grade 10 life science essay topics

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• Mindset Network
• Grade 10 Life Sciences
• Life Sciences
• The chemistry of life
• Cells - the basic units of life
• Cell division- mitosis
• Plant and animal tissues
• Term 1 Revision
• Support and transport systems in plants
• Support systems in animals
• Term 2 Revision
• Transport systems in mammals (human)
• Biosphere to Ecosystems
• Term 3 Revision
• Biodiversity and classification
• History of Life on Earth
• Exam Revision
• Biodiversity and classification of micro-organisms
• Biodiversity of plants
• Reproduction in plants
• Biodiversity of animals - Invertebrates
• Energy transformations to sustain life
• Animal nutrition (mammals)
• Gaseous Exchange
• Excretion in humans
• Population Ecology
• Human impact on the environment
• DNA - the code of life
• Reproduction in Vertebrates
• Human reproduction
• Genetics and inheritance
• Responding to the environment - humans
• Homeostasis in humans
• Human endocrine system
• Responding to the environment - plants
• Evolution by natural selection
• Human evolution

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2.3 Cell structure and function

2.3 Cell structure and function (ESG4S)

Section 3: Cell Structure and Function

In this section the learners now expand their knowledge and learn the various cell structures and related functions. The roles of the organelles within the cells need to be introduced and relate structure and location of organelles to their function.

Cells differ in size, shape and structure and therefore carry out specialised functions. Link this to tissues. The differences between plant and animal cells can be linked to Grade 9.

Cell theory (ESG4T)

The cell theory developed in 1839 by microbiologists Schleiden and Schwann describes the properties of cells. It is an explanation of the relationship between cells and living things. The theory states that:

• all living things are made of cells and their products.
• new cells are created by old cells dividing into two.
• cells are the basic building blocks of life.

The cell theory applies to all living things, however big or small. The modern understanding of cell theory extends the concepts of the original cell theory to include the following:

• The activity of an organism depends on the total activity of independent cells.
• Energy flow occurs in cells through the breakdown of carbohydrates by respiration.
• Cells contain the information necessary for the creation of new cells. This information is known as 'hereditary information' and is contained within DNA.
• The contents of cells from similar species are basically the same.

DNA (the hereditary information of cells) is passed from 'parent' cells to 'daughter' cells during cell division. You will learn more about this in the following chapter: Cell division .

Cells are the smallest form of life; the functional and structural units of all living things. Your body contains several billion cells, organised into over 200 major types, with hundreds of cell-specific functions.

Some functions performed by cells are so vital to the existence of life that all cells perform them (e.g. cellular respiration). Others are highly specialised (e.g. photosynthesis).

Figure 2.9 shows a two-dimensional drawing of an animal cell. The diagram shows the structures visible within a cell at high magnification. The structures form the ultrastructure of the cell.

Figure 2.9: Diagram of the cell ultrastructure of an animal cell.

The cell wall is a rigid non-living layer that is found outside the cell membrane and surrounds the cell. Plants, bacteria and fungi all have cell walls. In plants, the wall is comprised of cellulose. It consists of three layers that help support the plant. These layers include the middle lamella, the primary cell wall and the secondary cell wall.

Middle lamella : Separates one cell from another. It is a thin membranous layer on the outside of the cell and is made of a sticky substance called pectin.

Primary cell wall : Is on the inside of the middle lamella and is mainly composed of cellulose.

Secondary cell wall : Lies alongside the cell membrane. It is is made up of a thick and tough layer of cellulose which is held together by a hard, waterproof substance called lignin. It is only found in cells which provide mechanical support in plants.

The human body cannot break down the cellulose in cell walls because we do not produce the enzyme cellulase.

Figure 2.10: Scanning electron microscope micrographs of diatoms showing the external appearances of the cell wall. Scale bar: A, B, D: 10 um, C 20 um

Functions of the cell wall

• The main function of the wall is to protect the inner parts of the plant cell, it gives plant cells a more uniform and regular shape and provides support for the plant body.
• The cell wall is completely permeable to water and mineral salts which allows distribution of nutrients throughout the plant.
• The openings in the cell wall are called plasmodesmata which contain strands of cytoplasm that connect adjacent cells. This allows cells to interact with one another, allowing molecules to travel between plant cells.

Cell membrane (ESG4W)

The cell membrane , also called the plasma membrane, physically separates the intracellular space (inside the cell) from the extracellular environment (outside the cell). All plant and animal cells have cell membranes. The cell membrane surrounds and protects the cytoplasm . Cytoplasm is part of the protoplasm and is the living component of the cell.

The cell membrane is composed of a double layer (bilayer) of special lipids (fats) called phospholipids . Phospholipids consist of a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail. The hydrophobic head of the phospholipid is polar (charged) and can therefore dissolve in water. The hydrophobic tail is non-polar (uncharged), and cannot dissolve in water.

The lipid bilayer forms spontaneously due to the properties of the phospholipid molecules. In an aqueous environment, the polar heads try to form hydrogen bonds with the water, while the non-polar tails try to escape from the water. The problem is solved by the formation of a bilayer because the hydrophilic heads can point outwards and from hydrogen bonds with water, and the hydrophobic tails point towards one another and are 'protected' from the water molecules ( Figure 2.11 .

Figure 2.11: The lipid bilayer showing the arrangement of phospholipids, containing hydrophilic, polar heads and hydrophobic, non-polar tails.

Recall the structure of lipid molecules from the previous chapter on the chemistry of life .

All the exchanges between the cell and its environment have to pass through the cell membrane. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions (e.g. hydrogen, sodium), small molecules (oxygen, carbon dioxide) and larger molecules (glucose and amino acids) and controls the movement of substances in and out of the cells. The cell membrane performs many important functions within the cell such as osmosis, diffusion, transport of nutrients into the cell, processes of ingestion and secretion. The cell membrane is strong enough to provide the cell with mechanical support and flexible enough to allow cells to grow and move.

Watch a video about the cell membrane.

Video: 2CPB

Structure of the cell membrane: the fluid mosaic model

S.J. Singer and G.L. Nicolson proposed the Fluid Mosaic Model of the cell membrane in 1972. This model describes the structure of the cell membrane as a fluid structure with various protein and carbohydrate components diffusing freely across the membrane. The structure and function of each component of the membrane is provided in the table below. Table 2.2 refers to the components of the cell membrane shown in the diagram in Figures Figure 2.11 and Figure 2.12 .

Figure 2.12: Fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane.

A further description of the fluid mosaic model can be viewed at:

Video: 2CPC

Movement across membranes (ESG4X)

Movement of substances across cell membranes is necessary as it allows cells to acquire oxygen and nutrients, excrete waste products and control the concentration of required substances in the cell (e.g oxygen, water, hormones, ions, etc). The key processes through which such movement occurs include diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion and active transport.

Learn about the different ways that molecules can travel across cell membranes.

Video: 2CPD

1. Diffusion

Diffusion is the movement of substances from a region of high concentration to low concentration. It is therefore said to occur down a concentration gradient . The diagram below shows the movement of dissolved particles within a liquid until eventually becoming randomly distributed.

Diffusion is a passive process which means it does not require any energy input. It can occur across a living or non-living membrane and can occur in a liquid or gas medium. Due to the fact that diffusion occurs across a concentration gradient it can result in the movement of substances into or out of the cell. Examples of substances moved by diffusion include carbon dioxide, oxygen, water and other small molecules that are able to dissolve within the lipid bilayer.

Watch diffusion taking place by clicking on the following link.

Video: 2CPF

Observing diffusion

To observe diffusion.

• 1 x \(\text{500}\) \(\text{ml}\) beaker
• large funnel
• plastic straw
• potassium permanganate crystals
• Fill a beaker with water and allow it to stand for a few minutes so that water movement stops.
• Place a large funnel into the water so that it touches the bottom of the beaker. Drop a few small potassium permanganate crystals through the straw. Remove the funnel carefully and slowly.
• Observe the size of the area that is coloured by the potassium permanganate at the beginning of the experiment, after 5 minutes and then after 20 minutes.
• What do you observe happening in the beaker?
• What can you conclude based on your observations?
• Explain how using hot water would affect the results of this experiment (remember that when you explain you need to give a reason for your answer).

Observing Diffusion

• The purple colour slowly spreads (diffuses) throughout the entire beaker of water, until the colour is evenly spread out.
• The molecules of water and potassium permanganate must be constantly moving in order for the purple colour to diffuse throughout the water and spread out evenly.
• Using hot water would speed up the spreading process/ diffusion. The additional heat from the water gives the particles kinetic energy which enables them to move more quickly. The faster the particles move, the faster the colour spreads/ diffuses throughout the beaker.

When the concentration of solutes in solution is low, the water concentration is high, and we say there is a high water potential . Osmosis is the movement of water from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential across a semi-permeable membrane that separates the two regions. Movement of water always occurs down a concentration gradient, i.e from higher water potential (dilute solution) to lower potential (concentrated solution). Osmosis is a passive process and does not require any input of energy. Cell membranes allow molecules of water to pass through, but they do not allow molecules of most dissolved substances, e.g. salt and sugar, to pass through. As water enters the cell via osmosis, it creates a pressure known as osmotic pressure.

Watch osmosis taking place by clicking on the following link.

Video: 2CPG

In biological systems, osmosis is vital to plant and animal cell survival. Figure 2.15 demonstrates how osmosis affects red blood cells when they are placed in three different solutions with different concentrations.

Plant cells use osmosis to absorb water from the soil and transport it to the leaves. Osmosis in the kidneys keeps the water and salt levels in the body and blood at the correct levels.

Predicting the direction of osmosis

To predict the direction of osmosis.

• 1 x large potato
• potato peeler/scalpel
• concentrated sucrose/sugar solution. To obtain this, add 100 g of sugar to 200 ml of water.
• Peel off the skin of a large sized potato with a scalpel/potato peeler.
• Cut its one end to make the base flat.
• Make a hollow cavity in the potato almost to the bottom of the potato.
• Add the concentrated sugar solution into the cavity of the potato, filling it about half way. Mark the level by inserting a pin at the level of the sugar solution (insert the pin at an angle into the cavity at the level) ( Figure 2.16 A).
• Carefully place the potato in the beaker containing water.
• Observe what happens to the level of the sugar solution in the potato.
• After 15 to 20 minutes, mark the level by inserting the second pin at the level of the sugar solution (insert as the first pin) ( Figure 2.16 B).

• What do you observe happening to the level of the solution inside the potato?
• What conclusion can you draw based on your observation?
• What conditions were met in this experiment that makes this type of transport different to diffusion?
• The level of the solution inside the potato increases.
• Water moves out of the potato into the cavity in the middle. At the same time, water is drawn into the potato from the beaker. This means that the solution in the cavity is hypertonic and the water is hypotonic.
• The semi-permeable membranes of the cells in the potato prevented the sugar molecules from moving. Only the water moves. In diffusion, all molecules are able to move. In osmosis, only water moves, and it moves across a semi-permeable membrane.

Watch an illustration of diffusion and osmosis.

Video: 2CPH

3. Facilitated diffusion

Facilitated diffusion is a special form of diffusion which allows rapid exchange of specific substances. Particles are taken up by carrier proteins which change their shape as a result. The change in shape causes the particles to be released on the other side of the membrane. Facilitated diffusion can only occur across living, biological membranes which contain the carrier proteins. A substance is transported via a carrier protein from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until it is randomly distributed. Therefore movement is down a concentration gradient .

Examples of substances moved via facilitated diffusion include all polar molecules such as glucose or amino acids.

4. Active transport

Active transport is the movement of substances against a concentration gradient, from a region of low concentration to high concentration using an input of energy. In biological systems, the form in which this energy occurs is adenosine triphosphate (ATP) . The process transports substances through a membrane protein. The movement of substances is selective via the carrier proteins and can occur into or out of the cell.

ATP and ADP are molecules involved with moving energy within cells. You do not need to know these names in full and will learn more about them later.

Examples of substances moved include sodium and potassium ions as shown in Figure 2.18

Life Sciences Grade 10 Latest Essays and Topics Guide CAPS: Education Resource

Life Sciences Grade 10 Latest Essays and Topics Guide for CAPS Curriculum (Syllabus) South Africa: A National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) is a single, comprehensive, and concise policy document introduced by the Department of Basic Education for all the subjects listed in the National Curriculum Statement for Grades R – 12.  CAPS gives detailed guidance for teachers on what they should teach and how to assess.

On this page, you will find Life Sciences Grade 10 Essays and Topics Guide for Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4.

• 1 Available Essays and Topics Guide Life Sciences Grade 10
• 2 More Education Resources

Available Essays and Topics Guide Life Sciences Grade 10

Below is a list of Grade 10 Essay Topics and a downloadable answer guide for the Life Sciences Subject: (Compiled by France Chavngwane):

Protein Synthesis And Dna Replication Essay

Protein Sythesis And Mutation Essay

Nephron Essay

Forelimbs Modification And Functions Essay

Allien Plants Essay

The Heart Essay

Ecoutourism Essay

Breast Cancer Essay

Resource Manangement Essay

Metabolic Rate, Co2 And Glucose Essay

Mutation On Protein Sythesis And Evolution Essay

Accomodation, Hearing And Balance Essay

Meiosis, Mutation And Natural Selection Essay

Adrenalin & Hearing Essay

Out Of Africa Hypothesis Essay

Osmoregulation And Balance Essay

Natural Selection And Speciation Essay

Spermatogenesis Essay

Chromosomes And Meiosis Essay

Dna Replication And Protein Synthesis Essay

Genetic Variation Essay

Food Security, Gmo & Farming Essay

Petrified Fossils Esssays

Invansive Species & Water Quality Esssay

Solid Waste Manangement Essay

Eutrophication Acid Mine Drainage Essay

Hypothalamus (Thermoregulation) Essay

Breathing Essay

Stem Cell Essay

Glucose Regulation Essay

Nephron Homeostatic Control Essay

Digestion And Absorption Esssay

Hearing And Reflex Action Essay

Lamarckism And Darwinism Essay

Meiosis And Dna Repplication Essay Ii

Reproductive Strategies Essay

Threath To Biodiversity Essay

Homeostasis Essay

Blood Groups Essay

Speciation Essay

Pregnancy Essay

Hormones Essay

Evolution Essay (Lamarkism, Darwinism, Gradualism Vs Puntcuated Equlibrium)

Speciation And Evolution Essay

Natural Selection Vs Artificial Selection Essay

Contraceptive Methods Essay (Preg Prevention)

Air Pollution Essay

Overfishing Essay

Contraceptives Essay (Prevention Of Std’s)

Drinking Water Quality Essay

Gonorrhea And Hiv/Aids Essay

Over-Exploitation Of Idegeneous Plants Essay

Meiosis Essay (Genetic Variation,Down Syndromme And Polyploidy) Essay

Punctuated Equilibrium Vs Gradualism

Genetic Variation And Mutation Essay

Foetus Essay

Skull Essay

Genetic Engineering Essay

Clonning Essay

Photosynthesis Essay

Cellular Respiration Essay.

Mutation Essay (Harmful And Useful Mutation)

Excrection Essay

Carrying Capacicty,Competion And Predation Essay

Kidney Essay

Message To The Life Sciences Learners

Download a guide on how to answer the above essay questions here

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Euclidean Geometry Grade 10: CAPS

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What does the Headgear of a mine do

What does the headgear of a mine do: Technology Mini PAT Answers. Learn how to make a mine shaft headgear for your school project.

Mine headgear constructions support wheel mechanisms for suspending winding cables that transport workers and ore up and down deep level shafts. These strange anthropomorphic structures have become the iconic symbol for mining.

• 1 How it works mine headgear works
• 2 Materials that are used to make a mine shaft headgear
• 3 Questions and Answers

How it works mine headgear works

A cable winds around “sheave” wheels on the “headgear” at the top. These cables are attached to a lift that transports miners, machines and ore into and out of the mine.

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Modern headframes are built out of steel, concrete or a combination of both. Timber headframes are no longer used in industrialized countries but are still used in developing nations.

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Euclidean Geometry Grade 10 pdf note for downloads: Theorems, Reasons, Triangles: Euclidean geometry is a mathematical system attributed to Alexandrian Greek mathematician Euclid, which he described in his textbook on geometry: the Elements. Euclid’s method consists in assuming a small set of intuitively appealing axioms, and deducing many other propositions (theorems) from these.

• 1 Important Tasks for Euclidean Geometry Grade 10 Learners
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• 5 Euclidean Geometry Grade 10 Revision Pack:CAPS
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Important Tasks for Euclidean Geometry Grade 10 to learn are the following:

• Classifying angles,
• parallel and transversal lines,
• classifying triangles,
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• congruency,
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• the mid-point theorem
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On this page you will find Physical Science Grade 10 Experiments and Memos for Term 1, Term 2, Term 3, and Term 4.

• 1 Available Experiments and Memos Physical Science Grade 10

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Class 10 Essay Topics | Grade 10 Essay Writing Topics in English for Students

May 2, 2023 by Veerendra

Writing an Essay broadens your thought process and helps in improving analytical skills. To help you out we have compiled the Essay in a simple and compelling language. Class 10 Essays have been curated by subject experts to encourage learners in their thinking capability. We have a large collection of Essay Writing Topics for 10th Std belonging to different categories. 10th Std Essays can be a great opportunity to express your views or opinions.

To help you out we have provided the Most Common 10th Std Essay Topics. Read and Practice using them and try to write any Kind of Essay on your own. Enhance your mental ability with the Grade 10 Essays provided and bring out your thinking power and showcase your writing skills.

List of 10th Grade Essay Writing Topics for Students

Become more competent and proficient in different categories of Essays by reading and practicing 10th Class Essays in English. You can use these huge varieties of 10th Class Essay Topics during your preparation for competitions or speeches. Encourage your kids to learn and practice using these 10th Std Essays in English and improve your writing skills. Tap on the links available for various subjects of 10th Class and enhance your vocabulary and write essays on your own

• Essay on School’s Surroundings and Examinations
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