Integrated Science (CXC) Notes

1. The Nature of Science

Scientific Method:

● Hypothesis:
○ A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between two or more
variables.
○ Example: "If plants are given fertilizer, then they will grow taller."
● Experimentation:
○ Conducting controlled tests to investigate the hypothesis.
○ Variables:
■ Independent Variable: The factor that is changed or manipulated (e.g.,
amount of fertilizer).
■ Dependent Variable: The factor that is measured (e.g., plant height).
■ Controlled Variables: Factors kept constant to ensure a fair test (e.g.,
type of plant, amount of water, light exposure).
● Observation:
○ Collecting and recording data during the experiment.
○ Types of data:
■ Qualitative Data: Descriptive data (e.g., color, texture).
■ Quantitative Data: Numerical data (e.g., height, mass).

2. Matter and Energy

States of Matter:

● Solid:
○ Particles are closely packed in a fixed arrangement.
○ Definite shape and volume.
○ Particles vibrate but do not move from their fixed positions.
● Liquid:
○ Particles are closely packed but can move past each other.
○ Definite volume but takes the shape of its container.
○ Particles move more freely than in solids.
● Gas:
○ Particles are far apart and move freely.
○ No definite shape or volume; expands to fill the container.
○ Particles move rapidly in all directions.

Energy Types:

● Kinetic Energy:
 ○ Energy of motion.
○ Example: A moving car, flowing water.
● Potential Energy:
○ Stored energy due to position or state.
○ Example: A stretched bow, water at the top of a waterfall.
● Thermal Energy:
○ Energy related to the temperature of an object.
○ Example: Heat from a fire, warmth from the sun.

3. Life Processes

Basic Processes:

● Respiration:
○ The process of converting glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and
water.
○ Cellular respiration occurs in the mitochondria of cells.
○ Equation: Glucose+Oxygen→Energy+Carbon Dioxide+Water\text{Glucose} +
\text{Oxygen} \rightarrow \text{Energy} + \text{Carbon Dioxide} +
\text{Water}Glucose+Oxygen→Energy+Carbon Dioxide+Water
● Reproduction:
○ The biological process by which new individual organisms are produced.
○ Asexual Reproduction: Involves one parent; offspring are genetically identical
(e.g., binary fission in bacteria).
○ Sexual Reproduction: Involves two parents; offspring are genetically diverse
(e.g., human reproduction).
● Nutrition:
○ The intake and use of food and nutrients by organisms.
○ Autotrophs: Organisms that produce their own food (e.g., plants through
photosynthesis).
○ Heterotrophs: Organisms that consume other organisms for food (e.g., animals,
humans).

4. Ecosystems

Components:

● Producers:
○ Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis.
○ Example: Plants, algae.
● Consumers:
○ Organisms that consume other organisms for energy.
○ Primary Consumers: Herbivores that eat producers (e.g., rabbits).
○ Secondary Consumers: Carnivores that eat primary consumers (e.g., snakes).
 ○ Tertiary Consumers: Top predators that eat secondary consumers (e.g.,
eagles).
● Decomposers:
○ Organisms that break down dead material and recycle nutrients back into the
ecosystem.
○ Example: Bacteria, fungi.

Cycles:

● Water Cycle:
○ The continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the
Earth.
○ Processes: Evaporation, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff.
● Carbon Cycle:
○ The movement of carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living
organisms.
○ Processes: Photosynthesis (plants take in CO2), respiration (organisms release
CO2), decomposition, fossil fuel combustion.
● Nitrogen Cycle:
○ The movement of nitrogen through the atmosphere, soil, and living organisms.
○ Processes: Nitrogen fixation (bacteria convert N2 to usable forms), nitrification
(ammonia to nitrates), assimilation (plants absorb nitrates), denitrification
(nitrates to N2 gas).

5. Human Body Systems

Systems:

● Circulatory System:
○ Function: Transports nutrients, oxygen, and waste products throughout the body.
○ Components: Heart, blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries), blood.
○ Pathway: Heart → Arteries → Capillaries → Veins → Heart.
● Respiratory System:
○ Function: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out).
○ Components: Lungs, trachea, bronchi, alveoli.
○ Process: Inhalation (air enters lungs), gas exchange in alveoli, exhalation (carbon
dioxide exits lungs).
● Digestive System:
○ Function: Breaks down food into nutrients for absorption and energy production.
○ Components: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines (small and large), liver,
pancreas.
○ Process: Ingestion → Digestion (mechanical and chemical) → Absorption →
Egestion (waste removal).
● Nervous System:
○ Function: Controls and coordinates body activities through electrical signals.
 ○ Components: Brain, spinal cord, nerves.
○ Divisions: Central Nervous System (CNS – brain and spinal cord) and Peripheral
Nervous System (PNS – all other nerves).
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