SCIENCE REVISION NOTES 1
1. Animal Cells vs Plant Cells
- Animal cells contain: nucleus, cell membrane, cytoplasm.
- Animal cells DO NOT have: cell wall, chloroplasts, large central vacuole (sap vacuole).
- Plant cells have all of the above plus cell wall, chloroplasts, and large vacuole.
2. Types of Cells
- Neuron (nerve cell): has dendrites, cell body, and axon. It transmits electrical signals.
- Ciliated epithelial cells: have tiny hair-like structures (cilia).
- Red blood cells: carry oxygen.
- White blood cells: fight infection.
3. Levels of Organization (Smallest → Largest)
cell → tissue → organ → organ system → organism
4. States of Matter
- Solid: particles are closely packed with strong attractive forces → cannot flow.
- Liquid: particles can move past each other → can flow.
- Gas: particles move freely → no fixed shape or volume.
5. Particle Theory
- Gas particles have very weak forces.
- Cooling reduces energy → particles move slower.
- Heating increases energy → particles move faster.
- If cooled enough, liquid becomes solid.
6. Atoms, Molecules, Compounds
- Atom: smallest unit of an element (indivisible in basic science).
- Molecule: group of atoms bonded together.
- Compound: substance made from different elements chemically combined.
- Mixture: substances physically combined.
7. Matter
- All things are made of matter.
- Matter = anything that has mass and takes up space.
8. Energy Transfer
- Energy can be transferred as: light, sound, heat.
- Chemical and gravitational potential are forms of energy, NOT transfer methods.
9. Respiration
- Mitochondria carry out respiration.
- Respiration = breaking down food to release energy.
10. Classification Key
- A key is used to identify organisms (set of questions).
11. Metals vs Non-metals
- Metals: conduct electricity, malleable, ductile.
- Non-metals: brittle, do not conduct electricity.
12. Acids and Bases
- Indicator: changes color in acid/base.
- Litmus: blue → red (acid), red → blue (base).
- pH scale: 0–14 (0–6 acidic, 7 neutral, 8–14 basic).
- Universal indicator: shows many colors depending on pH.
13. Waves
- All waves can be reflected (light and sound).
- Arrows in food chains show energy transfer direction.
14. Earth Science
- Magma: liquid rock beneath Earth’s surface.
- Tectonic plates move on magma.
15. Circuits
- Cell: provides energy.
- Lamp: produces light.
- Buzzer: produces sound.
- Ammeter: measures current.
- Switch:
- Open → stops current
- Closed → allows current
16. Conductors and Insulators
- Conductors allow electron flow.
- Insulators inhibit electron flow.
17. Ecology
- Producers: plants (make their own food).
- Consumers: animals.
- Decomposers: break down dead organisms.
- Organic matter: remains of living things.
Cells and Cell Membrane
- Cell membrane is thin and flexible.
- Controls what enters and leaves the cell.
- Found in all cells.
- NOT made of cellulose (that is cell wall).
Cells and Organisms
- All living organisms are made of cells.
- Red blood cells are smaller than most cells.
Organisation in Living Things
- Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ systems.
- Organs: heart, lungs, brain, leaf, flower.
- Tissues: blood, epithelium.
States of Matter
- Solid: fixed shape.
- Liquid: flows.
- Gas: spreads out.
Examples:
Shampoo (liquid), cup (solid), nitrogen (gas), rice (solid), smoothie (liquid), ice cube (solid),
oxygen (gas).
Temperature and Heat
- Freezing point of water: 0°C.
- Heating increases particle movement.
- Cooling slows particles → solid.
Particles and Energy
- Gas particles move freely.
- Cooling → less energy.
- Heating → more energy.
Water Cycle
- Sun provides energy for evaporation.
- Includes evaporation, condensation, precipitation.
Elements and Compounds
- Elements have symbols (Fe, K, F, P).
- Compounds contain 2 or more elements.
Space Science
- Orbit: path around object.
- Rotation: spinning.
- Axis: imaginary line.
- Planet: orbits star.
- Nebula: cloud of gas/dust.
- Space has no air.
- Earth rotation: 24 hours.
Energy
- Batteries store chemical energy.
- Heated objects gain thermal energy.
Acids and Alkalis
- pH 7 = neutral.
- <7 acid, >7 alkali.
- Strong vs weak depends on strength.
Sound
- Sound cannot travel in vacuum.
- Reflection = echo.
- Absorbed = reduced sound.
Forces and Earth
- Earth crust made of tectonic plates.
- Earthquake strength = magnitude.
Ecology
- Producer: makes own food.
- Consumer: eats others.
- Herbivore, carnivore.
- Predator and prey.
- Decomposers: fungi, bacteria.
Classification
- Offspring = young.
- Dichotomous key = branching into two.
- Key helps identify organisms.
Materials
- Metals conduct electricity.
- Non-metals do not.
- Magnetic: iron, nickel, cobalt, steel.
Chemical Reactions
- Iron + sulfur → iron sulfide.
- Water → oxygen + hydrogen.
- Carbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide.
- Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide.
- Neutralisation = chemical change.