Human & Social Biology

Human & Social Biology Syllabus

HSB Past Papers

SECTION A: LIVING ORGANISMS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• Describe the characteristics of living organisms;
• Compare the structures of an unspecialised plant and animal cell selected microbes;
• State the functions of cell structures;
• Identify selected cells which make up the human body;
• Explain the importance of cell specialisation in humans;
• Distinguish between osmosis and diffusion;
• Explain the importance of osmosis, diffusion and active transport in living systems;
• Explain the process of photosynthesis;
• Investigate the effect of light and chlorophyll on the production of starch;
• Explain the ways in which other living organisms depend on plants directly or indirectly for food;
• Explain the principles of a food chain;
• Construct a food chain from a selected habitat;
• Identify the trophic level or organisms in a food chain;
• Describe the recycling of nitrogen and carbon in nature.

SECTION B: LIFE PROCESSES

Nutrition

• Describe the major nutrients and their sources;
• State the function and the main sources of Vitamins A, B₁, C, D and the minerals calcium and iron;
• State the cause, symptoms and treatment of deficiency diseases;
• Classify vitamins as fat or water soluble;
• Perform tests to distinguish among food nutrients;
• State the functions of water in the body;
• State the role of dietary fibre in the body;
• Describe the causes and effects of constipation and diarrhoea;
• Explain what is meant by a balanced diet;
• Explain the effects of malnutrition on the human body;
• Determine Body Mass Index (BMI);
• Use tables, charts and graphs to represent data on nutrition;
• Relate the types of teeth present in an infant and an adult to their roles;
• Describe the importance of teeth present in an infant and an adult human to their roles;
• Describe the importance of teeth in the process of digestion;
• Describe the structure and function of a typical tooth;
• Relate the structures of tooth to their function;
• State the causes of tooth decay;
• Explain the properties, role and importance of enzymes involved in digestion;
• Investigate the effects of temperature and pH on the activity of the enzymes amylase and catalase in the digestive process;
• Identify the various structures of the digestive system;
• Relate the structures of the digestive system to their functions;
• Describe the process of digestion and absorption of food in the alimentary canal;
• Describe what happens to the products of digestion after their absorption;
• Describe the structure of a villus in relation to absorption;
• Distinguish between egestion and excretion.

The Respiratory System

• Explain the importance of breathing in humans;
• Relate the structures of the respiratory tract to their functions;
• Describe the breathing mechanism;
• Outline the factors affecting the rate of breathing;
• Explain the concept of vital capacity;
• Distinguish between gaseous exchange and breathing;
• Identify the characteristics common to gaseous exchange surfaces;
• Differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic respiration;
• Explain the role of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in the transfer of energy;
• Explain the technique of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation;
• Explain the effects of cigarette smoking;
• Use tables, graphs and charts to represent data on the respiratory system.

The Circulatory System

• Explain the need for a transport system in the body;
• Identify the materials which need to be transported around the human body;
• Relate the structures of the heart to their functions;
• Describe the structure and function of the heart;
• Explain the concept of blood pressure;
• Describe the structure and function of the circulatory system in humans;
• Relate the components of the blood to its function;
• Relate the structures of the arteries, veins and capillaries to their functions;
• Relate the structures of red blood cells, phagocytes and lymphocytes to their functions;
• Explain the process and importance of blood clotting;
• Explain the causes and effects of heart attacks;
• Use tables, charts and graphs to represent data on the circulatory system;
• Describe the structure and function of the lymphatic system;
• Describe how tissue fluid and lymph are formed.

Skeletal System

• Identify the major bones of the skeleton;
• Relate the structure of the skeleton to its functions;
• Relate the structure of a typical bone to its functions;
• Distinguish between bone and cartilage;
• Explain the importance of cartilage;
• Distinguish between tendons and ligaments;
• Identify a hinge joint, fixed joint and a ball and socket joint;
• Describe movement in the hinge joint and ball and socket joint;
• Identify the biceps and triceps in the upper arm;
• Explain how skeletal muscles function in the movement of a limb;
• Explain the importance of locomotion to man;
• Evaluate the factors which adversely affect the skeletal system;

Excretion and Homeostasis

• Explain the importance of excretion in human beings;
• Explain the roles of organs involved in excretion;
• Relate the structures of the kidney to their function;
• Relate the structures of the skin to their functions;
• Explain the concept of homeostasis;
• Explain the concept of feedback mechanisms;
• Describe the regulation of blood sugar;
• Explain the regulation of water;
• Distinguish between heat and temperature;
• Describe the regulation of temperature;

Coordination and Control

• Describe the main divisions of the nervous system;
• Describe the functions of the parts of the brain;
• Distinguish between a neurone and a nerve;
• Explain the functions of motor and sensory neurones and spinal synapses;
• Describe the mechanisms of a reflex action;
• Explain the process by which voluntary actions occur;
• Distinguish between a voluntary and involuntary action;
• Explain the response of the sense organs to stimuli;
• Relate the internal structures of the eye to their functions;
• Explain how images are formed in the eye;
• Explain accommodation in the eye;
• Describe the causes of, and corrective measures for eye defects;
• Distinguish between endocrine (hormonal) and nervous control systems;
• Identify the sites of hormone production;
• Explain the roles of selected hormones in the human body.

Reproductive System

• Distinguish between sexual and asexual reproduction;
• Describe the structure and function of the reproductive systems in human beings;
• Describe the menstrual cycle;
• Explain ovulation, fertilisation, implantation and development of the embryo;
• Describe the birth process;
• Outline the importance of prenatal care;
• Explain how birth control methods prevent pregnancy;
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of birth control methods;
• Discuss the issues related to abortion;
• Explain the importance of family planning;
• Use tables, charts and diagrams to represent data.

 Heredity and Variation

• Describe the process of mitosis;
• Explain the importance of mitosis;
• Describe the process of meiosis;
• Explain the importance of meiosis;
• Explain why genetic variation is important to living organisms;
• Distinguish between genetic variation and environmental variation;
• Explain the inheritance of a single pair of characteristics (monohybrid inheritance);
• Describe the inheritance of sex in human beings;
• Explain the concept of genetic engineering;
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of genetic engineering;
• Use tables, charts and graphs to represent data on heredity and variation.

SECTION D: DISEASE AND ITS IMPACT ON HUMAN

• Define the terms good health and disease;
• Classify diseases;
• Differentiate between the terms signs and symptoms;
• State the main causes, primary symptoms and possible treatment of asthma;
• Explain how asthma affects the respiratory tract;
• Discuss the causes signs/symptoms, treatment modality and prevention of chronic lifestyle related disease;
• Discuss the causative agent, signs, symptoms, prevention and control of infectious diseases;
• Discuss the cause, symptoms, mode of action, prevention and control of HIV/AIDS.
• Describe the effects of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) on the pregnant mother and the foetus;
• Discuss the impact of diseases on the human population;
• Discuss the effects of malaria and dengue (strain I-IV) on the human body;
• Explain the effect of vectors on human health;
• Describe the life cycle of the mosquito and the housefly;
• Explain the importance and methods of controlling vectors which affect human health;
• Explain how and why personal hygiene is maintained;
• Explain the methods used to control the growth of microorganisms;
• Distinguish between disinfectants and antiseptics;
• Explain the use of common antibiotics and antifungal agents;
• Explain the types of immunity;
• Distinguish between immunity and immunisation; vaccine and vaccination;
• Discuss the use and misuse of drugs;
• Explain the social effects of drug misuse on the individual, family and community;
• Use tables, graphs and charts to represent data on disease and its impact on human beings.

SECTION E: THE IMPACT OF HEALTH PRACTICES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

• Identify pollutants in the environment;
• Discuss the causes of water and air pollution;
• Describe the effects of pollutants on human beings and the environment;
• Explain the methods of controlling pollution;
• Describe the water cycle;
• Describe simple ways of purifying water in the home;
• Test water for bacteria;
• Describe the processes involved in wide scale water purification;
• Discuss the impact of human activities on water supplies;
• Explain why contaminated water is detrimental to human beings;
• Distinguish between proper and improper sewage disposal practices;
• Explain the impact of improper sewage disposal practices;
• Compare the treatment of sewage by biological filter and activated sludge methods;
• Relate the parts of a pit latrine to their functions;
• Explain why the siting of pit latrines is important;
• Assess the use of pit latrines in the Caribbean;
• Evaluate the efficiency of the methods of domestic refuse disposal;
• Describe the operations at a land fill;
• Discuss the importance of landfills in the Caribbean;
• Evaluate the impact of solid waste on the Caribbean;
• Analyse measures used to control solid waste volume;
• Distinguish between  the terms biodegradable and non-biodegradable;
• Use tables, charts and graphs to represent data on the impact of health practices on the environment.