Life Sciences Revision Booklet - Grade 11 Term 1

Introduction

• Purpose: Assist in revising key content and skills from Term 1.
• Prepare for understanding key concepts and application for examinations.
• Topics covered:
  • Biodiversity and classification of microorganisms (29 marks)
  • Biodiversity of plants (29 marks)
  • Biodiversity of animals (18 marks)

Exam Writing Tips

General Tips

• Two exam papers, 150 marks each, 2 hours per paper.
• All questions compulsory, ensure correct stationery is prepared.
• Use pencils for drawings and graphs, and ink for labels.

Exam Approach

• Two sections: Section A (50 marks, multiple choice) and Section B (two questions, 50 marks each).
• Answer multiple choice by eliminating incorrect options.
• Use correct biological terminology and spelling.

Term 1 Content

Biodiversity of Microorganisms

Introduction

• Microorganisms: Viruses, Bacteria, Protists, Fungi.

Viruses

• Acellular, no nucleus, parasites, cause diseases.

Bacteria

• Small, unicellular, prokaryotes, various shapes.

Protista

• Unicellular/multicellular, eukaryotes, diverse means of movement.

Fungi

• Uni/multicellular, eukaryotic, saprophytes/parasites, reproduce via spores.

Environmental Roles

• Producers in food chains.
• Maintain oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
• Decomposers, recycle nutrients.
• Role in nitrogen cycle.

Symbiotic Relationships

• Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in plants.
• Bacteria in human intestines.

Diseases Caused by Microorganisms

• HIV/AIDS (Viruses), Tuberculosis (Bacteria), Malaria (Protists), Thrush (Fungi).

Immunity and Vaccinations

• Immune responses in plants and animals.
• Vaccines stimulate antibody production.

Biodiversity of Plants

Plant Groups

• Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Angiosperms.
• Characteristics: Vascular tissue, reproductive structures, dependence on water.

Reproduction

• Asexual vs Sexual reproduction, advantages and disadvantages.

Flowers as Reproductive Organs

• Structure and adaptation for pollination.
• Types of pollination: Self and Cross.
• Adaptations for wind, insect, and bird pollination.

Biodiversity of Animals

Animal Phyla

• Invertebrates and Vertebrates.
• Phyla: Porifera, Cnidaria, Platyhelminthes, Annelida, Arthropoda, Chordata.

Body Plans

• Symmetry: Radial, Bilateral, Asymmetry.
• Tissue layers: Diploblastic, Triploblastic.
• Body cavities: Acoelomate, Coelomate.

Revision Questions

• Various questions on microorganisms, plants, and animal biodiversity.
• Includes data analysis, comparison, and evaluation questions.

Example Questions (selected)

• Investigating bread mould growth, bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
• Flowers structure and pollination types.
• Phylogenetic trees and body plans of animals.

This revision booklet serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding the key topics in Life Sciences for Grade 11, term 1. Use this to reinforce learning and prepare effectively for examinations.