Biology Topics - Form Four

 

TOPIC 1: Growth

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1. Concept of Growth .

   • Explain the concept of growth .

   • Investigate internal and external factors affecting growth in plants and animals .

2. Mitosis and Growth .

   • Explain the concept of mitosis .

   • Illustrate stages of mitosis .

   • Explain the significance of mitosis in the growth .

3. Growth and Developmental Stages in Human .

   • Explain growth and development in human being .

   • Explain the stages of human post–natal growth and development .

   • Explain physiological, psychological and behaviour changes associated with growth and development .

   • Outline factors which affect the rate of physical deterioration of human body and services required to meet the needs of an individual at each stage .

4. Growth in Flowering Plants .

   • Explain the concept of seed germination .

   • Outline changes which occur during seed germination .

   • Investigate conditions necessary for seed germination .

   • Carry out practical activities to demonstrate epigeal and hypogeal germination .

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TOPIC 2: Genetics

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1. Concept of Genetics .

   • Explain the concept of the genetics .

   • State common terms used in genetics .

2. Genetics Materials .

   • Explain the concept of genetics Materials .

   • Describe the structure and composition of genetics materials (Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Ribonucleic Acid ) .

   • Differentiate Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) from Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) .

3. Principle of Inheritance, Concept of Inheritance .

   • Explain the concept of inheritance .

4. Mendelian Inheritance .

   • State Mendel’s first law of inheritance .

   • Illustrate monohybrid crosses and interpret their results of crosses and ratios .

   • Interpret data from monohybrid experiments to demonstrate mendel’s first law of inheritance .

   • Illustrate patterns of inheritance that follow mendel’s first law .

5. Non-Mendelism Inheritance .

   • Explain concepts of incomplete dominance and Co-dominance .

   • Illustrate patterns of inheritance that deviates from mendel’s first law of inheritance .

6. Sex Determination and Inheritance .

   • Describe the mechanism of sex determination and inheritance .

   • Explain the concept of sex linked, sex Limited and sex influenced characters .

   • Explain consequences of sex preference and sex selection .

7. Variation Among Organisms .

   • Explain the concept of variation .

   • Identify variations among organisms .

   • Give the meaning of continuous and discontinuous variations .

   • Differentiate continuous from discontinuous variation .

   • Explain causes of variation among organisms .

8. Genetic Disorders .

   • Give the meaning of genetic disorders .

   • Cite examples of genetic disorders .

   • Explain the causes and effects of genetic disorders .

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TOPIC 3: Classification of Living Things

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1. Kingdom Animalia .

   • Explain general and distinctive features of the kingdom animalia .

   • Mention the major phyta of the kingdom animalia .

2. Phylum Platyhelminthes .

   • Explain the general and distinctive features of the phylum platyhelminthes .

   • Describe the structure of organisms under the phylum latyhelminthes .

3. Phylum Aschelminthes (Nematoda) .

   • Explain general and distinctive features of the phylum aschelminthes .

   • Describe the structure of organisms under the phylum aschelminthes .

   • Outline the advantages and disadvantages of roundworms .

4. Phylum Annelida .

   • Explain general and distrinctive features of the phylum annelida .

   • Describe structure of organism under the phylum annelida (Earthworm) .

   • Explain advantages and disadvantages of lumbricus (Earthworm) .

5. Phylum Arthropoda .

   • Explain general and distinctive features of the phylum arthropoda .

   • Mention classes of the phylum arthropoda .

   • Cite examples of organisms under each class of the phylum artropoda .

   • Explain distinctive features of each class of the phylum arthropoda .

   • Describe structures of representative organisms under each class .

   • Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the organisms under each class of phylum arthropoda .

6. Phylum Chordata .

   • Explain general and distinctive characteristics features of the phylum chordata .

   • Mention classes of the phylum chordate .

   • Explain distinctive features of each class of the phylum chordata .

   • Describe structure of representative organisms in each class of phylum chordata .

   • Outline the advantages and disadvantages of organisms under each class of phylum chordata .

 

TOPIC 4: Transportation of Materials in Living Things

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1. Concept of Organic Evolution .

   • Explain the concept of organic evolution .

2. Theories of the Origin of Life .

   • Outline the basic ideas about the origin of life .

   • State the theories of the origin of life .

3. Theories of Organic Evolution , Lamarckism .

   • State lamarck’s theory of evolution .

   • Explain lamarck’s observations and deductions .

   • Outline merits and demerits of lamarck’s theory of evolution .

4. Darwinism .

   • State Darwin’s theory of evolution .

   • Investigate evidences and application of organic evolution in the real life situation 

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TOPIC 5: Human Immunodeficiency (HIV) Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)                    And Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Syllabus

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1. Relationship Between HIV, AIDS and STIs .

   • Distinguish between HIV, AIDS and STIs .

   • Explain the relationship between HIV and STIs .

2. Management and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs .

   • Outline ways of managing and controlling HIV, AIDS and STIs .

   • Mention the life skills needed for home based care for PLWHA .

   • Mention precautions to be taken when handling people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and STIs .

3. Counseling and Voluntary Testing (CVT) .

   • Explain the concept of counselling and voluntary testing .

   • Outline the significance of CVT in the control and prevention of HIV/AIDS and STIs 

   • Explain the procedures and techniques of CVT for HIV/AIDS .

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