Biology Form 1 Notes
Biology Form 1 Notes
FORM 1
NOTES
This document was downloaded from
[Link]
1. a) Define biology
- feeding/nutrition
- Growth and development
- respiration (to produce energy)
- sensitivity/irritation/response
- excretion (getting rid of metabolic waste material)
- movement/locomotion
- reproduction
Animals Plants
All body parts grow equally(intercalary) Grow at shoot tip and root tip only
Heterotrophic Autotrophic
Cells have no cell walls Cells have cell wall made of cellulose
2
No chlorophyll Contain chlorophyll
Give parental care to young Plants don’t care for their young
- Convex lens mounted on a frame and used to magnify small objects for viewing.
-
ii) How is a hand lens used?
- For reasonably sized objects such as insect wing, leg, flower parts. -
Cannot be used for small objects such as cells, stomata.
-
iv) Explain how to calculate drawing magnification
- drawing magnification equals to length of drawing divided by length of object or image length divided
by actual length i.e. length of drawing or image length
Length of object actual length
b) i) what is classification?
- Orderly arrangement of living organisms into various groups according to their similarities.
- rhizoids(e.g. mosses)
- frond (e.g. ferns)
- roots e.g. taproot, fibrous roots, modified roots
- flowers - leaves
- buds
- seeds
-
iii) List the external features used to classify animals
-monera
-protoctista/protista
-fungi
-plantae
-animalia
- a scientific system of naming organisms using the generic/genus and specific/species names -
e.g. for humans, Homo sapiens
- the first (generic) name should begin with a capital letter while the rest are small letters
- the two names are printed in italics and if handwritten should be underlined each separately
-
iii) Give the advantages of using binomial nomenclature
- it is the basic unit of organization of an organism i.e. the basic functional and structural unit of an
organism.
- it magnifies and reveals the structure details of tiny objects such as the cell, that cannot be seen by
the human eye directly
-
iv) Draw a labeled sketch of a light microscope
v) State the functions of the labeled parts
- put the microscope on the bench with the stage facing away from you (viewer)
- turn the lower power objective to click in line with the eyepiece
- Ensure that the diaphragm/iris is fully open
- Adjust the mirror until the stage is illuminated with enough light - Place the slide containing the
specimen on the stage for magnification - Draw the image and indicate magnification of the drawing.
d) i) What is magnification?
6
iii) Give the reasons for each of the following steps when preparing a cross-section of a stem or
leaf for examination under the microscope
cutting very thin sections thin sections allow light to pass through making it
easy to observe the tissue Using a sharp razor blade during the cutting
sharp blade does not damage, deform, destroy or distort the surface of cell or tissue it
makes thin sections
e) i) List the parts of a cell that can be seen under a light microscope
a cell
membrane
b cytoplasm
c cell
wall e
nucleus
d vacuole
iii) List the parts of a cell that can be seen under an electronic microscope and state the
functions of each part.
Cell wall found in plant cells in addition to cell
membrane made of cellulose which makes the
plant tough
allows gases, water and other substances to pass through
Cell membrane
permeable/selective to control movement of materials in and out of cells bound/encloses
the cell contents
also called plasma membrane or plasmallema
Nucleolus synthesizes
DNA
Mitochondrion synthesis of
ATP/energy
8
Chloroplasts where photosynthesis
takes place
Endoplasmic reticulum
transport of cell secretions
can be rough or smooth
i) Cell
ii) Tissue these are cells of a particular type grouped together to perform a certain
function animal tissues include epithelium, blood, nerves, muscle, skeletal and
connective tissues plant tissues include epidermal, photosynthetic, vascular,
strengthening tissues
iv) Organ system organs are grouped together to form systems also called organ
systems animal systems include excretory, digestive, respiratory, nervous,
circulatory, endocrine(hormones/glands), skeletal systems
plant systems include transport system
g) i) Name the structures which are present in plant cells but absent in animal cells -
Chloroplast
- Cell wall
10
ii) Name the structures which are present in animal cells but absent in plant cells
Lysosomes
Centrioles
Pinocytic vesicles
ii) Procedure
- Click to low power place transparent ruler with its
millimeter marks on the stage focus so that the millimeter marks
can be seen as thick dark lines
estimate the diameter of field of view by counting the one millimeter spaces between the first
mark and the last one across the field of view as shown below
the diameter of the field of view above is estimated as 3.2 mm convert the diameter of the field
of view from millimeters to micrometers i.e. 3.2/1000 Estimate the fraction of the field of view
occupied by the cell. This is done by estimating the number of cells places end to end that would
fill the diameter of the field of view as shown below
11
in the figure above, it is estimated that approximately six cells will occupy the diameter of the
field of view
therefore, one cell will occupy 1/6 of the field of view
its diameter is calculated as 1/6 times the diameter of the field of view
i) i) In a drawing of a giraffe, the height of the head from the ground was recorded as
10cm.
the drawing also showed a magnification of 0.02. calculate the actual height of the giraffe
ii) In a class experiment to estimate sizes of cells a student observed and obtained millimeter
marks on the field of view of a microscope as shown in the diagram below.
Millimeter marks
- If the student counted 40 cells on the diameter of the field of view, what was the approximate size of the
each cell in micrometers?
iii) Under which of the following light microscope magnifications would one see a larger part
of the specimen? X40 or x400? Give a reason
x40
Smaller magnification gives a wider field of view hence a larger part seen.
e.) a) i) Define cell physiology
the study of the functions of a cell in relation to their structure
c) i) What is diffusion?
13
to a beaker of water, drop crystals of potassium permanganate or copper sulphate
leave to stand in a place without disturbing observe the spreading of molecules
liquid is coloured uniformly due to diffusion
d) i) What is osmosis?
Movement of water or solvent molecules from a dilute/hypotonic solution to a more
concentrated/hypertonic solution across a semi-permeable membrane.
OR
movement of solvent molecules from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their
lower concentration through a semi-permeable membrane
14
Why was there a rise in the level of sugar solution?
sugar solution is more concentrated than cell sap osmosis
those cells become more concentrated and therefore draw water from neighbouring cells this
process continues until the cells in contact with the water in the container draw it up causing a rise in
the level of the sugar solution
Suggest the results that the students would obtain if they repeated the experiment using cooked
potato
The level of sugar solution will not rise.
Turgor pressure
As a cell gains water, its vacuole enlarges and exerts an outward pressure called turgor pressure.
15
Plasmolysis if a plant is placed in a hypotonic solution
if loses water
the protoplasm shrinks to an extent that it pulls away from the cellulose cell wall
16
Wilting when a plant is turgid it can
stand upright
however, if the cells lose a lot of water, turgidity is reduced
the plant then droops because the cells are flaccid the plant
is said to wilt
Haemolysis if red blood cells are placed in distilled water, the cells take up water by osmosis,
swell and burst this is because it does not have any mechanism like the cellulose cell wall to
prevent overstretching nor any means of removing excess water this is called haemolysis
e) A form one student placed red blood cells in different salt concentrations and obtained
the following results:-
There was a gain (+) no change (0 zero) and a loss
(-) in the volume of the cells as show below:- Briefly
explain the results of the experiment in the first
solution , red blood cell absorbed water by
osmosis, swell and burst (haemolysis) hence the
solution is hypotonic
in the second solution, there was no change
in size or structure as it was isotonic hence no
osmotic gradient
17
in the third solution the red blood cell lost water to shrink hence became crenated as the solution was
hypotonic to the cell cytoplasm.
2.0 ) the factors that affect the rates of the following process in living organisms.
a.) DIFFUSION.
- Diffusion gradient which refers to the difference in concentration of molecules between the region of
high concentration and the region of low concentration. Increasing the concentration gradient causes an
increase in rate of diffusion and vice versa.
-Surface area to volume ratio .is the ratio of total surface area exposed by an organism compared to its
body volume. Small sized living organisms have a large surface area to volume ratio. The larger the
surface area to volume ratio ,the high the rate of diffusion and vice versa. Small organisms like amoeba
and paramecium can hence rely on diffusion for transport of substances into and within its body and
removal of waste products
-thickness of membranes. Molecules take longer to diffuse across thick membranes than across thin
membranes hence the thin the membrane the higher the rate of diffusion.
-Temperature. Increasing temperature increases the kinetic energy of diffusing molecules making them
to spread faster. Increasing temperature increases the rate of diffusion and vice versa
-size of molecules/molecular [Link] sized molecules/molecules of low molecular weight
move/diffuse faster hence the rate of diffusion is high where the molecules involved are small or have low
molecular weight and vice versa.
B.)OSMOSIS
-Temperature. Increasing temperature increases the kinetic energy of water molecules making them to spread
faster. Increasing temperature increases the rate of osmosis and vice versa
18
-concentration gradient/diffusion pressure deficit. Refers to the difference in concentration on either
side of a semi-permeable membrane. The higher the osmotic pressure difference the higher the rate of
osmosis.
5.) explain what happens when plant and animal cells are put in hypotonic and hypertonic solutions.
The concentration of the plant cell sap is hypertonic to the solution/water medium. the cell draws in water
by osmosis through the cell wall, cell membrane into the cell cytoplasm. Water enters the cell vacuole by
osmosis; it enlarges and exerts an outward pressure on the cell wall called turgor pressure. Increased turgor
pressure pushes the cell cytoplasm against the cell wall until the cell wall cannot stretch any further. The
19
cell becomes firm or rigid and is said to be turgid. As the cell wall is being stretched outwards, it develops
a resistant inwards pressure that is equal and opposite to the turgor pressure and this is called wall
pressure.
The plant cell sap is hypotonic to the solution medium. Water molecules are drawn out of the plant cells
by osmosis into the hypertonic solution through the semi-permiable membrane of the plant cells. As a
result the plant cell will start to shrink/less rigid and become flabby. The cell membrane/plasma
membrane is pulled away from the cell wall and the cell is said to be flaccid. this process by which a plant
cell lose water, shrink and become flaccid is called plasmolysis. However the shape of the plant cell is
maintained by the tough rigid cellulose cell wall which prevents crenation in plant cells.
The concentration of water in the cytoplasm of the plant cells is hypertonic to the solution medium in the
test. Water molecules are then drawn into the animal cell cytoplasm from the surrounding medium by
osmosis through the semipermiable membrane. the cell swells as water is drawn into them by osmosis .as
water continues to enter into the cell,the weak animal cell membrane bursts a process called lysis. in red
blood cells this process is called haemolysis. However in unicellular organisms like amoeba and
paramecium,bursting of their cells does not take place because they have specialized organelles called
contractile vacuoles for removal of exces water out of their bodies/cells.
The concentration of the animal cells cell cytoplasm is hypotonic to the solution medium in the test. the
surrounding hypertonic solution will draw water out of the animal cells by osmosis through the semipermeable
membrane. Continued loss of water causes the cells to be smaller in size and their membranes become wrinkled.
This process will continue until the concentration of the cell sap and the surrounding medium is equal i.e
[Link] process by which animal cells lose water and shrink is called crenation.
It is involved in active reabsorption of glucose and mineral salts in kidney tubules during formation of
urine. it enables the absorption of digested food from the alimentary canal/small intestines into the blood
stream. Excretion of waste products from body cells for eventual removal. Involved in transmission of
nerve impulses within the nerve cells through the sodium pump which maintains a balance between
sodium and potassium ions. It facilitates accumulation of substances in the body cells to offset osmotic
pressure of organisms in dry and marine environment allowing them to absorb water by osmosis and avoid
desiccation. In plants it enables plant roots to absorb water from the soil against the concentration gradient.
It’s involved in translocation of manufactured food in the phloem tissue within the plant body. It’s
involved in the opening and closing of the stomata through the sodium-potassium pump mechanism.
i) Autotrophism
manufacturing food from simple organic substances
types are photosynthesis and chemosynthesis
ii) Heterotrophism
obtaining food from autotrophes and other organic substances types are
holozoic, saprophytic and parasitic
21
The leaf has a broad and flattened lamina to provide a large surface area for trapping optimum light for
photosynthesis and allow maximum gaseous exchange.
The leaf epidermis is thin ( one cell thick) to reduce the distance across which diffusion of carbon (iv)
oxide gas to palisade cells and oxygen gas from palisade cells takes place.
The leaf has numerous stomata that allows easy diffusion of gases into and out of the palisade tissue. The
leaf cuticle and epidermis are transparent to allow easy penetration of light to the photosynthetic tissue.
The palisade cells are numerous,elongated and contain numerous chloroplasts to trapping optimum light for
photosynthesis.
The palisade tissue is just beneath the upper epidermis exposing them to trap optimum light for
photosynthesis.
22
The leaf has numerous leaf veins consisting of a.) xylem vessels and tracheids for transporting water and
dissolved mineral salts from the soil to the photosynthetic tissue
b.) phloem tissue for translocation of of manufactured food from the leaf to storage organs and other parts
of the plant .
Numerous and large air spaces in the spongy mesopyl layer for optimum gaseous exchange with the
photosynthetic tissue.
Phylotaxy which is regular arrangement of leaves on the stem minimizes overshadowing and overlapping
exposing all leaves to light for photosynthesis.
The prominent midrib and leaf veins reduces chances of rolling of leaves maintaining a large surface area
for trapping optimum light for photosynthesis.
23
C) Describe the structure and function of chloroplast
i) Structure
ii) Function
structure in which photosynthesis takes place
iii) Adaptations
has numerous/many grana to provide large surface area for packing many chlorophyll pigments have
numerous chlorophyll pigments which trap sunlight/light for photosynthesis
has stroma/third matrix which contain certain enzymes that catalyze photosynthetic reactions
24
d) i) Give a word equation for photosynthesis
Chlorophyll
The process of photosynthesis takes place in green plants allowing them to make their own food. The
process is controlled by enzymes and involves a series of reactions that take place in chloroplasts. The raw
materials required are water and carbon (iv) [Link] process takes place in two consecutive stages i.e Light
reaction stage.
It’s also called the light dependent stage as it requires light energy . the reactions take place in the granna
of the chloroplast. light energy from the sun is trapped by chlorophyll in the chloroplast and converted into
chemical energy. This energy splits water molecules into hydrogen ions and oxygen atoms a process is
called photolysis. The oxygen atoms are released as aby product or used up in the process of respiration.
The hydrogen ions formed are used in the dark stage of photosynthesis.
Water hydrogen ions + oxygen atoms
2H2O 4H+ + o2 g
Some of the light enrgy is used to combine a molecule called adenosine diphosphate(ADP) with a
phosphate group to form the rich energy molecules called adenosine Tri-Phosphate(ATP)
ADP + P ATP
Dark reaction stage.
It’s also called the light independent stage of photosynthesis since light is not required because it can take
place both in presence and absence of light. the reactions are controlled by enzymes. the hydrogen atoms
released in the light stage are combined with carbon(iv)oxide to form simple sugars mainly glucose. The
process uses energy from ATP. This is reffered to as carbon (iv) oxide fixation. The reactions take place in
the stroma of chloroplast. The excess glucose is converted into starch or lipids for storage.
The general process of photosynthesis can be summarized by the following word and chemical equitions.
Day length. Long day length especially at high latitudes (temperate regions) provides more light for photosynthesis
causing an increase in the rate of photosynthesis.
Light quality. The preferred wavelengths for photosynthesis range between 400nm-700nm. the rate of
photosynthesis is higher in red and blue light and lower in all other types of light.
Concentration of carbon (iv) oxide. It’s a raw material required to combine with hydrogen ions to form simple
carbohydrate molecules. Increasing the concentration of carbon (iv) oxide increases the rate of
photosynthesis up to an optimum level beyond which other factors
limit the rate of photosynthesis.
rate
of
photosynthesis
concentration of co2
f) Give the differences between the light and dark reactions during photosynthesis
26
h.) a) i) What are chemicals of life?
substances which make up cells, tissues and organs of the living system
they combine to form organic compounds
proteins
carbohydrates
lipids(fats and oils)
vitamins
enzymes
nucleic acids(DNA and RNA)
ii) Name the groups of carbohydrates monosaccharides (simple carbohydrates) e.g. glucose,
fructose and galactose disaccharides ( formed when two monosaccharides combine) e.g.
maltose, sucrose, lactose polysaccharides (composed of many monosaccharides and
disaccharides) e.g. starch, glycogen, cellulose
compounds of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and in addition nitrogen, and sometimes sulphur and or
phosphorus
building blocks are called amino acids
27
essential amino acids which must be supplied in food since they body cannot synthesize them Non-essential amino
acids which body can synthesize.
first class proteins which supply all the essential amino acids
second class proteins which lack at least one amino acid
28
ii) State the properties of enzymes
temperature substrate
concentration pH of the
medium enzyme concentration
presence of inhibitors and co-factors
competitive inhibitors
non- competitive inhibitors
i) Holozoic
29
Mode of feeding by animals where solid complex food substances are ingested, digested and egested.
ii) Saprophytism
feeding on dead organic matter
iii) Parasitism
feeding from another organism but not killing it
iv) Symbiosis
an association in which organisms of different species derive mutual benefit from one another
ii) Omnivorous
omnivores are animals which feed partially on plant materials and partially on flesh e.g pigs
iii) Carnivorous
Carnivores feed on flesh alone e.g. lion
c) i) What is dentition?
Refers to the number, arrangement and kind of teeth in an animal
homodont have same kind , type, shape and size of teeth which perform similar function e.g. fish, reptiles and
amphibians
Heterodont have different kind, type, shape and size of teeth which perform different functions as those found
in mammals.
30
d) Describe the adaptations and functions of various types of mammalian teeth
31
Cement bone-like substance covering root and enamel of mammalian
tooth
f) i) What is dental formula? formula indicating the number of each kind of teeth for a
given species of mammal only half the jaw is included
the number in the upper jaw of one side is written above that in the lower jaw of one side the
categories of teeth are given in the order incisors, canines, pre-molars, molars
Carnivore presence of
canines presence of
carnassial teeth
presence of incisors in upper jaw/absence of diastema/gap between incisor and premolar
32
iv) State the functions of the following structures in mammals
33
ii) Describe the process of digestion in the various parts of the human digestive system
Mouth
contains teeth for chewing has tongue
for mixing food with saliva
has salivary glands for chemical digestion, secretion of enzymes and mucus secretion
starch is acted on by salivary amylase enzymes to produce maltose the tongue rolls
food into a bolus which is carried into the stomach by peristalsis peristalsis is
movement of food along the gut by waves of contraction
34
it facilitates rapid digestion due to its mixing action
Oesophagus
also called gullet forms a passage for
food by peristalsis
connects the mouth to the stomach
Stomach
has gastric glands which secrete gastric juices
these juices contain hydrochloric acid(HCL), mucus, and the enzymes pepsin, rennin and lipase
HCL produces an acidic medium for enzyme action
Proteins are acted upon by pepsin to produce peptides
Caseinogen is acted upon by rennin to produce casein
Fats are acted upon by lipase to produce fatty acids and glycerol
Mucus lubricates the stomach and prevents autolysis of stomach (mucus protects stomach)
Duodenum
the first u-shaped part of the small intestine food in the
stomach is now in a semi-liquid form called chime chime leaves
the stomach by peristalsis into the duodenum
there, the liver produces bile pigments, bile salts and sodium hydrogen carbonate
the stomach is usually alkaline to neutralize chime which is acidic bile salts
emulsify fats bile comes from the gall bladder through the bile duct sodium
hydrogen carbonate provides the correct pH/alkaline pancreatic juices are released
by pancreas into the duodenum the juices contain trypsin, chemotrypsin, amylase,
lipase and protease proteins are acted upon by trypsin to form polypeptides and
amino acids starch is broken down to maltose by amylase
Ileum
- produces intestinal juices
- Intestinal juice contains maltase, sucrase, lactase, erepsin, lipase, and several other peptidases
- Maltose is broken down to glucose and galactose by lactase
- Sucrose is acted upon by sucrase to glucose
Polypeptides are broken down into amino acids by erepsin
- Mucus secretion is to protect the ileum wall from digestion/autolysis
Colon
- Commonly called the large intestine
- Wider than the ileum
- has several mucus-producing cells
Highly folded for water absorption
- Also prepares food for egestion
- egestion is the process by which the insoluble parts of food are discharged from the body in form of faeces.
35
Rectum
- Muscular and enlarged
- it produces mucus
- used for storage and removal of faeces
Anus
e) i) What is assimilation?
- The process by which digested food is taken up by cells and used in the body for various purposes.
36
f) Name the types of food substances in the food that do not undergo digestion in human digestive
system mineral salts water roughage
vitamins
k.) Explain the importance of the following food substances in human nutrition
a) Mineral salts are important in organic compounds containing elements which are essential for normal body
metabolism
those required in large quantities are called macro-nutrients while those required in small quantities are
called micro-nutrients or trace elements
They are used in bone and teeth formation. In osmotic balance and neurotransmission insufficient
amounts lead to anaemia, rickets, goiter
37
Excess amounts lead to high blood pressure, and dental disorders.
b) Roughage
composed of cellulose and plant fibers
digested by cellulose contained by gut microorganisms
provides grip essential for peristalsis
lack of roughage leads to slow movement of food leading to constipation roughage adds
bulk to food for peristalsis to take place
c) Water
used in transport in the body, universal solvent, hydrolysis insufficient leads
to dehydration
a) Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) this is the energy required when the body is completely at rest
used to carry out breathing, heartbeat, circulation of blood and other basic reactions
also used in maintaining body temperature at constant all movements or physical
work e.g. walking, eating required more energy.
b) Occupation
means activity occurring everyday everyday
activity determines energy requirement
People doing heavy work like digging require more energy than office workers.
c) Age
children carry out many activities and also have more cell division than adults their
BMR is therefore higher than for adults
as they grow older, they become less active and their energy requirements decrease
d) Body size
small bodied people have a large surface area to volume ratio
their bodies lose more heat energy to the surrounding they
therefore require more energy-giving foods this is the opposite
for big bodied people
e) Sex
most males are more muscular than females
they also do heavier work than females hence require more energy females
do lighter work hence require less energy
f) Climate
in warm climate the body requires less energy
in low temperatures the body requires more energy to maintain body temperature
38
m.) Explain various tests carried out on food
39
[Link]
The other documents available on this website include;
All secondary school schemes of work.
Form 1-form 4 revision papers in all subjects.
Marking schemes to most of the revision papers.
K.C.S.E past papers.
University past papers.
K.A.S.N.E.B past papers e.g. C.P.A Primary school schemes of work.
40