Discovery and Exploration): Stephanie and James

Chapter 2 (Cell Structure and Function): Chris and Melissa

Chapter 3 (Composition of Cells): Charlotte and Catherine

Chapter 4 (Cell replication – Mitosis and Meiosis): Monique and Chloe

Revision of Unit 1: Cells in Action

cell diagram

You may like to create a set of Flashcards to help you to revise the first terms work. I have started one set here: Unit 1: Cells in Action Flashcards

Go to Free Online Flashcards and register as a new user. Use the glossary in the back of your text book to list the new words from each chapter and their definitions. You can use the flashcards as a quiz or for revision. Limit yourself to 10 to 20 cards per set.

Revision for Exams

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All around the world students have examinations to test and assess their learning. How well you do will depend on your attitude as well as your knowledge and preparation. The following tips may assist you to succeed:

  • Top students study for between 2 and 5 hours on week nights and 3 to 6 hours a day on weekends.
  • Turn off your mobile phone and minimize other distractions (magazines, games, TV).
  • Make a list of deadlines and exam dates and plan your week ahead.
  • Try using earplugs and listen to music only when doing undemanding work.
  • Consider studying at the library where there are fewer distractions.
  • Find study-buddies for sharing notes and discussing ideas.
  • Get help from a teacher or consider a tutor – they can force you to work and change your attitude to a subject.
  • Get friends or family membrs to test you before exams.
  • Remember to take breaks, get at least eight hours of sleep each night and eat healthy food.
  • Get a copy of the course syllabus as a guide to write your study notes.
  • Write brief notes and review them again immediately. Review them again 24 hours later and then twice each week until the exam.
  • Use colour to highlight important headings – sub-headings act as memory triggers.
  • Do lots of practise papers – research shows top students do a lot more practise tests.
  • Read extra material, making notes of relevant material and then refer to it in your essay.
  • Look for a unique angle – demonstrate you understand opposing opinions and then explain why you believe one argument is more correct. Evaluation is one of the higher-order thinking skills.
  • Avoid stressed people and those who speculate about what is in the exam on the day. Aim to stay calm.

On exam day, after a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast:

  • It usually takes about 10 minutes to focus on the exam – start mentally rehearsing what you are going to do before the examiner says start.
  • Check how many marks are allocated to each part of the exam question.
  • Read and re-read the questions – look for negatives eg. “Which is NOT an example of …..
  • Stay calm and keep things in perspective. Each exam is worth only a portion of your final mark.

Quia Quizzes!

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“The first high-resolution close-up photographs of the H5N1 avian flu virus, taken by science photographer Lennart Nilsson, appeared in the Swedish daily Dagens Nyeter (DN) on November 7, 2005, in what the newspaper said was a world exclusive.”

Try these fun activities from Quia to revise Unit 1: Area of Study 1: Cell Structure and Function.

Cell organelles: http://www.quia.com/jg/1624832.html (Word search, Concentration or Flash Cards)

Cell organelles and Photosynthesis review: http://www.quia.com/ba/265821.html (Battleships)

Cells – Who wants to be a millionaire? : http://www.quia.com/rr/450977.html

The cell and plasma membrane: http://www.quia.com/cb/447399.html (Challenge board)

Stages of Mitosis: http://www.quia.com/rd/161026.html (Ordered List)

Revision of Unit 1: Area of study 1: Cells in Action

 
Use My Studiyo to create your own quiz to revise one of the following concepts:

  • Types of cells (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, plant, animal, bacterial)
  • Mitosis
  • Structure and function of cells
  • Biomacromolecules
  • Photosynthesis and respiration
  • Transport across membranes

Make sure you have at least ten questions.