Requirements:

A satisfactory pass and a genuine interest in the study of living organisms – big and small.

Content:

Core content for Grade 10 includes:

• • • Cell and tissue studies (plant and animal).

    • Biological compounds, nutrients and enzymes.

    • Human physiology: Nutrition, gaseous exchange and the skeleton.

    • Energy transformation: photosynthesis and respiration.

    • Ecology: biodiversity and topical environmental issues.

    • Fossil Studies

Core content for Grade 11 includes:

• • • • • • • Each theme within Grade 11 requires application, with a focus on the clinical applications associated with each topic.

            • Study of micro‐organisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi).

            • Plant and Animal Diversity.

            • Biogeography.

            • Human life systems:

              • • Support (plants)

                • Transport (plant and animals) Excretory system.

                • Nervous system and sense organs.

            • Environmental studies.

Core content for Grade 12:

• The inheritance in living organisms, chromosomes (DNA), genetic engineering and Biotechnological application.

• Meiosis.

• Endocrinology.

• Male and Female reproductive systems.

• Plant reproduction and its benefits.

• Diversity, change and continuity: Evolution.

• Population Ecology.

Practical Work

• Practical work is an important part of Life Sciences.

• Through experiments and experimental design learners will acquire and be assessed on a range of 8 identified skills – observational, measuring, manipulative, procedural, inference, investigative and evaluation skills.

• Assessment has also moved more towards a task‐based rather than only a test‐based exercise. Pen and paper examinations still have a place to assess skills in the cognitive domain.

• Practical work, like experimental design, demands time and thus a regular afternoon is required in Grade 12 to fulfil the IEB portfolio requirements.

Life Sciences is a subject that participates in the One Research task Option.