Beaconhurst School

Senior School - Science - Biology

Staff

Mrs Linda Robinson, BSc, PGCE

Transtion-S2 Courses:

Transition Science
In transition we have a topic-based approach with as much practical work included as possible.

Rocks and Crystals
Types of rocks and their formation. Tests for identifying rocks e.g. hardness, `fizz test`. Growing crystals and crystal structure

Life Cycles
Asexual sexual reproduction compared. Asexual reproduction in both plants and animals. Sexual reproduction in plants and animals, with emphasis on humans.

The Solar System and Stars
Stars and planets. Positions, relative size, distance etc. of planets. Star life cycle. Astronomers - observing the night sky. Exploring our solar system.

Metals and Plastics
Names, alloys and pure metals. Corrosion. Extraction of metals from ores. Properties of metals. Advantages and disadvantages of plastics. Contrast properties with traditional materials; metal, wood, glass, etc. Names of some plastics. Testing their strength.

Water
Pressure and its consequences. Surface tension. Capillary action, meniscus. Siphon. Syringes. Water wheel, water power, paddle boat. Useful and destructive power

Tools
Idea of tools to make work easier. Simple tools e.g. levers, pulleys, and gears
Construction of useful objects using simple tools. Making a useful object from wood using a variety of hand tools.

Investigations:
These are used as a means of delivering certain aspects of the course at the discretion of the teacher.

S1 – Biology

Classification and Keys

  • Characteristics of living things
  • Classification of plants and animals
  • Scientific Names
  • Using keys to Identify living things

Cells and Microscopes

  • Using a Microscope
  • Structure and Function of Cells
  • Differences between Plant and Animal cells
  • Organisation of cells into Tissues/Organs/Systems

Food and Digestion

  • The Need for Food
  • Food types and Food tests
  • Balanced Diets
  • The Need for Digestion
  • The Digestive System

Releasing Energy from Food

  • Lungs and Breathing
  • Blood and Circulation
  • Responding to the Environment

S2 – Biology

Photosynthesis

  • Production of Starch
  • Testing a leaf for Starch
  • Conditions needed for Photosynthesis
  • Rate of Photosynthesis
  • Leaf structure, including Stomata.
  • Role of Photosynthesis in food chains and webs

Microorganisms

  • Harmful and Beneficial effects of Micro Organisms
  • Growing Microbes
  • Biotechnology

Variation

  • Continuous and Discontinuous
  • Genes and Chromosomes
  • Evolution

S3-S6 Courses:

The Standard Grade course covers the following elements:

  • The Biosphere
  • The World of Plants
  • Animal survival
  • Investigating Cells
  • The body in action
  • Inheritance
  • Biotechnology

A detailed breakdown of the contents for each of these Standard Grade topics is provided in the Standard Grade arrangements provided by the S.Q.A.

Intermediate 2 Biology

This course comprises three units, detailed as shown:

Unit 1 – Living Cells:

  • Structure and function of cells
  • Diffusion and osmosis
  • Enzyme action
  • Respiration
  • Photosynthesis

Unit 2 – Environmental Biology and Genetics:

  • Energy flow
  • Factors affecting the variety of species in an ecosystem
  • Genotype and phenotype
  • Applied genetics

Unit 3 – Animal Physiology:

  • Mammalian nutrition
  • Control of the internal environment
  • Circulation and gas exchange
  • Brain and nervous system

S5 - Higher Biology:

This comprises three units, each subdivided as detailed:

Unit 1 – Cell Biology

  • Cell variety in relation to function
  • Absorption and secretion of materials
  • ATP and energy release
  • Chemistry of respiration
  • Role of photosynthetic pigments
  • Chemistry of photosynthesis
  • DNA and its replication
  • RNA and protein synthesis
  • Functional variety of proteins
  • Viruses
  • Cellular defence mechanisms

Unit 2 – Genetics and Adaptation

  • Meiosis
  • Monohybrid cross
  • Dihybrid cross and linkage
  • Sex linkage
  • Mutation
  • Natural Selection
  • Speciation
  • Adaptive radiation
  • Extinction and conservation
  • Artificial selection
  • Maintaining a water balance - animals
  • Maintaining a water balance - plants
  • Obtaining food - animals
  • Obtaining food - plants
  • Coping with dangers

Unit 3 – Control and Regulation

  • Plant growth
  • Growth patterns
  • Genetic control
  • Hormonal influence on growth
  • Effects of chemicals on growth
  • Effect of light on growth
  • Physiological homeostasis
  • Regulation of populations
  • Monitoring populations
  • Succession in plant communities.

S6 Advanced Higher Biology:

This consists of three mandatory Units:

  • Cell and Molecular Biology (40hr)
  • Environmental Biology (40hr)
  • Biology Investigation (20hr) – carried out by the student on a topic of their choice.

And an additional half unit :

  • Animal Behaviour (20hr)

Further details can be found in the Higher Still Arrangements Document produced by the S.Q.A.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Science Club
Open to pupils from J5 to S2. We are members of the British Association for the advancement of Science and pupils work towards their “Young Investigators” Bronze awards and some of the older pupils are just starting to work on Crest (Creativity in Science and Technology) awards.