CSEC Biology Notes

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [A10] Explain the ways in which other living organisms depend on plants directly or indirectly for food;  [A11] Explain the principles of a food chain and food web;  CSEC BIOLOGY  [A3.1] identify the relative positions of producers and consumers in food chains; [A3.2] identify from each habitat: a food chain containing at least four organisms;  [A3.3] identify from each habitat: herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore;  [A3.4] identify from each habitat: predator/prey relationships; [A3.5] construct a food web to include different trophic levels;  [A3.6] explain the role of decomposers;  [A4.1] explain energy flow within a food chain or web; 

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [A14] describe the recycling of carbon and nitrogen in nature. 

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [A8] explain the process of photosynthesis; [A9] investigate the effect of light and chlorophyll on the production of starch;  CSEC BIOLOGY  [B2.2] describe the process of photosynthesis in green plants; [B2.3] relate the structure of the leaf of a flowering plant to its function in photosynthesis;  [B2.4] explain how environmental factors affect the rate of photosynthesis;

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB  [A6] explain the importance of passive and active transport in living systems; 

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [A4] identify selected cells which make up the human body;  [A5] explain the importance of cell specialisation in humans;  CSEC BIOLOGY  [B1.5] explain the importance of cell specialisation in multicellular organisms;  SPECIALISED VS UNSPECIALISED CELLS  Unicellular organisms are just one cell in size. These cells are said to be unspecialised or undifferentiated . In unicellular organisms, these cells are independent, carrying out all the life processes by themselves.  Multicellular organisms consist of up to trillions of cells, depending on the organism. In a multicellular organism, there are great differences between cells, even as they have the same basic structure. Each type of cell is specialised to do a specific job, such as feeding, support, communication, or defense.  A specialised cell is a cell that has been changed to carry out a specific job in a multicellular organism. Differentiation / Cell Specialisation is...

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [A2] compare the structures of an unspecialized plant and animal cell, and selected microbes [virus, bacteria, fungi] ;  [A3] state the functions of cell structures and organelles; 

Making drawings or diagrams is an important aspect of describing biological structures.  Correctly done drawings follow specific rules, as set by CXC. These rules reflect drawing conventions in the scientific world.  Here are examples of diagrams that follow these rules:    DIAGRAM OF TYPICAL ANIMAL & PLANT CELLS  DIAGRAM OF A HUMERUS BONE  Here are the rules: Use pencil only . That includes labels and title.  Use clear, unbroken lines.  Do not shade. However, stippling is allowed where absolutely necessary, such as distinguishing tissue layers that are very similar.  Draw in 2D. That is only length and width. Not depth.  Place title below drawing. It should be all capital letter and underlined.  Label lines should end horizontally and be justified.  Annotate labels wherever possible.  The following video demonstrates some of these rules, using the drawing of a leaf.  The following is an example of a CXC-style mar...

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  [A1] describe the characteristics of living organisms; 

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [B1.5] perform tests to distinguish among food nutrients; 

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB  [B1.10] discuss the importance of a balanced diet; [B1.11] discuss the effects of malnutrition on the human body; 

SYLLABUS REFERENCE  HSB [B1.1] distinguish between macro and micronutrients; [B1.2] discuss the functions of macronutrients; [B1.3] discuss the functions of micronutrients; [B1.4] state the cause, symptoms, and treatments of deficiency diseases;  [B1.5] classify vitamins as fat- or water-soluble