Introduction to IGCSE Biology (0610) & Topic 1. Characteristics of organisms By. Mr. Joshwa O. O.

Student’s Name: ……………………………....................................................... Class: …………………………...……..

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY (Don’t Cram what is on this page but try to understand what you can):

Biology (BIO-life, LOGOS-study):

So Biology = the scientific study of living systems;

Though there is no solid definition of life, the following are some things common in life forms:

1. Cellular organisation (NB: Biological Cell is the basic structural & functional unit of life);
 typical Cells have genetic material (DNA & RNA) – Exception are like mature RBC in mammals
 other 3 main organic biomolecules that make up the Cells are proteins, carbohydrates & lipids
 Unicellular life form = organism made of single cell; -eg Paramecium, plasmodium, Bacteria, yeast & amoeba;
 Multicellular life form = organism more than one cell; -e.g all plants, all animals, fungi except yeast & some protista
2. Self-replication (reproduce);
3. Carry metabolism (carry chemical reactions in cells & use materials)
4. Use energy to keep itself more orderly instead of more jumbled;
5. Evolution of species which involves:
 change in DNA in a member;
 reproduction that passes the changes to next generations;
 natural selection
NB: Evolution leads - to adaption
Adaptation = a feature common in a population because it gives an improved function in a changing environment;

So life is a form that:

 can self-replicate,
 self-regulating (homeostasis)
 has the need of water, chemistry of carbon & energy from an outside source
to power it’s internal chemical processes.
 Plus capable of response to external stimuli

21 Topics in IGCSE biology 0610:

1. Characteristics and classification of living organisms 12. Respiration

2. Organisation of the organism 13. Excretion in humans
3. Movement in and out of cells 14. Coordination and response
4. Biological molecules 15. Drugs
5. Enzymes 16. Reproduction
6. Plant nutrition 17. Inheritance
7. Human nutrition 18. Variation and selection
8. Transport in plants 19. Organisms and their environment
9. Transport in animals 20. Biotechnology and genetic modification (genetic
10. Diseases and immunity engineering)
11. Gas exchange in humans 21. Human influences of ecosystems

Assessment involve 3 papers: Assessment objective (AO)

Paper 2 (Multiple choice – Extended) AO1 Knowledge with understanding (paper 2)

Time: 45 minutes AO2 Handling information & problem solving
Raw marks: 40 AO3 Experimental skills and investigations (paper 5)
Weight : 30%

Paper 4 (Theory– Extended)

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Raw marks: 80
Weight : 50%

Paper 5 (Practical Paper – Extended)

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Raw marks: 40
Weight : 20%

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Topic 1: Characteristics of living organisms (7 are studied in topic 1 at IGCSE =MRS GREN);

1. Movement;
An organism or part of organism change position or place;
(NB: things like blood, heart, lungs & cell organelles also internally move);
NB: Locomotion = change of position of the whole organism from one place to another;
majority of animals can carry locomotion;
(only few like sponges, hydra & corals, sea anemones can’t);

2. Respiration;
 Chemical reactions in living cells;
 that break organic molecules to release metabolic energy stored in energy currency molecule called ATP;
 The energy is used for other metabolic reactions & movement;

NB: Metabolism;
Chemical reactions in the body;
That facilitate growth, reproduction & maintain life Two types of Metabolism:
Catabolism; reactions that break large molecules into smaller ones,
like aerobic respiration breaks glucose to water & CO2 [ C 6H 12 O 6 + 6 O 2  6 H 2O + C O 2 + ATP]
Anabolism; reactions that join smaller molecules into larger ones,
chlorophyll for trapping light energy
Like - photo-synthesis [ 6 H 2 O + 6 C O 2 C 6H 12O 6 + 6 O 2 ]
protein synthesis, DNA replication, DNA transcription etc

3. Excretion
Removal from the body of:
a) Metabolic wastes like CO2 from respiration, OR
urea from deaminated amino acids in liver;
b) toxic materials, like drugs example medicinal drugs & alcohol;
c) excess substances like excess water or excess salts;
d) Hormones (after they have done their work);

4. Nutrition;

 Taking in/absorbing & assimilating inorganic & organic materials

 for energy, growth, development, tissue repair & good health;
Inorganic materials which are: O2, CO2, water & mineral ions;
provide raw materials only;
Organic materials like: proteins, lipids & carbohydrates;
provide both raw materials & energy;
The Two Types of Nutrition:
1. Autotrophic: - synthesis of own organic nutrients;
a) Photo-autotrophs like plants & algae,
 trap light energy, carbon dioxide, water and mineral ions
 to produce organic compounds by photosynthesis;
b) Chemo-autotrophs; like some bacteria use energy from
 Break chemicals to release energy (not light energy)
 They use to synthesis organic nutrients

2. Heterotrophs like animals and fungi,

 Consume organic compounds, water & mineral ions;
NB: Both autotrophs & Heterotrophs metabolise organic compounds
to get metabolic energy inform of energy currency called ATP;

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5. Reproduction
 Processes that make more of the same kind of organism (OFFSPRING)
 Throughout the life of a multicellular organism, cells divide & multiply
 The larger the multicellular organism, the more cells it has!!

The two types of reproduction:

a) Sexual reproduction
 Reproduction involving gametes;
 Parent can be one (e.g self-pollinated plants & tape worm) of two e.g humans;
 Gametes are formed by meiosis making off-springs genetically different from parent(s);
 In most cases when parents are two, only members of same species can freely breed;
 & reproduce fertile off-springs;

b) Asexual reproduction
 Reproduction without gametes;
 New cells are formed by mitosis or binary fission then cytokinesis;
 Parent is only one;
 Since only mitosis is involved, offspring has same genetic make-up as parent;
 So organisms reproduced asexually are genetic clones;

6. Growth & Development

Growth:
Which is irreversible/permanent increase in size & dry mass;

 Unicellular organisms grow by increase in cell Dry Mass only;

 Multicellular organisms grow by both:
Both increase in cell Dry Mass;
& increasing cell Numbers;

Development

 Is increase in complexity
 Caused by differentiation of cells & tissues to perform specialised functions;
 Differentiation involves,
 Switching some genes on while switching some off;
 This results in structural & physiological changes in cells;
 In plants & animals this results in formation of tissues & organs;
NB: only animals & plants have tissues, organs & organs systems;

7. Sensitivity (irritability);

 Ability to detect stimuli in the external & internal environment;

 Then make appropriate responses;

 STIMULUS – change in internal or external environment that causes a reaction

 RESPONSE – a reaction to a stimulus;

NB: Sensitivity ensures there is homeostasis;

HOMEOSTASIS – maintaining a stable internal environmental

(maintaining internal conditions within pre-set narrow ranges
0
e.g human body temperature is maintained between 36.5 – 37.5 C);

NB: Don’t say “stimulant” = beverages !! say stimulus (singular) or stimuli (plural);

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 State the most obvious characteristic(s) of life depicted in by each diagram:

………………………………………….…. & …..………………………………………….

End

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