Biology in Years 7 and 8
This page is still being worked on, but below you can find an outline
of the topics you will study during KS3.
Please let your teacher know if there is something specific you would
like to see on the site.
KEY STAGE 3 BIOLOGY PROGRAMME OF
STUDY
1. Cells and
cell functions
By the end of this topic you should
know:
a
that animal and plant cells can form tissues, and tissues can form organs
b
the functions of chloroplasts and cell walls in plant cells and the
functions of the cell membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus in both plant and animal
cells
c
ways in which some cells, including ciliated epithelial cells, sperm,
ova, and root hair cells, are adapted to their functions
d
that fertilisation in humans and flowering plants is the fusion of a male
and a female cell
e
to relate cells and cell functions to life processes in a variety of
organisms.
2. Humans as
organisms
By the end of this topic you should know
Nutrition
a
about the need for a balanced diet containing carbohydrates, proteins,
fats, minerals, vitamins, fibre and water, and about foods that are sources
of these
b
the principles of digestion, including the role of enzymes in breaking
down large molecules into smaller ones
c
that the products of digestion are absorbed into the bloodstream and
transported throughout the body, and that waste material is egested
d
that food is used as a fuel during respiration to maintain the body's
activity and as a raw material for growth and repair
Movement
e
the role of the skeleton and joints and the principle of antagonistic
muscle pairs [for example, biceps and triceps]
in movement
Reproduction
f
about the physical and emotional changes that take place during
adolescence
g
about the human reproductive system, including the menstrual cycle and
fertilisation
h
how the fetus develops in the uterus, including the role of the placenta
Breathing
i
the role of lung structure in gas exchange, including the effect of
smoking
Respiration
j
that aerobic respiration involves a reaction in cells between oxygen and
food, in which glucose is broken down into carbon dioxide and water
k
to summarise aerobic respiration in a word equation
l
that the reactants and products of respiration are transported throughout
the body in the bloodstream
Health
m
that the abuse of alcohol, solvents, and other drugs affects health
n
how the growth and reproduction of bacteria and the replication of
viruses can affect health, and how the body's natural defences may be enhanced
by immunisation and medicines.
3.Green plants
as organisms
By the end of this topic you should know
Nutrition and growth
a
that plants need carbon dioxide, water and light for photosynthesis, and
produce biomass and oxygen
b
to summarise photosynthesis in a word equation
c
that nitrogen and other elements, in addition to carbon, oxygen and
hydrogen, are required for plant growth
d
the role of root hairs in absorbing water and minerals from the soil
Respiration
e
that plants carry out aerobic respiration.
4. Variation,
classification and inheritance
By the end of this topic you should know:
Variation
a
about environmental and inherited causes of variation within a species
Classification
b
to classify living things into the major taxonomic groups
Inheritance
c
that selective breeding can lead to new varieties.
5. Living
things in their environment
You should know:
Adaptation and competition
a
about ways in which living things and the environment can be protected,
and the importance of sustainable development
b
that habitats support a diversity of plants and animals that are
interdependent
c
how some organisms are adapted to survive daily and seasonal changes in
their habitats
d
how predation and competition for resources affect the size of
populations [for example, bacteria, growth of
vegetation]
Feeding relationships
e
about food webs composed of several food chains, and how food chains can
be quantified using pyramids of numbers
f
how toxic materials can accumulate in food chains e.g., DDT.
