Explains how the electron microscope has enabled scientists to probe the most elemental boundaries of life. Investigates the nature, transmission and harmful effects of viruses and notes the similarities and differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
Subjects: General
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Systems, Energy and Matter
Examines how living organisms, as open systems, exchange energy and matter with their environment. Explains the absorption, transportation and waste removal of water, minerals and gases in plants and animals.
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Maintaining Equilibrium
Explores the concepts of equilibrium and homeostasis in living systems. Examines diffusion, osmosis and tonicity at the cellular level. Illustrates the exchange of energy and matter in open systems.
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Conservation Laws
Introduces the Conservation Laws. Examples of van Helmont, Lavoisier and Joule explain how scientific method led researchers to propose a hypothesis, design an experiment, record observations and draw conclusions and eventually become a scientific law.
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Energy Transformations
The inner workings of a grain elevator demonstrate how the kinetic energy of a conveyor is used to increase the gravitational potential energy in stored grain. This is later converted back to kinetic energy when the grain is loaded onto rail cars.
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Efficiency of Energy Conversions
Investigates mechanical and biological systems to determine and compare efficiencies of energy conversions. Examines real and toy cars, types of electrical power generation, and the packaging of various foods to show how to use efficiency calculations.
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Rate of Energy Conversion
Explains that in science power means the rate of energy transfer. Discusses the scientific application of power and how to calculate it. Investigates a number of devices that convert energy, including an electric wheelchair.
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Conditions for Life
Investigates the possibility of life on other worlds, and the effects living things have on their environment. The underlying theme is the universality of scientific knowledge and its ability to lead us to reasonable hypotheses.
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Science Skills
Reviews the skills needed to: measure the meniscus, measure with a ruler and weigh with non-digital scales; recognize significant digits; prepare a wet mount slide and view it through a microscope; use tables and graphs to record and analyse information.
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Safety Matters
Investigates the hazards associated with the handling and disposing of chemicals. Introduces WHMIS labels and Material Safety Data Sheets for common lab chemicals. Explains universal naming systems and how to write word and chemical equations.