LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

OR TAMBO COASTAL DISTRICT

LIFE SCIENCES
GRADE 11
LEARNER`S CONTENT MANUAL [LCM]
15 JANUARY 2025
TERM: ONE
BIODIVERSITY AND CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM
Compiled By MR NKANZELA .O Sciences Educator ECDoE

Biodiversity &Classification of Micro-organisms Paper 2: Term 1 3 weeks

29 marks

CONTENT ELABORATION
Introduction  Revise the structure of cell with emphasis on the nucleus

Concepts in Biodiversity  Microorganisms

and Classification  Macroscopic organisms
 Biodiversity
 Prokaryote
 Eukaryote

Microorganisms  Basic structure and general characteristics of:

• Viruses - acellular, non-living, parasitic, reproduction
• Bacteria - unicellular and prokaryotic, mode of nutrition, binary fission
• Protista - unicellular or multicellular, eukaryotic, mode of nutrition, type of
reproduction
• Fungi - unicellular or multicellular, eukaryotic, mode of nutrition, type of
reproduction

* No detailed study of macroscopic Protista and fungi is required

 Role of micro-organisms in maintaining balance in the environment and

web of life
 Symbiotic relationship
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• Nitrogen fixing bacteria in plants

• E. Coli in the human intestine
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 Effects and management of diseases

• Causes, symptoms and management of ONE disease from each of the four
group of micro-organisms o Viruses: rabies, HIV/AIDS, influenza o
Bacteria: blight, cholera, tuberculosis, anthrax o Protista: malaria
o Fungi: rusts, thrush, ringworm, athlete’s foot

CHAPTER 1: BIODIVERSITY &

CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISMS

Introduction
Biodiversity in general, refers to the wide variety of plants, animals and
microorganisms on Earth. Organisms which are too small to be seen
with the naked eye are referred to as micro-organisms. Micro-
organisms can be unicellular or multicellular. Some are harmful and
cause diseases whilst others are very useful in the environment and to
humans e.g. yeasts are used to make bread.

Key terminology
unicellular an organism consisting of only one cell
multicellular an organism made up of many cells
biodiversity the variety of organisms found in an area or on Earth

The classification of organisms

Scientists have placed all the organisms into specific groups so that it is
easier to study them. There are five groups called kingdoms (Figure 1):
• Kingdom Monera – bacteria
• Kingdom Protista
• Kingdom Fungi
• Kingdom Plantae
• Kingdom Animalia
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A scientist who is responsible

for the placing of an organism
within a specific group is
called a taxonomist.
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Figure 1: The 5 Kingdoms of Life

Viruses

Viruses are placed in a separate group and not in a kingdom because they
display some non-living as well as living characteristics.

Key terminology
capsid a protein coat surrounding the nucleic material of a virus
acellular non-cellular
obligate = forced; a parasitic organism that cannot complete its
obligate parasite life-cycle without exploiting a suitable host (if an obligate
parasite cannot obtain a host it will fail to reproduce)
host an organism that harbours a parasite
pathogenic an organism that causes disease
a type of virus that infects bacteria; the word "phage" means to
bacteriophage
eat”
an irregularly shaped region within the cell of a prokaryote that
nucleoid
contains all or most of the genetic material

Structure and characteristics of viruses

Introduction to viruses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FqlTslU22s
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• Viruses are microscopic (20 – 300 nm) and can only be

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studied using an electron microscope.

 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

• Viruses consist of a core of either DNA or RNA enclosed by a

protein coat called a capsid (Figure 2).

Envelope

DNA or RNA
Protein coat

Figure 2: Structure of a typical virus

• Viruses occur in a variety of shapes,
• cannot respire, feed or excrete waste,
• do not have a cytoplasm and do not have any membrane
bound organelles such as mitochondria or nuclei.
• Viruses have either DNA or RNA which is surrounded and
protected by an outer protein coat or capsid. All other living
organisms have both DNA and RNA.
• Viruses are acellular.
• Viruses do not have chlorophyll and are therefore unable to
make their own food by photosynthesis.
• All viruses are obligate internal parasites. This means that
they cannot multiply without infecting another living organism or
host.
• Viruses can infect bacteria, protists, plants and animals.
Viruses that infect bacteria are called bacteriophages.
• Viruses cause diseases and are said to be pathogenic.
• In humans, viruses are responsible for diseases such as
HIV/AIDS, poliomyelitis, chickenpox, herpes and influenza.
• If a virus cannot find a host, they can become dormant.

Bacteria
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Bacteria belong to the Kingdom Monera. Bacteria are found everywhere

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on earth. Some are pathogenic and cause diseases such as

tuberculosis, while most are useful.
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Key terminology
an organism where the nuclear material is not enclosed in a
prokaryotic
membrane
any single or multicellular group of organisms that have a
eukaryotic
membrane-bound nucleus containing genetic material
a whip-like, protruding filaments that help cells or
flagellum
microorganisms move; plural of flagellum is flagella
organisms which can synthesize their own food e.g. green
autotrophic plants, algae and some bacteria
any organism that sources food from its environment because
heterotrophic it cannot make its own food, e.g. animals, fungi, most bacteria
plant or fungal microorganisms that feeds on dead or decaying
saprophytic tissues of other organisms
asexual reproduction of a single cell in which divides by
binary fission mitosis; the cell regenerates as two or more separate cells
having the same chromosomal identities as the parent cell
a tough, protective, non-reproductive bacteria structure that
contains DNA and cytoplasm and lies dormant to survive
endospore unfavourable environmental conditions in order that it can
germinate once conditions improve
a plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule
plasmid that is distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA

Characteristics of bacteria
Bacterial cell structure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DYgGA9jdlE

• Bacteria are unicellular (one celled) organisms.

• Bacteria are larger than viruses and can be seen using a light
microscope.
• Bacteria are distinguished from one another by their shape (Figure 3).
These shapes include: coccus – round, bacillus – rod-shaped, spirillum –
spiralshaped, and vibrio – comma-shaped.
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Cocci Bacilli Others

coccus diplococci spirilla

coccobacillus
coryne -
sarcina
tetrad bacillus bacterium

diplobacilli

streptococci

vibrios
staphylococci
palisades

spirochete

Figure 3 : Bacterial shapes

Structural characteristics

All bacteria have the following structural characteristics (Figure 4):

• A cell wall made up of polysaccharides.

• Some bacteria have a slime capsule to protect them from drying out.
• Cytoplasm surrounded by a cell membrane.
• No membrane-bound organelles.
• The DNA is in the form of an irregular loop and is called a nucleoid.
Since there is no membrane around the nuclear material, bacteria are said to
be prokaryotic.
• A plasmid, small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule is also
found in the cytoplasm of bacteria.
• Many bacteria have a whip-like flagellum which they can use to move
in a liquid.
The flagella can rotate to propel the organism forwards.
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slime layer
cell wall
cell membrane

ribosomes

nucleoid

plasmid

fagella

Figure 4: Basic structure of a bacillus shaped bacterium

Nutrition of bacteria

Autotrophic bacteria can manufacture their own food.

• Photosynthetic bacteria use sunlight energy, while
• Chemosynthetic bacteria get their energy from chemical processes.

Heterotrophic bacteria cannot manufacture their own food. This includes:

• Parasitic bacteria that obtain their food from other living organisms.
• Saprotrophic bacteria that play an important role as decomposers.
They obtain their food from dead organic plants and animals.
• Mutualistic bacteria that form a relationship with another organism.
Both organisms benefit from the relationship.
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Reproduction of bacteria

Bacteria multiply very quickly under favourable conditions. This simple form
of cell division is called binary fission (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Binary fission in bacteria

Bacteria form endospores when conditions are unfavourable for

example, when there is a lack of food, extreme heat or a lack of
moisture.

Protista
The Kingdom Protista is a collection of eukaryotic organisms. Protists do
not fit into the plant, animal or fungi kingdoms.
Key terminology
aquatic living in or around water
very small plants (algae) that float on or near the surface of
phytoplankton
water
consisting of small animals and the immature stages of
zooplankton larger animals which float on or near the surface of the
water
sessile organisms are usually permanently attached to
sessile something and can cannot move on their own but can move
through outside sources (such as water currents)

Characteristics of the Protista

• simple unicellular or multicellular eukaryotic organisms

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• no tissue differentiation
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• found mainly in water

 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

• autotrophic or heterotrophic
• usually microscopic but can be several meters in length for example
the seaweeds
• some are sessile or free-floating while others can move using flagella
(e.g. Euglena) or move using false feet called pseudopodia (e.g. Amoeba)
• they can reproduce both sexually and asexually

Three groups of Protista are recognized:

Plant-like Protista:

• mainly unicellular organisms

found in aquatic (water)
environments

• most are autotrophic

• free floating aquatic plant-like

protists are called
phytoplankton (Figure 6)
Figure 6:
Phytoplankton

Animal-like Protista:

• mainly heterotrophic free-living

unicellular animals living in an
aquatic environment e.g.
Amoeba

• some are parasitic and cause

diseases such as malaria

• free-floating aquatic animallike

protists are called
zooplankton (Figure 7)
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Figure 7: Zooplankton
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Algae

• multicellular, macroscopic
organisms commonly called
seaweeds (Figure 8)

• seaweeds contain various

photosynthetic pigments
which give them a green,
red or brown colour
Figure 8: A species of red seaweed
 seaweeds may be free-floating or (Gelidium pristoides) harvested along the
sessile (attached to a substrate) South African coast to produce agar

Fungi

The Kingdom Fungi includes moulds, yeasts, mildews, rusts, toadstools

and mushrooms (Figure 9 – 12).

Key terminology
a fibrous substance consisting of polysaccharides, which is the
chitin major constituent in the exoskeleton of arthropods and the cell
walls of fungi
a network of multi-celled threadlike filaments forming the
hyphae mycelium of a fungus
a vegetative mass or network of fungal hyphae found in and
mycelium on soil or organic substrates
cells that have more than one nucleus per cell, i.e., multiple
multinucleate nuclei shared in one common cytoplasm
threadlike structures that anchor lower plants and fungi to a
rhizoids surface
a form of asexual reproduction which involves the pinching off
budding of offspring from the parent cell; the offspring cell is
genetically identical to the parent
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Figure 9: Toadstools Figure 10: Mushrooms

Figure 11: Bracket fungi Figure 12: Breadmould

Characteristics

Fungi have the following characteristic in common:

• Some are unicellular (yeasts) while others are multicellular
(mushrooms).
• Eukaryotic (i.e. have a nuclear membrane).
• Heterotrophic since they lack chlorophyll. Fungi that live off dead
organic matter are said to be saprotrophic. Parasitic fungi live off living
organisms.
Fungi cause diseases such as thrush, ringworm and athlete’s foot.
• Cell walls which contain chitin. Plants have cellulose in their cell walls.
• The bodies of multicellular fungi are made up of threads called
hyphae. All the hyphae together form a mycelium.
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• The hyphae are often multinucleate (have many nuclei).

• Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
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• Asexual reproduction in unicellular fungi such as yeasts is by budding.

 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

• In multicellular fungi asexual reproduction is by means of spores.

The role that micro-organisms play in maintaining a

balance in the environment

Micro-organisms play an essential role in the natural recycling of living

materials. Key terminology
organisms that break down dead plant and animal (organic)
decomposers
material e.g. bacteria and fungi

saprophytes organisms that live off dead organic matter

Micro-organisms as producers in food chains

Autotrophic bacteria, phytoplankton and algae can manufacture their own food by
photosynthesis. The carbohydrates they produce are available to consumers.
These
organisms form the first link in a food chain. Oxygen, the waste product of
photosynthesis, is made available to other organisms for respiration.

The role of micro-organisms as decomposers

• Bacteria and fungi are the main decomposers.

• They break down dead plant and animal remains and
return the nutrients to the soil.
• Organisms which break down dead organic matter to
obtain nutrients are called saprophytes.

The role of bacteria in the nitrogen cycle

Bacteria play an important role in the nitrogen cycle.
• Free living bacteria can convert atmospheric nitrogen to
ammonia and nitrates.
• Higher plants can only use nitrogen when it is in the form of
nitrates, so they rely on bacteria for the conversion.
• Some plants form special relationships with nitrogen fixing
bacteria.
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• When plants and animals die, de-nitrifying bacteria return

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nitrogen to the atmosphere by a process called denitrification.

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Symbiotic relationships
Symbiosis refers to the living together of two or more species of
organism. A symbiotic relationship may benefit one or both members or
it can be beneficial to one but harmful to the other one.

Key terminology
mutualism a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit
a symbiotic relationship where one organism benefits without
commensalism
harming or affecting the other organism
a symbiotic relationship where parasitic organisms benefit
parasitism
while causing harm to their hosts
composite organisms made up of fungi that grow symbiotically
lichens
with algae or cyanobacteria
an even-toed mammal that chews the cud regurgitated from its
ruminant rumen e.g. cattle, sheep, antelopes, deer, giraffes, and their
relatives.
mycorrhiza The symbiotic association of fungi with the roots of trees.

Three types of symbiosis occur:

• mutualism – both organisms benefit e.g. lichens
• commensalism – one species benefits whilst the other does not benefit, nor
is it harmed
• parasitism – one species benefits whilst the other is harmed

Lichens

Algae need a moist environment to survive and cannot live on dry land.
They can, however, form a mutualistic relationship with a fungus and
this called a lichen (Figure 13). The fungus provides the alga protection
from the environment. Fungi however cannot produce food for
themselves. They in turn obtain nutrients from the algae which can
produce food by photosynthesis. In this way, both the alga and the
fungus benefit.
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Figure 13: Lichens are often the first organisms to occupy a habitat
The relationship between nitrogen fixing bacteria
and plants

• Higher plants require nitrogen to manufacture proteins.

• Plants cannot use nitrogen directly from the atmosphere.
• Plants require nitrogen in the form of nitrates.
• Some soil bacteria can convert free nitrogen to nitrates that can be used by
plants.

Some nitrogen-fixing bacteria live in special nodules in the roots of

leguminous plants (i.e. pod producing plants such as beans and peas).
They produce nitrates for the plant while the plant provides the
bacterium with a place to live, carbohydrates and water. Both the plant
and the bacteria benefit in this relationship.

The relationship between E. coli and the human intestine

• Not all the bacteria found in our intestines are harmful.

• Mutualistic bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) (Figure
14) live on the undigested remains of food in the gut and in turn
make vitamin K which can be used by humans.
• Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting. Both
humans and the bacteria benefit from the relationship.
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Figure 14: E. coli bacteria

Mutualistic bacteria are also found in the digestive tracts of ruminants and
termites where they are responsible for the digestion of cellulose into
simple sugars.
Mycorrhizal fungi and the roots of higher plants

Filamentous fungi known as mycorrhizas can penetrate and become

associated with the roots of higher plants. The fungi increase the
absorption surface area of the roots. The fungus in turn, gets sugars
from the plant.
Symbiosis in general: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTGcS7vJqbs

Diseases caused by micro-organisms

Organisms that cause diseases are called pathogens. You are
required to study only one disease from each of the four groups of
micro-organisms discussed below.

Key terminology
pathogen Infectious biological agent or organism that causes disease
An agent who carries and transmits an infectious pathogen
vector
into another living organism.
Living cell in which a virus (or foreign molecule or
host
microorganism) multiplies or hides.
Refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a
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epidemic
disease above what is normally expected.
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Refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries

pandemic
or continents, usually affecting a large number of people
 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

Diseases caused by viruses

Rabies
Rabies affects both domestic and wild animals such as dogs (Figure
16), jackal and mongooses. The rabies virus is passed from one animal
to another in saliva. Humans usually get infected when they are bitten
by a rabid animal.

Figure 16: Dogs infected by

rabies often foam at the mouth.

After a person has been bitten by a rabid animal, there is an incubation

period of up to 60 days during which time the victim shows no
symptoms. After this period the victim may show one or more of the
following symptoms:
• headaches and fever
• sore throat
• nausea
• fatigue or tiredness

These symptoms are followed by an agitated phase where the victim

has convulsive seizures, salivates and fears water (hydrophobia). They
also have difficulty in swallowing and breathing. Once the symptoms of
the disease appear, there is no cure and the patient dies within 10 days
from heart failure or breathing difficulties.

Rabies can be managed as follows:

• vaccination of dogs and livestock in areas where the disease is found
• immunization of people with high-risk occupations such as
veterinarians
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• immunization of travellers going to areas where the disease is found

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• training of health workers and veterinarians

 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

• destroying of animals infected with the disease

Treatment of rabies
• It is difficult to treat the disease, so it is important to avoid being bitten
by animals infected by rabies.
• Wild animals which suddenly appear to be tame should not be
touched.
• If there is contact with an animal which is behaving suspiciously, the
person should seek medical attention immediately.

Diseases caused by bacteria

Tuberculosis

The bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes the lung disease

tuberculosis (TB) (Figure 21). The bacterium can also attack other parts
of the body such as the kidneys, brain and spinal cord.

TB is spread through the air when infected people cough or sneeze. The
bacterium spreads quickly in confined, overcrowded spaces where there is
poverty and poor sanitation.

mycobacterium
tuberculosis
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Figure 21 : TB commonly infects the lungs

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TB can infect anyone who breathes in the bacterium but usually only
develops in people with weak immune systems such as babies, young
children, HIV positive people, drug users, diabetics and poverty-stricken
people.
The effect of TB on infected persons includes:
 extreme tiredness and weakness
 loss of appetite and weight
 chills, fever and sweating at night
 excessive coughing
 chest pains
 coughing up blood

Management of TB requires:
 Identification of infections through X-rays, skin tests or tissue cultures.
 Educating the patient regarding the completion of treatment.

Treatment of TB involves:
 Treatment with a number of drugs over a period of about 6 months.
When patients do not complete their treatment, they can develop a
drug-resistant form of TB which is very difficult to treat. Patients are
often kept in a TB hospital for treatment and to make sure they take
their medication.
 DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course) was developed so
that someone makes sure that the patient completes their treatment.

Diseases caused by Protista

Malaria

Introduction to Malaria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5XKob0lc2A

 Malaria is a life-threatening disease found mainly in tropical and sub-

tropical areas of the world.
 Malaria is caused by the protozoan Plasmodium vivax and is spread by
the female Anopheles mosquito.
 The female Anopheles mosquito is called the vector.
 A vector carries a disease-causing organism from an infected host to a
new host.
 The malaria parasite requires two hosts (mosquitoes and humans) to
complete its life cycle.
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Symptoms of malaria include:

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 early symptoms that can be mistaken for flu

 fever and shivering
 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

 headache
 joint pain
 vomiting
 convulsions
• anaemia
If left untreated, malaria may lead to the infected person falling into a
coma, followed by death.
The effects of malaria on the economy include:
• Loss of income if the breadwinner cannot work or dies, resulting in
poverty.
• Malaria treatment is expensive. Poor people in undeveloped countries
cannot afford treatment.

The best way to manage malaria is to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes

in areas where malaria occurs. This can be done by:
• staying indoors between sunset and sunrise.
• covering doors and windows with gauze to stop mosquitoes from
entering rooms.
• sleeping under mosquito nets.
• applying insect repellents to exposed skin.
• wearing long sleeves and pants if you need to be outdoors at night.
• drain places where there is standing water e.g. drains, ponds, gutters,
old tyres etc., as mosquitoes breed in standing water.

Anti-malarial drugs can be taken before entering a malaria area. Drugs

are available to treat people infected with malaria.
Governments in malaria areas need to provide health-care facilities like
clinics. They also control the breeding of mosquitoes by spraying with DDT,
an insecticide.

Diseases caused by fungi

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Rusts
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• Rusts are a group of fungi that infect crop plants (tomatoes, beans
etc.), grasses and flowering plants such as roses, hollyhocks, and
snapdragons.
• The hyphae of the fungus burrow into the plant tissue and destroy it.
• Bright orange raised areas can be seen on the surface of the plant
leaves which resemble rusted metal when infected (Figure 23).

Figure 23: Rust is commonly seen on the underside of leaves

Management and treatment of rust include:
 planting of rust-resistant crops or plants
 keeping plants healthy by adding nutrients to the soil or their water
 sterilizing of equipment, especially pruning (cutting) tools
 spaying with fungicides (chemicals which kill fungi)
 burning of affected plant material to prevent the spores from spreading

REFERENCES
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 DBE Exam guidelines

 LIFE SCIENCES/ BIODIVERSITY & CLASSIFICATION OF MICRO-ORGANISM

 Annual Teaching plan [ATP]

 Approved grade 11 national text book
 Internet
 NMD grade 11 Life Sciences workbook
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