Topic 1 - Living Organisms:

The 5 Common Characteristics of Living Organisms: (WAGER)

1) Produce Waste 2) Respond and Adapt to Environments 3) Grow4) Need Energy5) Reproduce

# Which of the functions listed above matches with statements below?

Cat purrs when petted

A robin eats a worm

A plant gives off oxygen

A long distance runner sweats after running 1 km

Think about it: A biologist from another galaxy might think that automobiles are a dominant form of life on planet Earth. Automobiles move, consume gasoline and oil, and produce wastes. They are sheltered in garages and respond to stimuli. Automobiles age and break down, but new automobiles appear every year. They evolve, changing in appearance from year to year. What arguments would you use to persuade the alien visitors that cars are not alive?

Body Organization:

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Cells: smallest unit that can perform the function of life.Tissues: Group of cells with the same structure and function.Organ: Group of tissues that work together to perform a function.System: Group of organs that work together to perform a function within the body.Organism: Form of life with organs that sustain it.

Questions:

1. How are a dandelion and a deer alike? How are they different?

2. Why might a biologist think that the cell is the most important characteristic of living organisms?

3. What is the one big difference between tissues and organs?

Topic 2 – Microscopes:

Microscope Part FunctionEyepiece The part you look through. It has a lens that magnifies the object,

usually for 10XBody Tube Holds the eyepiece and the objective lenses at the proper working

distance from each other.Revolving Nosepiece

Rotating disk that holds two or more objective lenses. Turn it to change lenses. Each lens clicks into place.

Objective Lens Magnifies the object. Different lenses provide different levels of magnification.

Fine-adjustment knob

Use with medium and high-powered magnification to bring the object into sharper focus.

Coarse-adjustment knob

Moves the tube or stage up or down to bring the object into focus. Use it only with the low-power objective lens.

Stage Supports the microscope slide. Clips hold the slide in position. A hole in the center of the stage allows the light from the light source to pass through the slide.

Condenser lens Directs light to the object being viewed.Diaphragm Controls the amount of light reaching the object being viewed.Light Source Lights the object being viewed.

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Topic 3 – Cells:

Cell Theory:1. All living things are made up of one or

more cells.2. Cells are the basic units of structure

and function in all organisms

All organisms are made up of cells. Some are:- multicellular: many-celled organisms- unicellular: single celled organisms

Even though unicellular organisms are made up of only one cell, they are not simple. Each has its way of moving, obtaining food, and carrying out all other functions essential for life.

Each cell must carry out activities to keep it alive. To carry out these functions, each cell has specialized structures, called organelles. Each organelle has a specific job.

Organelle FunctionCell Membrane Surrounds and protects the cell, controls the movement of

substances in and out of the cellCytoplasm A jellylike substance that constantly moves throughout the cell,

distributing materials.Nucleus Controls the cell’s activities and contains the chromosomes.

Enclosed by a nuclear membrane which controls what goes in and out of the cell.

Vacuoles Storage places in the cell for food, waste, etc.

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Cell Wall Only exists in plants. Cell walls provide support for plant cells.Chloroplasts Only found in green plant cells. This is where photosynthesis

takes place.

Topic 4 – Fluid Movement in Cells:

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Cell Membranes (and all membranes) can be:

Selectively Permeable - Only certain substances are allowed to cross.Permeable - All substances are allowed to cross.Impermeable - No substances are allowed to cross.

Diffusion: Diffusion is the tendency of particles in a gas or liquid to become evenly distributed

Osmosis: Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a membrane. Water will move from a solution of lower concentration to a solution of higher solute concentration.

Plant Structure:

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Roots:1) Absorb water and minerals2) Support and anchor the plant3) Store food

Stems:1) supports top of the plant2) transports water and nutrients between leaves and roots

Vascular Tissues: Bark- stops trees from drying out, protects and insulates the plant.Phloem - Carries sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant.Cambium - Produces new phloem and xylem each year.Xylem - carries water and nutrients from the roots up to the leaves.

Transpiration - Loss of water from a plant through evaporation.

Push and Pull

How is water pushed and pulled through the plant?

Water absorbed by the root hairs pushes the water up the Xylem.

Water loss by transpiration pulls the water up the Xylem.

Topic 5 - Specialized Cells:

Different cells have different structures and functions:

Type of Cell Shape (Structure) Function

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Muscle Elongated and tapered on either end

Move parts of the body

Skin Flat and thin, brick-shaped or honeycomb

Fit closely together to form a continuous protective layer

Nerve Long branched fibres running from the main part of the cell

To carry nerve signals from one part of the body to another

Blood Thin, disc-like Carry oxygen in the bloodstream(giving them a large surface area to collect oxygen)

Bone Thick, mineral matrix

To provide support

The Advantages of Being Multi-cellular:- Size- Versatility

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Multi-cellular organisms can:- live in a wide variety of environments- grow very large- obtain their energy from a wide variety of foods- have complex bodies- specialize functions and work in harmony with other cells

Cells with the same structure and function form tissueTissues form organsOrgans work together in organ systemsSystems work together to form an organism

TissuesTissues are groups of similar cells that work together, having similar structure and function.

OrgansEach organ is made up of several tissues all working together.  They are distinct structures in the body that perform particular functions. (Plants have organs as well as roots, stem and leaves)

SystemsOrgans work together to perform activities that help the organism function as a whole. Plants typically have two systems (root system and shoot stems and leaves system). A reproductive system (flowers, fruits and seeds) is often produced at certain times as well.

 Questions:1. Why do cells in your body need to be specialized?

2. Why do nerve cells have long fibers, whereas red blood cells are thin and disk like?

Topic 6 & 7 – Body Systems & Health:

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Digestive System:

The digestive system is made up of organs that break down food into protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats, which the body needs for energy, growth, and repair. After food is chewed and swallowed, it goes down the esophagus and enters the stomach, where it is further broken down by powerful stomach acids. From the stomach the food travels into the small intestine. This is where your food is broken down into nutrients that can enter the bloodstream through tiny hair-like projections. The excess food that the body doesn't need or can't digest is turned into waste and is eliminated from the body.

Respiratory System:

The respiratory system brings air into the body and removes carbon dioxide. It includes the nose, trachea, and lungs. When you breathe in, air enters your nose or mouth and goes down a long tube called the trachea. The trachea branches into two bronchial tubes, or primary bronchi, which go to the lungs. The primary bronchi branch off into even smaller bronchial tubes, or bronchioles. The bronchioles end in the alveoli, or air sacs. Oxygen follows this path and passes through the walls of the air sacs and blood vessels and enters the blood stream. At the same time, carbon dioxide passes into the lungs and is exhaled.

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Nervous System:

The nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves. One of the most important systems in your body, the nervous system is your body's control system. It sends, receives, and processes nerve impulses throughout the body. These nerve impulses tell your muscles and organs what to do and how to respond to the environment.

Circulatory System:

The circulatory system is the body's transport system, made up of organs that transport blood throughout the body. The heart pumps the blood and the arteries and veins transport it. Oxygen-rich blood leaves the left side of the heart and travels through the body through arteries, which then branch into even smaller vessels that travel all over the body. When blood enters the smallest blood vessels, which are called capillaries, and are found in body tissue, it gives nutrients and oxygen to the cells and takes in carbon dioxide, water, and waste. The blood then goes back to the heart through veins. Veins carry waste products away from cells and bring blood back to the heart, which pumps it to the lungs to pick up oxygen and eliminate waste carbon dioxide. The exchange of carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O2) happens in the alveoli.

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Excretory System:

The excretory system eliminates waste from the body, in the form of urine. The kidneys remove waste from the blood. The waste combines with water to form urine. From the kidneys, urine travels down two thin tubes called ureters to the bladder. When the bladder is full, urine is discharged through the urethra.

Nutrition:

Starch and sugars are carbohydrates and provide the body with its main source of energy. Starch is a complex carbohydrate found in fleshy fruits, cereal grains, beans and peas. Fats are also essential in our diet. Fats provide us with energy and cushion out vital organs from shock. A proper diet ad exercise will ensure that you have enough fat for the proper functioning of your body, but not more than you need. Proteins found in foods such as meat, fish and eggs are essential for growth and repair of body tissues. In order to obtain all the protein that is required, vegetarians must be careful to eat a combination of plants. In addition to carbohydrates, fats and proteins, a complete, healthy diet provides all the minerals and vitamins that a person needs.

Exercise:

Our bodies need proper care to function properly. Exercise helps the body process food and oxygen more efficiently. A healthy heart and lungs help carry materials to the cells and get rid of wastes. Strong muscles help protect your body from injury. Your body is designed to work, and you feel better when you are active. Healthy lifestyle habits make you feel better, and they help your body resist illness and recover from injury or infection.

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