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1841 DILKUSHA GIRLS SCHOOL LESSON NOTES

Subject: Basic Science Week:1 Year: 7

Strand 1-Living Things and Their Environment (RECAP)

Sub-Strand 1.1-Structure and Life Processes 1.2-Living Together

Content Learning Outcome

S7.1.1.1- Investigate the general features of living things and account for structures associated with these features. S7.1.1.2- Categorize and describe the importance of features for survival in living things. S7.1.2.1- Explore and discuss the physical and biological components of a habitat in an ecosystem and identify the interdependence of organisms for their basic needs. S7.1.2.2- Research on the importance of plants and animals in a natural habitat and explain the role decomposers in the survival of organisms.

Revision Notes:

The General Features of Living Things

We classify whether things are living or non-living all the MRS GREN functions are performed or not.

Activity:

Complete the table given below by filling in the correct information.

Name of Living

Thing

Structure

that helps it

to move?

Structure

that helps it

to eat?

Structure

that helps it

to grow?

Structure

that helps it

to respire?

Structure

that helps it

to respond?

How does it

excrete

wastes?

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Classification of Organisms according to their Structures

Organisms are classified according to the similarities of their structures called taxonomy.

The 5 living things kingdom that we’ve learnt were;

Living things’ structures are also divided into two groups, external and internal structures.

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External and Internal Features of Living Things

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External Structures of Animals and Plants

External Parts of a Flower

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Activity

Complete the table given below.

Subject: Basic Science Week: 2 Year: 7

Different Ecosystems and Their Importance

1) Marine Ecosystem

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2) Fresh Water/ Pond Ecosystem

3) Forest Ecosystem

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Factors Affecting Ecosystems

Importance of Ecosystem

1) An ecosystem is very important because it provides food, fuel wood, fiber and timber.

2) It also controls pests and our climate.

3) Some ecosystems provide shelter or a recreational place for organisms.

4) If our ecosystems are disturbed or destroyed, life for organisms would be hard and even lead to

extinction.

5) Plants and animals that live in an ecosystem are interdependent as they exchange gases (oxygen

and carbon dioxide) and play an equal part in the food chain.

Food Chain

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Activity.

1) Define ecosystem.

_________________________________________________________________________

2) State two physical and biological factors that can affect the life of an earthworm.

Biological: ________________________ ________________________

Physical: ________________________ ________________________

3) What would happen if our ecosystems are not well sustained?

________________________________________________________________________

4) Identify an example of a decomposer and state its function.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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Strand 1-Living Things and Their Environment (RECAP)

Sub-Strand 1.3- Biodiversity, Change and Sustainability

Content Learning Outcome

S7.1.3.1- Investigate the effects of human actions on the natural habitat and distinguish the organisms affected.

S7.1.3.2- Collect evaluate and account for all the importance of a biodiversity for a sustainable ecosystem. S7.1.3.3- Research and present on the importance of the conservation of the ecosystem, endangered living organisms and their environment.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity- refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and

micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live.

Factors Affecting Biodiversity

Human Activities – over hunting, deforestation, over burning of trees, human enhanced

greenhouse gas emission, pollution (air, land, water)

Farming – overgrazing, methods of pest control – chemical and biological control.

Nature Conservation Methods and Promotion of Biodiversity

It is important to protect wild life and promote biodiversity.

This can be done by;

Setting up more national eco parks to preserve trees and endangered species. (Colo-i-Suva,

Sigatoka Kula Eco Park)

Not catching small fish during their breeding seasons or impose ban for traditional fishing

grounds. (Vakatatabu ni yalava ni qoliqoli)

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Practise proper rubbish disposal-using the 3Rs.

Zero burning.

Use of renewable energy sources and biodegradable materials.

Afforestation

Avoid the use of chemicals in farming.

Activity

1. Define deforestation.

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Study the diagram below and answer the questions that follow.

2. Identify the problem in the picture.

____________________________________________________________________________

3. What type of ecosystem does this animal live in?

________________________________________________

4. What could be the cause of such problem?

____________________________________________________________________________

5. If you were a marine biologist or environmentalist, what can you do to avoid this problem from

happening in the future?

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