KS3 Biology

Summaries of all the key information in the topic. They are useful to help with you when revising for a test, or when completing homework or catching up on missed work from a previous lessons.

Click into your unit below to find the knowledge organiser

Topic RAG sheets are used by teachers in lessons to help students identify their areas of strength and weakness within a topic, as well as summarize the work they've done in each lesson.

RAG sheets also contain all the core questions (key ideas) of a topic, which students should be able to answer by the time they finish it, as well as the key skills students are expected to be able to demonstrate.

They are usually printed on GREEN paper and stuck at the start of a new topic in student's books.

Students start and end a topic by colour coding each core question as follows:

• RED - You are not confident at all/don't know the answer

• AMBER - You know a bit about the question but need some more help/practice.

• GREEN - You are confident you can answer this question well!

RAG sheets can make great revision resources - how confident do you on each core question?

Focus your revision now on the questions you marked RED or AMBER - perhaps use the knowledge organizers to help you move your question from an AMBER to a GREEN!

This unit is the fundamentals to all living organisms. In KS2 you will have begun to explore the systems of the body for example the circulatory system and how begun to understand the similarities and differences between microorganisms, plants and animals.

In this unit you will be able to:

• Define the hierarchical organisation of multicellular organisms: from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms.

• Observe, interpret and record cell structure using a light microscope.

• Describe functions of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole, mitochondria and chloroplasts.

• Compare the similarities and differences between plant and animal cells.

• Label and describe structure and function of a unicellular organism and investigate an Amoeba and Euglena.

• Investigate how to make a microscope slide and draw cell diagrams.

Knowledge Organiser

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David Attenborough and Jane Goodall are famous scientists for their work on animals and plant behaviours. In KS2 you are introduced to the differences in the life cycle of a mammals, amphibians, insects and birds and learnt how they reproduce. You would have begun to understand the timeline from birth to old age and begin to understand the changes that happen in puberty.

In this unit you will be able to:

• Explain the reproduction in humans (as an example of a mammal), including the structure and function of the male and female reproductive systems.

• Label and describe the structure and functions of the menstrual cycle as an introduction for the KS4 unit.

• Describe the terms gametes, fertilisation, gestation and how the body reacts during labour, including the effect of maternal lifestyle on the foetus through the placenta.

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In Year 7 you were introduced to the building blocks of life. This unit further develops the knowledge on understanding that was gained in Building Blocks 1 and further questions the difference between unicellular and multicellular organisms. Exploring specilaised cells and the use of an electron microscope.

In Year 8 you will learn about:

• Recall the labels and function of a eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell

• Describe the difference between a plant and prokaryotic cell.

• Describe a pathogen for example a bacteria or fungus and explain how a bacteria enters the body.

• State examples of specilaised animal cells

• State examples of specilaised plant cells.

• Investigate the field view and similarities and differences of a light and electron microscope.

• Calculate total magnification and magnification

• Apply and convert prefixes.

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In KS2 you already know that food is the fuel for energy. Out diet, exercise, and lifestyle have an impact on the way the human body functions. You get to explore the digestive system and begin to understand just how our body absorbs the nutrients that it needs to function everyday.

In this unit you will be able to:

• Describe the components of a healthy diet.

• Explain the role of each food group in the body.

• Describe the structure and function of the main parts of the digestive system.

• Explain the process of digestion.

• Describe the role of enzymes and bacteria in digestion

• Investigate food tests for starch, protein, sugar and protein

• Describe some health issues caused by an unhealthy diet issues.

• WS Calculate the energy requirements of different people

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Multicellular organisms are made up of many cells and need to exchange a number of substances that travel through the body through the circulatory system. In Key Stage 2 you identify and name the main parts of the circulatory and through this unit you progress to fully understanding how the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to deliver oxygen to the cells and get rid of the carbon dioxide.

In this unit you will learn to:

• Describe the structure of the gas exchange system

• Describe how parts of the gas exchange system are adapted to their function.

• Describe the processes of inhaling ans exhaling

• Describe how a bell jar can be used to model what happens during breathing

• Investigate diffusion

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Knowledge Organiser

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Knowledge Organiser

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