Unit 1: Plants and Humans as Organisms for Cambridge Lower Secondary Checkpoint
Science exams. These points cover essential concepts that students should understand and
revise:
Plants as Organisms
1. Parts of a Plant and Their Functions:
o Roots: Absorb water and minerals, anchor the plant.
o Stem: Transports water, minerals, and food; provides support.
o Leaves: Photosynthesis (make food using sunlight, water, and carbon
dioxide).
o Flowers: Reproduction, produce seeds and fruit.
o Seeds: Germination and growth of new plants.
2. Photosynthesis:
o Process: Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen (with sunlight and
chlorophyll).
o Importance: Produces food for the plant and oxygen for the environment.
3. Respiration in Plants:
o Process: Plants use oxygen to break down glucose for energy.
o Takes place in mitochondria.
4. Transport in Plants:
o Xylem: Transports water and minerals from roots to leaves.
o Phloem: Transports food (sugars) from leaves to the rest of the plant.
5. Reproduction in Plants:
o Pollination: Transfer of pollen from anther to stigma (self-pollination and
cross-pollination).
o Fertilization: Fusion of male and female gametes to form a zygote.
o Seed Dispersal: Methods include wind, water, animals, and explosive
mechanisms.
Humans as Organisms
1. Human Organ Systems:
o Digestive System: Breaks down food into nutrients the body can use.
o Respiratory System: Involves inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon
dioxide.
o Circulatory System: Transports blood, oxygen, and nutrients through the
body.
o Nervous System: Controls body functions and responses to stimuli.
o Skeletal System: Provides structure and support, protects internal organs.
2. Nutrition:
o Types of nutrients: Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, water,
and fiber.
o Balanced diet: Importance for energy, growth, and repair.
3. Respiration in Humans:
o Aerobic Respiration: Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy.
o Anaerobic Respiration: Glucose → lactic acid + energy (occurs during
intense exercise).
4. Growth and Development:
o Stages: Infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age.
o Physical and emotional changes during puberty.
5. Reproduction in Humans:
o Male and female reproductive systems.
o Fertilization: Fusion of male sperm and female egg.
o Development of embryo and fetus in the womb.
6. Health and Hygiene:
o Importance of personal hygiene and healthy habits.
o Effects of smoking, alcohol, and drugs on the body.
Comparing Plants and Humans
1. Similarities:
o Both undergo respiration.
o Both need energy to grow and develop.
o Both reproduce and pass on genetic information.
2. Differences:
o Plants make their own food through photosynthesis; humans depend on
consuming food.
o Plants have cell walls and chloroplasts; human cells do not.
Exam Tips:
Learn key terms and their definitions (e.g., photosynthesis, pollination, respiration).
Practice drawing and labeling diagrams (e.g., parts of a flower, human organ
systems).
Understand processes (e.g., photosynthesis, fertilization, digestion) step-by-step.
Use past papers to practice answering questions concisely.
