YEAR NINE

BIOLOGY AND GEOLOGY

Unit Syllabus Standards of leaning

1st Term
Unit 1. The cell; types of cells; Describe the cell; types of cells; the
the anatomy and anatomy and funcion of organelles.
General
funcion of organelles.
organisation of Define the different transport systems
Transport systems
the human across the cell membrane: diffusion;
across the cell
body. [6h] osmosis; active transport; endocytosis and
membrane exocytosis.
The organisation of the State the organisation of the human body:
human body: cells, cells, tissues, organs, systems.
tissues, organs,
systems. The Discuss the importance of chemical
importance of chemical compounds in organisms, including ions,
compounds in acids and bases.
organisms, including Apply knowledge of chemical formulation
ions, acids and bases. and the IUPAC rules of naming inorganic
Revision of chemical compounds.
formulation and the
IUPAC rules of naming
inorganic compounds.
Unit 2. Concepts of health and Define the concepts of health and illness
illness according to the WHO.
Health and
illness. [5h] Infectious and Outline the differences between infectious
noninfectious diseases. and noninfectious diseases.
Hygiene and the State examples of infectious and
prevention of diseases. noninfectious diseases.
The immune system. Describe the transmission of infectious
Vaccines. diseases.
Addictive substances:
Demonstrate the importance of hygiene
tabacco, alcohol and and the prevention of diseases.
other drugs. Their
associated problems. Recall the most important methods of
treating diseases: serumtherapy; drug
therapy and antibiotics.
State the concept of pathogen, antigen and
antibody.
Describe the external defences of the
immune system.
Outline the function of lymphocytes B
and T as part of the internal defences of
the immune system.
 Describe vaccination.
Summarise the issue of addictive
substances, including tobacco, alcohol and
other drugs.
Unit 3. Nutrition, food and Outline the concepts of nutrition, food
health. and healthy eating.
Nutrition.
[15h] Nutrients, foods and Define the principle nutrients and state
healthy eating habits. their functions in the human body.
Eating disorders. Describe the function of nutrition.
The function of Define digestion.
nutrition.
Define food intake and balanced diet.
The anatomy and
physiology of the Design a balanced diet.
digestive, respiratory, Describe the main characteristics of the
circulatory and Mediterranean diet.
excretory systems.
Discuss eating disorders and diseases
Common disorders and related to eating habits.
illnesses in the above
systems, and possible Outline the anatomy and physiology of
preventions. the digestive, respiratory, circulatory and
excretory systems.
Advice for a healthy
lifestyle. Label diagrams of the digestive,
respiratory, circulatory and excretory
systems.
Outline the role of enzymes in digestion.
Summarise the role each organ of the
digestive system plays in digestion.
Describe the process of inhalation and
exhalation.
Explain gas exchange in the alveoli with
reference to diffusion.
Describe how the alveoli are well-adapted
to their function.
State the composition of blood and
describe its function.
Define the 3 types of blood cells and
outline their functions.
Describe the 3 types of blood vessels and
suggest how their structure is realted to
their function.
Describe the heart´s structure and
function.
Outline the movement of blood around
 the body and summarise the changes in
its composition.
State the different components of the
excretory system and explain why they
are considered part of the excretory
system.
Describe the anatomy and physiology of
the kidney.
Label diagrams of a kidney and a
nephron.
Describe the production of urine.
Describe common disorders and illnesses
in the above systems, and possible
preventions.
Present advice for a healthy lifestyle.
Unit 4. Interaction with the Outline how organisms interact with their
internal and external environment.
Interaction
environment.
and Describe the nervous system: the
coordination The nervous system and locomotor system; organization and
[6h] the endocrine system. functional relationship between bones and
Coordination and the muscles.
nervous system. Describe how information is registered,
Organisation and processed and delivered so the body
function. responds.
The endocrine system: Label a diagrams of nerves and neurones.
glands and their
functions. The main Outline the role of the spinal cord in
disorders of the reflex actions.
endocrine system. Describe the structure and function of the
different areas of the brain.
Describe the sense organs: structure and
function, care and hygiene.
State advice for prevention of injuries.
Identify the differences between the
nervous sytem and the endocrine system.
Describe the endocrine system: its
function; glands and possible disorders.
Outline the role of hormones in controling
processes in the body.
State examples of glands and the
hormones they produce (insuline,
glucagon and adrenaline).
 2nd Term
Unit 5. Human reproduction. Define the concept of human
reproduction.
Reproduction. Anatomy and
[8h] physiology of State the differences between sexual and
reproductive systems. asexual reproduction.
Physical and Describe the anatomy and physiology of
psychological changes the male and female reproductive
during adolescence. systems.
The menstrual cycle. Label diagrams of human reproductive
Fertilization, pregnancy systems, structures within themand the
and childbirth gametes.
Different contraceptive Describe the process of gametogenesis.
methods. Assisted Outline physical and psychological
reproduction changes during adolescence.
techniques.
Summarise the menstrual cycle and
Sexually transmitted outline the role of the 4 main hormones.
diseases and prevention
techniques. Apply knowledge to explain diagrams that
represent the menstrual cycle.
Human sexual
responses. Describe fertilization, pregnancy,
childbirth and assisted reproduction
Sex and sexuality.
techniques.
Sexual health and Analyse different contraceptive methods.
hygiene.
Outline examples of sexually transmitted
diseases and prevention techniques.
Define sexual health.
Discuss sex and sexuality.
Unit 6. The structure of the Describe the structure of the nucleus and
nucleus and its its functions.
Genetics I.
functions.
[12h] Outline the differences between
The cell cycle: mitosis chromatine and chomosomes.
and meiosis. Explain the cell cycle.
Inheritance and the Define mitosis and meiosis.
transmission of
characteristics. Label diagrams of the cell cycle and cell
division.
The introduction and
development of Identify the main stages of the cell cycle
Mendel’s Laws. and cell division and state what processes
are occuring in each.
Genetic problems using
Punnett squares State at which stage of meiosis genetic
variation is produced and describe the
Chromosomal
mechanisms.
foundations of
Outline the difference between diploid
 Mendel’s Laws. and haploid cells; homozygous and
heterozygous organisms.
Application of
Mendel’s Laws Define genotype; phenotype; allele;
dominant; recessive;
complete/incomplete/co-dominance.
Apply knowledge of heredity and the
inheritence of characteristics.
Describe Mendel´s laws of inheritence.
Solve genetic problems using Punnett
squares for alleles with
complete/incomplete/co-dominance; sex-
linked and mono/dihybrid crosses.
Apply Mendel´s laws to the inheritence of
alleles.
Outline factors that affect Mendel´s ratios.
Unit 7. The nucleic acids. Draw the nucleic acids.
Genetics II. DNA and molecular Describe the structure of DNA.
[12h] genetics. Outline the process of DNA replication.
The process of DNA Define the concept of a gene.
replication.
Explain the genetic code and how genetic
The concept of a gene. information is expressed refering to
How genetic transcription and translation and the role
information is of RNA.
expressed. The Genetic Define the concept of mutation and
code. Mutations. discuss its relationship with evolution.
Relationship to
evolution. Define genetic engineering.
Genetic engineering: Outline the role of enzymes in genetic
techniques and engineering.
applications. Describe the applications of genetic
engineering.
3rd Term
Unit 8. Theories of the origins Summarise the 4 main theories of the
of life on Earth. origins of life on Earth.
Evolution
[10h] Theories of evolution. Define evolution.
The fact and Describe the differences between the
mechanisms of theories of Lamarck and Darwin.
evolution. Explain Darwin´s theory of evolution.
Human evolution: the Apply Darwin´s 3 observations of 2
process of conclusions to a given example.
anthropogenesis.
Describe neo-Darwinism.
 Explain the evidence and mechanisms of
evolution.
Apply the modern theory of evolution to
given examples.
Unit 9. The structure of Describe the structure of ecosystems.
ecosystems.
Ecology and Define species, population and
the Components of an community.
environment. ecosystem: Define the biotic and abiotic components
[12h] communities and of an ecosystem.
habitats.
Explain interspecific and intraspecific
Trophic relations in relationships.
foodchains and
foodwebs. Interpret trophic relations in foodchains
and foodwebs.
Habitats and ecological
niches. Define habitats and ecological niches.
Limiting factors and Explain limiting factors and adaptations.
adaptations. Explain the cycle of matter and energy
The cycle of matter and flow through ecosystems.
energy. Ecological Define biomass.
pyramids. Biochemical
cycles. Analyse ecological pyramids.
Impacts and evaluation Describe biogeochemical cycles.
of human activities on Analyse and explain impacts of human
ecosystems. activities on ecosystems.
Overpopulation and its Discuss overpopulation and its
consequences, consequences, including: deforestation,
including: overfishing, fires.
deforestation,
overfishing, fires.
Unit 10. The origin and history Describe the origin and history of the
of the Earth. Earth.
Dynamic
Earth. [10h] Geological time and Outline the physical characteristics of the
historical ideas on the Earth.
age of the Earth. Discuss the concept of geological time and
Principles and evaluate historical ideas on the age of the
procedures that allow Earth.
historical Describe methods that allow us to
reconstruction. calculate the age of the Earth and its
Geological eras and interior.
time periods. The State the location of important geological
location of important and biological events.
geological and
biological events.