Pathogens are microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria that cause infectious diseases in animals and plants. They depend on their host to provide the conditions and nutrients that they need to grow and reproduce. They frequently produce toxins that damage tissues and make us feel ill. This section will explore how we can avoid diseases by reducing contact with them, as well
as how the body uses barriers against pathogens. Once inside the body our immune system is triggered which is usually strong enough to destroy the pathogen and prevent disease. When at risk from unusual or dangerous diseases our body's natural system can be enhanced by the use of vaccination. Since the 1940s a range of antibiotics have been developed which have proved
successful against a number of lethal diseases caused by bacteria. Unfortunately many groups of bacteria have now become resistant to these antibiotics. The race is now on to develop a new set of antibiotics.
There will be an end of topic assessment using past exam questions to be completed under exam conditions and assessed by the teacher.
Aerobic
Relating to or denoting exercise taken to improve the efficiency of the body's cardiovascular system in absorbing and transporting oxygen.
Anaerobic
Relating to or requiring an absence of free oxygen.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas found in our atmosphere. Its chemical formula is CO2, which means it is one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. It is a waste product in our bodies, and is also produced by burning fossil fuels.
Concentration
In chemistry, the number of molecules or ions in a given volume of a substance, expressed as moles of solute per litre of solution (molarity).
Debt
Owing something.
Energy
Power derived from the utilisation of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines.
Metabolism
The complex of physical and chemical processes occurring within a living cell or organism that are necessary for the maintenance of life.
Nutrition
Nutritional Science is the study of the effects of food components on the metabolism, health, performance and disease resistance of human and animals. It also includes the study of human behaviors related to food choices.
Oxygen
Oxygen is an element with the chemical symbol O and atomic number 8. Oxygen is a very reactive element that easily forms compounds such as oxides.
Recovery
A return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
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Students will consider the fact that cells in the body can only survive within narrow limits. They require a constant temperature, pH and a constant supply of dissolved food and water. In this section we will explore the nervous system and how it can bring about fast responses. We will also explore the hormonal system which usually brings about much slower changes. Hormonal coordination is particularly important in reproduction since it controls the menstrual cycle. An understanding of the role of hormones in reproduction has allowed scientists to develop not only contraceptive drugs but also drugs which can increase fertility.
There will be an end of topic assessment using past exam questions to be completed under exam conditions and assessed by the teacher.
Homeostasis
The tendency towards a relatively stable equilibrium between interdependent elements, especially as maintained by physiological processes.
Central Nervous System
Brain/ Spinal Cord
Peripheral Nervous System
All other nerves
Sensory Neuron
Connects receptor cells to the CNS
Motor Neuron
Connects the CNS to effector cells
Relay Neuron
Small connector neurons that are only found in the CNS
Receptor Cells
Receive a Stimulus
Effector Cells
Respond to the Stimulus
Synapses
The gaps between neurones
Hormones
Chemicals secreted by glands into the blood stream. They're a slower messenger than nerves but they are longer lasting in the body.
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We will discover how meiosis produces unique offspring, how gene mutations occur continuously and on rare occasions can affect the functioning of organisms both positively and negatively. We will investigate cloning and genetic engineering.
There will be an end of topic assessment.
Asexual
(of reproduction) Not involving the fusion of gametes.
Breeding
The mating and production of offspring by animals.
Evolution
The process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.
Gene
A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring.
Inheritance
The genetic characters transmitted from parent to offspring, taken collectively.
Mutation
The changing of the structure of a gene
Reproduction
The production of offspring by a sexual or asexual process.
Selection
A process in which environmental or genetic influences determine which types of organism thrive better than others, regarded as a factor in evolution.
Sexual
involving the joining of male and female gametes.
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In Classification we will learn how living organisms have been classified into groups and the history behind the systems. We will understand that Evolutionary trees are a method used by scientists to show how they believe organisms are related.
In Ecology the Sun is a source of energy that passes through ecosystems. Materials including carbon and water
are continually recycled by the living world, being released through respiration of animals, plants and
decomposing microorganisms and taken up by plants in photosynthesis. All species live in ecosystems composed of complex communities of animals and plants dependent on each other and that are adapted to particular conditions, both abiotic and biotic. These ecosystems provide essential services that support human life and continued development. In order to continue to benefit from these services humans need to engage with the environment in a sustainable way. In this section we will explore how humans are threatening biodiversity as well as the natural sys
There will be an end of topic assessment using past exam questions to be completed under exam conditions and assessed by the teacher.
Decomposition
The state or process of rotting; decay.
Egestion
The act or process of discharging undigested or waste material from a cell or organism; specifically : defecation.
Excretion
The process of eliminating or expelling waste matter.
Food Chain
A series of organisms each dependent on the next as a source of food.
Food Web
A system of interlocking and interdependent food chains.
Niche
The function or position of a species within an ecological community. A species niche includes the physical environment to which it has become adapted as well as its role as producer and consumer of food resources.
Organism
An individual animal, plant, or single-celled life form.
Pyramid of Biomass
A pyramid of biomass is a better diagram to use. A pyramid of biomass shows the total mass of organisms at each stage of a food chain. In general, all producers have a higher biomass than the primary consumer, so a pyramid will always be produced.
Waste
Eliminated or discarded as no longer useful or required after the completion of a process.
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Pupils will review all learning from Year 9 and 10 in science to complete their end of year exams. This will entail a lot of intensive revision time and personal analysis before returning in Year 11.
The 3 exams will be a set of past exam questions with around 100 marks available in each paper at either a Higher or a Foundation level. They should aim to answer one mark per minute. The questions will be a mixture of short answer and long answer questions, each worth 1-6 marks. Pupils we be expected to recall knowledge, describe and explain theories, complete calculations using memorised equations and apply their understanding to previously unknown data or scenarios.
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We will explore how plants harness the Sun’s energy in photosynthesis in order to
make food. This process liberates oxygen which has built up over millions of years in the Earth’s
atmosphere. Both animals and plants use this oxygen to oxidise food in a process called aerobic
respiration which transfers the energy that the organism needs to perform its functions.
Conversely, anaerobic respiration does not require oxygen to transfer energy. During vigorous
exercise the human body is unable to supply the cells with sufficient oxygen and it switches to
anaerobic respiration. This process will supply energy but also causes the build-up of lactic acid in
muscles which causes fatigue.
There will be an end of topic assessment using past exam questions to be completed under exam conditions and assessed by the teacher.
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