Atoms, molecules and bonds
This quick review of the terms; element, atom, molecule and ion helps non-chemists picture molecules. With a view of H2O students can describe what a water molecule is made of and they can begin to understand the effects of hydrogen bonds. Of course these ideas will also be useful in other topics of the course.
Lesson Description
Starter question
What is the difference between an element an atom and a molecule?
Activity 1 - Atoms molecules & ions
These slides can be used to remind biology students of some basic chemical ideas. The structure of atoms, molecules and the bonds between them. With this introduction to covalent bonds students are ready to study the hydrogen bond and the properties of water.
Preview the 
"Revision of chemistry" presentation
Activity 2 - IB style structured questions
Students test their understanding of the slides above with a few questions in the style of an IB Biology paper two.
IB Style Questions on Atoms, molecules and ionsTeachers' notes
The first part of this lesson is really for students who don't do Chemistry.
Many students of Biology don't have a confident understanding of chemical element symbols, molecule diagrams.
The concepts of ions and the terminology of bonding can be a barrier to learning Biology.
Without getting too detailed this introduction is designed to help these students.
Students could make simple notes themselves from the slides or the teacher could use the slides as a beginning for a discussion or presentation.
The second activity is an opportunity to see how much the student can remember.
There are now some model answers suggested on this page.
If there is time the structure of water molecules could also be introduced before the lesson on the properties of water. Alternatively some of the names of the various carbon based organic compounds from the next two lessons could be introduced.
Links to other topics
Ideas for HL and SL students