SECONDARY CARIBBEAN 2024 online version (18 Mar) - Catalog - Page 19
LOWER SECONDARY AND CSEC® SCIENCES
Look inside
‘Biologist’s toolkit’ provides support in all the skills which underpin
successful study, drawing on prior knowledge from other subject areas,
developing and applying skills, giving students practical support in key
areas underpinning the syllabus content.
Chapter opener
showing opening
graphic, learning
objectives and
introductory text.
Chapter
1
The biologist’s toolkit: Asking questions
The structure and function of cells
cluding the cell
tructures in
of cell s
ia, vacuoles,
c ti o n s
s, mitochondr
e fun l wall, nucleu
e th
ndoplasmic reticulum
e
el
d
c
n
,
a
s
e
stat
t
la s
bra n
hlorop
mem somes, c
ir bo
identify selected spe
ci a li s e d
ce
h u m an b o d y a n d e x
pl a i n h ll s i n t h
ow
e
adapted to th
e ir f u n c t h e y a
re
ti o n
w
to sho l
draw and label diagrams
a
d anim
the structure of unspecialise
s
and plant cell
Most science investigations start with a question. Here are some examples of questions that science
can answer:
l
exp
lai
and n the pr
oc
activ
e tra esses of diffusion, osmosis
nsp
imp
ortan ort, and why they are so
t in liv
ing system
s
Which Caribbean island uses the most fossil fuels?
l
Does being obese increase your risk of heart disease?
l
What is my favourite food?
l
Will I get into the school cricket team?
When you plan an investigation, choose the question
you are going to answer carefully. Make sure it can be
answered by science.
Copper-rumped hummingbird
The characteristics of living organisms
All living organisms have specific characteristics, which they display regardless of whether they have one
cell or millions. In some cases, particularly in the larger multicellular animals like humans, it is easy to show
that all these processes are taking place. In others, such as microscopic organisms and plants, we have to
rely on technology to show us what is happening.
The planet we live on teems with a wide variety of living organisms including
animals, plants and microbes. To understand these organisms, both as
individuals and as part of an integrated environment, we need to consider
the most basic facts of life. All living organisms are made up of units called
cells. Some organisms, such as Amoeba, consist of single cells. Others, such as
ourselves, are made up of many millions of cells all working together. Organisms
that contain more than one cell are called multicellular, which means ‘many cells’.
The seven life processes, described in Table 1.1, are common to most living organisms.
Table 1.1 Life processes
Life process
DID YOU
KNOW?
What the examiners say
➜ Candidates often demonstrate a basic understanding of cells, but are
not as competent in explaining their relationship to other topics such as
diseases or respiration.
➜ Candidates are sometimes unable to differentiate between fundamental
concepts such as breathing and respiration, or discuss differences
between living and non-living things.
➜ There are repeated misconceptions regarding the functions of cells. For
example, one misconception is that one of the functions of red blood
cells is to transport nutrients around the body, while white blood cells
aid in coagulation.
6
Which flowers do copper-rumped
hummingbirds like best?
l
However, science cannot answer all questions, for example:
s
stic
teri
arac ms
e ch
s
be th organi
descri
ing
of liv
’What the
examiners say’
feature identifies
areas of difficulty
and helps students
understand what is
expected of them in
the examination.
Scientists ask a lot of questions! This is how we find out more about the living world around us.
There are many different types of questions. Some of them are answered by science. A scientific
question is one we answer by collecting and thinking about data. Data is information. It may be
numbers from measurements, or words or drawings describing observations.
Human beings
contain an
enormous number
of cells. Estimates
range from 10
million million
cells to 100 million
million cells – no
wonder no one has
been able to count
them accurately!
Illustration
Description
Movement
All these flowers The process by which all organisms
get nearer to things they need or away
have turned to
from problems. Animals move using
face the Sun.
muscles; plants move more slowly
using growth (Figure 1.2).
Respiration
Respiration
supplies energy
to the cells of
all organisms
including this
hummingbird.
The process by which living organisms
get the energy from their food.
The characteristics of living organisms
The structure and function of cells
7
Tables, charts and diagrams make information
clear and accessible, with step-by-step guidance
on how to research, present and analyse data.
End-of-section questions, including data
analysis questions, case studies and
revision toolkit suggestions.
b
c
Explain the activities in these stages of water purification in a water treatment plant.
i
Screening
ii
Sedimentation
iii
Chlorination
Name three illnesses caused by the long-term effects of air pollution.
(2)
(4)
(2)
(3)
Extensive support in selecting, planning, conducting
and writing up the SBA project. This section provides
a step-by-step guide which demystifies the process
and supports students in achieving a meaningful and
academically successful outcome.
Section The School-Based
F
Data analysis
1
Using the data in the table below, construct a pie chart showing the amount of air pollutants
in an air sample.
Air pollutant
Carbon monoxide
Methane
Sulfur dioxide
Nitrous oxide
Hydrogen sulphide
2
(6)
Learning outcomes
Concentration in air
sample (p.p.m)
560
450
350
200
100
Do you think that the air in this sample came from polluted air? Why?
Assessment (SBA) and
the Alternative Paper
At the end of Section F you will:
l
(3)
Case study
understand how to carry out a School-Based Assessment
research project
l
be able to produce your School-Based Assessment project report
l
understand the assessment criteria used to mark your SchoolBased Assessment
l
understand how to approach a Case study question in the
Alternative Paper.
A new eco-resort is being planned in a Caribbean country that has been having decreasing
amounts of rain. This eco-resort is being built in a forested hillside area approximately 10 kilometres
from a very busy industrial estate that releases high levels of waste gases.
1
Which three pollution issues must be considered? Explain your answer.
2
What advice would you give to the owner of this resort on how to reduce the effects
of the pollution?
(6)
3
What part will the surrounding forested hillside play in reducing the greenhouse effect on
the eco-resort?
(3)
(6)
Revision tool kit 5
Study groups
Study groups can be very effective for some people, but do not work very well for others. How well
they work will depend on the members of the group! So, before you join a study group, you need
to ask yourself a number of questions:
486
l
How many people are in the group? Can you work well as a group of that size?
l
Are there people in the group whom you find distracting? Will you distract others?
l
Does the group meet at convenient times and places?
The impact of health practices on the environment
Return to the contents page
488
The School-Based Assessment (SBA) and the Alternative Paper
ANY QUESTIONS?
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hoddereducation.com/contact-us
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