Biology

Units 1-2

Biology explores the dynamic relationships that exist between organisms and their interactions with the non-living world. It also explores the processes of life, from the molecular world of the cell to that of the whole organism. Students examine classical and contemporary research to examine how our knowledge has evolved in response to new evidence and discoveries.

UNIT 1

How do organisms regulate their functions? In this unit students examine the cell as the structural and functional unit of life, from the single celled to the multicellular organism, including the requirements for sustaining cellular processes. Students focus on cell growth, replacement and death and the role of stem cells in differentiation, specialisation and renewal of cells. They explore how systems function through cell specialisation in vascular plants and animals, and consider the role homeostatic mechanisms play in maintaining an animal’s internal environment.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Practical reports, scientific investigation, completion of worksheets, problem solving tasks, text reading and questions, maintaining class notes and summaries. Plant and animal dissections are a part of Unit 1.

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Multimedia skills, data analysis, problem solving, laboratory techniques, microscope use and dissection skills.

ASSESSED TASKS • Practical Reports • Scientific Poster • Tests • Exam

UNIT 2

How does inheritance impact on diversity? In this unit students explore reproduction and the transmission of biological information from generation to generation and the impact this has on species diversity. They apply their understanding of chromosomes to explain the process of meiosis. Students consider how the relationship between genes, and the environment and epigenetic factors influence phenotypic expression. They explain the inheritance of characteristics, analyse patterns of inheritance, interpret pedigree charts and predict outcomes of genetic crosses.

ACTIVITIES Practical reports, research, completion of worksheets, problem solving tasks, text reading, text questions, a student-directed research investigation into a contemporary ethical issue

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Data analysis, problem solving, laboratory techniques, microscope use, multimedia skills and an ability to prepare for tests and an examination.

ASSESSED TASKS • Practical Reports • Research Task • Tests • Exam

Units 3-4

Biology is a dynamic scientific discipline where it impacts on everyday life at the individual level. It can inform choices at the personal and at the societal level. It includes fields of biochemistry, neuroscience, genetics, evolutionary biology, behavioural science and cell and molecular biology including studies of genomics and proteomics.

UNIT 3

How do cells maintain life? In this unit students investigate the workings of the cell from several perspectives. They explore the relationship between nucleic acids and proteins as key molecules in cellular processes. Students analyse the structure and function of nucleic acids as information molecules, gene structure and expression in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and proteins as a diverse group of functional molecules. They examine the biological consequences of manipulating the DNA molecule and applying biotechnologies. Students explore the structure, regulation and rate of biochemical pathways, with reference to photosynthesis and cellular respiration. They explore how the application of biotechnologies to biochemical pathways could lead to improvements in agricultural practices.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Practical investigations, research, drawing and labelling diagrams, constructing tables and concept maps, text reading and answering questions KEY

SKILLS REQUIRED Listening, reading biological texts, investigating and inquiring scientifically, applying biological information and understandings and communicating understanding (orally or in written form).

ASSESSED TASKS

• Analysis and evaluation of a selected biological case study, -Analysis and evaluation of generated primary and/or collated secondary data,

• Comparison and evaluation of biological concepts, methodologies and methods, & findings from three student practical activities and,

• Analysis and evaluation of a contemporary bioethical issue.

UNIT 4

How does life change and respond to challenges? In this unit students consider the continual change and challenges to which life on Earth has been, and continues to be, subjected to. They study the human immune system and the interactions between its components to provide immunity to a specific pathogen. Students consider how evolutionary biology is based on the accumulation of evidence over time. They investigate the impact of various change events on a population’s gene pool and the biological consequences of changes in allele frequencies. Students examine the evidence for relatedness between species and change in life forms over time using evidence from paleontology, structural morphology, molecular homology and comparative genomics. Students examine the evidence for structural trends in the human fossil record, recognising that interpretations can be contested, refined or replaced when challenged by new evidence.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES ·

• analysis and evaluation of a selected biological case study

• analysis and evaluation of generated primary and/or collated secondary data

• comparison and evaluation of biological concepts, methodologies and methods, and findings from three student practical activities

• analysis and evaluation of a contemporary bioethical issue

KEY SKILLS REQUIRED Investigating and inquiring scientifically, applying biological understandings to familiar and new contexts, analysing issues and implications relating to scientific and technological developments and communicating biological information and understanding.

ASSESSED TASKS Same as Unit 3 VCAA ASSESSMENT – The overall Study Score will consist of: School Assessed Coursework (50%) and 2.5 hour written examination in November (50%).