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| Name the 5 groups of vertebrates (animals with a backbone). | Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals. Remember: FAR-B-M (Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, Mammals)! |
| What are the 3 things ALL living things need to survive? | 1. Food (nutrition) 2. Water 3. Air (oxygen). Without any one of these, they cannot survive. |
| How many legs do insects have? What are 3 examples? | Insects have 6 legs. Examples: butterfly, ant, bee, grasshopper, beetle, mosquito. |
| What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates? | Vertebrates HAVE a backbone (e.g. fish, frog, snake, bird, dog). Invertebrates have NO backbone (e.g. worm, insect, snail, jellyfish, spi... |
| What are the 4 main parts of a flowering plant? | 1. Root (anchor + absorb water) 2. Stem (transport + support) 3. Leaf (photosynthesis) 4. Flower (reproduction) |
| What 3 things does a plant need for photosynthesis? | Sunlight + Water + Carbon dioxide → Glucose + Oxygen. (Remember: SWC → GO!) |
| What gas do plants take IN during photosynthesis? What gas do they release? | Plants take IN carbon dioxide (CO₂) and release OXYGEN (O₂). This is opposite to what animals do! |
| What is the function of the LEAF? | The leaf is the main organ for PHOTOSYNTHESIS — making food for the plant. It is flat and broad to absorb maximum sunlight. |
| Name the 4 stages of a butterfly's life cycle. | 1. Egg 2. Larva (caterpillar) 3. Pupa (chrysalis) 4. Adult butterfly. This is COMPLETE metamorphosis. |
| What is the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis? | Complete: 4 stages, young looks very different from adult (butterfly, frog, housefly). Incomplete: 3 stages, nymph looks like a small adu... |
| Name 3 animals that are amphibians. | Frogs, toads, salamanders, newts. Amphibians live both on land and in water, and lay eggs in water. |
| What is the function of the PUPA stage in a butterfly's life cycle? | The pupa (chrysalis) is the TRANSFORMATION stage. Inside, the caterpillar's body reorganises into an adult butterfly. The pupa does NOT eat. |
| How are fungi DIFFERENT from plants? | Fungi cannot make their own food (no chlorophyll, no photosynthesis). They get food by breaking down dead organisms or absorbing nutrient... |
| How do fungi reproduce? | Fungi reproduce by releasing tiny SPORES. Spores float in the air and grow into new fungi when they land on a suitable surface. |
| Give 2 USEFUL and 1 HARMFUL example of fungi. | Useful: mushrooms (food), yeast (bread/baking). Harmful: mould that spoils food, athlete's foot (fungal infection). |
| What do decomposers (bacteria and fungi) do for the environment? | They break down dead plants and animals, returning nutrients back to the soil. Without them, dead matter would pile up and plants couldn'... |
| What is the difference between transparent, translucent and opaque? | Transparent: light passes through clearly (clear glass). Translucent: some light passes through, blurry (frosted glass). Opaque: no light... |
| What does it mean when a material DISSOLVES in water? | The material breaks into tiny particles that spread evenly throughout the water. The material is still there — it hasn't disappeared. You... |
| Give 3 examples of conductors and 3 insulators of electricity. | Conductors: copper, iron, steel (all metals). Insulators: rubber, plastic, wood, glass, ceramic. |
| Why does wood float but iron sink in water? | Wood is LESS DENSE than water, so it floats. Iron is MORE DENSE than water, so it sinks. Density is how heavy something is for its size/v... |
| What are the 3 types of materials based on how light passes through them? | 1. Transparent (light passes through clearly) 2. Translucent (light partially passes, blurry) 3. Opaque (no light passes through, block... |
| What is the difference between a light SOURCE and a reflected object? | A light source PRODUCES its own light (sun, torch, fire, light bulb). A reflected object only REFLECTS light from a source (moon, mirror,... |
| Why do shadows form? | Light travels in straight lines. Opaque objects block light. The area behind the object that light cannot reach is the shadow. |
| What is REFLECTION of light? | Reflection is when light bounces off a surface. Smooth, shiny surfaces (mirrors) reflect light well. Rough surfaces scatter light in many... |
| What happens to materials when they are heated? When cooled? | Heated → EXPAND (get bigger, particles move faster and spread apart). Cooled → CONTRACT (get smaller, particles slow down and move closer... |
| In which direction does heat always flow? | Heat ALWAYS flows from HOT to COLD. It continues to flow until both objects are at the same temperature (thermal equilibrium). |
| What is the MELTING POINT of water? The BOILING POINT? | Melting point = 0°C (ice melts to water). Boiling point = 100°C (water boils to steam/water vapour). These are fixed temperatures for wat... |
| Name 3 good conductors and 3 poor conductors (insulators) of heat. | Good conductors: metals (iron, copper, aluminium). Poor conductors/insulators: wood, plastic, rubber, cloth, air. |
| Name 4 magnetic materials. | Iron, steel, nickel, cobalt. Remember: NOT all metals are magnetic! Copper, gold, silver and aluminium are NOT magnetic. |
| What is the rule for magnetic poles? | LIKE poles REPEL (N-N or S-S push apart). UNLIKE poles ATTRACT (N-S pull together). 'Like repels, unlike attracts!' |
| Where is the magnetic force STRONGEST in a bar magnet? | At the POLES (the two ends — North pole and South pole). The centre of the magnet has the weakest force. |
| Can magnetic force act through non-magnetic materials? Give 3 examples. | YES! Magnetic force can act through paper, plastic, glass, water, wood and even your hand — without touching! |
| What are the 4 main parts of a plant and their functions? | ROOT: anchor + absorb. STEM: transport + support. LEAF: photosynthesis. FLOWER: reproduction. |
| What are STOMATA and where are they found? | Tiny pores mainly on the underside of leaves. Allow CO₂ IN and O₂ + water vapour OUT (transpiration). |
| What are XYLEM and PHLOEM? | XYLEM: carries water/minerals UP from roots to leaves. PHLOEM: carries glucose DOWN from leaves to rest of plant. |
| What do ROOT HAIR CELLS do? | Tiny extensions that greatly increase root surface area for absorbing water and dissolved minerals from soil. |
| What is the correct order of the digestive system? | Mouth → Oesophagus → Stomach → Small intestine → Large intestine → Rectum → Anus |
| Where does most nutrient absorption happen? How is it adapted? | SMALL INTESTINE. Millions of tiny VILLI increase surface area enormously for absorbing nutrients into the blood. |
| What does the LIVER produce and what does it do? | BILE (stored in gall bladder). Emulsifies (breaks up) large fat droplets into tiny ones so enzymes can digest them. |
| Mechanical vs chemical digestion — what is the difference? | MECHANICAL: physical breakdown — chewing, churning. CHEMICAL: enzymes break bonds in food molecules into small absorbable units. |
| Name the male and female parts of a flower. | MALE: Stamen = Anther (makes pollen) + Filament. FEMALE: Pistil = Stigma (receives pollen) + Style + Ovary (has ovules). |
| Pollination vs fertilisation — what is the difference? | POLLINATION: pollen from anther to stigma. FERTILISATION: pollen nucleus travels to ovule and joins egg cell → seed. |
| 4 methods of seed dispersal with one example each. | WIND: dandelion. WATER: coconut. ANIMAL (eaten): mango. EXPLOSIVE: balsam pod bursts open. |
| What happens to ovary and ovule after fertilisation? | OVARY → FRUIT. OVULE(S) → SEED(S). Fruit protects seeds and aids dispersal. |
| 3 states of matter and their key properties. | SOLID: fixed shape + volume. LIQUID: no fixed shape, fixed volume. GAS: no fixed shape, no fixed volume. |
| Name all 6 changes of state. | Melting, Freezing, Evaporation, Condensation, Boiling, Sublimation |
| Evaporation vs boiling — differences. | EVAPORATION: surface only, any temperature, slow. BOILING: throughout liquid, only at 100°C for water, rapid bubbles. |
| What happens to particles when heated? | GAIN ENERGY → MOVE FASTER → SPREAD APART → material EXPANDS. Reverse when cooled → CONTRACTS. |
| What is needed for a complete circuit? | Battery + wires + component (bulb/motor) + COMPLETE PATH with no gaps. Closed switch allows current to flow. |
| 4 conductors and 4 insulators of electricity. | CONDUCTORS: copper, iron, steel, aluminium. INSULATORS: rubber, plastic, glass, wood, ceramic. |
| Series vs parallel: what happens when one bulb is removed? | SERIES: all bulbs go out (one path broken). PARALLEL: other bulbs stay on (other paths still complete). |
| Why are electrical wires copper coated in plastic? | COPPER = conductor (electricity flows). PLASTIC = insulator (prevents electric shocks and short circuits). |
| 3 categories of materials based on light. | TRANSPARENT: clear (glass, water). TRANSLUCENT: blurry (frosted glass). OPAQUE: no light passes (wood, metal). |
| Luminous vs non-luminous objects. | LUMINOUS: makes own light (Sun, torch, candle). NON-LUMINOUS: only reflects light (Moon, mirror, book). |
| Why do shadows form? | 1. Light travels in STRAIGHT LINES. 2. OPAQUE object blocks light. Area behind object that light cannot reach = shadow. |
| What is reflection of light? | Light bouncing off a surface. Smooth shiny surfaces reflect well. Angle of reflection = angle light hits surface. |
| Name the 4 magnetic materials. | Iron, steel, nickel, cobalt. NOT all metals — copper, gold, silver, aluminium are NOT magnetic! |
| Rule for magnetic poles. | LIKE poles REPEL (N-N, S-S). UNLIKE poles ATTRACT (N-S). You can never isolate a single pole. |
| Can magnetic force act without touching? Through what? | YES — non-contact force. Acts through paper, plastic, glass, water, wood and your hand. |
| What happens if you cut a magnet in half? | Each half becomes a COMPLETE magnet with its own N and S poles. No single-pole magnet is possible. |
| What is ASEXUAL reproduction? | Reproduction using ONE parent — offspring are genetically identical (clones) to parent. Examples: runners, bulbs, cuttings |
| What is SEXUAL reproduction? | Involves TWO parents — fusion of male and female sex cells produces genetically unique offspring |
| What is the difference between POLLINATION and FERTILISATION? | Pollination = pollen transferred to stigma. Fertilisation = pollen nucleus fuses with egg cell in ovule |
| Name FOUR methods of asexual reproduction in plants. | 1. Runners (strawberry) 2. Bulbs (onion, garlic) 3. Cuttings (cactus) 4. Tubers (potato) |
| What are the advantages of ASEXUAL reproduction? | Fast, only one parent needed, offspring survive well in stable environments, efficient (no pollination needed) |
| List the path of air from the nose to the alveoli. | Nose/Mouth → Trachea → Bronchi → Bronchioles → Alveoli |
| What gas exchange happens at the ALVEOLI? | Oxygen passes INTO blood; Carbon dioxide passes OUT of blood into alveoli to be exhaled |
| What is the role of the DIAPHRAGM? | Contracts to increase chest volume (inhale) — relaxes to decrease chest volume (exhale) |
| Name THREE adaptations of alveoli for efficient gas exchange. | 1. Thin walls (one cell layer) 2. Rich blood supply 3. Enormous numbers (480 million) = huge surface area |
| What is the difference between BREATHING and RESPIRATION? | Breathing = physical movement of air in/out. Respiration = chemical reaction in cells releasing energy from glucose + O₂ |
| Name the FOUR components of blood and one function of each. | Red blood cells (carry O₂), White blood cells (fight infection), Platelets (clot blood), Plasma (carries nutrients, hormones, CO₂) |
| Why do red blood cells have NO nucleus? | More space for haemoglobin — the oxygen-carrying protein. They are also disc-shaped to maximise surface area |
| What is PULMONARY circulation? | Blood circulation between the heart and lungs — to collect oxygen and release carbon dioxide |
| What is the difference between ARTERIES and VEINS? | Arteries = carry blood AWAY from heart (thick walls, high pressure). Veins = blood TOWARDS heart (thin walls, valves to prevent backflow) |
| How do WHITE BLOOD CELLS defend the body? (2 ways) | 1. Phagocytosis — engulf and destroy bacteria 2. Antibody production — target specific pathogens |
| What DRIVES the water cycle? | The Sun provides heat energy for evaporation and transpiration. Gravity pulls precipitation back down |
| What is EVAPORATION? | Liquid water absorbs heat energy and turns into water vapour — occurs from oceans, lakes, rivers, puddles |
| What is CONDENSATION in the water cycle? | Water vapour cools at high altitude → forms tiny water droplets → creates clouds |
| What is PRECIPITATION? | Water falling from clouds — as rain, snow, hail, or sleet — returning water to Earth\ |
| What is TRANSPIRATION? | Plants release water vapour through stomata in leaves — contributes significant moisture to atmosphere |
| Name THREE desert adaptations of a cactus. | 1. Thick stem stores water 2. Waxy coating reduces evaporation 3. Spines instead of leaves (less surface area = less water loss) |
| Name THREE arctic adaptations of a polar bear. | 1. Thick white fur (camouflage + insulation) 2. Thick layer of blubber (insulation) 3. Large padded feet (grip on ice) |
| How are fish adapted for aquatic life? (3 features) | 1. Streamlined body (low drag) 2. Gills (extract dissolved O₂ from water) 3. Fins (propulsion and steering) 4. Scales (protection) |
| Name TWO structural adaptations of eagles for hunting. | 1. Sharp curved talons (grip and kill prey) 2. Hooked beak (tear flesh) 3. Keen eyesight (spot prey from great heights) |
| How are deep-sea fish adapted for life in total darkness? | Large eyes (maximise light collection), bioluminescence (attract prey/mates), sensitive lateral line (detect water movements) |
| What do ARROWS in a food chain represent? | Direction of ENERGY TRANSFER — from organism being eaten → to organism eating it |
| What is a PRODUCER? Give an example. | Organism that makes its own food by photosynthesis. Examples: grass, seaweed, algae, trees, phytoplankton |
| What is a PRIMARY CONSUMER? | Animal that eats producers (plants) directly — a herbivore. Examples: caterpillar, rabbit, grasshopper, cow |
| What is a SECONDARY CONSUMER? | Animal that eats primary consumers. Examples: fox (eats rabbit), frog (eats insects) |
| What is an APEX PREDATOR? | Top predator with no natural enemies. Examples: lion, great white shark, orca, eagle |