Ireland · NCCA Curriculum Specifications
5th Year The Living World: Senior Cycle Biology
A comprehensive exploration of biological principles focusing on the continuity of life and the complexity of living organisms. Students investigate the molecular basis of life, the diversity of organisms, and the intricate systems that maintain human health and ecological balance.
The Chemistry of Life and Cell Biology
An investigation into the molecular building blocks of life and the structural organization of cells. Students explore how microscopic processes drive macroscopic biological functions.
Study of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and vitamins and their roles in cellular metabolism.
Examination of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell organelles and the mechanisms of membrane transport.
Analysis of biological catalysts and the role of ATP in cellular energy transfer.
Genetics and the Continuity of Life
Exploring the mechanisms of inheritance, DNA structure, and the processes of cell division that ensure life continues across generations.
Understanding the double helix and the central dogma of molecular biology.
Comparing the processes of somatic cell division and the production of gametes.
Applying the laws of inheritance to predict phenotypic and genotypic ratios.
Diversity and Evolution
A study of the classification of living things and the evolutionary processes that drive biological diversity.
Classification of organisms based on cellular structure and nutrition modes.
Examining the evidence for evolution and the mechanism of natural selection.
Investigating viral structure, replication, and their impact on other living things.
Plant Biology and Physiology
Detailed study of plant structure, transport, and the vital process of photosynthesis.
Analysis of xylem, phloem, and the movement of water and nutrients in plants.
The light dependent and light independent reactions of carbon fixation.
Sexual and asexual reproduction in flowering plants and seed development.
Human Anatomy and Physiology
An exploration of the systems that maintain human life, focusing on coordination, transport, and defense.
Study of blood, the heart, and the body's defense mechanisms against pathogens.
Comparing rapid electrical signaling with slower chemical coordination in the body.
The role of the kidneys and skin in maintaining a constant internal environment.
Ecology and Environmental Biology
Investigating the interactions between organisms and their environment, and the impact of human activity on ecosystems.
Study of food webs, trophic levels, and the cycling of nutrients in nature.
Factors affecting population growth, competition, and symbiotic relationships.
Analyzing pollution, habitat loss, and the importance of sustainable practices.