By accident this week, I found a program on BBC4 called "Chemistry - A Volatile History". This was part 1 of a three part documentary series (I think the presenter said there were two more episodes) and focused on the dscovery of the elements. There were dramatic links featuring early experiments, as well as modern day technology. It is currently on the BBC website via i-player. Part 2 is next Thursday at 9pm and will focus on the periodic table. I found it fascinating stuff, and really not to be missed if you are taking A level chemistry or even just interested in science.

 I have found a website that has all of the AS and A2 OCR biology papers that have been available since 2001. While these papers are not the current OCR syllabus, they are still a very valuable resource. The other A level syllabuses are similar enough in content to make it worthwhile downloading these papers and attempting the majority of the questions. I estimate that 75% of the three main exam boards overlap in identical content, but be aware that you would not be expected to do 100% of the content from a syllabus not your own.

 Happy New Year!

 I find myself somewhat stranded at home in the snow. The hill outside my house is impassible to all but the most serious of four-wheel-drives and my car hasn't moved since the snow started. I have cancelled eight sessions this week and am going to do my best to offer catch-up sessions during the school holidays to as many students as possible.

 I've just finished a news story for Laboratory News. I thought that SNAB students would particularly like it. It seems that the little fly (of all of the genetics experiments) is an aggressive chap. The males of the species are able to detect pheromones (chemicals) and when the pheromones rise, so too does the aggression and the ability to fight other males. What this means is that when a group of males get together to feed, the more males there are, the more likely they are to fight and chase each other off.

While the new cases of swine flu in the UK would appear to be decreasing, news from Northern Europe indicates that the H1N1 virus has mutated. Norway has already seen more fatalities as a proportion of the total population than other European countries. Norwegian health authorities announced at the end of November that they have discovered a potentially significant mutation in two patients that appears to enable the virus to bury deeper into the respiratory tract.

 The scientific and political debate concerning global warming and carbon emissions is gaining momentum this week with claims and counter claims surrounding the factual evidence available. There is certainly evidence that global warming is real and happening, but how much of the scientific data is selective? The role of a scientist is to critically evaluate all data offered, but do remember that financial support for scientific research may bias that data. I am following this debate with interest, as I feel that there is a political agenda as well as a scientific agenda.

 I have found another website that you will love or hate. Personally, I think it is fabulous. The site is www.cellsalive.com and has cartoon animation of mitosis and meiosis, tumour development and more relevant to A2, interactions between different cells during the immune response. There is a lot of text on the site, but the little video clips are worth finding and watching. What else do you have to do on a cold November afternoon? Play and enjoy.

This is warn everyone in advance that I do not plan to teach at all on the 24th, 25th and 26th of December and again on the 31st December and 1st January. If your scheduled time to see me falls on one of these days, then I will do my very best to see you on another day during the same week as the missed session. Some advanced planning may be called for as my own children will also be home from school.

 One of the characteristics of being a good scientist is to be able to critically review evidence as it is presented. This does mean that occasionally well established beliefs are challenged and opinion may change as a result of the new evidence.