Under Construction
Topics Summary
Unit 1: Life processes are performed at the cellular level
- characteristics of life
- cell theory and types of cells
- photosynthesis and cellular respiration
- the relationship of micro-organisms with living things:
- basic functions of the immune system
- vaccination and antibiotics
- impacts of epidemics and pandemics on human populations
Unit 2: The behaviour of matter can be explained by the kinetic molecular theory and atomic theory
- kinetic molecular theory
- atomic theory and models
- protons, neutrons, and quarks
- electrons and leptons
Unit 3: Energy can be transferred as both a particle and a wave
- types and effects of electromagnetic radiation
- light:
- properties
- behaviour
- ways of sensing
Unit 4: The theory of plate tectonics is the unifying theory that explains Earth’s geological processes
- plate tectonic movement
- major geological events of local significance
- First Peoples knowledge of:
- local geological formations
- significant local geological events
- layers of Earth
Vocabulary (organized by topic)
Unit 1: Life processes are performed at the cellular level
Characteristics of Life
- living things respire, grow, take in nutrients, produce waste, respond to stimuli, and reproduce; there is debate as to whether or not to classify viruses as living things
- living things are made of one or more cells
- all cells come from pre-existing cells
- the cell is a basic unit of life
- prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
- plant and animal cells
- cells contain structures that carry out essential functions
Photosynthesis
- the process in which green plants convert energy from the sun to transform water and carbon dioxide, into oxygen and glucose (a simple sugar).
- photo (light) + synthesis (combine)
Cellular Respiration
- is the process of breathing on a cellular level. All living cells of animals go through this process. The cells take glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen and make energy. Glucose and oxygen are sent into the mitochondria of a cell (an organelle). The mitochondria breaks apart the glucose and oxygen and reorganizes the molecules into ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the molecule of chemical energy), water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2).
Microorganisms
- microorganisms are key to nutrient recycling in ecosystems as they act as decomposers
- viruses and bacteria can cause disease and can also be used in industry (e.g., production of cheese and salami) and agriculture (e.g., production of striped tulips)
Basic functions of the immune system
- the immune system provides a barrier to infections and a number of non-specific and specific responses to fight infection (e.g., fever, antibodies, phagocytes, inflammation)
- different populations have greater immunity to certain infections than other populations (e.g., impact of smallpox epidemic on First Peoples)
- vaccination can prevent the spread of infectious disease
- antibiotics are effective only against living organisms, such as bacteria, and not against viruses; overuse of antibiotics can lead to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (“superbugs”)
- epidemics are regional outbreaks (e.g., smallpox, measles)
- pandemics are global outbreaks (e.g., Spanish flu, SARS)
Unit 2: The behaviour of matter can be explained by the kinetic molecular theory and atomic theory
Kinetic Molecular Theory
- explains how particles move in different states
Atomic theory
- Provides evidence for the existence of atoms and molecules
- Models can be used to represent:
- The arrangement and motion of particles in different phases
- The arrangement of and forces that bind protons, neutrons, and electrons in an atom
- The quarks and leptons in protons, neutrons and electrons
- protons and neutrons (made of quarks) are held together in the nucleus by a strong nuclear force
- electrons (a type of lepton) are held at a distance from the nucleus through electromagnetism
Unit 3: Energy can be transferred as both a particle and a wave
Types of electromagnetic radiation
- the electromagnetic spectrum consists of radio, microwave, infrared, light, UV, X-ray, and gamma rays
- positive effects include cancer treatments; negative effects include sunburns
- acts like both a wave and a particle
- wavelength, amplitude, frequency
- reflection, refraction, absorption, transmission, scattering
- images formed by lenses and mirrors
- effects of translucent, transparent, and opaque objects
- human vision, optical instruments, cameras