LIFE SCIENCE SUMMARY GRADE 9

CHAPTER 1(scientific process)

What is an investigation?

- Are a way to find out new information, explore the world around us, develop new ideas to
explain the world around and check the results of other scientists?

State the independent variable and independent variable

Independent- the factor that scientists changes in a test

Dependent variable- the factor that a scientist measures in a test

Steps of the scientific method

1. Make an observation
2. Ask a question
3. Form a hypothesis
4. Write an aim
5. Plan how to collect and record data
6. Record and analyse data
7. Conclusion

Scientific drawing

Rules for drawing

• Enlarge your drawing

• Use a sharp pencil
• Do not colour/shade your drawing
• Use complete lines
• Put all the details

Magnification – is an extent at which the size of an actual object has been increased

Principles of magnification

▪ The stronger the magnification of the lens, the smaller the diameter of the lens
▪ The stronger the magnification of the lens, the smaller the amount of light transmitted
▪ The stronger the magnification of the lens, the smaller the area viewed.
▪ The closer your eyes is to the lens, the wider the field of view
Magnification= size of drawing ÷ size of object/ specimen

Microscope – is an instrument used to observe very small objects that cannot be seen by our naked eyes

Parts and functions

1. Eye piece- is where we look to see the image that we want to view
2. Body tube- to hold eyepiece and connect it to nose piece
3. Nose piece- to hold objective lens
4. Objective lens- to magnify objects
5. Stage- is where glass slide with specimen is placed
6. Slide- to hold glass slide in place
7. Diaphragm- to control the amount of light reaching the specimen
8. Mirror- reflect light
9. Coarse and fine adjustment wheel- to bring object into focus by controlling the distance
between specimen and objective lenses
10. Arm- to hold the microscope when you are carrying it
11. Base- to support the microscope

Total magnification = eyepiece lens x objective lens

CHAPTER 2: CLASSIFICATION OF LIVING ORGANISMS

What is taxonomy?

- Is the branch of biology that deal with identification and naming of living things?

Seven major levels of classification

1. Kingdom
2. Phylum
3. Class
4. Order
5. Family
6. Genus
7. Species

Group Example Specific name

Kingdom Animals Animalia
Phylum Animals with a backbone Vertebrates
Class Animals that have hair, skin Mammalia
and teeth
 Order All meat eaters Carnivores
Family All large and small cat Felidge
Genus All large cats Panthera
Species Lion Leo

Discuss the importance of classification

➢ To simplify the study of organisms

➢ To create an internationally accepted way of referring to a particular
➢ To avoid confusion created by different languages
➢ To help in simplify, classification and study of living organism
➢ To try and understand how life originated

Outline the principles used to classify organisms

1. Body structure e.g. unicellular or multi cellular

2. Cell structure
3. Method of feeding
4. Method of movement
5. Cell wall composition

Binomial system of nomenclature

- Is a system of using a two word Latin name, genus and a species, to identify a specific system
of organism

Dichotomous keyì

- A simple type of biological key in which you are given a choice of only two statement

Common name Scientific name

Malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum
Black jack Bidens pilosa
Lion Panther leo
Bear Phaseolus vulgaris
Maize Zea mays
Domestic cat Felis catus
House fly Musca domestica
Dog Canis familiaris
Human being Homo sapiens
CHAPTER 3: BODY’S IMMUNE SYSTEM

Describe how HIV virus is transmitted

• By having unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person

• During pregnancy, birth or breast feeding from infected mother to the child
• Through receiving contaminated blood during transfusion
• By sharing infected needles, syringes, razors or tooth brushes that are not sterilised

Name the body fluid that can be infected with HIV

• Semen and vagina fluids

• Blood
• Breast milk

Discuss the difference in attitudes towards an HIV positive and infected acquired patient

✓ People became scared that they could get infected when are closer to an HIV infected person
✓ People who are HIV positive were rejected by their and community
✓ Fear and ignorance about the disease lead to discrimination
✓ HIV positive people were denied employed

Immune system

- Is the body defends it against infection and other invaders.

Common types of pathogens

• Protozoa
• Viruses
• Bacteria

Pathogens enter the body through:

▪ Swallowing
▪ Breathing
▪ Skin penetration or contact

Components of immune system and their functions

Component Function
Tonsils and thyms Trigger the production of antibodies
 Lymph nodes and xylem vessel - Produce & store cells that fight infection & diseases
- Filter lymph fluid as it trap bacteria, viruses other
foreign substances
Spleen - It filter the blood & remove damaged blood cell
- It destroy bacteria, viruses and other foreign
substances
Bone marrow - produce white blood cell
Skin - secrete antiseptic oil which prevent germs from
entering and multiply on the skin
White blood cell - attack and destroy bacteria, viruses and foreign
substances
Part of respiratory system - it is lined up with mucus membrane and that cilia
which trap dust germs
Stomach - secrete hydrochloric acid which kill germ

Describe how HIV destroy the immune system

- It attack and destroy lymphocytes which produce antibodies. This will reduce the body immune
system from fighting infection and the body will easy attacked by opportunistic disease.

Outline how HIV is diagnosed

- HIV is diagnosed through blood test

Common blood test

1. ELISA test- detect antibodies

2. Western blot test- detect HIV antigen
3. Rapid test- detect if the sample of blood is positive or negative
4. Deoxyribonucleic acid- detect HIV RNA/ DNA

Common antiretroviral drugs found in Namibia and their side effect

1. Zidovudine- cause bone marrow suspension by affecting blood cell production

2. Nevirapine – may cause liver complication and skin problem
- Cause painful burning of the feet
- Some people develop enlarge breast
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Weight of loss
Importance of ARVs in prolonging life of infected person

- It reduces the multiplication of the virus

- Prevent HIV developing into AIDS

Prevention and curing of diseases

1. Immunisation – is a method of protecting against diseases by provoking and immune response

2. Vaccination – is the process of increasing patients defence against infection

Types of immunity

1. Inborn/ innate immunity – is the natural defence against infection the body has got at birth
2. Acquire immunity- is the resistance against infection the body develops in one’s life time after
birth
a) Natural active immunity- body develop antibodies to infections
b) Natural passive immunity- get antibodies from your mother when you are a foetus
c) Artificial active immunity- small amount of antigens put into body by drops or injection
d) Artificial passive immunity- performed antibodies put into immune system by injection

Describe the role of antibodies in immunity

- To fight against infection

CHAPTER 4 CELL THEORY

CELL- is a basic structural, functional and biological unit of all living organisms

Describe cell theory

❖ All living things are made up of one or more cell as building blocks
❖ Cells are functional units of life where all basic life process take pace
❖ Cells contain hereditary and genetic information which control growth
❖ Cells are dived from other living cells through cell division

Types of cells

1. Prokaryotic cells- are cells without nucleus (bacteria cell)

2. Eukaryotic cell- are cells with a true nucleus (animals, plants, protozoa and fungi)

Difference between the two types of cells

Prokaryotic Eukaryotic
Extremely small Relative large
No nucleus Have true nucleus
 Cell wall present but different from plant cell Cell wall present only in plant and fungi
Few organelles Many organelles
Have simple flagellum Some have complex flagellum and cilia

Different between plant and animal cells

A plant cell Animal cell

Cell wall present No cell wall
Has chloroplasts No chloroplast
Has a vacuole No vacuole
Nucleus not at the centre Nucleus centrally located
Regular shaped Irregular with many shapes

Common organelles and their functions

1. Cell wall- protect plant cell and give shape to the cell
2. Cell membrane- control the movement of substances in and out of the cell
3. Mitochondria- is where respiration, storage and transfer of energy take place
4. Chloroplasts- site of photosynthesis
5. Vacuole- to store salt, sugar and pigment in the cell gap
6. Nucleus- to control all the process/ to control cell activities

Relationship between cells, tissues, organ and organ system

Cells------tissues------organ----------organ system

1. Cell- is the basic unit of life

2. Tissue- is a group of similar cells working together to perform a particular function
3. Organs- is a group of different tissues working together to perform a particular function
4. Organ system- is a group of organs performing several closely related function

Structure of a plant and animal cell

Example of tissue in plants and animals

Plants Animals
Epidermis Epithelial tissue
Palisade tissue The muscle tissue
Spongy tissue The nerve tissue
Phloem tissue Connective tissue

Example of organ system in plants and animals

1. Ciliated cells (animals)- have tinny hairs called cilia and brush away germs and dust particles
- To move and carry dust particles and germs away
2. Red blood cell(animals)- are flat round disc and contain red pigment called haemoglobin
- To carry oxygen from lungs to all parts of the body
3. Root hair cells(plant)- are long and thin cells which has cell walls that allow water , nutrients
to pass
- To absorb water and mineral salts from the soil
4. Xylem vessel (plant)- are elongated cells arrange end to end to form long continuous tubes
- To carry water through the plant

NB; cell membrane is also called plasma membrane

Components of plasma

- Lipid(fat)
- Protein

The movement of substances

✓ The movement of substance in and out of the cell take in nutrient from their surrounding which
involve movement of substances across cell membranes and cell wall by the process of
diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

Different between cell wall and cell membrane

Cell wall- is a permeable membrane so it allow substances to pass through

Cell membrane- is a semi-permeable or partially permeable membrane which allows only some
substances to move across it and prevent others

Movement of substances across the cell membrane takes place through:

▪ Diffusion
 ▪ Osmosis
▪ Active transport
1. Diffusion- is the movement of particles of substances from an area of higher concentration to
an area of their lower concentration down gradient

Factors affecting/ influencing diffusion

• Temperature
• Concentration
• Size of particles

Importance of diffusion in living organism

❖ Absorption of carbon dioxide by the plant leaves

❖ Releasing of oxygen by the plant leaves
❖ Entering of oxygen into the blood in the lung
❖ Absorption of digested food by blood from small intestine
2. Osmosis- is the movement of water molecule from higher water potential to the lower water
potential through the partial permeable membrane.

Importance of osmosis on living organism

❖ Absorption of water by plant leaves

❖ Upward movement of water in plant
❖ Re-absorption of water from collecting duck of kidney
3. Active transport- is the movement of ions from a region of their concentration to a region of
their higher concentration against a concentration gradient.

Importance of active transport

❖ Absorption of mineral salts by plant roots

❖ Absorption of mineral salts and amino acid from small intestine
❖ Absorption of salts from blood into sweat gland into mammals

CHAPTER 5 ECOLOGY

Ecology-is the study of living things and non-living things

Global- is the increasing of earth temperature to greenhouse gases

Greenhouse effect- is the process by which heat from the sun is trapped within the earth surface
Greenhouse gases

- Carbon dioxide
- Methane
- Nitrous oxide
- Water vapour
- Ozone
- CFCs

Sources of carbon dioxide

• Burning of fossil fuel

• Deforestation
• Burning of bushes and fire wood

Source of nitrogen oxide

• Burning of fossil fuel

• Agriculture fertilizer

Source of methane

• Digestion in ruminant animals

• Paddy rice farming
• Decomposition

Sources of CFCs

• use of CFCs in deep freezer, refrigerators, air conditioner

• use of CFCs in aerosols

Ways of reducing the release of gases causing global warming

• stop using aerosol sprays

• use coolant contain no CFCs
• stop burning bushes
• plant more trees
• use catalytic converter in cars
• use other form of transport

Ecological effect of local and global warming

 • it changes in world weather pattern which lead to drought
• it results in melting of large amount of ice which lead to flood

The effect of global warming

• high temperature
• less rainfall
• high evaporation

Ozone layer- is the layer found on stratosphere

Importance of ozone layer

- it filter ultra violet from the sun

- absorb ultra violet rays from reaching the earth surface
- to protect living organisms from harmful UV rays

Causes of ozone layer destruction/ depletion/ thinning

- CFCs

The effect of ozone layer

- Skin damage
- causes eye cancer
- Damage crop
- Causes skin cancer

Human activities that release CFCs

- Solvent of aerosol spray can

- Refrigerant used in refrigerators

Discuss how life in Namibia might be change by global warming

• Climate change
• Rising in sea level and flooding
• Pest will spread faster to un-infected area
• Evaporation will be higher and more desert form

How human can protect themselves against UV

- Wear protective clothing

- Put on sun cream
- Wear sun glasses
DIVERSITY OF LIVING ORGANISMS

Seven characteristics of living organisms

• Movement
• Respiration
• Sensitivity
• Growth
• Reproduction
• Excretion
• Nutrition/ feeding

Classification- is to put things in group according to their similar characteristics.

Kingdoms

1. Animal kingdom(Animalia)
• The kingdom is made up of a variety of animals
• Have nucleus
• They are multicellular
• Reproduce sexually or asexually
• Classified into two group(vertebrate and invertebrate)

Example: Arthropod, mammals

2. Plant kingdom(plantae)
• Have chlorophyll green pigment for photosynthesis
• Have nucleus
• Produce sexually and asexually
• Classified into angiosperm and gymnosperms

Example: ferns, tree and grasses

Monocotyledonous plants Dicotyledonous plants

Have fibrous root system Have tap root system
One seed leaf Two seed leaf
Have long narrow leaf blade with parallel vein Have short broad leaf blades with net veins
Flowers in part of 3s or multiple of 3 Flowers in part of 5
Eubacteria

• Simple kingdom of common bacteria

• Have no nucleus
• They are unicellular
• Produce asexually by binary fusion
• Can live as parasite in other living organisms

Archaebacteria

• Have no nucleus
• They are unicellular produce asexually by binary fusion
• Can live symbiotic in other living organisms
• Some can live in acidic condition of very high temperature
• Other are parasite live in other living organisms where they cause diseases

Protista kingdom

• Simple eukaryotic
• Includes single celled
• Reproduce asexually by binary fusion
• Can live as parasite
• Feed by engulfing food particles which are digested internally

Kingdom fungi

• They are non-cellular

• Made up of thread like structure called hypae
• Have nucleus
• Reproduce asexually by means of fungal spores
• Can live as parasite

FISH (TILAPIA)

Diagnostic features of tilapia

✓ Have overlapping scales

✓ Have gills for gaseous exchange
✓ Have lateral line
✓ Have long dorsal fine
Adaptation of tilapia to Namibian environment

Tolerant to high temperature

Resistant to disease
It can withstand dirty water
Can live in high salinity water

The economic importance of tilapia

Increase employment
Provide foreign currency
Provide income at national level
Increase food security

Nutritional importance of tilapia fish

Contain high protein

Contain Omega 3
Contain vitamin B
Have low fat content

CHAPTER 6 NUTRITION

- This the process where by all living organisms take in nutrient

Categories of nutrient

1. Organic nutrients- are complex nutrients that are major source of energy e.g. vitamin, protein
and fibre
2. Inorganic nutrient- are simple nutrient that do not have any energy value

Difference between organic and inorganic

Organic nutrients Inorganic nutrients

Complex compound Simple compounds
Contain hydrocarbon molecule Do not have hydrocarbon
Made by plant through photosynthesis Not made by plant but occur naturally in the environment
Source of energy Do not have energy source

Different nutrient or food substances

1. Carbohydrates – to provide energy

Sources
- Maize
- Mahangu
- Bread
- Cassava
- Banana
- Potatoes
2. Protein- make enzymes
- Make hormones
- For growth and repair damage tissues
Sources
- Meat
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Beans
- Mopane warms
3. Fat- make cell membrane
- For high energy
- Act as insulator
Sources
- Dairy products
- Meat
4. Fibre – prevent constipation
Sources
- Green vegetables
- Apple
- Wheat
- Brown bread
5. Water – keep cell and tissue moist
- Help chemical reaction to take place
- Help blood to transport substances
- Make body fluids
- Cool down body temperature
- Help waste product to be extracted

Deficiency disease

1. Lack of carbohydrate- marasmus

2. Lack of protein- kwashiorkor
 3. Too much fat- obesity, high blood pressure
4. Lack of fibre- constipation
5. Lack of water- dehydration

Distinguish between micro and macro nutrient

1. Micro nutrient- are nutrients needed in small quantities by human body e.g. salt, vitamin
2. Macro nutrient- are nutrients needed in large quantities by human body e.g. fibre, protein,
water, carbohydrates

Diet- refer to the types of food taken by an individual on a daily basis

A balanced diet- is a diet that contain all the food nutrient needed by the body in correct and
adequate proportions

Growing children need more:

1. Protein for growth

2. Calcium and vitamin D for strong bone and teeth
3. Carbohydrates as they are active and energetic

NB: At puberty, teenagers need more energy for rapid development of body organs.

Malnutrition- occurs when the body does not get correct amount of food nutrient

Malnutrition leads to:

➢ Loss of weight
➢ Loss of energy
➢ Lack of immunity
➢ Obesity
➢ Deficiency diseases

Pregnant women need more:

1. Iron and mineral salts for the formation of more red blood cell for oxygen demand
2. Protein for the foetus growth and blood cell formation
3. Carbohydrates for extra energy to carry the baby

CHAPTER 7 HUMAN BODY

Respiratory system

Breathing- is a physical process of inhaling oxygen and exhale of carbon dioxide

Breathing help:

• Maintain life by supporting respiration

• Bring oxygen in the body
• Expel carbon dioxide

Where do gaseous exchange take place in the body?

❖ In alveolus through diffusion

Discuss features of gases exchange and their functions

Feature Importance
Rounded wall To increase the surface area for gaseous
exchange
Thin layer moisture To allow oxygen to dissolve so that it diffuse in
solution
Thin epithelial wall For easy and rapid exchange of gases
Surrounded by dense network of blood For efficient exchange of respiratory gases
capillaries

How air pollution and smoking impair (affect) the functions of the respiratory system

Effect Damage/ weaken & air pollution have on

function of respiratory system
Bronchitis Inactive cilia do not sweep out mucus and dust
particles cause frequent coughing and chest pain
Emphysema Walls of alveoli lose their elasticity
Lung cancer Cells of the lungs die
Narrowing of bronchi and bronchioles(asthma) Lead to difficult breathing

Explain why exercising causes an increase in breathing rate and pulse rate?

Pulse rate

• To transport oxygen
• To transport glucose faster to tissues
• To supply tissue faster with oxygen

Breathing rate
 • Respiration increased
• Faster removal of carbon dioxide
• Provide more oxygen to activate muscles
• For faster rate of gases to exchange

Adaptation of air passage of breathing

✓ Made up of cilia for sweeping out mucus containing trapped particles and bacteria
✓ Contain mucus membrane that secretes mucus
✓ Made up of ring cartilage that are rigid, keeping them opening for free movement of air

Breathing mechanism

Inhalation (breathing in)

➢ Intercoastal muscles contract

➢ Rib cage moves upwards and outwards
➢ Diaphragm muscles contract and diaphragm moves downward and flattens
➢ Volume in thorax increases

Exhalation (breathing out)

➢ Intercoastal muscle relax

➢ Rib cage moves downward and inwards
➢ Diaphragm muscle relax and diaphragm move upward and become domed
➢ Volume of air in thorax decreases

CHAPTER 8 EXCRETION AND WATER BALANCE

Excretion- is the process by which the waste products of metabolism are removed from the body

Metabolism- is the sum total of chemical processes by which food is broken down to give energy or
built up into body tissue.

The waste material of metabolism:

1. Carbon dioxide- produced by tissue respiration

2. Nitrogenous- compounds from the breakdown of excess amino acids
3. Break down products- hormones
4. Toxins- like drugs taken during illness or drug abuse
 Excretory organs and substances excreted

Organ Excretion Substances excreted

Lungs Exhaled air Carbon dioxide and excess moisture
Skin Sweat Excess salts, lactic acids, uric acid
and water
Kidneys Urine Urea, excess water and excess salts

The urinary system

Organs Functions
Kidney Filter the blood
Ureter Carry urine from kidney to the bladder
Bladder Store urine for a while
Urethra Transport urine from the bladder out of the body
Sphincter muscle Control the release of urine from bladder
Renal arteries Carry oxygenated blood to the kidneys
Renal vein Carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to all
part of the body
Aorta Carries oxygenated blood from the heart to all
part of the body
Vena cava Carry deoxygenated blood into the heart
Osmoregulation (water balance)

- Is the process whereby in the body is controlled and maintained at a constant level

Human body gain water through

- Eating moist food

- Drinking juice
- Drinking water

Water from the body is lost through

- Exhalation of moist air

- Passing out faeces
- Sweating
- Urine
- Vomiting

Explain why substances are excreted from the body

• They are toxic

• They are in excess
• They are harmful to the body

Importance of maintain water balance

✓ To maintain a constant concentration of blood and body fluid

CHAPTER 9 CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

The structure of the respiratory system

1. Components of the blood

2. The blood vessels
3. The heart

1. Components of blood
Components Structure Function
Plasma Pale yellowish liquid Transport oxygen, carbon
dioxide, urea, hormones and
antibodies
Red blood cells Has a disc shape Transport oxygen and
No nucleus carbon dioxide
 White blood cells Has a lobed nucleus Produce antibodies
Platelets Small cell without a nucleus Help with blood clotting

Functions of blood
1. Transport
• Blood transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues
to lungs
• Transport and dissolve food substances
• Transport waste products from the liver to the kidney
2. Temperature regulation
• Distributes from active organs to the rest of the body
3. Maintaining a constant internal environment
• Keep hormones and salt at constant levels
4. Healing and preventing of infection
• Clotting blood prevent infection by healing wound and destroy pathogens

THE HEART

Functions of the parts of the heart

1. Right ventricle – pumps deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
2. Left ventricle- pumps oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
3. Right atrium- receives deoxygenated blood from the body
4. Left atrium- to receive oxygenated blood from the lungs
5. Tricuspid valve- prevents the backward flowing of blood
6. Bicuspid valve- prevents the backward flowing of blood
7. Semi-lunar valve- prevents the back flowing of blood
8. Aorta- carry oxygenated blood to the rest of the body
 9. Vena cava- carry deoxygenated blood from the body to the heart
10. Pulmonary artery- carry deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs
11. Pulmonary vein- carry oxygenated blood from the lungs into the heart
12. Coronary artery- supply heart muscle with oxygen and glucose

The blood vessels

1. Artery
2. Veins
3. Capillaries

The difference between arteries and veins

Arteries Veins
Blood flows away from the heart Blood flows into the heart
Have thick elastic walls Have thin, not very elastic walls
Transport oxygenated blood Transport deoxygenated blood
Do not have valves Have valves
They are deeper in the fresh They are near the skin surface
Have narrow lumen Have wider lumen
Blood moves at high level Blood moves at low speed
Blood under higher pressure Blood under low pressure

Capillaries

- these are small, thin walled blood vessels

Functions

• Connect arteries and veins together

• Allows the exchange of dissolved substances to take place

Pulse rate

• Is a measure of the beat in the artery

• Can felt on the wrist

How pulse rate is related to different levels of activities

- Pulse rate increase with the level of activity to supply extra oxygen to active muscles.
Factors that could increase the risk of heart attack

✓ A genetic predisposition
✓ Being overweight
✓ Eating high cholesterol diet (fatty food)
✓ Stress
✓ Smoking
✓ Not doing regular exercise

Ways of preventing heart attack

❖ Eat low fat diet

❖ Eat a balanced diet
❖ Do regular exercise
❖ Avoid stress
❖ Stop smoking