Aims This syllabus is designed to enhance candidates knowledge and understanding of biology and biological issues, to prepare and

equip the candidates for their tertiary education, to pursue careers in related fields and to promote continuous awareness of the importance of biology in life.

OBJECTIVE This syllabus enables candidates to: (a) understand the biological phenomena, principles and theories; (b) evaluate biological information critically and deduce logical conclusion; (c) plan and carry out experiments scientifically and make deductions;

(d) develop abilities and skills in handling materials and apparatus correctly and safely, and; (e) cultivate proper attitudes and values on social, technological, and environmental issues in biology.

964 Biology

SUBJECT: 964 BIOLOGY The syllabus of 964 Biology will be covered in three terms with three main topics. o 1st Term : Biological molecules and Metabolism
o 2nd Term : Physiology o 3rd Term : Ecology and Genetics
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SUBJECT: 964 BIOLOGY The syllabus is based on learning outcomes curriculum

o1st Term :

Biological molecules and Metabolism oSix topics o2nd Term : Physiology oSeven topics o3rd Term : Ecology and Genetics oSix topics
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SUBJECT: 964 BIOLOGY CONTENTS FIRST TERM BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES AND METABOLISM 1. Biological molecules 1.1 Water 1.2 Carbohydrates

1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6

Lipids Proteins Nucleic acids Analytical techniques

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2. Structure of Cells and Organelles 2.1 Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells 2.2 2.3 Cellular components Specialised cells

3. Membrane Structure and Transport 3.1 Fluid mosaic model

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3.2 Movement of substance across membrane

4. Enzymes 4.1 Catalysis and activation energy

4.2 Mechanism of action and kinetics 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Cofactors Inhibitors Classification of enzymes Enzyme technology

5. Cellular Respiration 5.1 5.2 5.3 The need for energy in living Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration

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6. Photosynthesis 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Autotroph Light-dependent reactions Light-independent reactions Limiting factors

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SECOND TERM PHYSIOLOGY 7.Gas exchange 7.1Gaseous exchange in humans 7.2Breathing cycle 7.3Gaseous exchange in plants

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8. Transport in Animals and Plants 8.1 8.2 plants Transport system in mammals Transport system in vascular

9. Control and Regulation 9.1 9.2 Nervous system Hormones

10. Reproduction, Development and Growth 10.1 Sexual reproduction in humans 10.2 Sexual reproduction in flowering plants 10.3 Seed germination 10.4 Growth curves and patterns of growth
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11. Homeostasis 11.1 Importance of homeostasis 11.2 Liver 11.3 Osmoregulation in mammals 11.4 Osmoregulation in plants

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12. Immunity 12.1 Immune system 12.2 Development of immunity 12.3 Concept of self and non-self 12.4 Immune disorder

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13. Infectious Diseases 13.1 Infectious disease 13.2 Dengue 13.3 Cholera 13.4 Tuberculosis (TB) 13.5 Malaria

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THIRD TERM ECOLOGY AND GENETICS 14. Taxonomy and biodiversity 14.1Taxonomy 14.2Diversity of organisms 14.3Biodiversity in Malaysia 14.4Threats to biodiversity 14.5Conservation of biodiversity
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15. Ecology 15.1 Levels of ecological organisation 15.2 Biogeochemical cycles 15.3 Energy flow 15.4 Population ecology 15.5 Carrying capacity 15.6 Quantitative ecology
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16. Selection and Speciation 16.1 Natural and artificial selection 16.2 Speciation

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17. Inheritance and Genetic Control 17.1 Types of genetic crosses and breeding system 17.2 Non-Mendelian inheritance 17.3 Genetic mapping 17.4 Population genetics

17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8

DNA replication Gene expression Regulation of gene expression Mutation

18. Gene Technology 18.1 Recombinant DNA technology 19. Biotechnology 19.1 Roles of biotechnology 19.2 Applications of biotechnology
964 Biology

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NEW SYLLABUS WITH THE EXISTING SYLLABUS
Current New syllabus syllabus 25 19

Detail 1. Number of titles

Rationale for change

To meet the current and global needs

964 Biology

FIRST TERM Detail Current syllabus New syllabus

Topic 1: Biological molecules

Rationale for change

Topic1 in the current syllabus is changed to Biological molecules because this topic not only discuss the basic chemistry, but all the features of molecular biological aspects.

2. Changes Topic 1: title/ Basic content chemistry of a cell

964 Biology

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 2: Structure of cells and organelles

New syllabus
Topic 2: Structure of cells and organelles Topic 3: Membrane structure and transport

Rationale for change

Topic 2 of the existing syllabus is separated into two topics which are Topic 2 and Topic 3 so that the emphasis is also on the membrane structure and transport in more detail

964 Biology

Detail

Current syllabus

New syllabus

Rationale for change

Topic 3 of the existing syllabus become Topic 4 of the new syllabus dedicated to the enzyme alone. Subtopic 3.1.2 existing syllabus transferred to Topic 17.

Topic 3: Topic 4: Control in Enzymes cells Subtopic 3.1.2: Gene concept, one-geneonepolypeptide hypothesis

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 5: Respiration

New syllabus
Topic 5: Cellular respiration

Rationale for change

Topic 5 of the existing syllabus is separate into two parts, energy production and respiration processes. Topic 4 of the existing syllabus has been changed to Topic 6 of the new syllabus to enable the sequential learning by topic.

Topic 4: Photosynth esis

Topic 6: Photosynth esis

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 6: Nutrition

New syllabus

Rationale for change

Topic 6 was dropped because the topics are covered while in SPM.

964 Biology

Detail

Current syllabus

New syllabus
TERM 2

Rationale for change

Topic 7: Gaseous exchange Topic 8: Transport

Topic 7: Gas exchange

Topic 7 changed the name of the topic only

Topic 8: Topic 8 changed the Transport in name of the title to be animals and more detailed and clear plants

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Detail

Current syllabus

New syllabus

Rationale for change

Topic 10 and Topic 11 existing syllabus combined into Title 9 of the new syllabus.

Topic 10: Topic 9: Nervous Control and system regulation Topic 11: Hormone/ chemical coordination

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Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 13: Reproduction Topic 14: Development Topic 15: Growth

New syllabus
Topic 10: Reproduction, development and growth

Rationale for change

Topic 13, Topic 14 and Topic 15 of the existing syllabus combined into Topic10 of the new syllabus.

Topic 9: Topic 11: Homeostasis Homeostasis

Topic 9 of the existing syllabus transferred into Topic 11 of the new syllabus.

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 12: Immunity Subtopic 12.5: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

New syllabus
Topic 12: Immunity Subtopic 12.4: Immune disorder

Rationale for change

Topic 12 of the existing syllabus is updated and issued 12.5 Subtopic and Subtopic 12.4 in the new syllabus is replaced by Immune disorders are discussed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Detail

Current syllabus

New syllabus
Topic 13: Infectious diseases Subtopic 13.1: Infectious disease Subtopic 13.2: Dengue Subtopic13.3: Cholera Subtopic 13.4: Tuberculosis (TB) Subtopic 13.5: Malaria

Rationale for change

Topic 13 of the new syllabus was introduced to new topics to meet the needs of current issues

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 21: Taxonomy Topic 22: Biodiversity

New syllabus
TERM 3 Topic 14: Taxonomy and biodiversity

Rationale for change

Topic 21 and Topic 22 of the existing syllabus combined into Topic 14 of the new syllabus. Topic 24 and Topic 25 of the existing syllabus combined into Topic 15 15 of the new syllabus.

Topic 24: Topic 15: Ecosystem Ecology Topic 25: Quantitative ecology

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 23: Variation and theory of Evolution Subtopic 23.1: Variation 23.1.1: Continuous and Discontinuous Variation 23.1.2: Sources

New syllabus

Rationale for change

Topic 16: Topic 23, Selection and a Subtopic 23.1 and speciation 23.4 in the existing syllabus was dropped because the theory is quite contrary to religious beliefs, but Subtopic 23.2 and 23.3 in the existing syllabus combined into Topic 16 of the new syllabus.

Detail

Current syllabus
Subtopic 23.4: Evolution 23.4.1: Lamarcks Theory 23.4.2: DarwinWallaces Theory 23.4.3 Evidence supporting theory of Evolution

New syllabus

Rationale for change

Topic 16: Topic 23, a Subtopic 23.1 Selection and and 23.4 in the existing speciation syllabus was dropped because the theory is quite contrary to religious beliefs, but Subtopic 23.2 and 23.3 in the existing syllabus combined into Topic 16 of the new syllabus.

Detail

Current syllabus
Topic 16: Transmission genetics Topic 17: Mutation Topic 18: Population genetics

New syllabus
Topic 17: Inheritance and genetic control

Rationale for change

Topic 16, Topic 17 and Topic 18 of the existing syllabus combined into Topic 17 of the new syllabus.

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Detail

Current syllabus

New syllabus

Rationale for change

Topic 19 and Topic 20 of the existing syllabus combined into Topic 18 of the new syllabus.

Topic 19: Topic 18: Gene Gene regulation technology and expression Subtopic 19.1: Lactose operon Topic 20: Modern genetics technology

Detail

Current syllabus

New syllabus
Topic 19: Biotechnology and its applications Subtopic 19.1: Roles of biotechnology Subtopic 19.2: Applications of biotechnology

Rationale for change

Topic 19 of the new syllabus was introduced to new topics to meet the needs of current issues.

SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT (SBA)

SBA is carried out throughout the form six school terms. SBA can be carry out by candidates from government schools and private schools which have been approved by MEC. SBA is assessed by the subject teachers in schools in the respective terms when the experiment is carrying out and also on the students practical work report.

MEC will determine 15 compulsory experiments to be carried out by the candidates which is compiled on Teachers and Students Manual for Biology Practical. Teachers and Students Manual for Biology Practical can be downloaded from MEC Portal (http://www.mpm.edu.my) during the first term of form six by the subject teachers.

964 Biology

SUBJECT: 964 BIOLOGY Assessment Examination 1st Term Topic 1 to 6 2nd Term Topic 7 to 13 3rd Term Topic 14 to 19

26.67% 26.67% 26.67%

School Based Assessment 20% or for private students Written practical test ( Paper 5) 20% Total marks will be graded after 3rd term
964 Biology

FIRST TERM
No 1 Theme Microscope and slide Microscope and slide Biochemistry and physiology Topic in syllabus Taxanomy and biodiversity Taxanomy and biodiversity Transport in animal and plant Experiment Measurement of cell size using microscope Preparation and observation of slides of animal and plant cells Determination of the osmotic potential of plant cells

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No

Theme

Topic in syllabus

Experiment

Biochemistry Enzymes and physiology Biochemistry Gas and exchange physiology

Effect of temperature on enzymatic activity Oxygen consumption during respiration in plant

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No 6

Theme Biochemistry and physiology

Topic in syllabus Biological molecules

Experiment Separation of photosynthetic pigments using paper chromatography

Biochemistry Photosynthesis Comparison and between C3 and C4 physiology leaves

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SECOND TERM
No 8 Theme Dissection Topic in syllabus Gas exchange Experiment

Dissection

10 Dissection

Dissection of the mammalian respiratory system. Transport in Dissection of the animal and mammalian blood plant circulatory system Hemeostasis Dissection of the mammalian urino-genital system

No

Theme

Topic in syllabus

Experiment

11 Microscope Reproduction, Embryogenesis in human and slide development and growth 12 Microscope Hemeostasis Examination of slides: and slide kidney, liver and pancreas

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THIRD TERM
No Theme Topic in syllabus Taxanomy and biodiversity Taxanomy and biodiversity Taxanomy and biodiversity Experiment Classification of organisms using a dichotomous key

13 Ecology

14 Ecology 15 Ecology

Preservation techniques Collections of insects of 10 different orders and plants of 10 different families

No

Theme

Topic in syllabus Ecology Inheritance and genetic control Biological molecules

Experiment Ecological study of a terrestrial habitat Mendelian inheritance Extraction of plant DNA

16 Ecology 17 Genetic 18 Genetic

SCHEME OF ASSESSMENT
Term of Study Paper Code and Name Theme/Title Type of Test Mark (Weighting) Duration Administration

First Term

964/1 Biological Written Biology Molecules test Paper 1 and Metabolism Section A 15 compulsory multiplechoice questions to be answered.

60 (26.67%) 15

1 hours

Central assessment

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

First Term

964/1 Biological Biology Molecules Paper 1 and Term of Paper Code Theme/Title Metabolism Study and Name

Section B 2 compulsory short Type of Test structured questions to be answered.

15

1 hours
Mark (Weighting )

Central assessment
Administration

Duration

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

First Term

964/1 Biological Biology Molecules Paper 1 and Metabolism

Section C 2 out of 3 essay questions to be answered. All questions are based on topics 1 to 6.

30

1 hours

Central assessment

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

Second 964/2 Physiology Written 60 1 hours Central Term Biology test (26.67%) assessment Paper 2 Paper Mark Term of Duratio Administrat Type Code and Theme/Title Section Aof Test 15 (Weighti
Study Name

15 compulsory multiplechoice questions to be answered.

ng)

ion

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

Second 964/2 Physiology Section B Term Biology 2 Paper 2 compulsory short structured questions to be answered.

15

1 hours

Central assessment

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

Second 964/2 Physiology Section C Term Biology 2 out of 3 Paper 2 essay questions to be answered. All questions are based on topics 7 to 13.

30

1 hours

Central assessment

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

Third Term

964/3 Ecology Biology and Paper 3 Genetics

Written test Section A 15 compulsory multiplechoice questions to be answered.

60 (26.67%) 15

1 hours

Central assessment

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

Third Term

964/3 Ecology Biology and Paper 3 Genetics

Section B 2 compulsory short structured questions to be answered.

15

1 hours

Central assessment

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting)

Duration

Administration

Third Term

964/3 Ecology Biology and Paper 3 Genetics

Section C 2 out of 3 essay questions to be answered. All questions are based on topics 14 to 19.

30

1 hours

Central assessment

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Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting Duration Administration )

Third Term

964/5 Biology Paper 5

Written Practical Test 3 structured questions with diagram/grap h/ table to be answered.

45 (20%)

1 hours

Central assessment

964 Biology

Term of Study

Paper Code and Name

Theme/Title

Type of Test

Mark (Weighting Duration Administration )

First, Second and Third Terms

964/4 Biology Biology Practical Paper 4

Schoolbased Assessment of Practical 15 compulsory experiments to be carried out.

225 (20%)

Through School-based -out the assessment three terms