### KS3 Science Revision Notes
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#### **The Characteristics of Living Things**
- **MRS GREN**: Movement, Respiration, Sensitivity, Growth, Reproduction,
Excretion, Nutrition.
- These traits distinguish living organisms from non-living matter.
#### **Identifying Species**
- Species: A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.
- Classification uses physical traits and genetic similarities.
#### **Cells**
- The basic unit of life.
- **Types**: Prokaryotic (no nucleus) and Eukaryotic (nucleus present).
- **Organelles**: Nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, cytoplasm, cell membrane.
#### **Microorganisms**
- Includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protists.
- Beneficial for digestion and decomposition but can also cause diseases.
#### **The States of Matter**
- **Solid**: Fixed shape and volume.
- **Liquid**: Fixed volume, no fixed shape.
- **Gas**: No fixed shape or volume.
- Changes of state occur with temperature changes (melting, boiling, freezing).
#### **Atoms and Elements**
- Atoms: The smallest unit of matter.
- Elements: Pure substances made of one type of atom, listed in the periodic table.
#### **Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures**
- **Element**: One type of atom.
- **Compound**: Two or more elements chemically bonded.
- **Mixture**: Two or more substances physically combined (e.g., air).
#### **Physical Properties of Matter**
- Characteristics like melting point, boiling point, density, and solubility.
- Do not change the substance's chemical identity.
#### **Chemical Reactions**
- A process where reactants form new products.
- Indicators: Color change, temperature change, gas production, or precipitate
formation.
#### **Acids and Alkalis**
- Acids: pH < 7, sour, turn blue litmus paper red.
- Alkalis: pH > 7, bitter, slippery, turn red litmus paper blue.
- Neutralization: Acid + alkali = salt + water.
#### **Measurements**
- **Length**: Meters (m).
- **Mass**: Kilograms (kg).
- **Time**: Seconds (s).
- **Temperature**: Degrees Celsius (°C).
- Use scientific instruments like rulers, balances, and thermometers.
#### **Energy**
- Forms: Kinetic, potential, thermal, chemical, electrical, and light energy.
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed (conservation of energy).
#### **Sounds**
- Vibrations traveling through a medium as waves.
- Measured in decibels (dB).
- High frequency = high pitch; high amplitude = loud sound.
#### **Electricity**
- Flow of electric charge through a circuit.
- Components: Battery, wires, bulbs, resistors.
- Measured in volts (V) and amps (A).
#### **The Earth in Space**
- Earth orbits the Sun (1 year) and rotates on its axis (1 day).
- Seasons caused by Earth’s tilted axis.
#### **A Closer Look at the Earth**
- Layers: Crust (thin, rocky), mantle (semi-molten rock), core (iron and nickel).
- Tectonic plates cause earthquakes and volcanoes.
#### **Joints and Muscles**
- Joints: Where bones meet, allowing movement (e.g., hinge, ball-and-socket).
- Muscles work in pairs (antagonistic muscles) to move bones.
#### **Blood**
- Components: Red blood cells (carry oxygen), white blood cells (fight infections),
platelets (clotting), plasma (transports substances).
#### **The Respiratory System**
- Organs: Lungs, trachea, diaphragm.
- Gas exchange: Oxygen enters blood, carbon dioxide is removed.
#### **A Healthy Diet**
- Includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water.
- Essential for energy, growth, and repair.
#### **A Healthy Lifestyle**
- Regular exercise, balanced diet, sufficient sleep, and avoiding harmful
substances.
#### **Ecosystems Around the World**
- Different habitats (e.g., rainforest, desert, ocean) with unique organisms.
- Interactions: Food chains and webs.
#### **Investigating an Ecosystem**
- Study abiotic (non-living) and biotic (living) factors.
- Observe energy flow and nutrient cycles.
#### **The Structure of Atoms**
- Nucleus: Protons (+) and neutrons (neutral).
- Electrons (-) orbit in shells.
#### **Mixtures and Impurities**
- Mixtures: Physically combined substances.
- Impurities lower melting points and raise boiling points.
#### **The Reactivity of Metals**
- Reactivity series: Metals arranged by how they react with water, acids, and
oxygen.
#### **Exothermic and Endothermic Reactions**
- Exothermic: Releases heat (e.g., combustion).
- Endothermic: Absorbs heat (e.g., photosynthesis).
#### **Speed**
- Speed = Distance / Time.
- Measured in meters per second (m/s).
#### **Forces**
- Pushes or pulls acting on objects.
- Types: Gravity, friction, air resistance.
#### **Pressure and Diffusion**
- Pressure = Force / Area.
- Diffusion: Movement of particles from high to low concentration.
#### **Light**
- Travels in straight lines as waves.
- Behaviors: Reflection, refraction, absorption.
#### **Magnetism**
- Magnets attract materials like iron.
- Magnetic fields have north and south poles.
#### **Using the Earth’s Climate**
- Renewable energy sources (e.g., wind, solar).
- Climate affects ecosystems and weather patterns.
#### **Inside a Galaxy**
- Galaxies: Large systems of stars, planets, and dust (e.g., Milky Way).
- Stars produce energy through nuclear fusion.
#### **Water and Life**
- Essential for survival, supports biological processes.
- Covers 70% of Earth’s surface.
#### **Photosynthesis**
- Equation: Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen (using sunlight and
chlorophyll).
- Occurs in plant chloroplasts.
#### **Genetics**
- Study of heredity and DNA.
- Genes are sections of DNA coding for traits.
#### **Care in Foetal Development**
- Proper nutrition and avoiding harmful substances during pregnancy.
- Development monitored by medical professionals.
#### **Environmental Change and Extinction**
- Causes: Climate change, habitat loss, pollution, hunting.
- Conservation efforts aim to protect endangered species.
#### **The Periodic Table**
- Organizes elements by atomic number.
- Groups: Elements with similar properties.
#### **Bonds and Structure**
- Chemical bonds: Ionic (transfer electrons), covalent (share electrons).
- Determine properties of substances.
#### **Density**
- Density = Mass / Volume.
- Measured in g/cm³ or kg/m³.
#### **Displacement Reactions**
- A more reactive element displaces a less reactive one from its compound.
#### **Preparing Common Salts**
- Acid + Base → Salt + Water.
- Example: Hydrochloric acid + sodium hydroxide → sodium chloride + water.
#### **Rates of Reactions**
- Factors: Temperature, concentration, surface area, catalysts.
#### **Waves**
- Transfer energy without transferring matter.
- Types: Transverse (light), longitudinal (sound).
#### **Electrical Circuits**
- Complete path for electric current.
- Series: One path; Parallel: Multiple paths.
#### **Planet Earth**
- Systems: Atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, biosphere.
- Supports diverse life forms.
#### **Cycles on Earth**
- Water cycle: Evaporation, condensation, precipitation.
- Carbon cycle: Exchange of carbon between organisms and atmosphere.
#### **Earth in Space**
- Moon’s phases caused by its orbit around Earth.
- Solar and lunar eclipses occur due to alignment of Earth, Sun, and Moon.
