Syllabus content:
Cell structure:
Inquiry question: What distinguishes one cell from another?
Investigate different cellular structures, including but not limited to:
Examining a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
Describe a range of technologies that are used to determine a cell's structure and function
Investigate a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures, including but not limited to:
Drawing scaled diagrams of a variety of cells
Comparing and contrasting different cell organelles and arrangements
Modelling the structure and function of the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane
Cell Function:
Inquiry question: How do cells coordinate activities within their internal environment and the external environment?
Investigate the way in which materials can move into and out of cells, including but not limited to:
Conducting a practical investigation modelling diffusion and osmosis
Examining the roles of active transport, endocytosis and exocytosis
Relating the exchange of materials across membranes to the surface-area-to-volume ratio, concentration gradients and characteristics of the materials being exchanged
Investigate cell requirements, including but not limited to:
Suitable forms of energy, including light energy and chemical energy in complex molecules
Matter, including gases, simple nutrients and ions
Removal of wastes
Investigate the biochemical processes of photosynthesis, cell respiration and the removal of cellular products and wastes in eukaryotic cells
Conduct a practical investigation to model the action of enzymes in cells
Investigate the effects of the environment on enzyme activity through the collection of primary or secondary data