This topic explores the definition of health and the distinction between communicable and non-communicable diseases, including the role of pathogens. It covers human and plant defence mechanisms, the development of medicines, and the impact of lifestyle factors on non-communicable diseases.
Topic 9 – Ecosystems and material cycles explores the dynamic relationships between living organisms and their environment, focusing on how energy flows and nutrients cycle through ecosystems. You'll study key processes like photosynthesis, respiration, and decomposition, and learn how human activities can disrupt these natural cycles. This topic is essential for understanding biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability, and it connects directly to global issues like climate change and pollution.
In this topic, you'll investigate the structure of ecosystems, including food chains, food webs, and trophic levels. You'll also examine the carbon cycle and the water cycle in detail, understanding how these cycles maintain life on Earth. Practical skills are emphasised, such as sampling techniques to estimate population sizes and using quadrats and transects. Mastering this topic will give you a solid foundation for further study in ecology and environmental science.
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