Biology is the science of living things and can be categorised broadly into the study of animals and plants. This section of the syllabus deals with aspects of human biology and plant biology. The human body is an integrated organism, with a variety of systems that carry out a range of functions. Each system has a particular structure that enables it to carry out its functions. Understanding how the body functions and how it develops will enable us to appreciate the processes and changes that occur during our lives. Plants and micro-organisms are a vital component of our living world. Plants are the main food producers for all living things.
Food is one of the basic human needs and the digestive system enables the body to convert it into a form that is more suitable for use. The breathing and circulatory systems enable the transport of oxygen and digested food around the body to provide energy and growth materials where they are required. Waste products are removed from the body by excretion (undigested food is removed by egestion).
| OB1 | recall that a balanced diet has six constituents: carbohydrates (including fibre), fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water, each with different functions |
| OB2 | describe a food pyramid and give examples of types of food recommended in a balanced diet |
| OB3 | carry out qualitative food tests for starch,reducing sugar, protein and fat |
| OB4 | read and interpret the energy values indicated on food product labels and compare the energy content per 100 g of a number of foods, and identify the food types on the label that form part of a balanced diet |
| OB5 | investigate the conversion of chemicalenergy in food to heat energy |
| OB6 | identify and locate the major parts of the digestive system including the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine and large intestine, and know their functions |
| OB7 | identify molars, premolars, canines and incisors, and describe their functions |
| OB8 | investigate the action of amylase on starch;identify the substrate, product and enzyme |
| OB9 | describe the process of aerobic respiration by means of a word equation and understand that aerobic respiration requires the presence of oxygen |
| OB10 | demonstrate the products of aerobic respiration |
| OB11 | carry out qualitative tests to compare thecarbon dioxide levels of inhaled andexhaled air |
| OB12 | describe how oxygen is taken into the bloodstream from the lungs and how carbon dioxide is taken into the lungs from the bloodstream during gaseous exchange and how these processes are affected by smoking |
| OB13 | describe the function and composition of blood, and know that blood contains white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets in a liquid called plasma |
| OB14 | understand the structure and function of the heart, identify the four chambers of the heart, and explain the difference between the left and right ventricles |
| OB15 | describe the passage of blood through the heart and lungs via arteries and veins, identify the pulmonary artery and vein, aorta and vena cava, and distinguish between arteries, veins and capillaries |
| OB16 | demonstrate the effect of exercise and rest on pulse and breathing rate and understand that a balance of each promotes good health |
| OB17 | recall that the average pulse rate for an adult at rest is 70 b.p.m., and explain why exercise results in increased pulse and breathing rates |
| OB18 | recall that the normal temperature of the human body is 37 °C, and understand that illness may cause a change in body temperature |
| OB19 | understand that the products of digestion are absorbed into the bloodstream and are thus circulated around the body |
| OB20 | understand the structure and function of the urinary system: the bladder, renal artery, renal vein, ureter, urethra and kidney |
| OB21 | name the products of excretion: CO2, water and urea |
| OB22 | understand the function of the skin in the excretion of waste products made in the body |
| OB23 | recall that waste products are removed from the bloodstream by filtration in the kidneys in the form of urine, which contains urea, water and salts, and that urine is stored in the bladder before being released from the body |
Our basic body shape is formed by our skeleton, which is made up of over two hundred bones. The skeleton provides support and protection for the body and the arrangement of the bones, together with the associated ligaments and muscles, allows for movement. Our senses enable us to be aware of, and respond to, our immediate surroundings.
The human species is continued through the process of sexual reproduction. The reproductive system develops to maturity during adolescence, and males and females have different roles in reproduction. Children inherit many characteristics from their parents.
| OB24 | identify the main parts of the human skeleton and understand that the functions are support, movement and protection |
| OB25 | locate the major bones in the human body including the skull, ribs, vertebrae, collarbone, shoulder blade, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvis, femur, tibia and fibula, using a diagram or a model skeleton |
| OB26 | understand the function of joints and muscles (including antagonistic pairs), tendons and ligaments, and the relationship between these and bones |
| OB27 | describe the general structure and action of different types of joints: fused, ball and socket and hinged, and identify examples of each: skull, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee |
| OB28 | recall five sense organs in the human (eyes, ears, nose, skin, and tongue) and understand how these enable humans to gather information from their surroundings |
| OB29 | describe the role of the central nervous system and the sensory and motor functions of nerves |
| OB30 | locate the main parts of the eye on a model or diagram and describe the function of the cornea, iris, lens, pupil, retina, optic nerve and ciliary muscle |
| OB31 | use wall charts or other illustrative diagrams to identify and locate the main parts of the male and female reproductive systems |
| OB32 | recall that the menstrual cycle lasts about 28 days and that menstruation occurs at the start of the cycle |
| OB33 | understand the following in relation to human reproduction: - fertile period in the menstrual cycle
- sexual intercourse
- fertilisation is the fusion between male and female gametes (sperm and egg) resulting in a zygote; a zygote undergoes cell division and develops within the womb into a foetus
- pregnancy and birth
- growth and puberty
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| OB34 | understand that there are many forms of contraception, and that some of these prevent fertilisation |
| OB35 | understand that humans have inheritable and non-inheritable characteristics, and that inheritable characteristics are controlled by genes |
| OB36 | recall that genes are located on chromosomes and that in a human there are 23 pairs of chromosomes, which are located in the nucleus |
| OB37 | recall that chromosomes are made of DNA and protein |
Through photosynthesis plants use the sun's energy to make food, which is stored in the form of carbohydrates. At the same time, they replenish the supply of oxygen in the atmosphere and remove carbon dioxide. Plants have systems that enable them to function and survive, and to respond to their environment. Competition and interdependence occur within an ecosystem.
| Main Topic | Sub-topics |
| 1C1 Living things | variety of living things; classifying living organisms as plants or animals (vertebrates/invertebrates) identifying common plants and animals; life processes and common characteristics of living organisms relationship between cells, tissues, organs and systems |
| 1C2 The microscope | function and main parts of a microscope using a microscope to examine animal and plant cells |
| 1C3 Plant structure | structure and function of the main parts of a typical flowering plant |
| 1C4 Transport in plants | passage of water and minerals through the plant transpiration |
| 1C5 Photosynthesis | word equation for photosynthesis investigation of the conversion of light energy into chemical energy phototropism and geotropism |
| 1C6 Reproduction and germination in plants | sexual and asexual reproduction pollination and fertilisation seed dispersal investigation of conditions necessary for germination |
| 1C7 Ecology | local habitat study use of simple keys and instruments (quadrat, pooter, pitfall trap, beating tray, line transect) to show variety and distribution of named organisms investigation of food chains and food webs, and of adaptation, competition and interdependence conservation, pollution and waste management |
| 1C8 Microbiology and biotechnology | investigation of examples of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and viruses biotechnology in industry and medicine |
| OB38 | understand how to use a simple key to identify plants and animals, including vertebrates and invertebrates |
| OB39 | investigate the variety of living things bydirect observation of animals and plants intheir environment; classify living organismsas plants or animals, and animals asvertebrates or invertebrates |
| OB40 | identify the basic life processes and characteristics common to all living organisms: nutrition, respiration, excretion, growth, reproduction, movement and response |
| OB41 | recall that living things are composed of cells, tissues, organs and systems, and understand that growth results from cell division |
| OB42 | identify, and understand the functions of, the main parts of a microscope (light microscope only) and use it to examine an animal cell and a plant cell |
| OB43 | draw one example each of an animal cell and a plant cell, identifying the nucleus, cytoplasm and cell wall (plant cell), and indicate the position of the cell membrane |
| OB44 | prepare a slide from plant tissue and sketchthe cells under magnification |
| OB45 | identify the main parts of a typical flowering plant and their functions; the root, stem, leaf and flower |
| OB46 | understand that the xylem transports water and minerals in the plant and that the phloem transports food |
| OB47 | carry out simple activities to show the path of water through plant tissue, and show that water evaporates from the surface of a leaf by transpiration |
| OB48 | describe, using a word equation, how plants make their own food through photosynthesis |
| OB49 | show that starch is produced by aphotosynthesising plant |
| OB50 | investigate the growth response of plants to gravity (geotropism) and light (phototropism) |
| OB51 | distinguish between asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and describe a way in which a named plant can reproduce asexually |
| OB52 | locate and identify the main parts of the flower: sepals, petals, carpel and stamen |
| OB53 | use a suitable flower to identify the stigma, style, ovary, anther and filament |
| OB54 | understand that the stamen (anther) produces pollen, the carpel (ovary) produces the egg cell, the pollen produces the male gamete for fertilisation, the ovary produces the female gamete for fertilisation, and pollen is transferred by wind and by insects |
| OB55 | recall that seed formation follows fertilisation, and describe seed dispersal |
| OB56 | describe seed structure (testa, food supply, radical, plumule) |
| OB57 | understand that seed germination is necessary to produce a new plant |
| OB58 | investigate the conditions necessary forgermination |
| OB59 | study a local habitat, using appropriateinstruments and simple keys to show thevariety and distribution of namedorganisms |
| OB60 | understand that living things are affected by their environment and respond to changes that occur in that environment, and understand that their numbers depend on the availability of food and the presence or absence of other organisms |
| OB61 | list examples of producers, decomposers and consumers in an ecosystem |
| OB62 | select a food chain and a food web from a named habitat and identify examples of adaptation, competition and interdependence |
| OB63 | understand the importance of conservation, pollution and waste management to the environment, and identify ways in which living things contribute to these, both individually and as a community |
| OB64 | consider and discuss how human activity affects the environment, both positively and negatively (two examples in each case) |
| OB65 | investigate the presence of micro-organismsin air and soil |
| OB66 | state two uses of biotechnology in industry and two uses of biotechnology in medicine |
| OB67 | list three common illnesses caused by viruses and three caused by bacteria. |