Archives: Lessons

Microorganisms and Disease Learning Objective In this lesson we will describe microorganisms that can cause disease and discuss how the body responds to infection. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Explain what is meant by the terms ‘microorganism’ and ‘pathogen’. Describe the different types of organisms that can … Read more

Homeostasis Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn how homeostasis is maintained by the nervous system and the endocrine system. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Describe how negative feedback regulates the body. Describe how the nervous system regulates body temperature. Describe how the endocrine system regulates … Read more

The Endocrine System Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the structure and function of the endocrine system. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Describe the general function of the endocrine system. List key endocrine glands and describe their function. Describe the role and function of … Read more

The Nervous System Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the structure and function of the nervous system. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Describe the general function of the nervous system. Describe the basic structure of neurons and the function of the three main types. … Read more

Overview of Body Systems Learning Objective In this lesson we will introduce the different human body systems. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: List the basic inputs and outputs required by living organisms. Describe the general characteristics of living organisms. Explain what a body system is. Summarise the … Read more

Nutrient Cycling and Energy Flow Learning Objective In this lesson we will look at the movement of nutrients and energy in ecosystems and how they can be illustrated with food chains, food webs and biomass pyramids. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Distinguish between producers, consumers, detritivores and … Read more

Interactions Between Organisms Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the main types of ecological interactions that occur between organisms. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Distinguish between intraspecific and interspecific interactions. Describe predation and herbivory, with examples. Describe competition, with examples. Define ‘symbiosis’ and differentiate … Read more

Habitats, Adaptations and Niches Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about three key ecological concepts relating to organisms – habitats, adaptations and niches. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define ‘habitat’ and give examples of different types of habitat. Explain what an adaptation is and differentiate … Read more

Introduction to Ecology Learning Objective In this lesson we will be introduced to ecology – the study of living things and their environment. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define ‘ecology’. Define ‘environment’ and differentiate between ‘biotic’ and ‘abiotic’ environmental factors, with examples. Describe the different levels of … Read more

The Plant Kingdom Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the major plant groups. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Describe vascular tissue, seeds and flowers. Discuss the defining characteristics of the following plant groups: Angiosperms (flowering plants) Gymnosperms (conifers and cycads) Pteridophytes (ferns) Bryophytes (mosses, … Read more

The Animal Kingdom – Invertebrates Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the major invertebrate animal groups. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define what an invertebrate is. Discuss the defining characteristics of the following invertebrate groups: Arthropods Molluscs Echinoderms Annelids Nematodes Platyhelminthes Cnidarians Porifera (Image: … Read more

The Animal Kingdom – Vertebrates Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the major vertebrate animal groups. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define what a vertebrate is. Discuss the defining characteristics of the following vertebrate groups: Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Compare the evolution and … Read more

The Six Kingdoms of Living Things Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the classification of living things into six kingdoms. We will also learn about the concept of a biological species. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Compare different systems for classifying living things. Discuss … Read more

Classification Systems Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about classification systems for living and non-living things. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Give reasons for classifying things. Define ‘taxonomy’. Discuss how to choose criteria for classification systems. Describe how classification keys work, with examples. Discuss the … Read more

The Characteristics of Living Things Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn about the characteristics that define living organisms. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Define biology and give examples of different areas of biology. Discuss the characteristics that all living things possess. Distinguish between living and … Read more

Investigating Chemical Reactions Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn how chemical reactions can be classified, based on the way atoms are rearranged, or according to the energy changes that take place. We will also learn how to test for oxygen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide gas produced during chemical reactions. Learning Outcomes By the … Read more

Describing Chemical Reactions Using Equations Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn how to represent chemical reactions as word equations and formula equations. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Identify reactants and products in chemical reactions. Represent chemical reactions as word equations. Represent chemical reactions as formula … Read more

Physical and Chemical Changes Learning Objective In this lesson we will compare physical and chemical changes, and learn how to differentiate between them. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Differentiate between a physical change and a chemical change. Give examples of different types of physical change. Identify signs … Read more

Introduction to the Periodic Table Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn how elements are arranged in the periodic table, according to trends in their properties. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Describe the general layout of the periodic table. Identify groups and periods on the periodic … Read more

Names and Symbols for Elements and Compounds Learning Objective In this lesson we will learn how to write and interpret chemical formulas for elements and compounds. Learning Outcomes By the end of this lesson you will be able to: Write chemical symbols for elements. Write chemical formulas for compounds. Identify the number of each type … Read more