In these three hour A-Level practical workshops students will complete investigations and experiments that meet the AQA and Edexcel core practical requirements. 

Available workshops 

Investigating the effect of temperature on the initial reaction rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction

Students will be carrying out enzyme-controlled reactions over a range of temperatures, in order to see how the initial rate of reaction varies with temperature. They will learn how to use appropriate apparatus, glassware and reagents to obtain useful results, and learn how to use computer software to analyse their results.

Identifying the stages of mitosis using stained cell squashes from plant root tips

Students will prepare stained cell squashes from the tips of plant roots and study them under a light microscope. They will learn how to produce annotated scientific drawings and identify the stages of mitosis.

Investigating the effect of alcohol concentration or temperature on membrane permeability

Students will study how the permeability of a given cell-surface membrane varies when exposed to a range of alcohol concentrations or temperatures. They will learn how to use appropriate apparatus, glassware and reagents, and how to use computer software to analyse their results.

Investigating the water potential of plant tissue

Students will determine the water potential of plant tissue using a calibration curve produced using serial dilution of a given solute. They will learn how to use appropriate glassware, reagents and instrumentation, and learn how to use computer software to analyse their results.

Investigating pigments extracted from different plant leaves using chromatography

Students will isolate pigments from different plant leaves using chromatography, and compare and contrast the pigments found in different coloured leaves or different plant species. Students will learn how to use appropriate glassware and instrumentation, and learn how separate and compare compounds using chromatography.

Investigating factors that influence the rate of photosynthesis

Students will study the rate of dehydrogenase activity in chloroplast extracts and how it is affected by factors such as temperature or light wavelength or intensity. They will learn how to use appropriate glassware and instrumentation to obtain quantitative and qualitative data.

Using a choice chamber to investigate an animal's response to an external stimulus

Students will use a choice chamber to investigate if the behaviour of small invertebrates is affected by their external conditions. Students will learn how to safely and ethically use organisms to determine responses to stimuli, and learn how to use statistical techniques to support their results.

Determining the glucose concentration in a urine sample

Students will determine the concentration of glucose in a urine sample, using a calibration curve derived from serial dilution of a stock glucose solution. Students will learn how to use appropriate glassware, reagents and instrumentation, and learn how to use software to analyse their results. 

Investigating the effect of caffeine on heart rate in Daphnia

Students will investigate how the heart rate of Daphnia is affected by treatment with varying concentrations of caffeine. They will learn how to use appropriate apparatus and materials, including the use of a light microscope, and learn how to use software to help analyse their results. 

Determining the vitamin C content of food and drink

Students will use titration to determine the vitamin C content of some common foods and drink. They will learn how to use appropriate glassware and reagents, and learn how to carry out careful and accurate measurements.

Investigating the effects of enzyme and substrate concentrations on initial reaction rates

Students will study the initial rate of a reaction, and how it is affected by enzymes and by changes in the concentration of the substrates. They will learn the use of appropriate glassware, apparatus and reagents, and learn how to use software to help analyse their results.

Identifying Brassicas using genome fragment sequences separated using gel electrophoresis.

Students will use gel electrophoresis to separate PCR-amplified genome fragment sequences, then identify Brassica species based on their phenotypic classification. Students will learn the use of appropriate apparatus and reagents, and learn how to interpret phenotypic data.

Investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of anaerobic respiration of yeast.

Students will study the respiration rate of yeast using a redox indicator, and how the rate changes with temperature. Students will learn the use of appropriate apparatus and reagents, and learn how to use software to help analyse their results.

Investigating habituation to a stimulus

Students will study the response of a snail to being repeatedly stimulated with gentle poking. Students will learn the correct use of apparatus, and learn how to safely and ethically use an organism to study an animal response.

Curriculum links

Biology (Key Stage 5 / Level 3) - Core practical

Chemistry (Key Stage 5 / Level 3) - Core practical

Gatsby benchmarks

WORKSHOP: 1, 3, 4, 7