Science Notes

Year 10 Science Yearly Notes /School Certificate
Chemical Reactions:
Reactants: Reactants are the starting substances in the chemical reaction
Products: Products are the substances produced in a chemical reaction
Conservation of Mass: Chemical equations show that atoms are conserved

in the reaction; this is known as the conservation of mass
o Total mass of products = Total mass of reactants

- In a chemical reaction, no atoms are destroyed or created
Acids
Properties of Acids: Acids have certain properties which distinguish it from
bases:
o Taste sour
o Corrosive
o React with solid substances
Bases
Properties of Bases: Bases have certain properties which distinguish it from
acids:
o Taste Bitter
o React with the hydrogen in acids
Indicators
Indicators are substances that can be used to tell whether a substance is
an acid or base.
Types of Indicators
- An example of an indicator is litmus paper
o Acid turns blue litmus paper red
o Acids do not change the colour of red litmus paper
- Another example of an indicator used for acids is the metal test
o Acids wear away metals
o Hydrogen gas is given off while the metal is changing
Universal Indicator & pH:

- pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of a solution
o The lower the pH the more acidic the solution
o Strongly acidic solutions have pH around 0 to 2
o The higher the pH the more basic the solution
o Strongly basic solutions have pH around 12 to 14
Chemical Reactions:
- A chemical reaction is when substances combine to form new

substances.
o Indicated by change in colour odour,
o Exothermic (gives off heat)
o Endothermic (heat is absorbed)
o Gas is given off
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A Chemical equation: chemical equation summarises the events of a

chemical reaction.
Types of chemical reactions:
- Metal/acid Reaction: acid+metalsalt+hydrogen gas
To test for the presence of hydrogen gas, you bring a lit taper next to the
gas and it should pop. The name of the salt changed depending on the
name of the acid and metal.
I.E: Hydrochloric +Magnesium Magnesium Chloride + hydrogen
- Neutralisation (ACID/BASE reaction) :acid + basesalt

+water
I.E: Sulfuric acid + calcium Hydroxide  calcium + water
- Acid/carbonate Reaction: acid+carbonate  salt +carbon

dioxide +water
In another words, acid carbonate reaction is when limewater goes from

visible to cloudy/turbid.
Nitric Acid + calcium carbonate  calcium nitrate + Co2 +H2o
Types of chemical reactions:
- Combustion: Burning- it is a self-sustaining chemical reaction

that occurs at temperatures higher than the surroundings.
- Corrosion: is the eating away of metal so that it loses strength

and become unable to do its intended purpose.
- Precipitation: the formation of a solid from 2 solutions.
- Neutralisation: the reaction between an acid and a base
- Decomposition: the breaking of a compound into more simple

substances.
The Arrangement of the Periodic Table

- The elements are arranged in the periodic table according to their
increasing atomic number
- The elements are arranged in rows and columns
o Rows are called periods
o Columns are called groups
Recognising the Elements on the Periodic Table
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- Each element is represented in a separate box on the periodic table

- Each box has four different characters:
o 1. the atomic number
o 2. the symbol of the element
o 3. the atomic weight
o 4. the name of the element
Structure of an atom:
- The atoms of all matter are electrical and are made up of three small
subatomic particles:
• Electrons: which carry negative charges
• Protons, which carry positive charges
• Neutrons, which carry no charge.
- Atoms are held together by a strong attraction between protons and
electrons.
- Particles with opposite charges attract one another. E.g.: opposite
poles of a magnet.
- Definitions:
Atom: an atom is the smallest unit in an element that can exist by
itself.
Molecule: a molecule is 2 or more atoms joined together.
Element: Element is made from one type of atoms only.
Compound: A compound is made up from many molecules joined

together.
Attractions between ions:
- The attraction of the ions forms new compounds.

- More electrons than electrons is negative.
- More protons than electrons is positive.
- The electrons and protons keep the compound together.
- The chemical bond is called Ionic bond.
- The difference in charge keeps them together.
- A compound stays together because they share electrons and
protons from each other.
Structure of an Atom:
The atoms of all matter are electrical and are made up

of three small subatomic particles:
• Electrons: which carry positive charges.
• Protons: which carry positive charges.
• Neutrons: which carry no charge.
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Protons and neutrons make up the very dense nucleus of the atom and the
tiny electrons are arranged in shells of different energy levels and orbit
around the nucleus.
The maximum number of electrons in the first shell is always two, the
second is eight and the third is eight. Electrons fill the inside shells first.
Attractions:
o Atoms are held together by a strong attraction between the protons

and electrons.
o Particles with opposite charges attract one another, like opposite

poles of a magnet.
o The attractions of the ions form new compounds.
o More electrons then protons are negative.
o More neutrons than electrons are positive.
o The protons and electrons keep the compound together.
Life cycle of a star

- Sun is the nearest star to earth.
- The sun is a bright yellow dwarf star”
o Sun is about 4.6 billion years.
o The sun belongs to a galaxy called Milky Way.
o Only 8.5 light-minutes away from Earth.
o Sun contains 98% of all the mass of the solar system.
o It is composed of Hydrogen and a smaller amount of
helium.
o Inside the sun, hundreds of huge nuclear explosions occur
each second.
- Stars can’t be seen during the day because the sun blinds us
from seeing them.
- Distance in space is measured in light years.
- Galaxies are a huge collection of stars.
Globular clusters:
o Globular clusters are small and very old stars packed
together, they are found outside galaxies.
o Omega Centauri is a name of a globular cluster.
Inside the stars:
o The atomic reaction in a star occurs in the core.
o It takes over 100 000 years for the light and heat produced by
the atomic reaction to reach the surface of the star.
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o The energy leaves a star in the form of heat light. ULTRA

VIOLET.
Types of stars:
o The outer planet of our solar system are made of gas same as
the stars.
o There are 4 types of stars:
1- Red Dwarf ( Smallest star 0.2 solar mass)
2- Yellow Dwarf ( solar mass)
3- White Dwarf ( 10 solar mass)
4- Blue dwarf ( 40 solar mass) Largest star
o The temperature of the star depends on the size
of it.
o The size of a star determines its fate, which
means the bigger the star, the longer its life will
be.
o The smaller the star, the shorter the life.
Big Bang:
o The big bang occurred around 15 billion years ago, there was a
giant explosion in space.
o During the BIG BANG:
1- Everything was compressed to about the size of an atom
2- There was a huge explosion that produced quantities of
hydrogen, helium & small amount of lithium.
o The spiral arms of galaxies grow by collecting gas from space,

they form clouds then stars are born there.
- Stars are born in Stella nurseries in the
clouds of gases.
How is a star born?
1- Gases fall into the centre of a cloud
2- A protostar is formed but it is not yet hot.
3- Gases spin to form a rotating disc. Planets form in this
disc.
4- The protostar in the middle of the disc collects more
hydrogen.
5- The squeezing air together (compression) of gases
causes the gases in the protostar to heat up.
6- When the temperature is hot enough the hydrogen gas
is squeezed together to form an atomic fusion reaction.
7- A star is born.
Features of universe:
o Galaxy:
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- Collection of billions of stars and matter held together

by gravity.
- Galaxies are spread over thousands of light years.
- The Milky Way which the sun belongs to is an example
of a galaxy.
o Nebula:
- Is a contracting, swirling cloud of dust, ice and gas that
forms a concentric series of rings from which the planets
were formed.
o Black hole:
- A region containing a huge amount of compacted
mass.
- It makes its pull of gravity so strong that nothing, not
even light, can escape from it.
o Neutron stars:
- Dense objects
- They form after a supernova occurs.
o Pulsars:
- Special types of neutron stars that emit beams of radio
waves, and also spin.
o Nuclear fusion occurs when hydrogen nuclei fuse together and
release energy.
Hydrogen (Nuclear fusion)  Helium + Energy.
Electromagnetic waves:
- There are two types of waves:
o Electromagnetic waves and
o Mechanical waves.
- Electromagnetic waves are composed of electric and magnetic fields and
do not need particles to transfer energy, that is, they can travel through a
vacuum. The electromagnetic spectrum contains several types of
electromagnetic waves:
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- Electromagnetic waves travel through space at the speed of light.

- There are 2 types of Electromagnetic waves:
o Transverse waves and
o Longitudinal waves.
- Transverse waves: in transverse waves the particles vibrate at right
angles to the direction of the wave. I.e.: Vibrates Up and down. The
Radio Waves: Transmit radio and TV Signals, radar in air traffic
control
Microwaves: Cooking, radar speed guns used by police
Infrared waves: Given off by hot objects, used to take temperature
pictures and find people in collapsed buildings.
Visible Light: Seeing, photosynthesis, photography
UV Rays Fluorescent lamps, sterilising
X Rays Radiography, treating cancer, finding faults in metals,
examining crystals.
Gamma Rays Measure thickness of metals, sterilise medical
equipment.
wavelength of a transverse wave is the distance from one crest to the
next.
- Longitudinal waves do not look wavy; they can be seen as a pulse along a
stretched spring. The wavelength of a longitudinal wave is the distance
between two compressions.
Wave Sample:
Note: As
the wave transmits energy, the trough becomes the crest and the crest
becomes the trough because the wave is moving up and down.
Parts of wave:
- Crest: Crest is the top part of a wave.

-Trough: The trough is the bottom part of a wave.
-Wave Length: Wave length is the distance between each group.
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-Amplitude: is the distance from the imaginary line to the crest or the
imaginary line to the trough.
-Frequency: the number of waves produced per second, measured in Hertz
(Hz)
-Wave Speed (m/s) = Frequency (Hz) x wavelength (m)
Electromagnetic Waves:
o All waves transfer energy without moving material in the direction
that they are moving. They may be vibrations that go up and down,
or back and forth.
1. The lower the frequency in a wave, the longer the wave
length.
2. The higher the frequency, the shorter the wave length.
Lights:
- An object that lights is called a Luminous Object, eg: Sun, switched on

light bulbs, and burning wood.
- An object that light shines upon is called an illuminated object, eg: the
moon, in fact most things are illuminated.
- A small luminous body is called a point source.
- A light that spreads out greatly is called an extended light source.
- Light travels in a straight line, it moves along 300 000 km/s, light doesn’t
ned any medium in order to travel.
- When light strikes matter, 3 things happen, it can be: absorbed, reflected
or transmitted.
1. When light is absorbed, it’s taken in by the matter it strikes.
Substances like wood and metal do not transmit light they only
absorb, we can’t see through them at all. They are called opaque.
2. When light is reflected, it bounces off the substance it strikes. A
mirror is a common example. Light that is transmitted passes
through the matter it strikes. Transparent substances transmit light
eg: window glass, water and air.
3. Substances that scatter the light are called TRANSLUCENT, because
we can see the light through them but we cannot see any details,
eg: waxed paper and frosted glass.
Reflection:
o Angle of reflection is the

angle between the normal and the
reflected ray.
o Angle of incidence is the
angle between the normal and the
incident ray.
o Angle of incidence and
angle of reflection are always equal.
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o The normal is an imaginary line between the angle of

reflection and angle of incidence; it bisects the angle in half.
Refraction:
• Refraction is the bending of light

as it passes from one medium to
another.
• When light passes through a
glass slab, the light is transmitted
and bent.
• This bending of light is called
refraction.
• Air is less dense than glass.
• Light bent when the medium
changed.
• Refraction occurs when light
passes from one medium to
another,
• When light travels from a less
dense medium to a denser
medium the lights travel towards the normal.
• When light travels from a denser medium to a less dense medium
the lights travels away from the normal.
• Always Speed depends on density.
• Different substances have different densities. For example water is
denser than air.
Laws of Refraction:
1. Light that moves at an angle from a ales dense medium to a

more dense medium bends towards the normal.
2. Light that moves straight on from one medium to another
does not bend. It is not refracted.
3. Light that moves at an angle from a denser medium to a less
dense medium bends away from the normal.
Reproduction:
Reproduction is a life function, it means creating new
life.
Asexual Reproduction:
Asexual reproduction occurs when there is only on parent. It occurs in
less complex organisms such as unicellular organisms.
Sexual Reproduction:
Sexual reproduction involves 2 parents, a male and female. It occurs
in more complex living organisms.
Mitosis:
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Mitosis is the type of cell division that leads to the growth and
development of an organism. Mitosis occurs in all cells except for sex
cells. Human cells have 46 chromosomes’.
Types of Cells Mitosis Produces:
- Cells needed to make an adult organism from a fertilised egg.
- Cells needed to heal cuts, wounds and broken bones
- Cells that replace dead skin cells.
Process of Mitosis
- Step One:
o Cell becomes larger
o Chromosomes become visible
- Step Two:
o Chromosomes double by splitting into two and pair up
- Step Three:
o Double chromosomes line up across the equator of the cell
o Membrane of nucleus disappears
- Step Four:
o Doubles separate
o Chromosomes move on the spindle form to go to opposite
poles (ends) of the cell
- Step Five:
o Membrane divides the cell into two
o Each new cell have the same number of chromosomes as the
original
- Step Six:
o Chromosomes form nucleuses of the new cells
Meiosis:
Meiosis is the divion of cells to create sex cells. Sex cells only have 23
chromosomes.
Process of Meiosis
- Step One:
o Cell becomes larger
o Chromosomes become visible
- Step Two:
o Chromosomes double by splitting into two and pair up
- Step Three:
o Membrane divides the cell into four
o Each new sex cell has half the number of chromosomes as the
original
- Step Four:
o Chromosomes form nucleuses of the new cells
Genetics
Genetics refers to the study of hereditary and inherited characteristics.
Chromosomes
- Long thin threads

- Contains chemicals which control what the cell does
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- Human cells have 46 chromosomes except for sex cells which have 23
chromosomes
- Chromosomes hold DNA as a compact coil…
DNA
- Deoxyribonucleic Acid
- Stores the coded information that determines human characteristics
- DNA consists of nucleotides…
Nucleotides
- Building blocks of DNA arranged to form a genetic language or code

- Four different nitrogenous bases
o Adenine (A)
o Thymine (T)
o Cytosine (C)
o Guanine (G)
- Base Pairing Rule > A is chemically attracted to T
> C is chemically attracted to G
- Nucleotides make up genes…
Genes
- Sections of DNA which contain complete messages or sets or particular

instructions
- Locus > the position occupied by the gene on the chromosome
- Genome > Same set of genes in each cell of an organism
- The message in the gene is the coded formula needed to produce
protein…
Protein
- Instructions in the gene code for the production of protein which are
essential to the cell
- The life processes inside your body are carried out by a group of
proteins called enzymes
- Before the instruction can be carried out it must be copied so that the
master plan remains in the cell
RNA
- Copy of the DNA sequence

- Passes through the pores of the nuclear membrane into the cytoplasm
to the ribosomes where proteins are manufactured
- Code for the production of the protein is carried in messenger RNA
Genotype : Genotype is a person’s genetic coding.

Phenotype : Phenotype is how living things appear and function. This is
caused by the combined effect of their genotype and their environment.
DNA Mutation:
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o Mutations are the continual source of variation on which natural

selection can act.
o Cancers are due to a genetic change in a single cell.
o Mutations that occur in body cells are known as somatic mutations.
o Mutations are a source of new alleles in an organism.
Types of Mutations:
o Aneuploidy: When an individual has an abnormal chromosome
number.
o Polyploidy: When an individual has one or more extra sets of
chromosomes.
Changes in DNA sequence:

o Most mutations involve changes in the DNA sequence.
o Large changes may alter the structure of chromosomes and be
visible when looking at chromosomes under the microscope.
o When groups no longer share a pool of common genes, they are

likely to become separate species over time.
DNA Structure
Scientists responsible for discovering the DNA?
o The structure of DNA was worked out in 1953 by James Watson and
Francis Crick, in what became one of the famous scientific
discoveries of modern science.
DNA STRUCTURE:
o DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid
o The molecule of DNA contains millions of atoms and is found in the

cell nucleus.
o It is made up of 2 strands, which twist around each other to form a

shape called a double helix.
o The strands are held together by the bases.
o The exact sequence of these

bases forms genetic
information that varies from
one living thing to another.
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o Bases always pair up precisely, these are called base pairs.
o Adenine always pairs with thymine, and cytosine always pairs with
guanine.
o This precise pairing of bases provides a complementary copy of the

first helix strand.
Replication:
o When a cell divides, its DNA molecules copy themselves, or

replicate, in order to pass on a set of instructions to each new cell.
o During replication, each DNA molecule ‘unzips’ itself, so that its

strands separate.
o The two strands then from complementary copies of themselves.
o Two new DNA molecules are produced, each with one old strand and
one new strand.
Nucleic Acids:
• Nucleic acids are organic compounds made up of small molecules

called nucleotides.
• There are 2 types of nucleic acid- DNA and RNA.
• DNA carries genetic information and is stored inside the nucleus.
• RNA acts as a shuttle service, copying the DNA’s information and

carrying it to where it is put into action.
Types of Cells:
• A homozygous cell is a cell that has identical alleles that control

its particular features. They are either both dominant or recessive.
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• A heterozygous cell is a cell that has one dominant and one

recessive allele for its characteristics.
o During sexual reproduction genes are shuffled like cards in a

pack.
o Alleles that are close to each other on the same chromosome

often stay together.
Alleles:
• Allele: one of two or more forms of the same gene.
• A dominant allele is the allele that will most likely express itself.
Dominant characteristics are written as capital letters.
• A recessive allele is partnered by a dominant allele, is usually

masked by the dominant one. It is part of the genotype and can be
passed on to the next generation. Recessive characteristics are
notated with lower case letters.
Genetic Engineering:
• In genetic engineering, scientists deliberately change genotypes by

moving genes from one organism to another.
• Genetic engineering can therefore give an organism characteristic

that it does not normally have.
Reproductive Systems
Female Reproductive System
Ovaries
- Two ovaries
- Circular in shape
- Produce female sex cells > eggs or ova
- Produce female hormone > oestrogen
Fallopian Tubes
- Also known as oviducts
- Provide a passageway between ovaries and
uterus for the eggs to travel
- Fertilisation occurs in fallopian tubes
Uterus
- Also known as the womb
- Where the fertilised egg implants itself, grows and develops from a
zygote to an embryo to a foetus
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- Wall of the uterus provides nutrients for embryo

Cervix
- Interface between the uterus and the vagina
- Supports baby during pregnancy
Vagina
- Also known as vaginal canal/birth canal
- Where the sperm enters the female reproductive system
Male Reproductive System

Testes
- Two testes
- Circular in shape
- Produce male sex cells > sperm
- Produce male hormone > testosterone
Scrotum
- Skin sac which holds the testes outside the male body
Vas Deferens
- Also known as sperm duct
- Tube which connects the testes to the urethra, providing pathway for
the sperm
Urethra
- Starts at the vas deferens to the external
environment
- Primary job: carry urine
- Secondary job: transport sperm
Seminal Vesicle
- Produces fluid to nourish sperm
Glans Penis
- Transfers sperm from the male to the female
Control and Coordination: Nervous System
-The nervous system is divided into 2 parts:

o The Central Nervous System and
o The Peripheral Nervous System.
- The Central Nervous System is divided into 2 parts: The brain and the
spinal cord.
- CNS represents the largest part of the nervous system.
- The spinal cord carries out 2 main functions:

o Connects large parts of the peripheral nervous system to the brain.
o The spinal cord also acts as a minor coordinating centre responsible
for some simple reflexes like the withdrawal reflex.
The brain:
o The brain is part of the nervous system.
o Made up from the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain.
o Cerebrum, Medulla and cerebellum.
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o It receives nerve impulses from the spinal cord and 12 pairs of

cranial nerves.
o Analyses and stores data, directs the action to the body.
o The brain and spinal cord are made up of 2 types of cells:
1. NEURONS: Send messages in the CNS
2. Glial cells: supports neurons in the CNS
Stimulus Response:
A stimulus is what causes an organism to react.

- A response is a reaction to the stimulus.
- There are various nerves in the body which detect stimuli:
1. When a stimulus is detected, your brain sends the message to
your muscles.
2. A bad smell is a stimulus for the receptors in your nose.
3. Moving your hand from hot water Is a response to a stimuli.
 The path of stimulus:

StimulusSense OrganSensory Neuroninto the neuronsMotor
NeuronsEffectors Muscle.
The nervous system process:
1. Stimuli from the sense organs change to electrical signals.

2. These electrical signals do not stay in the sense organs. Nerves
carry the signals to the brain and spinal cord.
3. The brain decides what each stimulus is. The brain also decides how
to respond to each stimulus.
4. Nerves carry *what to do * messages away from the brain. The
messages go to the part of the body that will answer or respond to
the stimuli.
5. Most what to do messages go to muscles. Some, however, go to
glands. Most responses are carried out by muscles.
Nerves/ Nerve cells:
- Nerves are part of the nervous system.

- What do they do?
o Nerves carry electric pulses backwards and forwards from the brain,
spinal cord and muscles.
o Nerves are located through the body.
o Nerve cells work together to coordinate our body.
o Nerve cells are the longest cells in the body.
o They have the special name of neuron or neurone.
o Neurons have the shape and features to allow them to carry
messages.
o Nerves are bundles of neurons.
Reflex:
- A reflex is when you accidentally touch a hot stove and you pull your
hand away quickly, so quickly that your brain does not know about it.
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- The normal action is for a stimulus to be received in a sense organ, and

then detected by a sensory neuron. The impulse is transmitted to the
interneuron.
- Then it will be sent down several motor neurons to an effector organ,
such as a muscle to produce a movement. Whereas in a reflex action
the message in the sensory neuron is passed directly to a motor neuron
in the spinal column. The effector muscle receives the message to
move sooner.
Reflex pathway:
1. Stimulus detected by heat receptors in skin.
2. Sensory neuron carries impulse.
3. Spinal column relays impulse.
4. Motor neuron carries impulse.
5. Effector organ pulls hand away.
Receptors:
o Receptors are highly specialised cells that are able to pick
up a stimulus.
o Types of receptors:
1. Light receptors
2. Taste receptors
3. Smell receptors
4. Sound receptors
5. Touch receptors
6. Temperature receptors
7. Pressure receptors
Effectors:
o Effectors are the parts of the body that
respond to a stimulus when it is sent to them.
Endocrine System:
- Endocrine system helps the body to adjust to the
changes outside and inside the body
- What does the Endocrine System do?
1. It produces hormones (Chemical messages)
2. Helps control chemical reactions
3. Hormones move through ducts and they do not
empty directly into the blood stream, where the
hormones are used.
4. Ducts are tubes.
Parts of the Endocrine System:
Glands Location Hormones Functions
Produced
1- The Thyroid Attached to Thyroxin Controls the speed of
gland windpipe chemical reactions in
cells.
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2- Adrenal On top of the Adrenalin Prepares your body for

Glands kidney action
3- Ovaries Reproductive Oestrogen Gives girls their female
system feature such as
breasts, soft skin, and
a feminine voice.
4- Pituitary Under the brain Makes many Control growth.
glands hormones In females it controls
the release of eggs
from ovaries & the
birth of a baby.
5- The pancreas Below the Insulin Insulin controls the
stomach amount of glucose in
the blood
6- Testes Reproductive Testosterone Give boys their male
system features such as
deeper voices and
more body hair than
females.
Transmission of Diseases:
- A disease is a condition that prevents or stops the body or any of its
parts from working well.
- Diseases are divided according to whether they are infectious or non-
infectious.
Infectious diseases:
o Infectious diseases are those that can be spread or transferred from
one person to another.
o Infectious disease is triggered by an infection or the growth of
pathogen.
Pathogen
o A disease producing organism
o Pathogenic bacteria damage the cells of animals and plants causing
disease.
o Sometimes they produce poisonous wastes or toxins.
o A pimple is caused when a bacteria gets into you sweat glands.
Microbe:
o A microbe is usually just a single cell and so cannot be seen without a
microscope.
o Microbes are used to make bread and cheese.
Bacteria:
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o Bacteria are one-celled organisms; they are among the smallest and
simplest living things.
o They carry out all the life functions.
o Bacteria cells don’t have a definite nucleus.
o Most bacteria can’t move by themselves, they are carried by air or moving
water.
Diseases caused by bacteria:
Disease What it does How it spreads
Tonsillitis Headache, sore throat, Sneezing, coughing,
raised temperature. spitting.
Whooping cough Bad cough, raised Sneezing, touching,
temperature spitting
Salmonella food Diarrhoea, feeling sick Eating infected food
poisoning
Tuberculosis Very ill, a bad cough Water droplets in the
air
Viruses:
o Viruses are bundles of genetic material that attack cells and take
chemicals from them.
o They cannot exist on their own.
o Some viruses are easier to catch than others and sometimes you don’t
catch them again after you have had them once.
Examples of viruses:
Influenza Aches, pains, runny nose, high Water droplets in the
temperature air
Measles Small red spots and a skin rash Close contact
Chicken Raised itchy spots on skin Close contact
pox
Mumps Swollen cheeks and neck Close contact
AIDS Destroys some of the cells of the Sexual contact or
immune system blood
Ross river Fatigue and high temperature Blood-sucking insects
fever
Parasites:
o A parasite is an organism that benefits at the expense of the host.
o Vectors carry parasites and pathogens from one host to another.
Diseases caused by parasites:
Malaria Severe recurring fever Mosquito
Typhus Fever, muscle pain, Lice, mites, ticks, fleas
rash
Amoebic dysentery Diarrhoea, blood in the Protozoan in food and
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faeces water
Bilharzia Rash, cough, diarrhoea Water snail
Antibodies:
o They are special proteins that are produced by cells of the immune
system and circulate in the blood.
o Antibodies attack pathogens when they enter the body, the immune
response makes the invader harmless.
o The immune system produces substances that are specifically
selected to attack a particular invading pathogen.
Organisation of organs in human body:

Organs:
o An organ is a structure that contains at least two different types of
tissue functioning together for a common purpose.
o There are many different organs in the body: the liver, kidneys,
heart, even the skin is an organ.
Organ Systems:
o Organ systems are composed of two or more different organs
that work together to provide a common function. There are 10
major organ systems in the human body.
1- Skeletal system: The main role of the skeletal system is to
provide support for the body, to protect delicate internal organs and
to provide attachment sites for the organs.
- Major organs: Bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments.
2- Muscular system: The main role of the muscular system is to
provide movement. Muscles work in pairs to move limbs and provide
the organism with mobility. Muscles also control the movement of
materials through some organs, such as the stomach and intestine,
and the heart and circulatory system.
- Major organs: Skeletal muscles and smooth muscles
throughout the body.
3- Circulatory system: The main role of the circulatory system is
to transport nutrients, gases (such as oxygen and CO2), hormones and
wastes through the body.
- Major organs: Heart, blood vessels and blood.
4- Nervous system: The main role of the nervous system is to
relay electrical signals through the body. The nervous system directs
20
behaviour and movement and, along with the endocrine system,

controls physiological processes such as digestion, circulation, etc.
- Major organs: Brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
5- Respiratory system: The main role of the respiratory system is
to provide gas exchange between the blood and the environment.
Primarily, oxygen is absorbed from the atmosphere into the body and
carbon dioxide is expelled from the body.
- Major organs: Nose, trachea and lungs.
6- Digestive system: The main role of the digestive system is to
breakdown and absorb nutrients that are necessary for growth and
maintenance.
- Major organ: Mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small and large
intestines.
7- Excretory system: The main role of the excretory system is to filter
out cellular wastes, toxins and excess water or nutrients from the
circulatory system.
- Major organs: Kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
8- Endocrine System: The main role of the endocrine system is to
relay chemical messages through the body. In conjunction with the
nervous system, these chemical messages help control physiological
processes such as nutrient absorption, growth, etc.
- Major organs: Many glands exist in the body that secrete
endocrine hormones. Among these are the hypothalamus,
pituitary, thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands.
9- Reproductive system: The main role of the reproductive system is
to manufacture cells that allow reproduction. In the male, sperm are
created to inseminate egg cells produced in the female.
- Major organs: Female: ovaries, oviducts, uterus, vagina and
mammary glands.
Male: testes, seminal vesicles and penis.
10- Lymphatic/Nervous system: The main role of the immune system
is to destroy and remove invading microbes and viruses from the
body. The lymphatic system also removes fat and excess fluids from
the blood.
Major organs: Lymph, lymph nodes and vessels, white blood cells, T-
and B- cells.
Electricity
Static Electricity
Static electricity is electricity that is not moving.
Laws of Static Electricity
- Opposite charges attract

- Like charges repel
21
- Charged and uncharged objects attract
Current (Dynamic) Electricity: Current (dynamic) electricity is electricity

that is moving. The electrons move around in a set path (circuit).
Electrical Circuits: An electrical circuit is a complete conducting pathway

for the flow of electricity from one terminal of an electrical cell/battery
back to the other terminal.
Parts of a Circuit
- DC energy source > where the electricity is generated e.g. battery

- Circuit controls > switches used to open and close the circuit
- Wires > conductors that transfer the current between each component
of the circuit
- Resistors > materials that resist the current flow e.g. light bulbs,
appliances
- Measuring devices > ammeters and voltmeters
- Fuses or Circuit breakers > safety feature which stops the flow of
electricity when circuits overheat
Electrical Symbols
Component Symbol
Dry Cell
2 Dry cells
Motor
Light bulb
Switch (open )
Switch (closed)
Wire
Resistor
Variable resistor
Voltmeter
Ammeter
Series Circuit
- Electrons have only one path to follow

- Open switch > electricity disconnects >
circuit is incomplete
- Closed switch > electricity is connected >
circuit is complete
22
- One appliance breaks down > whole circuit stops working

- Appliances share electricity
Parallel Circuit
- Electrons have two or more paths to follow

- Each path has its own switch
- When one appliance in one path breaks down all other appliances in
other paths still work
- Appliances do not share electricity
Electric Current
The size of electric current depends on how many electrons pass a point in
a circuit every second. More electrons mean a larger current while fewer
electrons mean a smaller current.
Ammeter
- Device used to measure the size of an electric current
- Placed in series
Amperes
- The unit in which the size of an electric current is measured
- Another name for electric current
- Symbol > I
Force (Voltage)
Force is needed to make electricity move. Force pushes electrons in a

circuit to make them move. The name for a force or pressure that pushes
electrons is voltage or electromotive force (EMF).
Voltmeter
- Device used to measure the strength of the EMF
- Placed in parallel
Volts
- Unit in which the EMF is measured
- Symbol > V
Resistance
Resistance is a measure of the electrical conductivity of the conductor.
Materials that are not very good conductors of electricity are said to offer
resistance to current flow. The symbol for resistance is R.
Ohms
- Unit in which the amount of resistance is measured
- Symbol > Ω
Ohms Law
- Ohms law shows that current, voltage and resistance are all related.
23
- Mathematically : R = V/I
- If you increase the voltage the current will also automatically increase
at the same rate thus the resistance remains the same
Circuit Series:
o In a circuit series, the electrons have only one path to follow, the
switch is closed which makes the circuit complete.
 Advantages of circuit series:
All voltages are added up together
 Disadvantages of circuit series:
Two lamps are only half s bright as one lamp, because

the electrons use their energy to light the lamp, you can
make them bright by increasing the voltages, and you
can only turn off both lamps together. If one lamp
breaks the other breaks too.
Parallel Series:
o The light globes are shining and they are bright. There are 2 paths
for the electrons to follow. If one lamp is damaged the other will
continue to function because they don’t share the same path of
electrons.
 Advantages of parallel series:
Brightness of the globes does not change. The lamps are

equally as bright; each lamp can be turned on and off, without
affecting another lamp.
 Disadvantages of parallel series:
Parallel series are hard to set.
Environmental Impacts of producing electricity:
Types of Energy:
o Non-renewable: energy sources that will eventually run out.
o Renewable: energy sources that won’t run out because they are
continually being replaced.
Global Warming:
24
o Global warming refers to the average increase in the earth’s

temperature as a result of a build up of greenhouse gases. E.g.:
These chemicals cause changes in the climate:
 Co2,
 Methane
 Nitrous oxide
o These changes have some effects on earth by making it warmer.
o A warmer earth may lead to changes in rainfall patterns, a rise in

sea levels, and a wide range of impacts on the environment and
humans.
Electricity Production:
o Modern technology uses large amounts of electrical power. This is

normally generated at power plants which convert some other kind
of energy into electrical power.
o There are several ways to produce electricity, they are:
 Fossil Fuels: the burning of fossil fuels releases energy which has
been stored as chemical energy. The burning of fossil fuels affects
the atmosphere, problems such as the greenhouse effect, acid rain
and smog.
 Nuclear Power: it’s fuelled by Uranium; it has problems with

disposing radioactive waste left by the fission process. Accidents:
Chernobyl USSR in 1896.
 Tidal power: Tides occur because of the gravity of the sun, moon
and planets; water can be trapped behind a dam at high tide and
used to drive a turbine when it’s out.
 Biomass: is any matter derived from biological sources, such as plants,

animals (WASTE)
 Wind power: is one of the most promising of the renewable energy

technologies for generating electricity.
 Geothermal power: rocks deep down in the ground can be used to

change water into steam, which can be used to generate electricity.
 Solar Power: Solar energy is transformed into electrical energy in

solar cells and panels.
Energy Efficiency:
25
Ecological sustainability means that the needs of the present

population can be met without endangering the ability of future
generations to meet their needs
o Don’t use electric blanket, when not needed. Or replace it with a

couple of warm blankets to keep you warm.
o Take showers instead of baths.
o Wash only full load of clothes and use hot water only for dirty
clothes.
o Try to avoid opening the refrigerator and freezer to browse, because

each time we do, cold air escapes and the energy costs increase.
o Use the microwave instead of an oven for cooking meals, to save

energy.
o Open your curtains in winter, so light will come in and warm your
room.
o Unplug all electronic devices that are not in use e.g.: DVDs,
televisions, microwave etc, because they still use energy when
they’re plugged in even though they’re switched off.
Pollution
Pollution is the spoiling or poisoning of the environment through human

activity.
• Pollution is usually a result of contamination by unwanted

substances.
• Industrialisation in the last 150 years has had a major impact on air
and water quality and produced large quantities of toxic wastes.
26
Air Pollution:
Major Pollutants:
o Smoke, dust, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and lead.
o Low concentrations may harm living organisms, including humans,

and high concentrations may kill them.
Water Pollution:
Major pollutants:
o Industrial wastes, oil and pesticides may be toxic to living

organisms; the addition of sewage and run-off from fertilised soils
reduced the oxygen level and the number of organisms which can
be supported.
o Suspended solids, washed into waterways as a result of soil erosion,

reduce light levels and may cause silting, changing an aquatic
ecosystem completely.
Dumping wastes:
Major pollutants:
o Waste materials from urban and industrial areas may be deposited

untreated and in bulk in other ecosystems. Sewage, toxic metals
and waste from industry and tonnes of household garbage are
disposed of everyday on to the land or into the water.
o Some of these materials may be toxic to living things.
o Plastic, may be non-biodegradable.
Simple Machines
Simple Machines:
27
o A machine is a device that makes a physical task easier; it can

change speed, make force stronger or change direction, used in
every day life.
o A machine can change a weak force into a strong force.
o The number of times a machine multiplies a force is called its

mechanical advantage.
o A machine divides a big job into smaller, easier jobs.
o The smaller jobs are spread out over a longer distance.
Types of simple machines and examples:
• Lever: a simple machine that is uses the turning effect of a

force to make a task easier. E.g.: Can opener, scissors, tongs,
spanners, hammers, brooms, tennis racket.
• Inclined planes
• Wheels
• Pulleys
• Axles
• Gears
Advantages:
o Makes a physical task easier.
o Helps us to do our jobs, but it still needs the same force.
o Machines divide work into smaller work.
Disadvantages:
o A machine does not multiply a force without charging a price.
o When a machine multiplies a force, it also increases the effort

distance.
o There is a definite relationship between the effort distance and the

resistance distance.
Rev Heads (Newton’s laws)

1. Newton’s First law: INERTIA
- Inertia is an object’s resistance to change in motion, depending on
its mass. The greater the mass the greater the inertia.
28
- An object will remain at rest, or will not change its speed direction
unless it is acted upon by an outside, unbalanced force.
2- Newton’s second law:

- Describes how much mass of an object affects the way that it moves
when acted upon by one or more forces.
 Force: is a push or pull or a twist acting on an object.
Forces can make things change shape, direction and
speed. The effect that a force has on an object depends
on its mass and the size of the force.
- Forces can be a contact force eg: frictional, stretching, air resistance.
• Non-contact force eg: contact-gravitational
magnetic, the forces that act between objects that do
not touch each other are called non-contact forces.
- The 6 types of Forces:
o Gravity or weight always acting straight downwards.
o Reaction force from a surface, usually acting straight
upwards.
o Thrust or push or pull due to an engine or rocket speeding
something up.
o Drag or air resistance or friction which is slowing the thing
down.
o Lift due to an aero plane wing.
o Tension in a force or cable.
- Force= mass x acceleration, there’s a relationship between mass and
force, because if the force goes up the mass goes up.
3- Newton’s Third law:

- For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Mass and weight:

- Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object. The unit
used to describe mass is Kilograms.
- The larger an object’s mass, the more force is needed to start it moving
and to stop it moving.
o Mass = force / acceleration
- The more force is needed to change its direction when it is moving.
- The larger is the force of attraction it exerts on another object.
- The force of attraction between objects or masses is called gravitational
force or gravity.
- Gravitational forces hold the earth in orbit around the sun and the
moon around the earth. The gravitational force on an object is called its
weight.
- Weight:
o Is the downward force of gravity (N)
o Is a measured in newtons like all other forces.
o Weight (N) =mass (Kg) x acceleration due to gravity (N/Kg)
w=m x g
29
Acceleration and deceleration:
o Acceleration is a measure of the rate at which it changes speed, or

when an object moves in a straight line.
o To calculate the acceleration: average acceleration = Change in
speed
Tim
e taken
o The more the friction the less the acceleration.
o 2 things that affect acceleration: - Mass & forces (friction)
o Deceleration is the decrease in speed.
Speed/time and distance relationship:
o Speed= Distance/time
o Distance= speed x time
o Time = Distance/speed
Theory of Plate tectonics/Stratigraphy:
Our continent:
o The continents that exist today developed from one giant continent
called Pangaea.
o The edges of tectonic plates are sites of intense geological activity
such as earthquakes, volcanoes and mountain formation.
The theory of Plate tectonics:

o The theory of global dynamics in which the crust is broken up into
plates that move over the mantle. The margins of the plates are
sites of considerable geologic activity.
o The plates move around very slowly on top of the mantle.
o Continents ride on a number of the plates.
o The interactions between plates at their boundaries results in
earthquakes, volcanoes, folding and faulting.
o Earthquakes and volcanoes eruptions occur at weak points in the
earths crust.
o The Eurasian and the North American plates are spreading.
The movement of earth:

o There are 3 main locations of plate activities:
30
1- Constructive boundaries: when two plates move away

from each other, they leave a gap out through which
magma, from the Earth’s mantle, oozes.
2- Destructive boundaries: sometimes plates push against
each other and one is forced down under the other. The
old ocean crust is being dragged back into the mantle.
This is called subduct ion.
3- Intraplate hot spots: sometimes a narrow section of
magma burns through the crust creating a hot spot. This
section remains stationary while the plate moves over it.
The theory of Continental drift:

o The theory that the continents have moved in
relation to one another.
Stratigraphy:
The study or origins, composition, and development of rock strata.
- The earth is made up of a central core surrounded by the mantle and
an outer layer called the crust.
Fossils:
o Remains of plants and animals.
o They are usually found in sedimentary rocks.
o They are important because they tell us what
happened millions of years ago.
o They help us to learn more about the earth’s history
and climate, geology and environment.
o Most fossils are excavated from sedimentary rocks.
How are fossils preserved?

1. When plants and animals die, they generally rot or are eaten away.
This happens quickly in a matter of days or months.
2. The hardest parts (wood, teeth and bone) are the last to decay.
3. If they become buried in sediment such as gravel, sand, silt and
especially mud, they are most likely to be fossilised.
4. Fossilisation often involves shell, bone and wood being slowly
replaced by minerals.
31
Evolution due to natural selection:
o The theory of natural selection proposes that it is the environment

that selects favourable variations and eliminates harmful ones.
Evolution:
o Evolution can only take place if the living things in a population are
not all the same.
The 4 basic steps of evolution:
1. There are variations in the genes carried by individuals.

2. Environmental pressures select some individuals and reject others.
3. The best adapted individuals have the gene that allows them to
survive the environmental pressures.
4. Genes are passed on to many generations.
Charles Darwin’s Theory on Evolution:
32
- In any population there are variations, all the members of one species
are not identical.
- In any generation there are offspring that do not reach maturity and
reproduce; the characteristics of these organisms are removed from the
population.
- Those organisms that survive and reproduce are well adapted to that
environment, they have favourable variations.
- Favourable variations are passed on to offspring; they become more
and more common in the population.
Biotic and abiotic features of the environment:
Ecosystem:
o Ecosystem is any environment living organisms that interact with

each other and with the non-living parts of the environment.
o Ecosystems are largely self-sustaining, because materials and

energy are exchanged between the organisms and their
environment.
o Energy from sunlight enters the system through photosynthesis in

plants, and then flows through other living organisms via food webs.
o Environments have:
- Abiotic and
- Biotic features.
o The habitat of an organism is the place where it lives.
o The study of the relationships living organisms have with each other
and with their environment is called ecology.
o In an ecosystem there is no re-use of energy: it is either

used by a living thing or lost as heat. Because of this, a
continual input of energy is needed to keep living systems
functioning.
Abiotic and biotic features:
• Abiotic means non-living, they include physical and

chemical factors such as the temperature, rainfall, type of
soil, and the salinity of the water.
• Biotic means living, it includes all the living organisms, how

many types there are their numbers, distribution and
interactions.
33
Cycles of nature:
The water cycle:
o Water in the atmosphere falls to the earth’s surface as rain or snow.
o Water falling on land will evaporate back into the atmosphere, drain
into the oceans via lakes or rivers, or become trapped far below the
surface in artesian basins.
o Water in the oceans and in all bodies of water on land such as

ponds, lakes and rivers evaporate into the atmosphere, completing
the cycle.
The carbon-oxygen cycle:
o Carbon dioxide is absorbed from air by land plants during

photosynthesis, and incorporated into plant compounds. Oxygen is
released back into the air by plants.
o Respiration by living organisms uses oxygen and returns some

carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
o When living things die, their bodies are broken down by

decomposers and more carbon dioxide is released.
o A large amount of carbon is stored in coal, oil and natural gas

deposits.
o Burning these fuels returns carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.
o Volcanoes also emit carbon dioxide when they erupt.
34
o Carbon cycles very quickly though ecosystems.
Photosynthesis:
• Photosynthesis is
the process by which plant
cells capture energy
from sunlight and use it to combine carbon dioxide and water to
make sugars and oxygen.
• All living things depend on photosynthesis.
• The compounds plants make during photosynthesis provide

nutrients and energy to organisms that consume plants.
Respiration:
• Respiration is the process by which cells obtain energy.
• In respiration organic molecules, particularly sugars are broken

down to produce carbon dioxide and water, and energy is released.
Relationship between respiration and photosynthesis:
• Respiration and photosynthesis might appear to be almost the

reverse of each other.
• This is not true: the sequence in one is not the reverse in the other.
35
• The processes themselves are related because energy from the sun
is incorporated into the products of photosynthesis.
Energy flow through a natural ecosystem:
Food chains:
• The flow of energy from one living thing to another can be shown
diagrammatically in a food chain:
Green plant plant-eateranimal-eater
o Food chains begin with plants (producers). Plant eaters are

herbivores. Animal eaters are carnivores. Animals that eat
both plants and animals are omnivores. Herbivores,
carnivores and omnivores are all consumers.
o Scavengers are consumers that eat dead animals.
o Decomposers have an important role to play: they make the

materials produced by decomposition available to plants.
Food webs:
• Food webs are a series of interacting food chains link up to form a

food web.
 It is a complex set of interacting food chains within an

ecosystem.
 The feeding level of an organism is sometimes called

its trophic level.
36

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Year 10 Science Yearly Notes /School Certificate

Reactants: Reactants are the starting substances in the chemical reaction

Products: Products are the substances produced in a chemical reaction

Conservation of Mass: Chemical equations show that atoms are conserved

o Total mass of products = Total mass of reactants

Universal Indicator & pH:

- A chemical reaction is when substances combine to form new

o Indicated by change in colour odour,

o Exothermic (gives off heat)

o Endothermic (heat is absorbed)

o Gas is given off

A Chemical equation: chemical equation summarises the events of a

Types of chemical reactions:

- Metal/acid Reaction: acid+metalsalt+hydrogen gas

I.E: Hydrochloric +Magnesium Magnesium Chloride + hydrogen

- Neutralisation (ACID/BASE reaction) :acid + basesalt

I.E: Sulfuric acid + calcium Hydroxide  calcium + water

- Acid/carbonate Reaction: acid+carbonate  salt +carbon

In another words, acid carbonate reaction is when limewater goes from

Nitric Acid + calcium carbonate  calcium nitrate + Co2 +H2o

Types of chemical reactions:

- Combustion: Burning- it is a self-sustaining chemical reaction

- Corrosion: is the eating away of metal so that it loses strength

- Precipitation: the formation of a solid from 2 solutions.

- Neutralisation: the reaction between an acid and a base

- Decomposition: the breaking of a compound into more simple

The Arrangement of the Periodic Table

Recognising the Elements on the Periodic Table

- Each element is represented in a separate box on the periodic table

Molecule: a molecule is 2 or more atoms joined together.

Element: Element is made from one type of atoms only.

Compound: A compound is made up from many molecules joined

Attractions between ions:

- The attraction of the ions forms new compounds.

The atoms of all matter are electrical and are made up

• Electrons: which carry positive charges.

• Protons: which carry positive charges.

• Neutrons: which carry no charge.

o Atoms are held together by a strong attraction between the protons

o Particles with opposite charges attract one another, like opposite

o The attractions of the ions form new compounds.

o More electrons then protons are negative.

o More neutrons than electrons are positive.

o The protons and electrons keep the compound together.

Life cycle of a star

o The energy leaves a star in the form of heat light. ULTRA

o The spiral arms of galaxies grow by collecting gas from space,

- Collection of billions of stars and matter held together

- Electromagnetic waves travel through space at the speed of light.

- Crest: Crest is the top part of a wave.

- An object that lights is called a Luminous Object, eg: Sun, switched on

o Angle of reflection is the

o The normal is an imaginary line between the angle of

• Refraction is the bending of light

1. Light that moves at an angle from a ales dense medium to a

- Long thin threads

- Building blocks of DNA arranged to form a genetic language or code

- Nucleotides make up genes…

- Sections of DNA which contain complete messages or sets or particular

- Copy of the DNA sequence

Genotype : Genotype is a person’s genetic coding.

o Mutations are the continual source of variation on which natural