CSEC Human and Social Biology Review Flashcards

Introduction

• CSEC® Human and Social Biology revision guide by Anne Tindale & Shaun deSouza.

Publisher Information

• First published in 1819 by William Collins; specializes in educational texts focusing on knowledge access.
• Independent publication, not authorized by CXC®.

Contents Overview

• Section A: Living Organisms and the Environment
• Section B: Life Processes
• Section C: Heredity and Variation
• Section D: Disease and its Impact on Humans
• Section E: Impact of Health Practices on the Environment

Key Concepts in CSEC® Human and Social Biology

Section A - Living Organisms and Cells

Characteristics of Living Organisms

1. Nutrition: Obtaining food; heterotrophs (consumers) vs autotrophs (producers).
2. Respiration: Energy release from food; aerobic vs anaerobic respiration.
3. Excretion: Removing waste from metabolic processes.
4. Growth: Increase in size/complexity.
5. Irritability: Responding to environmental changes.
6. Movement: Whole organism or part movement.
7. Reproduction: Generating new individuals; sexual (fusion of gametes) vs asexual (single parent).

Cells

• Basic structural and functional unit. Unicellular vs multicellular organisms.
• Organelles: nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, chloroplasts (in plants).

Section B - Life Processes

Nutrition

• Balanced Diet: Importance of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, vitamins, and minerals.
• Digestion: Mechanical (teeth) and chemical (enzymes) processes, absorption.

Respiratory System

• Mechanism of Breathing: Diaphragm and intercostal muscles. Gaseous exchange at alveoli.

Circulatory System

• Components: Heart, blood, blood vessels.
• Blood Types: A, B, AB, O; importance in transfusions.

Section C - Heredity and Variation

Cell Division and Variation

1. Mitosis: Somatic cell division, identical daughter cells.
2. Meiosis: Gamete formation, genetic variation.

Genetic Terms

• Gene: Hereditary unit.
• Allele: Variant of a gene.

Section D - Disease and Its Impact on Humans

• Types of Diseases: Infectious (communicable) vs non-communicable.
• Treatment and Prevention: Importance of hygiene, vaccinations, and antibiotics.

Section E - Impact of Health Practices on the Environment

• Discusses pollution effects, waste management, and sustainability.

Examination Preparation Strategies

• Revision Techniques: Start early; create a timetable; understand, don’t memorize; use past papers for practice.
• Examination Techniques: Read questions carefully, manage time efficiently, provide clear and concise answers.

Conclusion

• Comprehensive review of Human and Social Biology needed for exam success. Regular practice, understanding key concepts, and utilizing revision questions will aid in retention and exam readiness.

Revision Questions Examples

1. Define the term 'excretion'.
2. Explain the importance of diffusion in living organisms.
3. Describe the circulatory process in humans.
4. Outline the process of photosynthesis and its importance to life.