A Level Biology A
Cell Division
Task 1 Why does my cut heal?
Your brother, who is 12, was preparing supper last night and cut his hand. Although there is quite a lot
of damage to his skin new skin will form over the cut in a few weeks. He knows that this is something to
do with cells being able to divide but he wants to know more details.
Your parents aren’t quite sure about the process and have asked you to explain it to him. So that you
don’t have to go over it again and again produce a short video sequence showing how the cell divides to
produce new skin cells. You will need to explain each stage. Make sure you use the correct terms listed
below.
1. Decide on what type of cell division it is
2. Use the modelling clay to produce a model cell. Although human cells have 46 chromosomes you
can simplify this so that your model has 4 chromosomes.
3. Make a sequence of models and film them so that when finished you have a short video. At each
stage you need to explain what is happening.
Terms to use:

Chromosome
Cytoplasm
DNA

Diploid and/or Haploid
Mitosis or meiosis
Nucleus
Task 2 How do sex cells form?
Your sister is in Year 7 and has been studying reproduction in science. She has come home very
confused. “The teacher said we all have 46 chromosomes in our cells and that when an egg and a
sperm meet the nuclei fuse. But if that happens, why don’t babies have 92 chromosomes?”
Your parents aren’t sure about it so they have asked you to explain it to her.
So that you don’t have to go over it again and again produce a short video sequence showing how sex
cells are produced. You will need to explain each stage. Make sure you use the correct terms listed
below.
1. Decide on what type of cell division it is.
2. Use the modelling clay to produce a model cell. Although human cells have 46 chromosomes you
can simplify this so that your model has 4 chromosomes.
3. Make a sequence of models and film them so that when finished you have a short video. At each
stage you need to explain what is happening.
Terms to use:

Chromosome
Cytoplasm
DNA

Diploid and/or Haploid
Mitosis or meiosis
Nucleus
Task 3 Exam-style Questions on Ethics

Identify whether the case material is medical, genetic or ecological.

Write your own answer to the question.

See how you would have scored overleaf.
1. Movement Disorders Research
Movement disorders are conditions in which people lose the ability to control their body movements.
Scientists have discovered that inserting electrodes to stimulate parts of the brain can help to cure
some movement disorders. This discovery has resulted from experimental work with monkeys,
which has made the research controversial.
Suggest why monkeys rather than other laboratory animals, such as rats, were used for this work
and comment on whether their use in this way is justified or not.
2. Introduced Hedgehogs
Three suggested methods to reduce the effect of hedgehogs on the numbers of waders in area 2
were considered. These were:

trapping and moving hedgehogs to the mainland

trapping hedgehogs and keeping them in captivity indefinitely

Trapping of hedgehogs followed by humane killing.
The third method was judged to be the most effective and likely to succeed in reducing hedgehog
numbers.
Comment on the ethical issues involved in making this decision.
(To answer this question you need to know that the introduction of hedgehogs to Scottish islands
resulted in a catastrophic population decrease of several species of wader birds. The birds nest on the
ground and hedgehogs eat their eggs. Hedgehogs have no natural predators on these islands.)
Task 4 research and independent study task on heart Exam-style Questions on Ethics
Watch the video below. Bill Nye The Science Guy – Blood and circulation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaxr1WdpZ10
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Name the 3 blood vessels.
Describe the flow of blood through the body.
Describe the movement of valves in the heart.
What do the white blood cells do?
How do the white blood cells carry out their function?
What is blood pressure and how is it taken?
Describe the 3 blood vessels and their functions.
Label and explain the diagram below