M. Bowie • A. Johannes • R. Mhlongo • E. Pretorius
Study Guide
Via Afrika
Life Sciences
Grade 10
,Contents
Introduction to Life Sciences.................................................................................. 1
Strand 1 Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level........................................ 7
Overview.............................................................................................................. 7
Topic 1 The chemistry of life................................................................................ 8
Topic 2 Cells: the basic units of life.....................................................................25
Topic 3 Cell division: mitosis............................................................................. 43
Topic 4 Plant and animal tissues........................................................................52
Topic 5 Organs...................................................................................................77
Strand 2 Life processes in plants and animals................................................... 86
Overview............................................................................................................ 86
Topic 6 Support and transport systems in plants................................................ 87
Topic 7 Support systems in animals.................................................................. 105
Topic 8 Transport systems in mammals (humans)............................................. 126
Strand 3 Environmental studies....................................................................... 146
Overview........................................................................................................... 146
Topic 9 Biosphere to ecosystems..................................................................... 147
Strand 4 Diversity, change and continuity......................................................... 177
Overview........................................................................................................... 177
Topic 10 Biodiversity and classification............................................................ 178
Topic 11 History of life on Earth......................................................................... 190
Answers to questions......................................................................................... 215
Exam paper 1 and answers..................................................................................257
Exam paper 2 and answers................................................................................ 270
©Via Afrika » Life Sciences Grade 10 ii
,Introduction to Life Sciences
Life Sciences is all about how life on Earth occurs: the principles of life, their
interconnected systems, and maintaining a stable balance of life in the biosphere.
It links with other fields, such as physiology, agriculture, Earth science, physical
science, mathematics, technology, community health, medicine, population and
environmental studies, archaeology, anthropology and palaeontology.
The Life Sciences have a number of theories that try to explain phenomena and events
that occur on Earth. Models are used to explain how processes work and solve problems
using the accepted basic rules (laws) of cause and effect that have been tried and tested
over time.
Certain scientific methods, tools and techniques are important in investigating Life
Sciences phenomena and are used often in investigations and observations. This is
what makes studying Life Sciences so exciting. You are able to conduct Life Sciences
investigations yourself – at school and at home – to answer your own questions.
This study guide works with the activities, hands-on practical tasks, and exercises that
are found in the Learner’s Book.
The study guide helps you to check your understanding of the principles of the Life
Sciences, to practise your scientific skills and to solve modern Life Sciences problems
and issues with what you know. In doing so, it prepares you for your class tests and
examinations.
Attempting the questions in this study guide helps you recognise the kinds of questions
you can be asked. It also challenges you to practise difficult questions, solve problems
and recognise the issues – how they affect not only you but also life around you on the
ever-changing planet Earth.
©Via Afrika » Life Sciences Grade 10 1
, 1 Purpose of studying Life Sciences
To best understand the Life Sciences, you will need to practise questions associated
with:
1 Scientific knowledge and understanding
2 Science process skills (scientific investigations)
3 Understanding of the roles of science in society.
1.1 Knowing and understanding scientific knowledge
This aim is achieved through:
1.1.1 Acquiring knowledge
In the process of acquiring knowledge you must:
●● access information from a variety of sources
●● select key ideas
●● recall facts
●● describe concepts, processes, phenomena, mechanisms, principles, theories, laws
and models in the Life Sciences.
1.1.2 Understanding, comprehending, making connections between ideas and con-
cepts to make meaning of Life Sciences
In the process of making meaning and achieving understanding you must:
●● build a conceptual framework of science ideas
●● organise or reorganise knowledge to derive new meaning
●● write summaries
●● develop flow charts, diagrams and mind maps
●● recognise patterns and trends.
1.1.3 Applying knowledge of Life Sciences in new and unfamiliar contexts
You must be able to:
●● apply knowledge to new and unfamiliar contexts
●● use information in a new way.
1.1.4 Analysing, evaluating and synthesising scientific knowledge, concepts
and ideas
In the process of learning science you must be able to:
●● analyse information/data
●● recognise relationships between existing knowledge and new ideas
●● critically evaluate scientific information
●● identify assumptions
●● categorise information.
©Via Afrika » Life Sciences Grade 10 2
Study Guide
Via Afrika
Life Sciences
Grade 10
,Contents
Introduction to Life Sciences.................................................................................. 1
Strand 1 Life at the molecular, cellular and tissue level........................................ 7
Overview.............................................................................................................. 7
Topic 1 The chemistry of life................................................................................ 8
Topic 2 Cells: the basic units of life.....................................................................25
Topic 3 Cell division: mitosis............................................................................. 43
Topic 4 Plant and animal tissues........................................................................52
Topic 5 Organs...................................................................................................77
Strand 2 Life processes in plants and animals................................................... 86
Overview............................................................................................................ 86
Topic 6 Support and transport systems in plants................................................ 87
Topic 7 Support systems in animals.................................................................. 105
Topic 8 Transport systems in mammals (humans)............................................. 126
Strand 3 Environmental studies....................................................................... 146
Overview........................................................................................................... 146
Topic 9 Biosphere to ecosystems..................................................................... 147
Strand 4 Diversity, change and continuity......................................................... 177
Overview........................................................................................................... 177
Topic 10 Biodiversity and classification............................................................ 178
Topic 11 History of life on Earth......................................................................... 190
Answers to questions......................................................................................... 215
Exam paper 1 and answers..................................................................................257
Exam paper 2 and answers................................................................................ 270
©Via Afrika » Life Sciences Grade 10 ii
,Introduction to Life Sciences
Life Sciences is all about how life on Earth occurs: the principles of life, their
interconnected systems, and maintaining a stable balance of life in the biosphere.
It links with other fields, such as physiology, agriculture, Earth science, physical
science, mathematics, technology, community health, medicine, population and
environmental studies, archaeology, anthropology and palaeontology.
The Life Sciences have a number of theories that try to explain phenomena and events
that occur on Earth. Models are used to explain how processes work and solve problems
using the accepted basic rules (laws) of cause and effect that have been tried and tested
over time.
Certain scientific methods, tools and techniques are important in investigating Life
Sciences phenomena and are used often in investigations and observations. This is
what makes studying Life Sciences so exciting. You are able to conduct Life Sciences
investigations yourself – at school and at home – to answer your own questions.
This study guide works with the activities, hands-on practical tasks, and exercises that
are found in the Learner’s Book.
The study guide helps you to check your understanding of the principles of the Life
Sciences, to practise your scientific skills and to solve modern Life Sciences problems
and issues with what you know. In doing so, it prepares you for your class tests and
examinations.
Attempting the questions in this study guide helps you recognise the kinds of questions
you can be asked. It also challenges you to practise difficult questions, solve problems
and recognise the issues – how they affect not only you but also life around you on the
ever-changing planet Earth.
©Via Afrika » Life Sciences Grade 10 1
, 1 Purpose of studying Life Sciences
To best understand the Life Sciences, you will need to practise questions associated
with:
1 Scientific knowledge and understanding
2 Science process skills (scientific investigations)
3 Understanding of the roles of science in society.
1.1 Knowing and understanding scientific knowledge
This aim is achieved through:
1.1.1 Acquiring knowledge
In the process of acquiring knowledge you must:
●● access information from a variety of sources
●● select key ideas
●● recall facts
●● describe concepts, processes, phenomena, mechanisms, principles, theories, laws
and models in the Life Sciences.
1.1.2 Understanding, comprehending, making connections between ideas and con-
cepts to make meaning of Life Sciences
In the process of making meaning and achieving understanding you must:
●● build a conceptual framework of science ideas
●● organise or reorganise knowledge to derive new meaning
●● write summaries
●● develop flow charts, diagrams and mind maps
●● recognise patterns and trends.
1.1.3 Applying knowledge of Life Sciences in new and unfamiliar contexts
You must be able to:
●● apply knowledge to new and unfamiliar contexts
●● use information in a new way.
1.1.4 Analysing, evaluating and synthesising scientific knowledge, concepts
and ideas
In the process of learning science you must be able to:
●● analyse information/data
●● recognise relationships between existing knowledge and new ideas
●● critically evaluate scientific information
●● identify assumptions
●● categorise information.
©Via Afrika » Life Sciences Grade 10 2
