PNG Biology Examination Topics & Units
PNG Biology Examination Topics and Units
The Upper Secondary School Biology subject is offered in year 11 and 12 at Secondary schools in Papua New Guinea. The course is divided into several units. Six units are taught in Grade 11 while four (4) units are taught in Grade 12. Below is the outline of the units and the Examination specification. Note that the examination specification varies from unit to unit.
Grade 11 biology topics and units
There are six units in grade 11 biology course that must be taught by all Biology teachers throughout Papua New Guinea. These units and topics are all examined at the end of grade 12. Outlined below are the six grade 11 biology units and topics.
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11.1 Living Things
5–6 weeks Living cells • Parts of a compound microscope • Structure and functions of cell organelles such as: − mitochondria, nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, golgi body, vacuole, cell membrane, nuclear membrane, cell wall, chloroplast, nucleolus • Types of animal cells such as nerve, muscle, skin, brain, reproductive cells, blood • Experiments to investigate living cells Linnaean system of classification • Researching traditional biological classification systems • Binomial nomenclature and the Linnean system of classification • Using set criteria to classify given organisms into categories (kingdom, phyla, class, order, family, genus, species) • The five kingdoms: monera, protista, fungi, animals and plants • Simple use of dichotomous keys for identification of unknown organisms 11.2 Nutrition 8–10 weeks Autotrophic nutrition Leaf physiology • Leaf arrangement on plants for maximum light absorption • Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis Process and products of photosynthesis • The process or stages of photosynthesis • Experiments to test for photosynthesis: light, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll and oxygen • balanced word and chemical equations for photosynthesis • Use and storage of photosynthetic products such as oxygen and glucose in respiration Rate of photosynthesis • Factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis • Experiments to identify limiting factors that inhibit photosynthesis • The role of stomata Heterotrophic nutrition Food test • Chemical composition of certain foods (experiments) Digestion • Digestive systems of different animals: herbivore, carnivore, human • Functions of mouth, stomach, ileum, pancreas and colon in digestion • Investigations of the rate of enzymatic reaction and predictions on its effect in chemical digestion; metabolism (catabolism and anabolism) • Assimilation of amino acids, fatty acids and glycerol, and glucose The liver • Function of the liver in: − regulation of blood sugar level − production of bile − storage of vitamins − deamination − detoxication • Diseases of the liver The kidney • The function of the kidney in ultra-filtration, water balance, osmoregulation, homeostasis and selective reabsorption • The common parts of a kidney (medulla, cortex and pelvis) • Diseases of the kidneys 11.3 Transport Systems 6–8 weeks Transport systems in plants Vascular bundle • Functions of transport systems in terms of food and water • Structure and function of phloem and xylem vessels in plants: − phloem cells include companion cells, sieve plates, and sieve tubes − xylem includes tracheid, lignified cells, xylem vessels Uptake of water and salts • Processes of osmosis, diffusion and transpiration (simple experiments) Transport systems in animals Circulatory system • Function and structure of blood cells: red and white cells, platelets and plasma • Structure of blood vessels: arteries, veins and capillaries • Action of valves in pulmonary and systematic circulation • Relationship between capillaries, cells and lymphatics • Blood groups and transfusion Lymphatic system • The human lymphatic system: lymph, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus • Constituents of the lymph • Causes of swollen lymphatic glands Diseases of the heart and circulatory system • causes of malfunctions such as clotting and blocking of vessels; for example, heart attack, leukaemia, hypertension, stroke, haemophilia • Comparison of statistics on past and current heart-related problems and inferences to human lifestyles 11.4 Respiration and Gas Exchange 4–6 weeks Gas exchange surfaces • Definition of surface area to volume ratio • Characteristics of gas exchange surfaces: − large surface area to volume ratio − thin − moist − near a transport system • Using labelled diagrams to discuss gas exchange surfaces in: − amoeba − earthworm − insect − fish − amphibian − mammal − plants (roots, bark, leaves) • The need for specialised gas exchange organs in larger organisms, using surface area to volume ratio Respiration • Aerobic and anaerobic respiration • balanced word and symbol equations for aerobic and anaerobic respiration • Respiration in the mitochondria of all cells: energy transfer with ATP • Respiration and photosynthesis in green plants, in: − dim light − darkness − bright light • Experiments on anaerobic respiration in yeast (fermentation), carbon dioxide from germinating seeds, and use of oxygen during respiration (aerobic) 11.5 Response to Stimuli 6–8 weeks Tropism in plants • Plant hormones (IAA, auxins) and their functions • Phototropism, geotropism and hydrotropism • Other types of tropism such as thigmotropism Nervous system • Central and peripheral nervous systems: − receptors and effectors • Types of nerve cells: − motor − sensory − multipolar neurons • Structure of nerve cells • Voluntary and involuntary reflexes: − knee jerk − blinking Endocrine system Endocrine systems and their functions • Position of endocrine glands in human body • Components of endocrine system (1) ductless (endocrine) glands: − pituitary glands: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and their functions other hormones such as ADH, growth hormones, TSH and their functions − thyroid glands: thyroxine − pancreas: insulin; glucagon − adrenal: adrenalin − ovaries: oestrogen; progesterone − testis: testosterone Differences between endocrine and nervous systems 11.6 Reproduction 6–8 weeks Reproduction and fertilisation Asexual and sexual reproduction in plants and animals • Asexual (vegetative propagation) reproduction: − cell division: mitosis • Sexual reproduction: − formation and fusion of gametes (conception) − cell division: meiosis Fertilisation • Fertilisation (implantation, multiple births, in-vitro fertilisation) • Embryonic development (stages of pregnancy) Secondary sexual characteristics • Sex hormones in the menstrual cycle: − interpreting graphs of levels of hormones in a menstrual cycle Family planning methods • Traditional family planning or contraceptive methods • Natural family planning or contraceptive methods: − abstinence − withdrawal − ovulation • Artificial family planning or contraceptive methods: − sterilisation (tubal ligation and vasectomy) − contraceptive pill − condoms (male and female) − IUD (inter-uterine device) − cervical cap Sexually transmitted infections • The causes, symptoms, transmission and prevention of STIs such as gonorrhoea, syphilis, HIV and AIDS, donovaniasis, chlamydia, genital herpes • The causes, symptoms, transmission and prevention of HIV and AIDS • Disorders of the reproductive system: − male (impotence, prostate cancer, undescended testes, infertility) − female (infertility, breast cancer, cervical and ovarian cancer |
Grade 12 Examination Specification
Through our research and experience and review of past biology examination papers, the education department through the measurement services division have been setting the exams in the for each unit as 3 multiple choice questions and 1 short answer questions worth 7 marks. This year is more likely to be the same. 11.1 Living Things : 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 11.2 Nutrition: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 11.2 Transport System: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 114 Respiration and Gas Exchange: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 11.5 Response to stimuli: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 11.6 Reproduction: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. |
Grade 12 Biology topics and units
The Biology students in grade 12 throughout Papua New Guinea must learn and be knowledgeable in all the Grade 12 Biology units and topics in order to sit for the biology national examination at the end of Grade 12. There are four Grade 12 biology units and topics that must be taught by all Grade 12 biology teachers throughout Papua New Guinea. The four Grade 12 Biology units and topics are outlined below.
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Grade 12 biology units and topics
12.1 Ecology 8–10 weeks Biomes and habitats • definitions of ‘species’, ‘population’, ‘community’, ‘habitat’ and ‘niche’ • Polar, temperate and tropical climatic regions of the biosphere • Major types of biomes: tundra, desert, forests, wetlands and grasslands • Factors influencing plant and animal life: − Climate (rainfall, temperature and relative humidity) − soil (composition, water retention and drainage, pH, mineral content and decomposition) − Topography (the effects of altitude, inclines and contours) Terrestrial environments • Tundra, desert, tropical rainforest and grassland: − Biotic and abiotic factors − Types of adaptations (behavioural, morphological and physiological) Aquatic environments • Freshwater, marine, estuaries, mangroves and wet lands: − Biotic and abiotic factors − Types of adaptations (behavioural, morphological and physiological):adaptations of organisms in terms of buoyancy, gas exchange, osmoregulation, reproduction, streamlining, locomotion Interactions Feeding relationships • defining food chains and food webs: examples from various biomes • Trophic levels: energy source, energy flow and transformation along a food chain • The effect of biomagnification and eutrophication on a food chain • Pyramid of biomass, numbers and energy for any community Natural cycles • Carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and water cycles • Examples of natural and artificial succession in the local area Human impacts on the environment Environmental issues • Environmental issues that have impacts on the environment, such as mining, logging, monocultural farming, overfishing, use of plastics, chemical wastes (such as from mines) Sustainable management • Traditional environmental management practices • Current environmental practices • Biological management practices in fisheries and forestry: − carbon trade − sustainable management practices in relation to development 12.2 Population 4–6 weeks Population sampling • use sampling methods listed below to estimate population within a given area (aquatic or terrestrial): − Quadrant frame − Capture–recapture technique for sampling animal population − Line of transect • Pyramid of biomass for any community • Effects of birth, death, immigration and emigration rates on population of organisms • Prey–predator graph showing population fluctuations • factors that limit population growth (limiting factors) such as food availability, predators, natural disasters and diseases Human population growth • Exponential growth of population for the last 20 years in Papua New Guinea • Reasons for population explosion: − high birth rate and low mortality rate − better medical facilities and treatment − improved diet and lifestyle • Relationship between world population growth rates and availability of resources with emphasis on Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region • Impact of increased population in terms of species endangerment 12.3 Genetics 8–10 weeks Inheritance • definition and explanation of the terms: − inheritance − genotype − phenotype − gene − genome − allele • Mendelian experiments: − monohybrid and dihybrid crosses − dominant and recessive genes − recessive test or back cross − homozygous, heterozygous genotypes − F1 and F2 phenotypic ratios − Mendel’s phenotypic ratios − Mendel’s law of segregation and independent assortment − incomplete dominance (ABO blood groups)and co-dominance Genes and chromosomes • the structure and role of chromosomes in organisms in relation to: − chromosome numbers (haploid and diploid) − chromosomes and genes • process of DNA replication • mechanisms for maintaining cell chromosome numbers during growth (mitosis) and reproduction (meiosis) • structure and function of nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) • protein synthesis: − the roles of proteins in cells − relating the DNA sequence of a gene to the amino acids sequence of a protein − the steps of transcription and translation in protein synthesis − interpreting diagrams of protein structure and synthesis Variations • differentiate between acquired and inherited characteristics in relation to continuous and discontinuous variations Biotechnological techniques • manipulation of DNA by molecular biology techniques • tissue culturing techniques • principles used in the use of restriction enzymes, DNA ligation and polymerase chain reaction 12.4 Evolution 6–8 weeks Theories of evolution • Darwin’s theory of natural selection and Lamarck’s theory • modern developments of Darwin’s theory • Darwin’s theory of natural selection and Lamarck’s theory • modern developments of Darwin’s theory Evidence of evolution • fossil evidence • comparative anatomy (convergent and divergent) • comparative embryology • comparative biochemistry Mechanisms of evolution • evolutionary agents: non-random mating, mutation • genetic drift • gene flow • natural selection • geographical isolation • hybridisation |
Examination Specification
12.1 Ecology: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 12.2 Population : 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 12.3 Genetics: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. 12.4 Evolution: 3 multiple Choice Questions, 1 Short Answer Questions worth 7 marks. |
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