The use of magnifying lens

External features of Plantae, Arthropoda and Chordata

Necessity and significance of classification

Major units of classification

Binomial nomenclature

Review of binomial nomenclature

General principles of classification

General characteristics of kingdoms: Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.

Main characteristics of major divisions of plantae: Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Spematophyta (cover subdivision Gymnospermae and Angiospermae). For Angiopermae cover classes monocotyledonae and dicotyledonae

Main characteristics of the Phyla Arthropoda and Chordata (cover up to classes as shown) • Arthropoda: diplopoda, chilopoda, insecta, crustacea, arachnida • Chordata: pisces (emphasis on sub-class osteochythes), amphibia, reptilia, aves, mammalia

Construction and use of simple dichotomous keys based on observable features of plants and animals

Definition of the cell

Structure and functions of parts of a light microscope

Use and care of the light microscope

Cell structure and functions as seen under • a light microscope • an electron microscope

Preparation of temporary slides of plant cells

Estimation of cell size

Cell specialization, tissues, organs and organ systems

Meaning of cell physiology

Structure and properties of cell membrane (Theories of membrane structure not required)

Physiological processes – diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Factors affecting diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Role of diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms

Water relations in plant and animal cells: tugor, plasmolysis, crenation and haemolysis

Wilting

Structure and properties of cell membrane (Theories of membrane structure not required)

Physiological processes – diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Factors affecting diffusion, osmosis and active transport

Role of diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms

Water relations in plant and animal cells: tugor, plasmolysis, crenation and haemolysis

Wilting

Meaning, importance and types of nutrition

Nutrition in plants (autotrophism) • Definition of photosynthesis and its importance in nature • Adaptations of leaf to photosynthesis • Structure and function of chloroplast • Process of photosynthesis – light and dark stages (omit details of electron transport system and chemical details of carbon dioxide fixation) • Factors influencing photosynthesis: light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, water.

Chemical compounds which constitute living organisms • Chemical composition and functions of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (omit details of (i) chemical structure of these compounds and (ii) mineral salts in plant nutrition) • Properties and functions of enzymes (omit lock and key hypothesis)

Nutrition in Animals (heterotrophism) Meaning and types of heterotrophism • Modes of feeding in animals • Dentition of a named carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous mammal • Adaptations of the three types of dentition to feeding • Internal structure of mammalian human (human) teeth • Common dental diseases, their causes and treatment

Digestive system and digestion in a mammal (human) • Digestive system, regions, glands and organs associated with digestion • Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion

Importance of vitamins, mineral salts, roughage and water in human nutrition

Factors determining energy requirements in humans

Meaning, importance and types of nutrition

Nutrition in plants (autotrophism) • Definition of photosynthesis and its importance in nature • Adaptations of leaf to photosynthesis • Structure and function of chloroplast • Process of photosynthesis – light and dark stages (omit details of electron transport system and chemical details of carbon dioxide fixation) • Factors influencing photosynthesis: light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, water

Chemical compounds which constitute living organisms • Chemical composition and functions of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids (omit details of (i) chemical structure of these compounds and (ii) mineral salts in plant nutrition) • Properties and functions of enzymes (omit lock and key hypothesis)

Nutrition in Animals (heterotrophism) Meaning and types of heterotrophism • Modes of feeding in animals • Dentition of a named carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous mammal • Adaptations of the three types of dentition to feeding • Internal structure of mammalian human (human) teeth • Common dental diseases, their causes and treatment

Digestive system and digestion in a mammal (human) • Digestive system, regions, glands and organs associated with digestion • Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion

Importance of vitamins, mineral salts, roughage and water in human nutrition

Factors determining energy requirements in humans

Meaning and importance of transport systems

Absorption of water and mineral salts • Internal structure of root and root hairs • Absorption of water • Active uptake of mineral salts

Transpiration • Definition of transpiration • Review of the structure of the leaf • Structure and function of xylem • Factors affecting transpiration • Forces involved in water movement in plants: Transpiration pull, Cohesion and adhesion, Capillarity, Root pressure

Translocation • Structure and function of phloem • Materials translocated (omit mechanisms of translocation)

Comparison between open and closed circulatory system

Mammalian circulatory system • Structure and functions of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries • Diseases and defects of the circulatory system (thrombosis, varicose veins, arterio-sclerosis) and how to control them

The Structure and functions of blood • Composition of blood • Functions of blood plasma • The structure and functions of red and white blood cells • Mechanism of blood clotting and its importance

Blood groups (ABO system and the Rhesus factor)

Meaning and importance of transport systems

Absorption of water and mineral salts • Internal structure of root and root hairs • Absorption of water • Active uptake of mineral salts

Transpiration • Definition of transpiration • Review of the structure of the leaf • Structure and function of xylem • Factors affecting transpiration • Forces involved in water movement in plants: Transpiration pull, Cohesion and adhesion, Capillarity, Root pressure

Translocation • Structure and function of phloem • Materials translocated (omit mechanisms of translocation)

Comparison between open and closed circulatory system

Mammalian circulatory system 75 • Structure and functions of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries • Diseases and defects of the circulatory system (thrombosis, varicose veins, arterio-sclerosis) and how to control them

The Structure and functions of blood • Composition of blood • Functions of blood plasma • The structure and functions of red and white blood cells • Mechanism of blood clotting and its importance

Blood groups (ABO system and the Rhesus factor)

Immune responses • Natural and artificial immunity • Allergic reactions • Importance of vaccinations against diseases (tuberculosis, poliomyletis, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough)

The necessity of gaseous exchange in living organisms

Gaseous exchange in plants • Mechanisms of opening and closing of stomata • The process of gaseous exchange in root, stem and leaves of both aquatic and terrestrial plants

Gaseous exchange in animals • Types and characteristics of respiratory surfaces – cell membrane, gills, buccal cavity, skin and lungs • Mechanism of gaseous exchange in : Protozoa (amoeba), Insect (grasshopper), Fish (bonyfish), Amphibia (frog), Mammal (human)

Factors affecting rate of breathing in humans

Respiratory diseases: asthma, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia and whooping cough

Meaning and significance of respiration

Tissue respiration • Mitochondrion – structure and function • Aerobic respiration (Details of kreb’s cycle not required) • Anaerobic respiration in plants and animals, the products and byproducts • Application of anaerobic respiration in industry and at home • Compare the energy output of aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Excreti on in Plants • Methods of excretion in plants • Useful and harmful excretory products of plants and their economic importance e.g. caffeine in tea and coffee, quinine, tannins, colchicine, cocaine, rubber, gum, papain from pawpaw and products of cannabis sativa (bhang) and khat (miraa)

Excretion and homeostasis in animals • Distinction between excretion, homeostasis and egestion • Excretion in a named unicellular organism • Structure and functions of skin and kidney • Neuro-endocrine system and homeostasis – Water balance – blood osmotic pressure – Blood sugar level – Temperature regulation – mention the role of hypothalamus

Common kidney diseases, their symptoms and possible methods of prevention and control

The role of the skin in thermoregulation, salt and water balance

Major functions of the liver and their contributions to homeostasis

Common diseases of the liver, their symptoms and possible methods of prevention/control

Concepts of Ecology: Ecology , Habitat, Niche, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biomass, Carrying capacity

Factors in an ecosystem • Abiotic factors (environmental factors) – light, temperature, atmospheric pressure, salinity, humidity, pH and wind • Biotic factors • Inter-relationships – competition, predation, saprophytism, parasitism and symbiosis • Nitrogen cycle

Energy flow in an ecosystem: Food chains, food webs, decomposers, pyramids of numbers and pyramids of biomass

Population estimation methods: Quadrant, Line transect, Belt transect, Capturerecapture

Adaptations of plants to various habitats: Xerophytes, Mesophytes (common terrestrial plants), Hydrophytes – Nymphea, Salvinia spp, Halophytes – mangrove

Effect of pollution on human beings and other organisms: Causes, effects and control of pollutants in air, water and soil

Human diseases • Bacterial diseases – cholera and typhoid • Protozoa – malaria and amoebic dysentry (amoebiasis) • Ascaris lumbricoides and Schistosoma: Mode of transmission, Effects of the parasites on the hosts, Adaptive characteristics of the parasites, Control/prevention of diseases associated with the parasites

Concept of reproducti on – Importance of reproduction

Chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis (relate to gamete formation)

Asexual reproduction • Binary fission in amoeba • Spore formation/production in mucor/Rhizopus • Budding in yeast

Sexual reproduction in plants • Structure and functions of parts of named insect and wind pollinated flowers • Pollination and agents of pollination • Features and mechanisms that hinder self-pollination and selffertilization • The process of fertilization • Fruit and seed formation and dispersal

Sexual reproduction in animals • External fertilization in amphibians • Structure of the reproductive system of a named mammal (human) • Functions of parts of the reproductive system • Fertilization, implantation and the role of placenta • Gestation period • Role of hormones in reproduction in humans (secondary sexual characteristics, menstrual cycle) • Sexually transmitted infections (S.T.Is): Gonorrhoea, Herpes simplex, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis, Candidiasis, HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) Emphasize preventive measures especially behavioural

Advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction

Concept of growth and development

Growth and development in plants • Dormancy and ways of breaking it • Conditions necessary for germination • Epigeal and hypogeal germination • Measurement of one aspect of growth in a named seedling e.g. region of growth • Primary and secondary growth • Role of growth hormones in plants • Apical dominance

Growth and development in animals • Complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects • Role of growth hormones in insects

Concepts of genetics • Variation within plant and animal species • Review of chromosomes • Brief mention of genes and DNA (without details of the molecular structure of genes and DNA)

First law of heredity • Mendel’s experiments – monohybrid inheritance (3:1 ratio) • Complete and incomplete dominance, backcross/testcross • Inheritance of ABO blood groups and Rh factor

Sex determination in humans

Linkage Sex linked genes, sex linked characteristics e.g. colour blindness, haemophilia, hairy ears and nose

Mutations • Types of mutations • Causes and consequences of chromosomal mutations • Gene mutation-cover the following examples of genetic disorders:– albinism, sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia, colour blindness

Practical applications of genetics • Blood transfusion • Plant and animal breeding using artificial selection • Genetic counseling • Genetic engineering (details of techniques not required)

Meaning of evolution

The origin of life: Special creation, Chemical evolution (omit details)

Evidences for organic evolution • Fossil records – brief mention of human evolution • Geographical distribution – continental drift • Comparative embryology • Comparative anatomy (convergent and divergent evolution based on homology and analogy) • Cell biology

Mechanisms of evolution • Lamarck’s theory • Evolution by natural selection • Natural selection in action e.g. peppered moth (industrial melanism) • Resistance to drugs, pesticides and antibiotics

Meaning of stimulus, response and irritability

Reception, response and coordination in plants • Response to a variety of external stimuli • Tropisms and tactic movements and their survival values • Productions of auxins and their effects on plant growth

Reception, response and coordination in animals • Components of the nervous system in a mammal • Structure and functions of the neurones • Functions of major parts of human brain • Simple and conditioned reflex actions

The role of hormones in coordination in a mammal • Effects of over secretion and under secretion of adrenaline and thyroxine in humans • Functional differences and similarities between endocrine and nervous systems

Effects of drug abuse

Structure and functions of parts of the mammalian (human) eye • Accommodation, image formation and interpretations • Common eye defects and their corrections

Structure and functions of parts of the mammali

Plants • Necessity for support and movement in plants • Review of tissue distribution in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants (Histological details of tissues are not required)

Animals • Necessity for support and movement in animals • Types and functions of the skeleton: exoskeleton in arthropods, endoskeleton in vertebrates

Locomotion in a finned fish

Identification of the bones of axial and appendicular skeletons (names of individual bones of coccyx not required)

Types and functions of movable joints (ball and socket, hinge joint)

Structure, function and location of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles (Details of fine structure not required)

Role of muscles in movement of the arm in humans

KCSE 21′, 23′ BIOLOGY PAST QUESTIONS