KCSE - FORM III BIOLOGY SYLLABUS
10.0.0 Classification II (35 Lessons)
11.0.0 Ecology (55 Lessons)
12.0.0 Reproduction in Plants and Animals (50 Lessons)
13.0.0 Growth and Development (20 Lessons)
10.0.0 CLASSIFICATION II (35 LESSONS)
10.1.0 Specific Objectives
By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:
a) state briefly the general principles of classification of living organisms
b) state general characteristics of each of the five kingdoms
c) state the main characteristics of arthropoda, chordata and major divisions of plantae
d) name classes of spermatophyta
e) describe the main characteristics of classes of phyla arthropoda and chordata
f) use observable external features to construct simple dichotomous keys of plants and animals
g) use already constructed dichotomous keys to identify organisms.
CONTENT:
10.2.1 Review of binomial nomenclature
10.2.2 General principles of classification
10.2.3 General characteristics of kingdoms
    Monera
    Protoctista
    Fungi
    Plantae
    Animalia
10.2.4 Main characteristics of major divisions of plantae
    Bryophyta
    Pteridophyta
    Spermatophyta (cover only up to class level)
10.2.5 Main Characteristics of the Phyla Arthropoda and Chordata (cover up to classes as shown)
    Arthropoda
-         diplopoda chilopoda
-         insecta
-         crustacean
-         arachnida
    Chordata
-         Pisces
-         Amphibian
-         Reptilian
-         Ayes
-         mammalia
10.2.6 Construction and use of simple dichotomous keys based on observable features of plants and animals 
10.3.0 Practical activities
10.3.1 Examine live/preserved specimen or photographs of representatives of major divisions of plantae and phyla arthropoda and chordata
10.3.2 Construct simple dichotomous keys using leaves/parts of common plants/arthropods/ common chordates in the local environment
10.3.3 Use dichotomous keys to identify organisms.
11.0.0 ECOLOGY (55 LESSONS)
11.1.0 Specific Objectives
By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:
  a) define the terms ecology, habitat, biomass, ecosystem and carrying capacity
  b) identify the physical (abiotic) and biological (biotic) factors in a given ecosystem
  c) describe the inter relationships of organisms in the ecosystem
  d) differentiate between saprophytism, parasitism and symbiosis
  e) explain the importance of fungi and bacteria as decomposers
  f) relate the mode of transmission to prevention/control of named parasites
  g) describe the adaptive characteristics of named parasites to hosts
  h) explain the importance of symbiotic bacteria in leguminous plants
  i) describe the nitrogen cycle
  j) explain the flow of energy in the ecosystem
  k) identify and construct food chains and food webs, pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass
  i) explain the use of various methods of estimating population
  m) relate adaptations of plants to various habitats
  n) describe the effects of pollutants in air, water and soil on humans and other living organisms
  o) identify symptoms of different types of human diseases, methods of transmission and control. 
CONTENT:
11.2.1 Concepts of Ecology
    Ecology
    Habitat
    Niche
    Population
    Community Ecosystem
    Biomass
    Carrying capacity
11.2.2 Factors in an ecosystem
    Abiotic factors (environmental factors) - light, temperature, atmospheric pressure, salinity, humidity, pH and wind
    Biotic factors
    Inter-relationships – competition, predation, saprophytism, parasitism and symbiosis
    Nitrogen cycle
11.2.3 Energy flow in an ecosystem. Food chains, food webs, decomposers, pyramid of numbers and pyramid of biomass
11.2.4  Population estimation methods
    Quadrat method
    Line transect
    Belt transect
    Capture - recapture method
11.2.5  Adaptations of plants to various habitats
    Xerophytes
    Mesophytes (common terrestrial plants)
    Hydrophytes - Nymphea, Salvinia, spp
    Halophytes — mangrove
11.2.6 Effect of pollution on human beings and other organisms Causes, effects and control of pollutants in air, water and soil
11.2.7  Human diseases
    Bacterial diseases - Cholera and Typhoid
    Protozoa - Malaria and Amoebic dysentry (Amoebiasis)
    Ascaris lumbricoides and Schistosoma
-         Mode of transmission
-         Effects of the parasites on the hosts
-         Adaptive characteristics of the parasites
-         Control/prevention of diseases associated with the parasites
11.3.0 Practical activities
11.3.1 Collect, record, analyse and interpret data from ecological studies (examples of food chains should be used to join up to make food webs. Calculate ratios of consumers to producers from data provided)
11.3.2 Examine specimens of hydrophytes, mesophytes and xerophytes, and identify the features that adapt them to their habitats
11.3.3 Examine roots of legumes taken from fertile and poor soils to compare the number of root nodules
11.3.4 Estimate populations using sampling methods (for quadrat and line/belt transect, measure pl-1, temperature, wind direction and humidity)
12.0.0 REPRODUCTION IN PLANTS AND ANIMALS (50 Lessons)
12.1.0 Specific Objectives
By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:
  a)   describe location and appearance of chromosomes and chromosome movement during mitosis and meiosis
  b)   differentiate between mitosis and meiosis stating their significance in reproduction
  c)   describe and state the importance of asexual reproduction, binary fission, spore formation and budding
  d)   compare adaptations of wind and insect pollinated flowers
  e)   describe the process of fertilization in flowering plants
  f)    describe and explain how different fruits and seeds are formed and dispersed
  g)   differentiate between internal and external fertilization as exhibited by amphibians and mammals (humans)
  h)   relate structure of the human reproductive system to
  i)   describe the role of hormones in human reproduction
  j)   identify the symptoms and explain the method of transmission and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (S.T.Is)
  k)   explain the advantages and disadvantages of sexual and a sexual reproduction.
CONTENT:
12.2.1 Concept of reproduction
    Importance of reproduction
12.2.2 Chromosomes, mitosis and meiosis (mention gamete formation)
12.2.3 Asexual reproduction
    Binary fission in amoeba
    Spore formation/reproduction in mucor/Rhizopus
    Budding in yeast
12.2.4 Sexual reproduction in plants
    Structure and functions of parts of named insect and wind pollinated flowers
    Pollination and agents of pollination
    Features and mechanisms that hinder self-pollination and self fertilization
    The process of fertilization
    Fruit and seed formation and dispersal
12.2.5  Sexual reproduction in animals
    External fertilization in amphibians
    Structure of the reproductive system of a named mammal (human) functions
    Functions of the parts of reproductive system
    Fertilization, implantation and the role of placenta
    Gestation period
    Role of hormones in reproduction in humans (secondary sexual characteristics, menstrual cycle)
12.2.6 Sexually transmitted infections (S.T.Is)
    Gonorrhoea
    Herpes simplex
    Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Hepatitis, Candidiasis
    HIV/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) - emphasize preventive measures especially change of behaviour
12.2.7 Advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction
12.3.0 Practical Activities
12.3. Examine stages of mitosis using squashed young onion tip/charts/electron micrographs
12.3.2 Examine stages of meiosis using anthers of a flower
12.3.3 Grow bread mould and examine using a hand lens
12.3.4 Examine spores in son of a fern
12.3.5 Examine various types of insect and wind pollinated flowers and relate structure to function
12.3.6 Collect, classify and dissect fruits and seeds and relate their structure to mode of dispersal
12.3.7 Dissect a small mammal to show organs associated with reproduction  (demonstration).
13.0.0 GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT (20 Lessons)
13.1.0 Specific Objectives
By the end of the topic, the learner should be able to:
a) differentiate growth from development
b) analyse experimental data on growth rates
c) identify parts of a named seed and factors affecting viability and dormancy in seeds
d) investigate conditions necessary for germination and distinguish the types of germination
e) measure one aspect of growth in a given seedling
f) determine the region of growth in seedlings
g) explain apical dominance
h) distinguish between complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects
i) explain the role of hormones in regulating growth and development. 
CONTENT:
13.2. 1 Concepts of growth and development
13.2.2 Growth and development in plants
    Dormancy and ways of breaking it
    Conditions necessary for germination
    Epigeal and hypogeal germination
    Measurement of one aspect of growth in a named seedling e.g. region of growth
    Primary and secondary growth
    Role of growth hormones in plants
    Apical dominance
13.2.3 Growth and development in animals
    Complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects
    Role of growth hormones in insects 
13.3.0 Practical activities
13.3. Examine, draw and differentiate seeds
13.3.2 Determine the region of growth in shoots and roots
13.3.3 Investigate hypogeal and epigeal germination
13.3.4 Carry out experiments to demonstrate apical dominance
13.3.5 Observe stages of complete and incomplete metamorphosis in insects 
13.4.0 Project work:
Measure either length of internodes/ breadth of leaves/height/dry weight of seedlings over a known period of time, analyse and present the data obtained in form of graphs, charts or histograms.