KCSE BIOLOGY SYLLABUS 231

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KCSE BIOLOGY SYLLABUS

FORM 1 .

1. Introduction to Biology

    Definition of Biology
    Branches of Biology
    Importance of Biology
    Characteristics of living organisms
    Comparison between plants and animals

2. CLASSIFICATION 1

    Review and use of magnifying lens
    External features of plants and animals
    Necessity and significance of classification
    Major units of classification( naming)
    Kingdoms
    Discussion of Binomial nomenclature

3. THE CELL

    Definition of cell
    Structure and functions of parts of a light microscope
    Use and care of the light microscope
    Cell structure and functions as seen under microscope
    Preparation of temporary slides of plant cells
    Estimation of cell size
    Cell specialization, tissues, organs, and organ systems.
    Practical activities

    1. Observe, identify, draw and state the functions of parts of the light microscope

    2. Prepare and observe temporary slides of plant cells

    3. Observe permanent slides of animal cells

    4. Comparison between plant and animal cells

    5. Observe, estimate size and calculate magnification of plant cells

    4. CELL PHYSIOLOGY
1. Meaning of cell physiology
 2. Structure and properties of cell membrane (Theories of  membrane structure not required)

 3. Physiological properties- diffusion, osmosis and active transport

 4. Factors affecting diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms

  5. Role of diffusion, osmosis and active transport in living organisms 6. Water relations in plant and animal cells: turgor, plasmolysis, wilting and haemolysis

   1. Diffusion as demonstrated with potassium permanganate or potassium iodide/ flower dyes/ coloured plant extracts/ smoke

   2. Experiments with visking tubing and living tissues: fresh arrow roots/ cassava/ sweet potatoes/ leaf petioles/ irish potatoes

3. Demonstration of plasmolysis

    5. NUTRITION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS
            Meaning, importance and types of nutrition
            Nutrition in plants
            Definition of photosynthesis and its importance in nature
            Adaptations of leaf to photosynthesis
            Structure and function of chloroplast
            Process of photosynthesis- light and dark stage
            Factors influencing photosynthesis

        3. Chemical compounds which constitute living organisms

        1. Chemical composition and functions of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids

        2. Properties and functions of enzymes

        4. Nutrition in animals
            Modes of feeding in animals
            Dentition of a named carnivorous, herbivorous and omnivorous mammal

          3. Adaptation of the three types of dentition of feeding.

          4. Internal structure of mammalian teeth.

            5. Common dental diseases, their causes and treatment

            5. Digestive system and digestion in a mammal human)

            1. Digestive system, regions, glands and organs associated with digestion.

            2. Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and egestion.

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

            7. Factors determining energy requirements in humans



            FORM 2

1. TRANSPORT IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS
                Meaning and importance of transport systems
                Absorption of water and mineral salts
                Internal structure of root and root hairs
                Absorption of water
                Active intake of mineral salts

            3. Transpiration
                Definition of transpiration
                Review of structure of the leaf.
                Structure and function of xylem
                Factors affecting transpiration
                Forces involved in water movement in plants

            4. Translocation
                Structure and function of phloem
                Materials translocated

            5. Comparison between closed and open circulatory system.

            6. Mammalian circulatory system
                Structure and function of heart, arteries, veins and capillaries
                Diseases and defects of the heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries
                Diseases and defects of the circulatory system.
                The structure and functions of blood
                Composition of blood
                Functions of blood plasma
                The structure and functions of red blood cells and white blood cells
                Mechanism of blood clotting and its importance

            8. Blood groups (ABO system and rhesus factor) 9. Immune responses
                Natural and artificial immunity
                Allergic reactions
                Importance of vaccinations against diseases

            Practical Activities
                Observe permanent slides of sections of stems and roots
                Carry out experiments to compare transpiration on lower and upper surfaces

                3. Observe wall charts/models

      4. Analyse data on transpiration rate under different environmental conditions in plants

       5. Dissect a small mammal and observe its transport system.

       6. Make longitudinal section of the mammalian heart to display the chambers and associated blood vessels

       7. Record pulse rate at the wrist before and after vigorous activities and analyse the results

        8. Demonstrate the unidirectional flow of blood in the cutaneous veins of the fore arm

                2. GASEOUS EXCHANGE
                Gaseous exchange in living organisms
                Gaseous exchange in plants
                Mechanism of opening and closing of the stomata
                The process of gaseous exchange in roots, stem and leaves of both aquatic and terrestrial plants

                3. Gaseous exchange in animals

     1. Types and characteristics of Respiratory surfaces- cell membrane, gills, buccal cavity, skin and lungs

     2. Mechanism of gaseous exchange in protozoa, insect (grasshopper), fish (bonnyfish),Frog and human

        3. Factors affecting rate of breathing in humans

     l   4. Respiratory diseases: Asthma, Bronchitis, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Pneumonia and Whooping cough

                3. RESPIRATION

               
                Meaning and significance of respiration
                Tissue respiration
                Mitochondrion- structure and functions
                Aerobic respiration
                Anaerobic respiration in plants and animals
                Application of anaerobic respiration in industry and at home

      5. Compare energy output of aerobic and anaerobic respiration

          4. EXCRETION AND HOMEOSTASIS

           1. Excretion in Plants

          1. Methods of excretion in plants

                2. Useful and harmful excretory products of plants and their economic importance e.g. coffee, caffeine

      2. Excretion and homeostasis in animals
                    Difference between excretion, homeostasis and egestion
                    Excretion in a named unicellular organism (protozoa)
                    Structure and functions of skin and kidney
                    Neuro-endocrine system and homeostasis
                    Common kidney diseases, their symptoms and possible methods of prevention and control

       6. The role of skin in thermoregulation, salt and water balance

      7. Major functions of liver and their contributions to homeostasis 8. Common diseases of liver, their symptoms and possible methods of prevention, control

                    FORM 3 1. CLASSIFICATION II

                   
                    Review of binomial nomenclature
                    General principles of classification
                    General characteristics of kingdoms
                    Monera
                    Protoctista
                    Fungi
                    Plantae
                    Animalia

     4. Main characteristics of major divisions of plantae
                    Bryophyta
                    Pterodophyta
                    Spermatophyta

     5. Main characteristics of phyla Arthropoda and Chordata
                    Arthropoda
                    Diplopoda
                    Chilopoda
                    insecta
                    crustacea
                    arachnida

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

                    2. ECOLOGY 1. Concepts of ecology 1. Habitat 2. Niche 3. Population 4. Community 5. Ecosystem 6. Biomass 7. Carrying capacity 2. Factors in an ecosystem
                    Abiotic factors
                    Biotic factors
                    Inter-relationships:- Competition, predation, saprophytism, parasitism and symbiosis

                    4. Nitrogen cycle

                    3. Energy flow in an ecosystem:- chains, food webs, decomposers, pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass

                    4. Population estimation methods
                    Quadrat method
                    Line transect
                    Belt transect
                    Capture-recapture method

                    5. Adaptations of plants to various habitats
                        Xerophytes
                        Mesophytes
                        Hydrophytes
                        Halophytes

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

                        7. Human diseases
                        Bacterial diseases- Cholera and Typhoid
                        Protozoa- malaria and amoebic dysentry
                        Ascaris lumbricodes and schistosoma

                        3. REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS

                        1. Concept of reproduction

                        1. Importance of reproduction

                        2. Chromosomes, meiosis and mitosis

                        3. Asexual reproduction
                        Binary fission in amoeba
                        Spore formation/ reproduction in mucor / Rhizopus
                        Budding in yeast

                    4. Sexual reproduction in plants

                    1. Structure and function of parts of named insect and wind pollinated flowers

                    2. Pollination and agents of pollination

                    3. Features and mechanisms that hinder self fertilization and self pollination

                    4. The process of fertilization

                    5. Fruit and seed formation and dispersal

                    5. Sexual reproduction in animals
                    External fertilization in amphibians
                    Structure of the reproductive system of a named mammal (human)
                    Functions of the parts of reproductive system
                    Fertilization, implantation and role of placenta.
                    Gestation period
                    Role of hormones in reproduction in humans

                    6. Sexually transmitted infections (S.T.Is)
                    Gonorrhea
                    Herpes Simplex
                    Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, hepatitis, Candidiasis
                    HIV/AIDS

                    7. Advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction

                    4. GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
                    Concepts of growth and development
                    Growth and development in plants
                    Dormancy and ways of breaking it
                    Conditions necessary for germination
                    Measurement of one aspect of growth in a named seedling e.g. region of growth

                    4. Primary and secondary growth

                    5. Role of growth hormone in plants

                    6. Apical dominance

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

                    * FORM 4 1. GENETICS

                    1. Concept of genetics 1. Variation within plant and animal species 2. Review of chromosomes 3. Brief mention of genes and DNA (Without details of molecular structure of genes and DNA) 2. First law of heredity
                    Mendel's experiments- monohybrid inheritance(3:1 ratio)
                    Complete and incomplete dominance, back/ testcross
                    Inheritance of ABO blood groups and Rh factor

                    3. Sex determination in humans

                    4. Linkage: sex linked genes, sex linked characteristics e.g. colour blindness, Haemophilia, Hairy ears and nose

                    5. Mutations
                    Types of mutations
                    Causes and consequences of chromosomal mutations
                    Gene mutations

                    2. EVOLUTION

                    1. Meaning of evolution

                    2. The ori of life
                    Special creation
                    Chemical evolution

                    3. Evidence of organic evolution
                    Fossil records
                    Geographical distribution - Continental drift
                    Comparative embryology
                    Comparative anatomy
                    Cell biology- occurrence of cell organelles and

                    blood pigments 4. Mechanisms of evolution
                    Lamarck's theory (Brief mention)
                    Evolution by natural selection
                    Natural selection in action e.g. peppered moth
                    Resistance to drugs, pesticides and antibiotics

                    3. RECEPTION, RESPONSE AND COORDINATION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS
                    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
                    Production of auxins and their effects on plant growth

                    3. Reception, responses 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

                    4. The role of hormones in coordination in a mammal

                    1. Effects of over secretion and under secretion of adrenaline and thyroxine in humans

                    5. Effects of drug abuse on human health

                    6. Structure and functions of parts of the mammalian eye
                    Accommodation, image formation and interpretation
                    common eye defects and their corrections

                    7. Structure and functions of parts of the mammalian ear (human)
                    Hearing
                    Balance and posture

                    4. SUPPORT AND MOVEMENT IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS

                    1. Plants 1. Necessity for support and movement in plants

                    2. Review of tissue distribution in monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous plants 2. Animals
                    Necessity for support and movement in animals
                    Types and functions of the skeleton

                    3. Locomotion in a finned fish

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

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

                    6. Structure, function and location of cardiac, smooth  skeletal muscles

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