KS3 & KS4 science curriculum

This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from Plant nutrition and photosynthesis, where they explored how plants produce glucose. It deepens their understanding by examining the structures and functions of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, highlighting the cellular basis of these processes. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Biological molecules and enzymes, where they will apply their knowledge to understand the molecular components of cells and the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions, reinforcing the link between cell structure and function.

1. Cells
2. Light microscopy: observing and drawing cells
3. Animal cells: common structures and specialised cells
4. Plant cells: common structures and specialised cells
5. Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms
6. Common structures of prokaryotic cells
7. The size and scale of cells: including standard form

• All organisms are made up of one or more cells.
• Organisms can be unicellular or multicellular.
• The hierarchical organisation of multicellular organisms from cells to tissues to organs to systems to organisms.
• Similarities and differences between plant and animal cells.
• The functions of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole, mitochondria and chloroplasts.