First Term

Introduction to Basic Science

Family Health: Sanitation

Family Health: Refuse and Sewage

Family Health: Nutrition

Family Health: Drug

Classification of Drug; Drug Abuse

Environmental Pollution: Water Pollution

Air Pollution

Land or Soil Pollution

Basic Science Upper Basic 7 First Term Examinations (Mock)

INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE

CONTENT
1. Definition of Science
2. How to Study Science
3. The Branches of Science
4. Uses of Science

Definition of Science
Science is the systematic study of nature. Basic science is a subject
that introduces sciences to mankind.
How to Study Science
Science is studied through the following ways:
1. Observation
2. Sorting
3. Experimentation
4. Recording of result gotten from experiment
5. Conclusions

The Branches of Science

Science can be divided into different branches based on what they
studied such as:
1. Life Sciences: This area deals with the study of living things
e.g. biology, botany, zoology etc.
2. Physical Sciences: This area deals with study of matter and
energy e.g. physics, chemistry and astronomy
3. Earth Sciences: It studies about the structures and
compositions of the earth e.g. geography and geology

Uses of Science
These are the importance and benefits of science to human beings.
Such as its uses in:
1. Medicine to cure and prevent diseases
2. Engineering and Technology e.g. production of cars, phones,
books etc.
3. Construction e.g. skyscrapers, bridges, houses etc.
4. Agriculture
5. Communication

EVALUATION

1. What is science?
2. Highlight the methods of studying science.
3. List 4 uses of science.
FAMILY HEALTH – SANITATION

CONTENT
1. The Meaning of Sanitation
2. Types of Sanitation
3. How to Carry Out Personal Cleanliness
4. Advantages of Observing Personal Cleanliness
5. Disadvantages of Not Observing Personal Cleanliness
6. The Importance of Sanitation

The Meaning of Sanitation

Sanitation is the removal of all kinds of waste that could be
considered unpleasant from our immediate environment, in order to
keep ourselves and our environment clean and healthy.

Types of Sanitation
The types of sanitation are as follows:
(i) Environmental Sanitation: This refers to the practice or ways of
keeping our surrounding clean and healthy by removing all kinds of
waste from our rooms, toilets, bathrooms, kitchens and
surroundings such as markets, schools etc.
(ii) Personal cleanliness: This is the keeping of one’s body and
personal belongings neat, clean and tidy always. Personal
cleanliness is important for health because it prevents very tiny
organisms (micro-organisms) which can cause diseases.

How to Carry Out Personal Cleanliness

We can carry out personal cleanliness by doing the following:
(i) Cleanliness of the hair: The hair should be washed, combed and
plaited or barbed.
(ii) Cleanliness of the skin: The skin should be cleaned by bathing at
least twice a day using water, sponge and soap.
(iii) Cleanliness of the teeth: The mouth should be brushed at least
twice a day.
(iv) Cleanliness of clothes: Our clothes should be washed and dried
in the sun to remove sweat and dirt.
(v) Cleanliness of hands and nails: Hands should be washed
regularly and nails should be cut to prevent micro-organisms.

Brushing Teeth

Advantages of Observing Personal Cleanliness

The advantages of not observing personal cleanliness include:
When personal cleanliness is observed, we enjoy the following:
(i) You look attractive and beautiful.
(ii) You will be lively and healthy.
(iii) You will be emotionally balanced
(iv) You will be regular and punctual at school and at work.
(v) One will be socially acceptable.
(vi) Germs will not breed on your food or other edible materials.
(vi) The brain will be at alert.

Disadvantages of Not Observing Personal Cleanliness

The disadvantages of not observing personal cleanliness include:
(i) Poor health
(ii) Spread of diseases
(iii) Death
(iv) Emotional instability
(v) Low self-esteem among others
(vi) Money will be wasted on drugs and hospital.

The Importance of Sanitation

The following are the importance of sanitation:
(i) It prevents and creates awareness of diseases.
(ii) It makes for proper disposal of refuse in the community (village,
town, city).
(iii) It enables us to engage in activities that would help us to
maintain the balance in nature.
(iv) It encourages recycling of refuse, and using it to make compost
and manure.
(v) It facilitate proper disposal of waste in the community.

EVALUATION

1. What is sanitation?
2. State 3 importance of sanitation.
3. List 5 ways of carrying out personal cleanliness.
REFUSE AND SEWAGE

CONTENT
1. Meaning of Refuse and Sewage
2. Methods of Refuse Disposal
3. Cleaning Tools and Agents

Meaning of Refuse and Sewage

Refuse is a solid waste whether dry or wet which could cause land
pollution e.g. nylon, paper, plastic, broken bottles, scraps, etc.
Refuse wastes materials could be divided into 2 namely:
biodegradable and non-biodegradable.
Biodegradable materials are materials that can decompose or decay
e.g. banana peels, dead leaves, dead animals, etc.
Non-biodegradable things are materials that cannot be decomposed
or decay e.g. metals, plastics, broken bottles, etc.
Sewage is a liquid waste from the environment e.g. faeces, urine,
wasted water from kitchens, bathrooms, etc.

Methods of Refuse Disposal

Refuse disposal methods include:
1. Burning of the refuse.
2. Burying to facilitate decomposition or decay.
 3. Recycling of refuse (It is a process whereby refuse is sorted out
and converted to the original materials and use again.)
4. Proper use of waste bins
5. Use of incinerator ( a container where solid wastes are burnt)
Sewage disposal methods include:
1. Pit latrine: A deep pit dug in the ground use as a means of
disposing faeces.
2. Bucket latrine: This is the use of mobile container for faeces
and urine e.g. potty
3. Water closet system (WC): The water closet is connected to a
septic tank that receives the sewage once it is flushed.

Cleaning Tools and Agents

These are materials and chemicals used to keep the home and
surrounding clean.
Cleaning tools are broom, mop, brush, duster, sponge, tissue paper,
shovel, cutlass, rake etc. while cleaning agents are scouring powder,
soap, detergents, water etc.

EVALUATION

1. Explain what you understand by refuse and sewage.

2. State 2 differences between refuse and sewage.
3. List 2 examples each of refuse and sewage.

FAMILY HEALTH – NUTRITION

CONTENT
1. The Meaning of Nutrition
2. Meaning of Food
3. Classes of Food
4. Balanced Diet
The Meaning of Nutrition
Nutrition is the act of obtaining food by living things. It is one of the
characteristics of living things.

Meaning of Food
What is food? Food is any substance that is taken to nourish the
body and to meet physiological needs for growth, energy and to
maintain all processes.

Classes of Food
The food we eat can be grouped into following classes based on the
nutrient derived from it. Nutrient is a group of chemical compounds
found in food.
There are six classes of food, namely carbohydrates, proteins, fat
and oil, minerals salt, vitamins and water.

Carbohydrates

These are energy giving foods e.g rice, yam, maize, cassava, wheat,
bread, potato, etc.
Excess intake of carbohydrate foods can lead to diseases such as
diabetes, beriberi etc.

Wheat Grains

Proteins

These are body building food concerned with the growth and repair
of worn out parts of the body e.g meat, fish, eggs, beans,
groundnut, milk, etc.
Lack of protein in the body can cause kwashiorkor.

Fats and Oils

They are also energy giving foods which serve as insulator against
changes in temperature e.g. palms oil, groundnut oil, butter,
margarine, coconut oil, cashew nut etc.
Excess fats deposit in the body can cause high blood pressure and
stroke
Vitamins

These are foods needed in small quantity by the body for normal
body maintenance. Vitamins aid digestion and sound health. E.g.
fruits, vegetable, milk, egg, liver and nuts. Vitamins are grouped
into Vitamin A,B,C,D,E and K.
Lack of vitamins could cause various diseases such as Night
blindness, scurvy, rickets etc.

Mineral Salts

These are essential inorganic elements needed by the body in

varying quantities for various functions such bone and teeth
formation, and cellular activities. These minerals include iron,
calcium, magnesium, Iodine, Sodium etc. Foods that give minerals
are milk, eggs, salt, vegetables, bones,fruits etc.

Water

Water is a natural liquid chemical taken by the body to aid food

digestion and important for body tissues and fluids such as blood,
saliva, urine and sweat.
Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is a meal that contains all the classes of foods that
the body requires in the right proportion.

EVALUATION

1. Define nutrition.
2. List the classes of food.

FAMILY HEALTH – DRUG

CONTENT
1. The Meaning of Drug
2. Types of Drugs
3. Sources of Drugs
4. Uses of Drugs
5. Side Effects of Drugs

The Meaning of Drug

Drug can be defined as any substance that can affect the body
positively or negatively. Drugs can be taken into the body system
directly or indirectly through swallowing, injection or inhalation.
Examples of drugs: Chloroquine, Phensic, Panadol, Kola nut, Alcohol,
Indian hemp etc.

Types of Drugs
There are two types of drugs, namely:
(i) Common drugs or prescription drugs e.g. Paracetamol,
Chloroquine, Ferrous etc.
(ii) Hard drugs: Hard drugs have adverse effects on the body e.g.
heroine, cocaine, marijuana, Indian hemp etc.

Sources of Drugs
Drugs are derived from the following sources:
(i) Plants (e.g. marijuana, opium, cocaine, morphine etc.)
(ii) Animals (e.g. insulin, oestrogen, progesterone etc.) and
(iii) Minerals (e.g. Lithium salt, Carboxylic acids etc.)

Uses of Drugs
(i) Drug can be used for medical purpose
(ii) It is used to reduce weight
(iii) It is used to reduce pain
(iv) It is used to induce sleep
(v) It is used as stimulant
(vi) It is used to cure illness.

Side Effects of Drugs

When drugs are used in wrong way, they can lead to the following
effects.
(i) They weaken the body
(ii) They shorten one’s life span
(iii) They can damage the internal organs of the body
(iv) They can bring about lack of consecration
(v) They damage the brain
(vi) They bring about irregular breathing
(vii) They result in economical wastage.

EVALUATION

1. What is drug?
2. Give 6 examples of common and hard drugs.
3. Highlight 6 uses of drug.
4. List 5 side effects of drug abuse.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS AND DRUG ABUSE

CONTENT
1. Classification of Drugs
2. What is Drug Abuse?
3. How Drugs Can be Abused
4. Misuse of Drugs
5. Other Substances that Can be Abused

Classification of Drugs
There are five classes of drugs that people mostly abuse, namely:
(i) Narcotics e.g. Opium
(ii) Sedatives and Hypnotics e.g. Barbiturates
(iii) Tranquilizers e.g. Valium
(iv) Hallucinogens e.g. LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) and
Marijuana.
(v) Stimulants e.g. Amphetamine, Cocaine

What is Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse is the taking of medically prescribed drugs
inappropriately or taking of drug without the Doctor’s prescription.
How Drugs Can be Abused

Drugs can be abused in the following ways:

(i) Taking the prescribed drugs for a purpose other than that which it
was intended
(ii) Taking a dosage other than the recommended.
(iii) Taking drugs to induce sleep without prescription from a
qualified medical doctor
(iv) Taking drugs to gain confidence or boldness
(v) Taking drugs to attain full sexual satisfaction without
prescription.
(vi) Sharing a prescribed drug with other people
(vii) Taking drugs that are not prescribed by Doctors.
(viii) Taking of Expired drugs ignorantly.

Misuse of Drugs
The following are ways through which drugs can be misused:
(i) Some athletics use drugs in form of stimulants
(ii) It is also used as muscle builder.
(ii) It is also used to enhance one’s performances in competition.

Other substances abused include:

Tea, alcohol, coffee, kola nuts, tobacco, aspirin and other pain
killers.
Alcohol affects the body by first making you excited, then making
you depressed. The other substances affect the body by causing
excitement and preventing sleep.

EVALUATION

1. Define drug abuse.

2. Mention some ways in which drugs can be abuse.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION – WATER POLLUTION

CONTENT
1. Definition of Pollution
2. Types of Pollution
3. Water Pollution
4. Causes of Water Pollution
5. Consequences/Effects of Water Pollution
6. Control Measures of Water Pollution

Definition of Pollution
The discharge of waste substances into the environment in
quantities that are harmful to human beings is known as pollution.
The materials and energy that cause pollution are called pollutants.
Examples of pollutants are Acids, Soaps and Detergents, Alcohol,
Oils, Chemical compounds such as Lead, Sulphide, fertilizers,
herbicides, refuse and sewage etc. making the environment
undesirable, unpleasant, threatening the health and existence of
living organisms including humans.

Types of Pollution
There are mainly three types of pollution namely:
(i) Water pollution;
(ii) Air pollution;
(iii) Land or Soil pollution

Water Pollution

Water pollution can be defined as the discharge of harmful waste

substances into a body of water.
When water loses its natural, physical properties, and becomes
coloured with offensive odour and bad taste; the water is said to be
polluted.

Causes of Water Pollution

The causes of water pollution are water pollutants such as:

1. Domestic Wastes: These are wastes from homes or surroundings
which consist of soap and detergents used in washing clothes,
plates, refuse dumped beside the river or stream, dung from
animals such as chickens, dogs, goats, cows and human faeces left
on land may be washed into the river/stream.
2. Industrial Wastes: These are wastes from industries or factories
such as acids, e.g. hydro-cyanic acid present in the water squeezed
out from cassava in the garri processing industry soaps and
detergents used in washing up some industrial equipment, alcohol
which may be washed out from bottles in the breweries.
 Industrial Water
Pollution

3. Agricultural Wastes: Agricultural activities such as the use of

fertilizers on the soil and pesticides on plants can be washed into
the water bodies through rain causing water pollution.
4. Oil Spillage: This occurs during oil drilling, bunkering and oil
tanker accidents. Oil from these sources can run into water bodies
which result into water pollution.
5. Indiscriminate dumping of sewage and refuse into water bodies.

Consequences/Effects of Water Pollution

Water pollution occurs when water is no longer supporting the lives

of living things and the consequences of the pollution are
(i) Water pollutants can change the colour of the water body.
(ii) Sewage dump into water bodies can cause dysentery, salmonella
and hepatitis, diarrhea, etc.
(iii) When water is polluted, it becomes unfit for drinking
(iv) If rivers are polluted, fish will die in large numbers
(v) Polluted water will affect the economy of fishermen in the
country
(vi) Swimmers will no longer enjoy their recreation, polluted water
could be disastrous.

Control Measures of Water Pollution

Water pollution maybe controlled through the following ways:

(i) There should be awareness on the dangers of pollution which is
the most important method of reducing pollution.
(ii) Treating sewage in sewage plant before emptying the effluent
into the river and sea.
(iii) Maximum precautions must be taken to prevent oil spillage.
(iv) Building nuclear waste silos for storing radioactive wastes so
that ground water does not becomes contaminated.
(v) Treating industrial wastes before emptying them into water
bodies.
(vi) Do not allow engine oil, kerosene or petrol to get into fresh
water supply.
(vii) Fishermen should stop the use of Gammalin 20 on water bodies
to kill fish.

EVALUATION

1. State five effects of water pollution.

2. How can water pollution be controlled?

AIR POLLUTION

CONTENT
1. Definition of Air Pollution
2. Air Polluntants
3. Sources of Air Pollution
4. Consequences of Air Pollution
5. Control Measures of Air Pollution

Definition of Air Pollution

Air pollution is the discharge of harmful waste substances which
contaminate the atmosphere. Air pollutants can be solids, liquids or
gases.

Air Pollution

Air pollution is a serious problem in many parts of the world.

Smokestacks pump pollution into the air, harming the environment
and making it harder to breathe.
The following table shows the constituents that make up the air and
their natural proportions:
Nitrogen 78%
Oxygen 21%
Argon 0.93%
Carbon dioxide 0.03%
Anything short of this is air pollution.

Air Polluntants
The major air pollutants are
(i) Sulphur dioxide from motor vehicles and industrial plants.
(ii) Nitrogen oxides
(iii) Carbon monoxide from exhaust pipe of cars
(iv) Hydrogen sulphide smell like rotten egg
(v) Dust from city road and surroundings.
(vi) Smoke from domestic fires, cigarettes, industrial premises, etc.
(vii) Smog produced by the action of sunlight on nitric oxide and
nitrogen dioxide.
(viii) Radioactive rays from nuclear power plants and nuclear
reactors.

Sources of Air Pollution

The sources of air pollution include:

(i) Automobiles
(ii) Power stations
(iii) Industries
(iv) Burning of wood and vegetation for agricultural purposes
(v) The decay of dead plants and animals.

Consequences of Air Pollution

The consequences of air pollution include the following:
(i) CARBON MONOXIDE: In low concentration causes dizziness,
headache, nausea and tiredness. If inhaled for a longer periods even
in low concentration, causes brain damage; at a higher
concentrations, it can cause unconsciousness and eventually death.
(ii) SULPHUR DIOXIDE: It causes lung diseases in human. It changes
the green colour of plants leaves and corrodes metals.
(iii) NITROGEN OXIDES: This causes lung irritation, suffocation,
disease in plants and corrosion of metallic objects.
(iv) CARBON MONOXIDE: It reacts with the haemoglobin in the blood
preventing it from taking oxygen and forms carboxyhaemoglobin,
which can lead to death by suffocation.
(v) HYDROGEN SULPHIDE: It has rotten egg smell which is irritating
and can causes suffocation to humans.
(vi) Dust particles can cause injury to the eyes, noses and ears.
(vii) Smoke causes injury to the lung of the respiratory tracts and
discomfort to man. Smoke from cigarette causes lung cancer,
asthma and chronic bronchitis.
(viii) Smog causes eyes irritation, respiratory ailments nausea.
(ix) Radioactive rays are very dangerous to health and can destroy
genes.

Control Measures of Air Pollution

The control measures of air pollution include the following:
(i) Proper maintenance of machinery, motor vehicles, boilers,
furnaces and chimney.
(ii) Cover noses properly with white clean handkerchief if you
accidentally get to air polluted area.
(iii) Planting of trees: Plants can use carbon dioxide for
photosynthesis, and at the same time releasing oxygen to the
atmosphere.
(iv) Government should enact laws to discourage bush burning.
(v) Rooms and kitchens should be well ventilated to prevent air
pollution in the home.
(vi) Gas flaring should be discouraged to avoid release of harmful
gases into the air.

EVALUATION

1. Define air pollution.

2. Enumerate five effects of air pollution.
3. Discuss 5 ways of controlling air pollution.
4. List 3 of air pollutants.
LAND/SOIL POLLUTION

CONTENT
1. Definition of Land or Soil Pollution
2. Causes of Land/Soil pollution
3. Effects of Land or Soil Pollution
4. Control of Land/Soil Pollution

Definition of Land or Soil Pollution

Land/soil pollution is the release of refuse and untreated wastes

from agricultural and domestic activities and are exposed or
dumped on the soil.

Causes of Land/Soil pollution

Causes of land/soil pollution are human activities that can release
land/soil pollutants such as:
(i) Agricultural activities which releases fertilizers, pesticides,
herbicides and animal dung.
(ii) Oil spills from refineries and industries.
(iii) Illegal dumping of waste refuse and chemicals.
(iv) Indiscriminate disposal of domestic waste products on the soil.
Effects of Land or Soil Pollution
Effects of land or soil pollution include the following:
(i) Soil pollution destroys soil organisms like earthworms and some
bacteria which may be useful to plant.
(ii) It reduces aesthetic values of the soil.
(iii) It reduces the soil nutrients.
(iv) It can cause serious hazards to plants and animals especially
when chemical are deposited on the soil.
(v) Soil pollution can also cause air pollution by releasing unpleasant
smell from biodegradable refuse.

Control of Land/Soil Pollution

The control of land or soil pollution can be done by the following:
(i) Recycling of non-biodegradable materials;
(ii) Controlling the use of fertilizers and chemicals during agricultural
practices;
(iii) Education;
(iv) Legislation by government should be enacted to prevent
indiscriminate disposal of wastes;
(v) Burying of biodegradable wastes to improve soil fertility.

EVALUATION

1. Define land pollution.

2. Enumerate five effects of land pollution.
3. Discuss 5 ways of controlling land pollution.
4. List 3 of land pollutants.