KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from the Human digestive system, where they examined how nutrients are broken down and absorbed to support bodily functions. It deepens their understanding by exploring breathing and respiration, focusing on gas exchange and how oxygen is used to release energy from food. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Plant nutrition and photosynthesis, where they will apply their knowledge of respiration to understand the interdependence of respiration and photosynthesis in living organisms.

1. Breathing, respiration and gas exchange
2. The human gas exchange system and breathing
3. Estimating lung volume
4. Adaptations of the human lungs for gas exchange
5. Cellular respiration
6. Aerobic cellular respiration
7. Anaerobic cellular respiration in humans
8. Anaerobic cellular respiration and fermentation in microorganisms

• [Y2] Animals, including humans, need air for survival.
• [Y4, Y6] Humans are made up of different parts with different functions, including organ systems such as the digestive system and circulatory system.
• Living organisms are made up of one or more cells.
• Specialised cells in animals and plants have shapes, sizes and structures that are adapted for the jobs the cells do.
• Muscles have important roles in organ systems.
• Cells contain mitochondria that use food as a fuel to provide energy for life processes.