Biology in Years 7 and 8
The study of living organisms
Year 7
The Year 7 introduction course has been organised to give our new Biology students a basic understanding about the characteristics of living organisms. It has also been designed to allow students to carry out experiments in a scientific way, to record results accurately, and to make thoughtful conclusions to their practical work.
Mrs Gren will soon become well known to you when you begin Biology:
Movement; Respiration; Sensitivity: Growth; Reproduction; Excretion; and Nutrition
Microscopy
In particular, we like students to master the skills involved with using our microscopes.The microscopic world is an important aspect of Biology in modern day Science. During the double period lessons, you will make slides of plant and animal cells, and learn how to view them best with the different magnifications of a compound microscope. Your slides can now be projected up onto a screen for all the class to see! You also view living material in 3-D using our binocular microscopes.
You also learn the basics of Classification and how organisms get their biological names. Who is Homo sapiens, and what is the scientific name of the spider at the top of the page?
Year 7 also allows the department to introduce Reproduction as a biological process to its students. We look at the anatomy of the male and female reproductive organs, and discuss the changes that occur in the body during puberty. The detailed biology of gametes, fertilisation and embryo development is explained in full, and boys are encouraged by the staff to treat the subject with maturity, and to ask questions if they are unsure.
Year 8
The Year 8 Biology course builds on Year 7, and also tries to extend the scientific approach to experimental work. The topics covered during the year are very varied, each allowing practical work to be carried out and analysed. Some of the topics iclude:
Locomotion
The mammalian skeleton is studied in detail. Bone structure is analysed, and boys assess a variety of X-rays of past and present students (and their relatives!) Students also look at how muscles work, and they build working models of the human forearm.
Size and Shape
The size and shape of an organism may be crucial to its survival in a particular environment.
You will investigate the problems linked to being very small or very large!
(See the attachment below)
Microbiology
This topic makes up much of the Year 8 course. It is a very practical subject, and you will learn how to deal with bacteria and fungi in a safe, sterile way. Growing microbes on agar in petri dishes could be very dangerous if you didn't follow strict aseptic techniques.
You will discovery that not all microbes are harmful. The picture on the right is an electron microscope view of Penicillium. As you may know, this is a type of fungus that makes the antibiotic penicillin. Some people think that the discovery of this anti-bacterial drug was one of the most important breakthroughs in Science and Medicine.
You will carry out simple Biotechnology practicals using microbes like yeast. You may even be able to ferment some wine or beer for your teacher, make some live yoghurt, or perhaps bake yourself a small loaf of bread.
