Table of Contents

Overview vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgements x

1 Science is … 1

1.1 Overview 1

1.2 Scientists through the ages 3

1.3 Accidents and observations 5

1.4 A question of ethics 7

1.5 Your own investigation 10

1.6 Case study 17

1.7 Using spreadsheets 20

1.8 Using data loggers 25

1.9 Using databases 29

1.10 Visual thinking tools 32

1.11 Review 35

2 Control and coordination 38

2.1 Overview 38

2.2 Coordination and control 39

2.3 Nervous system — fast control 46

2.4 Getting the message 54

2.5 Getting in touch with your brain 62

2.6 Endocrine system — slow control 69

2.7 Plant hormones at work 76

2.8 Keeping emotions under control? 82

2.9 Total recall? 88

2.10 Sleep on it 93

2.11 The teen brain 98

2.12 Getting back in control 101

2.13 Opening up your brain 104

2.14 Review 109

3 Systems working together 114

3.1 Overview 114

3.2 Respiratory and circulatory systems 115

3.3 Essential intake 123

3.4 Digestive and excretory systems 132

3.5 Living warehouses 139

3.6 Myths, moods and foods 148

3.7 Drugs on your brain? 153

3.8 Wanted! Need an organ? 159

3.9 Systems working together 167

3.10 Review 172

4 The body at war 178

4.1 Overview 178

4.2 Catch us if you can 180

4.3 Invasion! Alien alert! 184

4.4 Medieval medicine 189

4.5 Zooming in — micro tales 194

4.6 Zooming in — nano news 198

4.7 Outbreak 201

4.8 Putting up defences 206

4.9 Choosing immunisation 210

4.10 Travel bugs 216

4.11 Our noble Nobels 219

4.12 Cycle maps and relations diagrams 224

4.13 Review 225

5 Ecosystems — flow of energy and matter 230

5.1 Overview 230

5.2 Systems: Ecosystems 232

5.3 Mapping ecosystems 238

5.4 Plant organisation 246

5.5 Photosynthesis 253

5.6 Cellular respiration 261

5.7 Sustainable ecosystems 266

5.8 Changes in populations 273

5.9 Dealing with drought 278

5.10 Fire proof? 283

5.11 SWOT analyses and fishbone diagrams 289

5.12 Project: Blast off! 291

5.13 Review 292

6 Inside the atom 296

6.1 Overview 296

6.2 Chemical building blocks 298

6.3 Stability and change: Inside the nucleus 301

6.4 Using radioactivity 306

6.5 The dark side of radiation 310

6.6 Concept maps and plus, minus, interesting charts 314

6.7 Review 316

7 Chemical reactions 319

7.1 Overview 319

7.2 Rearrange those atoms 321

7.3 Matter and energy: Chemical reactions and energy 324

7.4 Acids and bases 328

7.5 Acid rain 335

7.6 Combustion reactions 338

7.7 Matrixes and plus, minus, interesting charts 340

7.8 Project: ChemQuiz! 342

7.9 Review 343

8 The dynamic Earth 346

8.1 Overview 346

8.2 The Earth’s crust 348

8.3 Stability and change: Plate tectonics 350

8.4 Rocks under pressure 356

8.5 Shake, rattle and roll 359

8.6 Mountains of fire 365

8.7 Affinity diagrams and double bubble maps 369

8.8 Project: Disaster-proof 371

8.9 Review 372

9 Energy transmission 375

9.1 Overview 375

9.2 Matter and energy: Making waves 377

9.3 Sound waves on the move 379

9.4 Hearing sound 381

9.5 The electromagnetic spectrum 386

9.6 Light energy 390

9.7 Seeing the light 397

9.8 We’re on the air 405

9.9 The digital revolution 408

9.10 Long-distance communication 412

9.11 Super ’scope 416

9.12 Heat: Energy in transit 419

9.13 Staying cool 424

9.14 Plus, minus, interesting charts and target maps 427

9.15 Project: Did you hear that? 429

9.16 Review 429

10 Electricity at work 433

10.1 Overview 433

10.2 Electricity in transit 435

10.3 A light in the dark 440

10.4 Series and parallel circuits 442

10.5 Scale and measurement: Made to measure 445

10.6 Electricity in a packet 449

10.7 Driving on batteries 452

10.8 A question of resistance 455

10.9 Electronics — it’s a small world 459

10.10 Magnetic effects of electricity 462

10.11 Motoring along 466

10.12 Generating electricity 468

10.13 Electricity at home 471

10.14 Concept maps and flowcharts 475

10.15 Project: Go-Go Gadget online shop 477

10.16 Review 478

11 Forensics

11.1 Overview

11.2 The Forensic Herald

11.3 Who knows who dunnit?

11.4 Forensic toolbox

11.5 Digging up the truth

11.6 Blood and saliva

11.7 Hair and fibres

11.8 On the lab floor

11.9 Forensics and the future

11.10 Review

12 Psychology

12.1 Overview

12.2 Introducing psychology

12.3 The brain

12.4 Intelligence

12.5 Emotions and communication

12.6 Sleep and sleep disorders

12.7 Psychopathology

12.8 Treatment of mental disorders

12.9 Groups and social psychology

12.10 Forensic psychology

12.11 Review

Glossary 484

Index 506