Biology SSS 2 (3rd term)

Welcome to the Pentecost Term of our Senior Secondary School 2 Biology course. Over the next eight academic weeks, we’ll explore key ecosystems, physiological systems, and organ functions through interactive lessons, laboratory activities, and topic-based quizzes. Get ready to deepen your understanding of how organisms interact with their environment and maintain internal balance.

Week 1: Estuarine & Freshwater Habitats

• Topics Covered:

  • Characteristics of estuaries (brackish water, tidal flow)

  • Freshwater habitats (lakes, rivers, ponds)

  • Adaptations of aquatic plants and animals

• Activities:

  • Virtual field trip to a local river or coastal estuary

  • Build a comparison chart of species found in each habitat

• Quiz: Identify habitat adaptations (e.g., osmoregulation in fish)

Week 2: Grassland Ecosystems

• Topics Covered:

  • Types: savanna, temperate grasslands

  • Producers, consumers, and decomposers in grasslands

  • Fire ecology and grazing impacts

• Activities:

  • Model a grassland food web using index cards

  • Case study: effects of overgrazing

• Quiz: Match organisms to their trophic level

Week 3: Ecological Succession

• Topics Covered:

  • Primary vs. secondary succession

  • Pioneer species and climax communities

  • Human influences on succession

• Activities:

  • Create a timeline poster of succession stages in a local area

  • Simulate succession in a terrarium

• Quiz: Sequence stages of ecological succession

Week 4: Regulation of Internal Environment (Homeostasis)

• Topics Covered:

  • Definition and importance of homeostasis

  • Negative vs. positive feedback mechanisms

  • Thermoregulation, osmoregulation, blood glucose control

• Activities:

  • Lab: track temperature changes in model organisms

  • Diagram the feedback loop for blood sugar regulation

• Quiz: Identify components of a feedback loop

Week 5: The Liver

• Topics Covered:

  • Structure and lobule organization

  • Functions: detoxification, bile production, glycogen storage

  • Liver in metabolism and excretion

• Activities:

  • Dissect a model liver to locate key vessels

  • Flowchart of urea cycle and bile secretion

• Quiz: Match liver functions to physiological processes

Week 6: Endocrine Glands & Hormones

• Topics Covered:

  • Major endocrine glands (pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pancreas)

  • Hormone classes and modes of action

  • Hormonal regulation of growth, metabolism, stress response

• Activities:

  • Create hormone pocket cards with gland, hormone, target, and effect

  • Role-play a hormone feedback scenario

• Quiz: Identify gland–hormone pairs and their functions

Week 7: Nervous System

• Topics Covered:

  • Structure of neurons and nerve impulse transmission

  • Central vs. peripheral nervous systems

  • Reflex arc and sensory–motor pathways

• Activities:

  • Build a neuron model and trace an impulse

  • Conduct a class reflex-testing exercise

• Quiz: Label parts of a neuron and reflex arc sequence

Week 8: Sense Organs

• Topics Covered:

  • Structure and function of eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin receptors

  • Signal transduction and perception

  • Common sensory disorders

• Activities:

  • Eye dissection demo or virtual microscope slides

  • Hearing test and taste-sensitivity experiments

• Quiz: Match sense organs to their receptors and stimuli

Assessment & Learning Tools

• Weekly Quizzes & Class works: Reinforce terminology and processes.

• Laboratory Time: Hands-on exploration of structures and functions.

• Group Projects: Build models, diagrams, and presentations.

• Assignments: Short reports, flowcharts, and reflection questions.

By term’s end, you’ll be able to explain key ecosystem dynamics, describe physiological regulation, and understand how organ systems coordinate to maintain life—preparing you for exams and further study in biology. Let’s dive into the wonders of life science this Pentecost Term!