Year 7 Biology topics
This will give you a rough idea what you will be doing in lessons
Lesson
Diversity and classification
Introduction to Biology lessons
Diversity of life
Variation within a species
Causes of variation and
selective breeding
Classification
- Sorting into sets
The 5 Kingdoms
The 5 classes of vertebrates
Arthropods
Other invertebrates;
Classifying unknown animals
Keys
Plant classification
Test
Main aims/ objectives
- reinforce lab rules and expectations
- many species exist
- many species of trees exist
- we can use physical characteristics to tell them apart
-accurate measuring and recording
-plotting histograms
-idea of normal distribution
Genetic and environmental sources of variation.
Selective breeding can lead to new varieties.
-similarities and differences between organisms; grouping
Idea of 5 kingdoms-animals, plants, fungi, protoctists and bacteria (prokaryotes).
Vertebrates/inverts.
Quick test on h/w
An example of a phylum: Vertebrates as divided into 5 Classes. Characteristics of each
Class. Endothermy and ectothermy.
Characteristics of each class.
Find own in School grounds and examine using microscopes; classify as far as possible.
They should understand the term ‘Species’ and know what latin names are.
Put out all specimens and they classify.
Use of in classification. Make own key
Flowering / Non-flowering plants
Test on Variation and Classification
How Science Works
investigation
Lesson
Microscopy, cells, body
systems
Microscopy
Cell structure
Plant cell structure
Cell specialisation, division,
tissues and organs
Organs
Movement
Test
Lesson
Sexual reproduction in humans
Gametes. Male and female
reproductive systems
Puberty
The menstrual cycle
Finding out information
Fertilisation and pregnancy
Placenta; Twins; birth
Osprey lesson (Cumbria week)
Exam
Experimental design practice based on: ‘What kind of habitat do woodlice prefer?’ See How
Science Works folder. - Include hypotheses generation, design, fair test, evaluation.
Main aims/ objectives
Correct use of monocular microscopes. Measuring objects, looking at newsprint, hair etc
Cell structure and function of organelles. Structure of animal cell as shown by cheek cell.
Quick test on h/w
Plant cell structure as shown by onion cell. Background for homework: cell types and
specialisation.
New cells are made by cell division (BRIEF). This is how growth occurs. Nucleus divides
first. Tissues are made of a group of one type of cell. Both plants and animals have organs.
General layout of human organs.
Finish off body and - Functions of some human organs - heart, blood circulation, blood
vessels. Lungs and smoking effects (brief)
Muscle action, principle of antagonistic muscle pairs
Main aims/ objectives
Recap cells, genetic material. Female and male reproductive system in terms of egg and
sperm production. Label on sheet. How egg and sperm cells are adapted to function.
Secondary sex characteristics
Theory. Sanitary protection. How to deal with it in school. Toxic shock syndrome.
Websites issued (see website)
Sexual intercourse, fertilisation, implantation. Contraception and prevention of STI’s – use
of condoms and pills. This should be done in an informal way (orally), preferably in a
discussion session. (No samples out – we do that in Y10). Function of placenta (brief).
Identical / non-identical twins. Match teaching to needs / interests of group.
Reproduction and population fluctuations in Ospreys in Cumbria
Y7 Exam. For early finishers – possibly p.161 onwards in Slaughter if not used in Cover
work.
Lesson
Sexual reproduction in
flowering plants
Sexual reproduction in
flowering plants
Pollination
Pollen tubes and fertilisation
Seed development and
dispersal
Germination – How Science
Works investigation
Germination - How Science
Works investigation
Insects
An insect : the locust
Insect feeding mechanisms.
Camouflage.
Insect life cycles
Alphabet Treasure Hunt
Main aims/ objectives
Parts of a flower.
Adaptations of wind and insect-pollinated flowers. Look at different flowers
Grow pollen tubes. Process of pollination.
Function of seed in terms of storage and dormancy. Structure of seed. Dispersal
mechanisms.
‘Factors affecting germination’ - set up experiment and leave to germinate for a week.
Look at seedlings. Write up experiment.
Vernal plants.