biology essay topics a level

• April 25, 2023
• No Comments

Mastering A Level Biology Essays: Smart Tips and Unbeatable Examples

[email protected]

Introduction

A Level Biology is a challenging but rewarding course that covers a wide range of topics, from DNA and genetic inheritance to ecosystems and biodiversity. The key to success in this subject lies in understanding and applying the core principles of Biology and expressing your understanding in well-structured, coherent essays. In this article, we will provide you with some essential tips for writing outstanding A Level Biology essays, as well as presenting clear examples to help you master the essay-writing process.

• Understand the essay question

The first and most important step in writing an A Level Biology essay is to clearly understand the question. Break down the question into its key terms and implications, and ensure you comprehend what the examiner is asking you to discuss. Make a note of any key words or phrases that should feature in your essay, as these will help you structure your response and ensure you cover all the necessary points.

• Plan your essay

Before you begin writing your essay, take the time to plan your response. Create an outline that maps out the main points you want to make, as well as the order in which you will discuss them. This will enable you to develop a logical and coherent argument that addresses all the key aspects of the question.

• Include an engaging introduction

An effective introduction is crucial to grabbing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for your essay. Begin with a general statement that links to the essay question, and then narrow down your focus to present your main argument or line of inquiry. Finish your introduction with a clear thesis statement, which outlines the central points you will cover in your essay, demonstrating a solid understanding of the topic.

Example: The discovery of DNA and the subsequent advancements in genetic research have proven instrumental in understanding the role of genetics ininheritance of traits and diseases. This essay will discuss the role of genetic inheritance in the development of several human diseases, namely: Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the ethical implications surrounding genetic testing and treatment.

• Use specific examples to support your arguments

In A Level Biology essays, it is essential to provide examples that demonstrate your understanding of the material and support your claims. Try to include a range of examples from different areas of the subject to show that you have a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the course material.

Example: Cystic Fibrosis is an example of a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene, which results in thick and sticky mucus production in affected individuals. This condition can lead to respiratory and digestive complications, illustrating the significant impact of genetic inheritance on an individual’s health.

• Synthesize information from multiple sources

To demonstrate a high level of understanding, A Level Biology essays should integrate information from various sources, such as class notes, textbooks, and scientific articles. Be sure to support your ideas with specific references to the source material, and use your own words to explain the concepts in a clear and concise manner.

• Address counterarguments and controversies

In any scientific field, there are often debates and controversies surrounding key concepts and theories. To show a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter, be sure to address counterarguments and discuss opposing viewpoints in your essay.

Example: While genetic testing for diseases such as Huntington’s has the potential to provide valuable information for individuals at risk, there are ethical concerns about the potential misuse of genetic information by employers, insurance companies, and even government entities. Weighing the benefits of genetic testing and treatment against these ethical concerns is an ongoing debate within the scientific community.

• Write a strong conclusion

To wrap up your essay, restate your main argument and summarize the key points you have made. Provide a clear and concise conclusion that demonstrates the significance of your argument and its implications for the broader field of Biology.

Example: In conclusion, the role of genetic inheritance in human diseases, as illustrated by Cystic Fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, underscores the immense potential of genetic research to improve our understanding of human health. However, as we continue to advance our knowledge and develop new treatments and testing methods, it is crucial that we remain conscious of the ethical implications that come with such advancements in order to protect individuals’ rights and liberties.

• Proofread and edit your essay

Finally, make sure you thoroughly proofread and edit your essay to correct any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors, and to ensure that your argument flows smoothly and logically. Consider asking a friend or peer to review your essay and provide feedback – a fresh perspective can help you identify areas for improvement that you may have overlooked.

In summary, mastering A Level Biology essays involves understanding the essay question, planning a clear and logical response, using specific examples and evidence, synthesizing information from multiple sources, addressing counterarguments and controversies, and crafting a compelling introduction and conclusion. By following these steps and using the examples provided, you will be well on your way to delivering high-quality, insightful essays that demonstrate an excellent understanding of the complex and fascinating world of Biology.

Good luck, and happy essay writing!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Posts

The importance of biology o’level and a’level past papers in the malta education system.

O’levels and A’levels are both types of secondary school qualifications that are recognized worldwide. O’levels are typically taken at the age of 16, while A’levels

How Hard is Biology A Level: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction: Biology A Level is a popular subject among students who desire to pursue careers in life sciences, medicine, and related fields. However, it is

Is A-Level Biology Harder Than A-Level Maths?

Introduction When it comes to choosing subjects at A-level, students often find themselves perplexed about which subjects to choose. This particularly holds true for subjects

Most Common A-Level Biology Questions By Topic

Introduction A-Level Biology is a rigorous subject that tests students’ knowledge and skills in various areas, ranging from cell biology to ecology. To excel in

A Level Biology: A Comprehensive Guide to Viruses

Introduction Viruses have always been a topic of great interest and controversy in the world of biology. As a fundamental concept in A-Level Biology, understanding

Woolton Tutors

One-to-one tutoring in science, maths and languages

How to answer A-level Biology essay questions

The Synoptic essay question on paper 3 of the AQA A-level biology course carries 25 marks, so doing well can make a big difference to your overall grade. The essay encourages you to think across different topics (some call this “synoptic” or “holistic” thinking). This is also valuable for other areas of the exams, particularly the application questions .

Here are a few tips for tackling your A-level biology essay: (As an example, let’s use the title “ The importance of movement in cells and tissues ”)

Think broadly…

Essay titles are deliberately vague to give you the chance to show your knowledge in a variety of topics. To help you to choose what’s most relevant, look out for subjective words like “movement” and “cells”. Think of the possible alternatives. “Cells”, for example, hints that you could discuss plants, animals, single-celled organisms etc. in your essay. “Movement” could mean short distances (across a membrane) or much further (circulation or mass flow) or even the whole tissue moving (phototropism).

Visualize and catastrophize!

If you can’t think of enough topics for an “importance” essay, flip the question around – what would happen if movement in cells suddenly ground to a halt? Or if ATP suddenly vanished, or our cells were robbed of their ions? Sometimes catastrophizing in this way frees up thoughts, and helps you see what is really important. Another way is to picture every diagram in your notes or textbook that features the thing-that’s-important-in-the-question. If it’s in a diagram, it could go in your essay.

Pick your strongest topics

It’s possible to drop marks on the essay for scientific errors. With that in mind, even if you have lots of ideas for things to include, always pick the topics you can write confidently about. For bonus marks, try to order them in a way that “flows” like a story. Take care to use A-level (and not GCSE) language too.

Keep an eye on the question

While you’re writing, keep asking yourself “Where am I placing the emphasis?”. If the essay is about movement, perhaps you don’t need a whole page about nervous responses, only the bits where movement is involved – sodium ions flowing through channels, waves of depolarisation etc. Movement is the focus of the essay, after all, not neurons. Always ask yourself “Does this sentence fit with the title of the essay?”

Use outside knowledge

The top marks for the essay are reserved for displaying “evidence of reading beyond specification requirements”. Often you can drop recent scientific research or news into your writing – how vaccines tackle COVID might work in an essay about viruses, for example. I often encourage students to have a quick look at the news pages of New Scientist pages (eg https://www.newscientist.com/subject/health/ ) before paper 3 for inspiration – you don’t need to spend ages doing this, just long enough to have one or two ideas up your sleeve…

Good luck with your essay!

If you’d like to work through some A-level biology describe and explain

If you’d like to work through some example essay questions, please get in touch with me at Woolton Tutors (or Woolton Biology) and we can set up some online biology tutoring sessions.

Best wishes,

Dr John Ankers

Specialist online A-level biology tutor

www.wooltontutors.co.uk

Share this:

Author: Dr John Ankers

Dr John Ankers is a tutor, coach and writer. For writing and consultancy work, please contact me at [email protected] View all posts by Dr John Ankers

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

A-Level AQA Biology Questions by Topic

Finish sign up, filter by paper, 1. biological molecules, questions by topic, more resources, 3. exchanging substances, 4. genetics, classification and biodiversity, 5. energy transfers in and between organisms, 6. responding to changes in environments, 7. genetics, populations, evolution and ecosystems, 8. the control of gene expression.

• International
• Education Jobs
• Schools directory
• Resources Education Jobs Schools directory News Search

Top marks A-Level Biology Essay - Explain the importance of shapes fitting together

Subject: Biology

Age range: 16+

Resource type: Unit of work

Last updated

26 September 2018

• Share through email
• Share through twitter
• Share through linkedin
• Share through facebook
• Share through pinterest

A full high grade essay for A-Level Biology, discussing the topic: The importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms. Includes wider knowledge not from A-Level specification.

Includes: > Introduction, explanation of specificity in biology > Enyzme shape, structure and active site > Enzymes involved in DNA replication > Complementary nature of DNA bases & hydrogen bonding > Immune response - antigens and antibodies > Enzymes involved in the immune response, like in the inflammation process > Mutated protein impacts, like in Mediterranean fever. > Pharmacology - agonists and antagonists, such as carbachol.

Useful as revision for this specific topic and to see a sample structure of a high grade essay.

Tes paid licence How can I reuse this?

Get this resource as part of a bundle and save up to 71%

A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Top mark A-Level Biology Essays

A collection of high mark, sample essays for A-Level Biology, providing helpful revision content and examples of logical structuring. New Specification! Includes essays on the titles: - The Importance of movement in living organisms - Explain the importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms - Carbon dioxide may affect organisms directly or indirectly. - How is energy transferred within and between organisms - Explain the importance of shapes fitting together in cells and organisms - Different types of relationships and interactions between organisms - The membranes of different types of cells are involved in many different functions - The importance of DNA in science and technology Save over 70%!

Your rating is required to reflect your happiness.

It's good to leave some feedback.

Something went wrong, please try again later.

jilly pinchin

Empty reply does not make any sense for the end user

The content of the essay isn’t a top mark A level biology essay as it is below average at best

Report this resource to let us know if it violates our terms and conditions. Our customer service team will review your report and will be in touch.

Not quite what you were looking for? Search by keyword to find the right resource:

PMT Education is looking for a full-time Customer Support Specialist

Get £10 off your first lesson on PMT Tuition using the code PMTSEPT10

OCR (A) A-Level Biology Revision

As papers 1 & 2, a-level paper 1, a-level paper 2, a-level paper 3.

• Revision Courses
• Past Papers
• Solution Banks
• University Admissions
• Numerical Reasoning
• Legal Notices