Pre – IB BIOLOGY 9/10
1. Characteristics of living organisms: List the characteristics of living organisms. Define - nutrition, excretion, respiration, movement, growth, and reproduction.
2. Cell structure and organization: State that living systems are made up of cells. Identify a typical plant cell and animal cell. Describe the differences between plant and animal cells. Relate cell structure to their function- Examples: Ciliated cells, root-hair cells, xylem vessels, muscle cells and red blood cells.
3. Levels of organization: Define tissue, organ, and organ-system.
4. Size of specimens: Calculate magnification and size of organisms.
5. Movement in and out of cells: Define diffusion, osmosis and active transport.
6. Enzymes: Define enzymes, state the effect of temperature and pH on enzyme activity.
7. Nutrition: Define nutrition. List the elements that make up carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Describe the synthesis of large molecules from simple basic units. Describe tests for starch, reducing sugars, proteins and fats. Diet and its importance. Describe deficiency symptoms for lack of vitamins C and D as well as calcium and iron. Define photosynthesis and state the balanced chemical equation for the process. Investigate and state the conditions necessary for photosynthesis Define balanced diet, digestion and egestion. Identify the main regions of the alimentary canal. Describe the functions of the main parts of the alimentary canal and associated organs – liver, pancreas and gall bladder. Chemical process of digestion of food. Absorption and assimilation of food
8. Transportation: Transport in plants – Function of xylem and phloem. Absorption and uptake of water in plants. Transpiration. Translocation of sucrose and amino acids. Transport in animals – Describe the human circulatory system. Identify the structure of heart, arteries and veins. Composition of blood. Function of blood.
9. Respiration: Define respiration. State the balanced chemical equation for respiration. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
10. Excretion in humans: Define excretion. Identify metabolic waste substances. Structure and function of kidney.
11. Coordination and response: Describe the human central and peripheral nervous system. Brain and spinal cord – areas of coordination. Structure and function of neurons. Reflex arc. Sense organs.
12. Reproduction: Define asexual and sexual reproduction. Advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction. Identify and draw the parts of a typical flower. Define pollination and fertilization. Methods of dispersal of seeds. Identify parts of the male and female human reproductive system relating to their function. Describe the menstrual cycle. Outline processes involved in labor and birth. Advantages and disadvantages of breast feeding compared to bottle feeding. Methods of birth control. Sexually transmitted diseases.
13. Growth and development: Define growth and development.
14. Inheritance: Define inheritance. Define the terms – Chromosomes, gene, allele, haploid and diploid nucleus. Describe sex inheritance in humans. Define mitosis and meiosis. Define the terms – Genotype, phenotype, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive. Describe the inheritance of blood groups. Variation and natural selection. Artificial selection and genetic engineering.
15. Ecosystem: Ecosystems, food chains and food webs. Pyramids of numbers, biomass and energy. Carbon, nitrogen and water cycle. Human population growth. Human impact on environment. Pollution. Waste management.