VCE and VET Studies SCIENCE

VCE Biology

UNIT 1: HOW DO ORGANISMS REGULATE THEIR FUNCTIONS?

DESCRIPTION

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.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Investigate and explain how cellular structures and systems function to sustain life.

• Explain how various adaptations enhance the survival of an individual organism, investigate the relationships between organisms that form a living community and their habitat and analyse the impacts of factors that affect population growth.

• Design and undertake an investigation related to the survival of an organism or species and draw conclusions based on evidence from collected data.

ASSESSMENT (Selection From)

• Fieldwork activity

• Practical work folio of activities or investigations

• Media response

• Data analysis and problem solving

• Reflective learning journal/blog

• Tests

• Student-designed or adapted investigation

• Semester Examination.

YEAR 10 COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

YEAR 10 ACCELERATED PROGRAM

CLC CONTACTS

Two Units

UNIT 2: HOW DOES INHERITANCE IMPACT ON DIVERSITY?

Description

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. Students analyse the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproductive strategies, including the use of reproductive cloning technologies. They study structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations that enhance an organism’s survival. Students explore interdependences between species, focusing on how keystone species and top predators structure and maintain the distribution, density and size of a population. They also consider the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge and perspectives in understanding the survival of organisms in Australian ecosystems.

Outcomes

Students should be able to:

• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a sexual and sexual reproduction, explain how changes within the cell cycle may have an impact on cellular or tissue system function and identify the role of stem cells in cell growth and cell differentiation and in medical therapies.

• Apply an understanding of genetics to describe patterns of inheritance, analyse pedigree charts, predict outcomes of genetic crosses and identify the implications of the uses of genetic screening and decision making related to inheritance.

• Investigate and communicate a substantiated response to a question related to an issue in genetics and/or reproductive science.

Assessment

• Fieldwork activity

• Practical work folio of activities or investigations

• Media response

• Data analysis and problem solving

• Reflective learning journal/blog

• Tests

• Report of an investigation into genetics and/or reproductive science

• Semester Examination.

CURRICULUM & PATHWAY PLANNING

SUBJECT SELECTION PROCESS