Biology

Factors Affecting Organism Distribution

Relate the effects of abiotic factors (temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind speed/direction, altitude, salinity, turbidity, pH, edaphic conditions) on organism distribution and use appropriate equipment to measure them. Describe how activities of plants/animals (particularly human) affect the distribution of organisms.

Living Organisms

Differentiate between characteristics of living and non-living things. Identify the structures of plant and animal cells, analyze functions of their components, and compare and contrast their structures. Trace the levels of organization among organisms in their logical sequence: Cell (e.g. euglena, paramecium), Tissue (e.g. epithelial tissues, hydra), Organ (e.g. onion bulb), Systems (e.g. reproductive, digestive, excretory), Organisms (e.g. Chlamydomonas).

Internal Structure of Plants and Animals

Identify transverse sections and relate the structure to functions of flowering plant organs (root, stem, leaf), including supporting tissues (collenchyma, sclerenchyma, xylem, phloem fibres) and their distribution. Examine the arrangement of mammalian internal organs and describe the appearance and position of digestive, reproductive, and excretory organs.

Theories of Evolution

Relate organic evolution as the sum total of all adaptive changes that have taken place over a long period of time resulting in the diversity of forms, structures, and functions among organisms. Explain the contributions of Lamarck and Darwin to the theory of evolution. State the evidences in support of organic evolution.