SCIENCE

G.C.E. Ordinary Level Comprehensive Revision Guide

ENGLISH MEDIUM

Designed for Sri Lankan G.C.E. O/L Examination Mastery

Subject Code SCI-34

Curriculum National Curriculum (Sri Lanka)

Target Exam G.C.E. Ordinary Level

Medium English

Document Structure 10-Page Master Revision Module

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 1

Table of Contents & Curriculum Map

This study guide covers key essential topics structured specifically for O/L examination success.

Page 3: Chapter 1 - Cellular Organization & Life Processes

Structure of plant and animal cells, organelle functions, biomolecules, and enzyme action.

Page 4: Chapter 2 - Human Anatomy: Transport & Respiration

Circulatory system, blood components, respiratory apparatus, and gas exchange mechanism.

Page 5: Chapter 3 - Chemical Bonding & Periodic Table

Atomic structure, periodic trends, ionic and covalent bonding, and chemical formulas.

Page 6: Chapter 4 - Stoichiometry & Chemical Calculations

Mole concept, Avogadro constant, molar mass, and reaction stoichiometry.

Page 7: Chapter 5 - Acids, Bases, Salts & Electrochemistry

pH scale, neutralization reactions, electrolysis principles, and chemical cells.

Page 8: Chapter 6 - Mechanics: Kinematics & Newton Laws

Motion graphs, equations of motion, force, momentum, and Newton three laws.

Page 9: Chapter 7 - Work, Energy, Power & Thermal Physics

Work done, mechanical energy conversion, power calculations, heat capacity, and latent heat.

Page 10: Chapter 8 - Light, Waves & Current Electricity

Reflection, refraction, wave parameters, Ohm law, and domestic electrical circuits.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 2

 CHAPTER 1 • PAGE 3

Cellular Organization & Life Processes

1. Cell Structure and Function

The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of life. Cells are classified as prokaryotic (lacking
membrane-bound nucleus) or eukaryotic.

Organelle Primary Function Occurrence

Nucleus Contains genetic material (DNA), controls cell activities Both Plant & Animal

Mitochondria Site of cellular respiration (ATP energy generation) Both Plant & Animal

Chloroplast Site of photosynthesis (contains chlorophyll) Plant Cells Only

Cell Wall Provides structural support and rigidity (Cellulose) Plant Cells Only

2. Biomolecules
• Carbohydrates: Composed of C, H, O. Monosaccharides (Glucose), Disaccharides (Sucrose),
Polysaccharides (Starch, Cellulose).
• Proteins: Composed of C, H, O, N (S). Made of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Essential for growth/
repair.
• Lipids: Composed of C, H, O. Triglycerides made of glycerol and fatty acids. Energy storage and
insulation.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 3

 CHAPTER 2 • PAGE 4

Human Anatomy: Transport & Respiration

1. Circulatory System
The human heart is a 4-chambered muscular organ (2 atria, 2 ventricles) operating a double circulation
system (Pulmonary and Systemic).

Blood Components
• Plasma: Liquid matrix carrying nutrients, urea, hormones.

• Red Blood Cells (Erythrocytes): Contain hemoglobin; transport oxygen.

• White Blood Cells (Leukocytes): Phagocytes and Lymphocytes for immunity.

• Platelets (Thrombocytes): Cell fragments essential for blood clotting.

2. Human Respiratory System

Air passes: Nasal Cavity ➔ Pharynx ➔ Larynx ➔ Trachea ➔ Bronchi ➔ Bronchioles ➔ Alveoli.

Gas Exchange at Alveoli: Oxygen diffuses into blood capillaries while carbon dioxide diffuses from blood into
alveoli due to concentration gradients.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 4

 CHAPTER 3 • PAGE 5

Chemical Bonding & Periodic Table

1. Structure of Atom
Atoms consist of subatomic particles: Protons (+1, mass 1), Neutrons (0, mass 1) located in nucleus, and
Electrons (-1, mass 1/1840) orbiting in shells.

• Atomic Number (Z): Number of protons in nucleus.

• Mass Number (A): Total number of protons + neutrons.

2. Periodic Table Trends

Elements arranged in order of increasing atomic number.

• Groups (Vertical Columns): Elements in same group have same number of valence electrons and similar
chemical properties.
• Periods (Horizontal Rows): Number of occupied electron shells.

3. Chemical Bonding

Bond Types Comparison

Ionic Bonding: Transfer of electrons from metal to non-metal (e.g., NaCl). High melting point, conducts
electricity in molten/aqueous state.

Covalent Bonding: Sharing of electron pairs between non-metals (e.g., H2O, CO2). Lower melting
points, non-conductive.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 5

 CHAPTER 4 • PAGE 6

Stoichiometry & Chemical Calculations

1. The Mole Concept

One mole is the amount of substance containing 6.022 × 1023 elementary entities (Avogadro Constant, NA).

Number of moles (n) = Mass (g) / Molar Mass (g/mol)

2. Concentration of Solutions

Molarity (C) measured in mol/dm3 or g/dm3.

Concentration (C) = Moles of solute (n) / Volume of solution (V in dm3)

Example Calculation

Calculate the mass of NaOH required to prepare 250 cm3 of a 0.2 mol/dm3 solution. (Molar mass NaOH =
40 g/mol)

V = 250 / 1000 = 0.25 dm3

n = C × V = 0.2 × 0.25 = 0.05 mol

Mass = n × Molar Mass = 0.05 × 40 = 2.0 grams.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 6

 CHAPTER 5 • PAGE 7

Acids, Bases, Salts & Electrochemistry

1. Acids and Bases

• Acids: Produce H+ ions in aqueous solution (pH < 7). Turn blue litmus red.

• Bases / Alkalis: Produce OH- ions in aqueous solution (pH > 7). Turn red litmus blue.

• Neutralization: Acid + Base ➔ Salt + Water

2. Electrochemistry
Electrolysis: Decomposition of an ionic compound in molten or aqueous state by passing electric current.

Electrode Charge Attracted Ions Process

Anode Positive (+) Anions (-) Oxidation (Loss of e-)

Cathode Negative (-) Cations (+) Reduction (Gain of e-)

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 7

 CHAPTER 6 • PAGE 8

Mechanics: Kinematics & Newton Laws

1. Equations of Motion (Uniform Acceleration)

For motion with constant acceleration a, initial velocity u, final velocity v, displacement s, and time t:

1. v = u + at

2. s = ut + ½at2

3. v2 = u2 + 2as

4. s = [(u + v) / 2] · t

2. Newton's Laws of Motion

Three Laws of Motion

1. First Law (Inertia): An object remains at rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by a resultant
external force.

2. Second Law: Resultant force is proportional to rate of change of momentum (F = ma).

3. Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 8

 CHAPTER 7 • PAGE 9

Work, Energy, Power & Thermal Physics

1. Work, Energy, and Power

• Work Done: W = F × s (Joules).
• Kinetic Energy: E = ½mv2.
k
• Gravitational Potential Energy: E = mgh.
p
• Power: Rate of doing work. P = W / t (Watts, where 1 W = 1 J/s).

2. Thermal Physics
Heat Capacity: Quantity of heat energy required to raise temperature of a substance.

Q = mcΔθ

Where m = mass (kg), c = specific heat capacity (J kg-1 K-1), Δθ = temp change.

Specific Latent Heat (L): Heat needed to change state without temperature change: Q = mL.

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 9

 CHAPTER 8 • PAGE 10

Light, Waves & Current Electricity

1. Wave Properties & Light

Wave equation: v = f λ (where v = speed, f = frequency, λ = wavelength).

Refraction: Snell's Law n = sin i / sin r.

2. Current Electricity
Ohm's Law: Current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to voltage across two
points at constant temperature.

V=I×R

Circuit Type Equivalent Resistance Current / Voltage behavior

Series Rtotal = R1 + R2 + R3 Current same everywhere; Voltage divides

Parallel 1/Rtotal = 1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 Voltage same across branches; Current divides

G.C.E. O/L Study Guide - Science Page 10