Via Afrika
Life Sciences
Grade 10 Study Guide
M. Bowie, A. Johannes, R. Mhlongo, E. Pretorius
,M. Bowie • A. Johannes • R. Mhlongo • E. Pretorius
Stu dy Guide
Via Afrika
Life Sciences
Grade 10
ISBN: 978-1-41546-328-4
,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
Life Sciences
Grade 10 Study Guide
M. Bowie, A. Johannes, R. Mhlongo, E. Pretorius
,M. Bowie • A. Johannes • R. Mhlongo • E. Pretorius
Stu dy Guide
Via Afrika
Life Sciences
Grade 10
ISBN: 978-1-41546-328-4
,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
