One of the topics that you’ve probably covered in AS90718 is PCR – the polymerase chain reaction & its applications. You may have read quite a bit about it. Well, here’s one more item for your reading list.
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Extending our family tree?
You may have read the recent press coverage about the discovery of Homo erectus and habilis remains that suggest that these species coexisted for much longer than scientists had previously thought. The coverage was accompanied by headlines implying that the new finds overturned our current understanding of human evolution. But just how accurate is this?
Continue readingAncient data + modern technology = enhanced understanding
One of the attributes of a successful student is the ability to integrate material from across the curriculum – pulling together knowledge from (say) genetics, evolution, and biotechnology into a coherent whole. Here’s an example of a recent paper that integrates biotechnology techniques and genetics to clarify our understanding of our own evolutionary past.
Continue readingIs it a valid argument?
If you’re like me, you probably do quite a lot of net surfing, just looking for new science stories or something interesting to read. But I hope that you think critically about what you’re reading. Not all websites are created equal, and the material you find may contain one or more logical fallacies. Check them out – not […]
Continue readingThis isn’t an English class!
You’ve probably already heard this from your teachers – but it’s an important message, so read on… The ability to write well is one of the most important skills you need, if you’re going to achieve well in the Scholarship Biology examinations. Don’t believe me? Have a look at the examiner’s report for last year’s […]
Continue readingScholarship Bio Blog
I’ve set up this blog in response to comments from secondary school biology teachers, especially those preparing students for Scholarship Biology examinations. I hope to use it as a way of encouraging critical thinking, looking at scientific papers that are relevant to the Level 3 curriculum and to Scholarship, and fielding questions that you may […]
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