LIFE AND LIVING

The Biosphere
(a) The biosphere is the part of the Earth’s crust that supports life.
(b) The word biosphere is made of two words “bio” meaning life and “sphere” meaning
an area.
(c) The biosphere is regarded as the global or bigger ecosystem.
(d) All ecosystems exist within the biosphere like rivers, to oceans, to grasslands,
biomes etc.
(e) The components of the biosphere include the atmosphere, the lithosphere and the
hydrosphere.
(f) The dead organic matter and all organisms are part of the biosphere.

COMPONENTS OF THE BIOSPHERE

(a) The biosphere has three components namely:
(b) The atmosphere which is the air part
(c) The hydrosphere which the water part and
(d) The lithosphere which is the land part

Answer the following questions:

1. What is a biosphere?
______________________________________________________________________
 The biosphere is the part of the Earth’s crust that supports life
2. What are the two words making up the word “biosphere?”
______________________________________________________________________
 The two words are “bio” meaning life and “sphere” meaning an area.
3. Discuss how the biosphere relates to the ecosystem.
______________________________________________________________________
 The biosphere is regarded as the global or bigger ecosystem
4. Identify all matter that is part of the biosphere.
______________________________________________________________________
 The dead organic matter and all organisms are part of the biosphere
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 5. Give details of the three components of the biosphere.
______________________________________________________________________
 The atmosphere which is the air part

 The hydrosphere which the water part and

 The lithosphere which is the land part

THE ATMOSPHERE

a. The atmosphere is a body of air which surrounds the Earth.

b. Air is made of different gases which include nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and
small rates of gases like argon etc.
c. The atmosphere protects life on the planet Earth from harmful solar radiation.
d. The atmosphere also moderates temperatures (keeps them not too hot or cold).
e. The atmosphere extends from ground level and gets thinner as it goes higher.
f. This also means you get less oxygen as you go higher or as altitude increases.
g. The first five layers of the atmosphere as you go up are troposphere, stratosphere,
mesosphere, thermosphere and the exosphere.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the atmosphere?
____________________________________________________________________
 The atmosphere is a body of air which surrounds the Earth
2. What are the gases that the atmosphere is made of?
____________________________________________________________________
 Nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and small rates of gases like argon
3. What is the importance of the atmosphere?
____________________________________________________________________
 The atmosphere protects life on the planet Earth from harmful solar radiation
4. Discuss why it is important for the temperatures on Earth to be regulated.
____________________________________________________________________
 To keep the temperature suitable for life (not too hot or cold).
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 5. Where does the atmosphere start?
____________________________________________________________________
 The atmosphere extends from the surface of the Earth.
6. What happens to the atmosphere as you go higher (altitude increases)?
____________________________________________________________________
 The atmosphere gets thinner as you go higher.
7. Identify the five layers of the atmosphere as you go up.
____________________________________________________________________
 Troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and the exosphere.

THE HYDROSPHERE
a. Hydrosphere is the water part of the
biosphere.
b. The hydrosphere is habitat to organisms living
in the water, e.g. fish, crabs etc.
c. The oceans constitute more than 90% of our
water.
d. The hydrosphere includes lakes, dams, rivers,
oceans, ground water etc.
e. About 70% of the Earth surface is covered with
water.
Answer the following questions:
1. What is the hydrosphere?
__________________________________________________________________
 Hydrosphere is the water part of the biosphere.
2. Which organisms are found in the hydrosphere?
__________________________________________________________________
 Fish, crabs, oysters, etc.
3. Discuss how big the hydrosphere is.
__________________________________________________________________
 The oceans constitute more than 90% of our water covering about 70% of the Earth
surface.
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 4. Which bodies of water constitute the hydrosphere?
__________________________________________________________________
 lakes, dams, rivers, oceans, ground water etc
5. How much of the Earth’s surface is covered with water?
__________________________________________________________________
 About 70%

THE LITHOSPHERE
a. The lithosphere is the rocky rigid part of the Earth.
b. The soil and the rocks are part of the lithosphere.
c. The lithosphere includes mountains, valleys, cliffs, land etc.
d. The Lithosphere consists of the Core, Mantle
and Crust.
e. The Inner core is solid while the outer core is
liquid.
f. The Mantle is the bigger part of the
lithosphere, about 2900 km deep.
g. The Mantle is mainly magma with
temperatures of up to 4500 °C.
h. The Crust is the outer layer of the Earth and is like the skin of the Earth.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is the lithosphere?
_____________________________________________________________________
 The lithosphere is the rocky rigid part of the Earth
2. Which two parts are parts of the lithosphere?
_____________________________________________________________________
 The crust and the uppermost mantle or outer part of mantle
3. Give three examples of the lithosphere.
_____________________________________________________________________
 mountains, valleys, cliffs, land
4. What are the three layers of the lithosphere?
_______________________________________________________________________
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 core, mantle and crust

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 5. Explain the composition of the mantle and the core in the lithosphere.
_____________________________________________________________________
 The Mantle is the bigger part of the lithosphere, about 2900 km deep while the core
comprises the inner and outer core. Inner core is solid while the outer core is liquid.

THE SEVEN LIFE PROCESSES

 Plants, animals and microorganisms are all living things.

 Anything that is living must be able to carry out seven life process. The seven life
process are as follows (MRS NERG):
a. Movement – organisms must be able to move, including plants.
1. Plants can turn towards the light, their roots move down or
towards the water while animals move from one point to
another.
2. Plants for instance, show movements by changing direction to
face the sun, opening and closing their flowers and spreading
seeds and pollen by rapid movement.
b. Reproduction – Reproduction is when organisms bring to life new
organisms. Animals produce babies while plants can germinate or
grow from seeds.
c. Sensitivity – Plants and animals react to changes in their
environment. When it is too hot, for instance, plants wither / wilt
while animals sweat or feel uncomfortable etc.
d. Nutrition – Nutrition is the way of feeding. Plants and animals need food to live.
Green plants make their own food. Animals eat plants and other animals.
e. Excretion – Plants and animals must get rid or remove unwanted substances from
their bodies.
1. Animals must remove wastes such as sweat, undigested food, urine, carbon dioxide
etc.
2. Plants must get rid of waste gases and water.
f. Respiration – Respiration takes place in plants and animals. During respiration
organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. Respiration is the chemical
process used by organisms to release the energy stored in food.

g. Growth – Plants and animals grow in size from one stage to the next. Babies become
adults and small trees become huge trees etc.
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 Answer the following questions:
1. What are the three types of living things?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Plants, animals and microorganisms
2. List the seven life process.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Movement, Reproduction, Sensitivity, Nutrition, Excretion, Respiration and Growth
3. Discuss how plants move.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Plants change direction to face the sun, opening and closing their flowers and rapidly
spreading seeds and pollen.
4. How do plants and animals reproduce?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Animals produce babies while plants can germinate or grow from seeds
5. What is sensitivity?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Plants and animals react to changes in their environment or to respond to external
stimuli.
6. Discuss what excretion is.
_____________________________________________________________________
 When plants and animals get rid or remove unwanted substances from their bodies.
7. What is respiration?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Respiration is the chemical process used by organisms to release the energy stored in
food.
8. Does respiration take place in plants? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Respiration takes place in plants and animals where organisms take in oxygen and
release carbon dioxide as well as release the energy stored in food.
9. Explain how growth happens.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Plants and animals grow in size from one stage to the next, babies become adults and
small plants become huge plants etc.
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 REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSTAINING LIFE

a. Organisms require food, oxygen and carbon dioxide as well as water to live.
b. Organisms also require soil to live on as well as suitable temperatures (not too hot or
too cold).
PLANET MARS
a. Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun.
b. It is almost like the Earth but smaller, drier and colder.
c. Mars is rocky and dusty.
d. The air on Mars is thin, dangerous and is mainly made of the poisonous carbon
dioxide.
e. There is a lot of frozen water on Mars.

Answer the following questions:

1. List the requirements for life.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Food, oxygen and carbon dioxide as well as water
2. What is the position of Mars from the Sun?
______________________________________ (Mars is fourth position from the Sun)
3. Discuss the difference between Mars and Earth.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Mars is almost like the Earth but smaller, drier and colder.

BIODIVERSITY
(a) The word biodiversity is made of two words “bio” and “diversity”.
(b) Bio means life and diversity means variety.
(c) So biodiversity simply means variety of life on Earth.
(d) Biodiversity looks at the variety of life on Earth and the interdependence of all
organisms on each other.
1. Organisms depend on each other. Organisms depend on each other for food,
production of food, eradication of harmful pests, propagation, shelter and
pollination.
2. Diversity can be on genes, species or ecosystems.
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3. The five main groups classifying organisms are known as Kingdoms.

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4. A Kingdom is the highest rank which classifies organisms.

NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 Answer the following questions:
1. What are the two words that make up biodiversity?
_____________________________________________________________________
 “bio” and “diversity”.
2. What is biodiversity?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Biodiversity simply means variety of life on Earth
3. Discuss how organisms depend on each other.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Plants and animals depend on each for production of food, eradication of harmful
pests, propagation, shelter and pollination.

KINGDOMS
(a) In the past organisms were only classified as plants or animals.
(b) Later on, organisms were classified into Kingdoms.
(c) A Kingdom is used as the highest classification or rank of organisms.
(d) All organisms belong to a specific Kingdom.
(e) The Kingdom is spelled with a capital letter and each Kingdom name starts with a
capital letter.
(f) There are five main Kingdoms viz,
i. Monera – bacteria, blue-green algae
ii. Protista – protozoans and different algae
iii. Fungi – funguses, molds, mushrooms, yeast, mildews and smuts
iv. Animal – vertebrates and invertebrates
v. Plants - angiosperm and gymnosperms

Answer the following questions:

1. How were organisms classified in the past?
____________________________________________________________________
 They were only classified as plants or animals.
2. What is a Kingdom?
____________________________________________________________________
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 A Kingdom is the highest classification or rank of organisms

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 3. How is Kingdom spelled?
____________________________________________________________________
 The Kingdom is spelled with a capital letter and each Kingdom name starts with a
capital letter.
4. Lists the five main Kingdoms and give examples of each.
____________________________________________________________________
(a) Monera – bacteria, blue-green algae
(b) Protista – protozoans and different algae
(c) Fungi – funguses, molds, mushrooms, yeast, mildews and smuts
(d) Animal – vertebrates and invertebrates
(e) Plants - angiosperm and gymnosperms

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 ANIMAL KINGDOM

A. Animals are classified as either vertebrates or invertebrates.

B. Vertebrates have back bones, e.g. amphibians, birds, reptiles etc.
C. Invertebrates do not have backbones, e.g. insects, arthropods etc.
D. The five main classes of vertebrates are:
i. Amphibians
ii. Birds
iii. Fish
iv. Mammal
v. Reptiles

Answer the following questions:

1. What are the two classifications in animals?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Vertebrates or invertebrates
2. What is the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Vertebrates have back bones whereas invertebrates do not have backbones
3. Give examples of vertebrates and invertebrates.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Vertebrates: amphibians, birds, reptiles, mammals and fish
 Invertebrates: insects, arthropods
4. What are the five main classes of vertebrate animals?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Amphibians, birds, reptiles, mammals and fish
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 A. AMPHIBIANS

(a) Amphibians are animals that live both on land and in water, e.g. frogs, salamanders,
caecilians, newt.

(b) They have the middle ear which some amphibians to hear out of water.
(c) They breathe through the skin or with the use of gills or lungs.
(d) They lay eggs in water or on moist ground.
(e) They lay eggs which have no shells.
(f) The eggs are fertilized externally or after they have been laid.

(g) They have a mobile, muscular tongue to capture and manipulate their food, e.g.
salamander and frog.
(h) Their skins are smooth, moist and cold blooded.

Answer the following questions:

1. What are amphibians?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Amphibians are animals that live both on land and in water
2. What makes amphibians able to hear out of water?
_____________________________________________________________________
 They have the middle ear which some amphibians to hear out of water
3. Discuss how amphibians breathe.
_____________________________________________________________________
 They breathe through the skin or with the use of gills or lungs.
4. Discuss how amphibians fertilize.
_____________________________________________________________________
 They lay eggs which have no shells. The eggs are fertilized externally or after they have
been laid.
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 5. Explain how amphibians feed.
_____________________________________________________________________
Use the shown diagram to answer some of the questions that follow:

6. Which comes before species in all organisms?

______________________________________________________ ______
7. Discuss the classification by referring to the diagram shown.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________

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 B. BIRDS
(a) There are about 10 000 known bird species to date. The smallest bird is the
Humming bird while the biggest is an Ostrich.
(b) Endothermic or warm blooded.
(c) Birds have feathers covering their bodies.
(d) They lay eggs covered with shells.
(e) They have scales covering their feet and legs.
(f) Some birds are carnivores while some are
herbivores.
(g) Move from one place to another to reproduce,
search for food or for warmth.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is another word for warm blooded?
______________________________________________________________________
 Endothermic
2. What is the body covering for birds?
______________________________________________________________________
 Birds have feathers covering their bodies.
3. What is the covering on the legs of birds?
______________________________________________________________________
 They have scales covering their feet and legs
4. What do birds eat?
______________________________________________________________________
 Some birds are carnivores ( eating small animals such as insects, fish, other birds)
while some are herbivores (eating plants, seeds, nectar etc.)
5. Why do birds migrate (move from one place to another)?
______________________________________________________________________
 Move from one place to another to reproduce, search for food or for warmth.
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 6. What is the myth about a thunder bird?
_____________________________________________________________________
 The myth says the lightning bird causes lightning and thunder by flapping its wings
 The bird is about the size of a human
 Also known as Impundulu, the lightning bird is also associated with evil omen.

C. FISH
(a) Most fish are cold-blooded or ectothermic while some such as several tuna species
are partly warm blooded while the opah is fully warm blooded
(b) They lay eggs without shells.
(c) External fertilisation takes place.
(d) They have a moist skin covered in scales.
(e) They have fins which they use for
movement.
(f) They breathe through gills.
Answer the following questions:
1. Is a fish a cold blooded or warm blooded?
______________________________________________________________________
 Fish are cold blooded except for the opah which is warm blooded
2. What is another word for cold-blooded?
______________________________________________________________________
 ectothermic
3. What type of eggs is laid by fish?
______________________________________________________________________
 They lay eggs without shells.
4. What type of fertilisation takes place in a fish?
______________________________________________________________________
5. What do fish use fins for?
______________________________________________________________________
 for movement, maintain position, steer the fish forward and stopping
6. How does a fish breathe?
______________________________________________________________________
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 They breathe through gills.

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 D. MAMMALS
(a) They are warm blooded or endothermic
(b) Give birth to live young ones.
(c) They undergo internal fertilisation.
(d) They produce milk to feed their young ones.
(e) They are mostly covered with hair, e.g. zebras,
goats etc.

Answer the following questions:

1. What type of fertilization takes place in mammals?
_____________________________________________________________________
 internal fertilisation
2. How do mammals feed their babies?
______________________________________________________________________
 They produce milk to feed their young ones.
3. What is the body covering of a mammal?
______________________________________________________________________
 They are mostly covered with hair
4. How do mammals reproduce?
_______________________________________________________________________
 Give birth to live young ones.

5. Give two examples of mammals.

______________________________________________________________________
 cat, dog, elephant, monkey etc.
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 E. REPTILES
a. Reptiles are cold blooded or ectothermic.
b. They lay eggs covered with shells.
c. Internal fertilisation takes place in
reptiles.
d. Their eggs hatch into young ones.
e. Their skins are dry and covered with
scales.
f. Reptiles include lizards, snakes, dinosaurs,

crocodiles, chameleons, turtles etc.

Answer the following questions:

1. How does the body covering of a reptile compare to that of a mammal?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Their skins are dry and covered with scales.
2. Validate how reptiles reproduce.
_____________________________________________________________________
 They lay eggs covered with shells. Internal fertilisation takes place in reptiles.
3. Give five examples of reptiles.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Reptiles include lizards, snakes, dinosaurs, crocodiles, chameleons, turtles etc.

4. Validate the difference between a cold blooded and a warm blooded animal.
_____________________________________________________________________
5. What is the body covering of a reptile?
_____________________________________________________________________
 Reptiles skins are dry and covered with scales.
6. Mpho argues that dinosaurs were also reptiles but her friend does not think so.
Validate why dinosaurs are reptiles?
______________________________________________________________________

 Dinosaurs were the largest group of reptiles that lived millions of years ago
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 INVERTEBRATES
A. ARACHNIDS
 Arachnids are creatures with two body segments, eight legs, no wings or antennae
and are not able to chew such as a spider or scorpion.
a. No wings
b. Have 8 legs
c. Have one or two body segments
d. They have no antennae
e. These include spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites,
harvestmen and their cousins.

Answer the following questions:

1. What are arachnids?
______________________________________________________________________
 Arachnids are creatures with two body segments, eight legs, no wings or antennae
and are not able to chew such as a spider or scorpion.
2. How many legs do arachnids have?
______________________________________________________________________
 Eight
3. How many body segments do arachnids have?
______________________________________________________________________
 Two
4. Give four examples of arachnids.
______________________________________________________________________
 spiders, scorpions, ticks, mites, harvestmen and their cousins.
5. Validate how arachnids feed.
______________________________________________________________________
 Arachnids mostly eat liquid food and so they squirt digestive substance into their prey
and suck out the juice that comes out.
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 B. CRUSTACEAN
 It is a group of arthropods which includes a crab and crayfish. They have no wings, two
pairs of antennae, two body segments and ten or
more legs.
a. It has no wings.
b. It has ten or more legs.
c. It has two pairs of antennae.
d. It has two segmented bodies.
e. Crustaceans include crabs, crayfish, shrimps, lobsters, prawns etc.
f. Shrimps are not prawns; they are smaller with claws on two pairs while prawns have
claws on all three pairs.
Answer the following questions:
1. How many legs do Crustaceans have?
_____________________________________________________________________
2. How many segments do Crustaceans have?
______________________________________________________________________
3. Validate the difference between a shrimp and a prawn.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
4. What are the examples of Crustaceans?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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 D. INSECTS
a. Insects are arthropods.
b. Most insects have one or two pairs of wings.
c. They have one pair of antennae.
d. Their bodies have three segments.
e. Insects have three pairs of legs.
f. Insects have a hard outer covering known as
an exoskeleton or chitin.
Answer the following questions:
1. Locusts, spiders and crabs are _________________ (arthropods / mollusca) and they
have a __________________ (hard outer covering / soft outer covering).
2. How many wings do insects have?
______________________________________________________________________
 Most insects have one or two pairs of wings.
3. Do insects have antennae? Explain your answer.
_______________________________________________________________________
 Yes, they have a pair of antennae
4. Validate how the bodies of insects are divided.
_______________________________________________________________________
 The body of insects are divided into three parts viz, head, thorax and abdomen
5. What do we call the hard outer covering of an insect?
______________________________________________________________________
 exoskeleton or chitin
6. To which group do insects belong?
_______________________________________________________________________
 Arthropods
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 SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
(a) Sexual reproduction is the reproduction that involves sex organs.
(b) Plants also have sex organs.
(c) The sexual organ or reproductive organ of an Angiosperm plant is the flower.
(d) Angiosperms are seed producing plants, also known as flowering plants.

DIVERSITY OF PLANTS
A. GYMNOSPERMS
(a) Gymnosperm means naked seeds.
(b) These are a type of plant that reproduces by seeds not contained in a flower.
(c) Cone bearing plants are known as conifers.
(d) The conifers leaves are in the form of needles.
(e) The leaves stay green throughout the year.
(f) Examples are pines, cedars and spruces.

B. ANGIOSPERMS
(a) They have enclosed seeds.
(b) Angiosperms are flowering plants.
(c) They are the biggest group in the plant Kingdom.
(d) They have true roots, stems, leaves and flowers.
(e) Their leaves mostly die in autumn.
(f) Examples include sunflower, maze, rice
(g) Seeds are produced in the flowers
(h) Flowers are sexual organs for Angiosperms.
C. SEXUAL REPRODUCTION IN ANGIOSPERMS
(a) Anthers – produce and release pollen grains
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 (b) Filament - Stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower. It is made of an anther and
a filament. The filament is a stalk like structure which supports the anther (is like a
carrier).

(c) Ovule – the egg cell of a flower helps with fertilization.

(d) Ovaries – houses or holds the developing seeds of the flower.
(e) Petals – colorful part of the flower. Attract animals (insects and birds) by color and
scent for pollination.
(f) Pistil – It is the female part of a flower. It produces the ovule.
(g) Sepals – Outer part of a flower (mostly green and looks like a leaf). Protects developing
bud.
(h) Stigma – Often sticky and spiky. Traps and catches pollen which fertilizes the embryo
sac in the ovule.
(i) Stamen – Stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower which produces pollen
grains.

C1 Answer the following questions:

1. When a seed starts to grow it _______ (reproduces / germinates).

2. A seed needs correct soil temperature, food, moisture (water) and ______________
(carbon dioxide / oxygen) to grow.
3. A gymnosperm is a plant whose seed (is/is not) ____________ protected by an ovary
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or fruit.
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NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 4. Monocotyledons have seeds that only have ______________ (one / two parts) or
cotyledons with herbaceous stems.
7. Dicotyledons have seeds with ______________ (two parts / one part) or cotyledons
from which their tap root grows deep into the soil.
8. Validate the difference between a gymnosperm and an angiosperm.
_____________________________________________________________________
 Gymnosperms have naked seeds and reproduce by seeds not contained in a flower.
Angiosperms have enclosed seeds and are flowering plants.
9. Give an example of an angiosperm plant.
______________________________________________________________________
 sunflower, maze, rice
10. Which one between a gymnosperm and an angiosperm produces flowers?
____________________________________________________________________
 Angiosperms are flowering plants

C2 Answer the following questions:

1. Which part of the flower is the male?
______________________________________________________________________
 Stamen is the male reproductive part of a flower
2. Which part produces pollen grains?
______________________________________________________________________
 The anther produces and stores pollen grain
3. Which part is the egg cell of a flower?
______________________________________________________________________
 The part of a flower that makes egg cells is the ovary.
4. Describe the part of the flower is known as the petal.
______________________________________________________________________
 A petal is the colorful part of the flower.
5. Describe what a Sepal is.
______________________________________________________________________
 Sepal is the outer part of a flower (mostly green and looks like a leaf).
6. Validate how a petal is able to attract insects and birds.
______________________________________________________________________
 Petal is colorful and attracts animals (insects and birds) by color and scent for
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pollination.
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 7. Discuss the function of a Sepal. ____________ (The sepal protects developing bud)
8. Which part of the flower receives the pollen?
______________________________________________________________________
 The part that receives pollen grains is called stigma

POLLINATION
(a) Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anthers (male part of the flower) to the
stigma (female part of the flower).
(b) The part of the flower known as anther makes pollen.
(c) The part of the flower known as pistil leads to the eggs.

(d) Pollination can happen within the same flower or different flowers.
(e) When pollination happens within the same plant or flower it is known as self-
pollination.
(f) When pollination happens between flowers of different plants it is known as cross
pollination.
(g) Wind, water and insects can also assist with pollination.
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 FERTILIZATION
1. Fertilisation happens after pollination.

2. Pollen is transported from the anther (male part of the flower) to the ovule.

3. Pollen grains land on the surface of a stigma and produce a tube.

4. On the tip of the tube there are male cells of the flower.
5. The tubes grow until they reach the ovules (which contain egg cells) in the ovary.

In figure B
A. A pollen grain lands on the stigma.
B. The pollen grain on the stigma stimulates a pollen tube to start forming.

C. The pollen tube grows down the style until it reaches the ovary (ovary is the female
reproductive organ; it contains the ovule).
1. Pollen tube transports male gamete cells to the ovules (Ovule is the egg cell of a
flower).
2. Male gamete fuses with the female gamete, this is called fertilisation.
Table showing roles of different parts of the flower
Flowers Purpose

1. Large, brightly coloured petals 1. To attract insects/birds

2. Often have a sweet scent 2. To attract insects /birds
3. Mostly contain nectar 3. To attract insects / birds
4. Moderate quantity of pollen 4. Less pollen is wasted
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5. Pollen often sticky and spiky 5. To stick to insects and birds

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NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 6. Anthers are inside the flower and are 6. To brush against visiting animals
firm
7. The stigma is inside the flower and has 7. To enable pollen to stick to insects/birds.
a sticky coating

Answer the following questions:

1. What is pollination?
____________________________________________________________________
 Pollination is the transfer of pollen from anthers to the stigma.
2. When the wind, insects like bees and birds carry pollen from one flower of a plant to
another __________ (adaptation /pollination) takes place.

3. If pollination does not occur, there will be no ________________ (germination /

fertilization) and the plant will not be able to produce seeds or fruit.

4. Validate the difference between self and cross pollination.

____________________________________________________________________

 When pollination happens within the same plant or flower it is known as self-
pollination and when pollination happens between flowers of different plants it is
known as cross pollination.
5. What are the factors that assist with pollination? _____________________________
 Wind, water and insects assist with pollination
6. Discuss the different parts of the flower by referring to the table.
____________________________________________________________________

Table showing roles of different parts of the flower

Flowers Purpose

1. Large, brightly coloured petals 1. To attract insects/birds

2. Often have a sweet scent 2. To attract insects /birds
3. Mostly contain nectar 3. To attract insects / birds
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4. Moderate quantity of pollen 4. Less pollen is wasted

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5. Pollen often sticky and spiky 5. To stick to insects and birds

NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 6. Anthers are inside the flower and are 6. To brush against visiting
firm animals
7. The stigma is inside the flower and 7. To enable pollen to stick to
has a sticky coating insects/birds.

HUMAN REPRODUCTION

(a) Sexual reproduction is the reproduction that involves sex organs.

(b) An egg cell must fuse with a sperm cell to form a zygote.
(c) A zygote is the fusion of a male and a female gamete.

FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

a. The female sex cell is the egg cells or ova.

b. During fertilization, the egg cells fuses with the
sperm to form a zygote.
c. If no fertilization occurs, menstruation happens.
d. Menstruation is the release of the thick layer of
blood lining in the uterus.
e. If the egg is fertilized by the sperm, the egg gets
implanted in the blood lining of the uterus resulting
in pregnancy.
f. Prevention of pregnancy include, use of condoms, pills, injection abstaining.

MALE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM

a. The male sex cells are known as sperms.

b. Sperms are produced in the Testis.
c. Sperms fuse with the egg cell to form a zygote.
d. Only one sperm fertilizes the egg.
e. The urethra is a passage for urine and sperm cells.
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NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 Answer the following questions:

1. What is sexual reproduction?

_________________________________________________________________________
 Sexual reproduction is the reproduction that involves sex organs
2. What is a zygote?
_________________________________________________________________________
 A zygote is the fusion of a male and a female gamete
3. What do we call the female sex cells?
_________________________________________________________________________
 The female sex cell is the egg cells or ova
4. What happens if to the egg cell if fertilization does not occur?
_________________________________________________________________________
 If no fertilization occurs, menstruation happens.
5. What is menstruation?
_________________________________________________________________________
 Menstruation is the release of the thick layer of blood lining in the uterus or the
discharge of blood and other material from the lining of the uterus.
6. How does pregnancy happen?
________________________________________________________________________
 Pregnancy occurs when the egg is fertilized by the sperm and the egg gets implanted in the
blood lining of the uterus.
7. What are the methods of preventing pregnancy?
_________________________________________________________________________
 Use of condoms, pills, injection, abstaining (It is very important for teenagers not to
engage in sex at an early age since this can affect them later in life, e.g. cervix cancer)
8. What do we call the male sex cells?
_________________________________________________________________________
 The male sex cells are known as sperms
9. Where are sperms produced?
_______________________________________________________________________
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 Sperms are produced in the Testis.

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NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 10. How many sperms fertilise the egg cell?
_______________________________________________________________________
 Only one sperm fertilizes the egg
11. What is the function of the urethra?
________________________________________________________________________
 The urethra is a passage for urine and sperm cells.

VARIATION

a. Variation refers to any differences between organisms of any species caused by the
differences in genes.
b. Variation can also be caused by the environment, e.g. cold temperatures, hot climates
etc.
c. Variation could be according to the following:
1. Genotype – caused by different genes.
2. Phenotype - caused by the effect of the environment.
3. Natural Selection - where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend
to survive and produce more offspring.

Answer the following questions:

1. What is variation?
_________________________________________________________________________
 Variation refers to any differences between organisms of any species caused by the
differences in genes.
2. Which other factor can also have an effect on variation?
______________________________________________________________________
 The environment
3. What is natural selection?
_________________________________________________________________________
 Natural selection is where organisms that are better adapted to their environment tend to
survive and produce more offspring.
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NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1

 4. Discuss the difference between genotype and phenotype.
______________________________________________________________________

Variation examples

(a) Tongue rolling – Can roll tongue into a U – shape.

(b) Hitchhiker thumb – Thumb that can bend backward if extended.
(c) Straight thumb – Straight thumb if extended.

(d) Index finger shorter than ring finger.

(e) Right-handed or Left-handed
(f) Attached earlobe – Ear not hanging free from the head.
(g) Detached earlobe – Ear hanging free from the head.

Answer the following questions:

1. What are the seven possible examples of variation?
_______________________________________________________________
(a) Tongue rolling – Can roll tongue into a U – shape.
(b) Hitchhiker thumb – Thumb that can bend backward if extended.
(c) Straight thumb – Straight thumb if extended.
(d) Index finger shorter than ring finger.
(e) Right-handed or Left-handed
(f) Attached earlobe – Ear not hanging free from the head.
(g) Detached earlobe – Ear hanging free from the head.
2. Which variation is the most common in your class?
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NS Grade 7 Teacher Guide Term 1