Curriculum
- 18 Sections
- 121 Lessons
- 19 Weeks
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- MODULE 1: INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY6
- MODULE 2: CLASSIFICATION I5
- MODULE 3: CLASSIFICATION II6
- 3.1Review of binomial nomenclature
- 3.2General principles of classification
- 3.3General characteristics of kingdoms: Monera, Protoctista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia.
- 3.4Main characteristics of major divisions of plantae: Bryophyta, Pteridophyta, Spematophyta (cover subdivision Gymnospermae and Angiospermae). For Angiopermae cover classes monocotyledonae and dicotyledonae
- 3.5Main 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
- 3.6Construction and use of simple dichotomous keys based on observable features of plants and animals
- MODULE 4: THE CELL7
- 4.1Definition of the cell
- 4.2Structure and functions of parts of a light microscope
- 4.3Use and care of the light microscope
- 4.4Cell structure and functions as seen under • a light microscope • an electron microscope
- 4.5Preparation of temporary slides of plant cells
- 4.6Estimation of cell size
- 4.7Cell specialization, tissues, organs and organ systems
- MODULE 5: CELL PHYSIOLOGY13
- 5.1Meaning of cell physiology
- 5.2Structure and properties of cell membrane (Theories of membrane structure not required)
- 5.3Physiological processes – diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- 5.4Factors affecting diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- 5.5Role of diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms
- 5.6Water relations in plant and animal cells: tugor, plasmolysis, crenation and haemolysis
- 5.7Wilting
- 5.8Structure and properties of cell membrane (Theories of membrane structure not required)
- 5.9Physiological processes – diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- 5.10Factors affecting diffusion, osmosis and active transport
- 5.11Role of diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms
- 5.12Water relations in plant and animal cells: tugor, plasmolysis, crenation and haemolysis
- 5.13Wilting
- MODULE 6: NUTRITION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS14
- 6.1Meaning, importance and types of nutrition
- 6.2Nutrition 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.
- 6.3Chemical 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)
- 6.4Nutrition 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
- 6.5Digestive system and digestion in a mammal (human) • Digestive system, regions, glands and organs associated with digestion • Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion
- 6.6Importance of vitamins, mineral salts, roughage and water in human nutrition
- 6.7Factors determining energy requirements in humans
- 6.8Meaning, importance and types of nutrition
- 6.9Nutrition 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
- 6.10Chemical 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)
- 6.11Nutrition 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
- 6.12Digestive system and digestion in a mammal (human) • Digestive system, regions, glands and organs associated with digestion • Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion
- 6.13Importance of vitamins, mineral salts, roughage and water in human nutrition
- 6.14Factors determining energy requirements in humans
- MODULE 7: TRANSPORT IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS17
- 7.1Meaning and importance of transport systems
- 7.2Absorption of water and mineral salts • Internal structure of root and root hairs • Absorption of water • Active uptake of mineral salts
- 7.3Transpiration • 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
- 7.4Translocation • Structure and function of phloem • Materials translocated (omit mechanisms of translocation)
- 7.5Comparison between open and closed circulatory system
- 7.6Mammalian 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
- 7.7The 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
- 7.8Blood groups (ABO system and the Rhesus factor)
- 7.9Meaning and importance of transport systems
- 7.10Absorption of water and mineral salts • Internal structure of root and root hairs • Absorption of water • Active uptake of mineral salts
- 7.11Transpiration • 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
- 7.12Translocation • Structure and function of phloem • Materials translocated (omit mechanisms of translocation)
- 7.13Comparison between open and closed circulatory system
- 7.14Mammalian 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
- 7.15The 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
- 7.16Blood groups (ABO system and the Rhesus factor)
- 7.17Immune responses • Natural and artificial immunity • Allergic reactions • Importance of vaccinations against diseases (tuberculosis, poliomyletis, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough)
- MODULE 8: GASEOUS EXCHANGE5
- 8.1The necessity of gaseous exchange in living organisms
- 8.2Gaseous 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
- 8.3Gaseous 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)
- 8.4Factors affecting rate of breathing in humans
- 8.5Respiratory diseases: asthma, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia and whooping cough
- MODULE 9: RESPIRATION2
- 9.1Meaning and significance of respiration
- 9.2Tissue 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
- MODULE 10: EXCRETION AND HOMEOSTASIS6
- 10.1Excreti 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)
- 10.2Excretion 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
- 10.3Common kidney diseases, their symptoms and possible methods of prevention and control
- 10.4The role of the skin in thermoregulation, salt and water balance
- 10.5Major functions of the liver and their contributions to homeostasis
- 10.6Common diseases of the liver, their symptoms and possible methods of prevention/control
- MODULE 11: ECOLOGY7
- 11.1Concepts of Ecology: Ecology , Habitat, Niche, Population, Community, Ecosystem, Biomass, Carrying capacity
- 11.2Factors 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
- 11.3Energy flow in an ecosystem: Food chains, food webs, decomposers, pyramids of numbers and pyramids of biomass
- 11.4Population estimation methods: Quadrant, Line transect, Belt transect, Capturerecapture
- 11.5Adaptations of plants to various habitats: Xerophytes, Mesophytes (common terrestrial plants), Hydrophytes – Nymphea, Salvinia spp, Halophytes – mangrove
- 11.6Effect of pollution on human beings and other organisms: Causes, effects and control of pollutants in air, water and soil
- 11.7Human 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
- MODULE 12: REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS6
- 12.1Concept of reproducti on – Importance of reproduction
- 12.2Chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis (relate to gamete formation)
- 12.3Asexual reproduction • Binary fission in amoeba • Spore formation/production in mucor/Rhizopus • Budding in yeast
- 12.4Sexual 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
- 12.5Sexual 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
- 12.6Advantages and disadvantages of sexual reproduction
- MODULE 13: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT3
- 13.1Concept of growth and development
- 13.2Growth 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
- 13.3Growth and development in animals • Complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects • Role of growth hormones in insects
- MODULE 14: GENETICS6
- 14.1Concepts 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)
- 14.2First 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
- 14.3Sex determination in humans
- 14.4Linkage Sex linked genes, sex linked characteristics e.g. colour blindness, haemophilia, hairy ears and nose
- 14.5Mutations • 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
- 14.6Practical applications of genetics • Blood transfusion • Plant and animal breeding using artificial selection • Genetic counseling • Genetic engineering (details of techniques not required)
- MODULE 15: EVOLUTION4
- 15.1Meaning of evolution
- 15.2The origin of life: Special creation, Chemical evolution (omit details)
- 15.3Evidences 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
- 15.4Mechanisms 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
- MODULE 16: RECEPTION, RESPONSE AND COORDINATION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS7
- 16.1Meaning of stimulus, response and irritability
- 16.2Reception, 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
- 16.3Reception, 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
- 16.4The 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
- 16.5Effects of drug abuse
- 16.6Structure and functions of parts of the mammalian (human) eye • Accommodation, image formation and interpretations • Common eye defects and their corrections
- 16.7Structure and functions of parts of the mammali
- MODULE 17: SUPPORT AND MOVEMENT IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS7
- 17.1Plants • Necessity for support and movement in plants • Review of tissue distribution in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants (Histological details of tissues are not required)
- 17.2Animals • Necessity for support and movement in animals • Types and functions of the skeleton: exoskeleton in arthropods, endoskeleton in vertebrates
- 17.3Locomotion in a finned fish
- 17.4Identification of the bones of axial and appendicular skeletons (names of individual bones of coccyx not required)
- 17.5Types and functions of movable joints (ball and socket, hinge joint)
- 17.6Structure, function and location of cardiac, smooth and skeletal muscles (Details of fine structure not required)
- 17.7Role of muscles in movement of the arm in humans
- KCSE PAST PAPER QUESTIONS1
Factors determining energy requirements in humans
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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
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