WACE Course

Biological Sciences

3A / QSP Biology: A contextual approach
Textbook / QSP Biology: A contextual approachStudent Activity Manual
* indicates there are accompanying support materials on the eBiology disc
IT interactive tutorial available on the eBiology disc / Biology 1 VCE
Textbook / Biology 1 VCE Student Workbook
WS—Worksheet
SAT—Sample assessment task
PA—Practical activity / Biology 2 VCE Textbook / Biology 2 VCE Student Workbook
WS—Worksheet
SAT—Sample assessment task
PA—Practical activity
Ecosystems: biodiversity and sustainability / Ecosystems are dynamic and respond to variations to maintain balance. Human use and activity alters the productivity and stability of the ecosystem.
Biodiversity
  • biodiversity in terms of genetic, species and ecosystem.
/ 444–445
Ecosystems
  • differences between ecosystems
  • input and outputs
  • amount of recycling
  • stability and flux
  • productivity
/ 101–114
Environmental issues and human impact
  • causes and consequences of two of the following environmental issues:
  • salinity
  • deforestation
  • desertification
  • eutrophication
  • biomagnification
  • the enhanced greenhouse effects
  • ozone depletion
  • agricultural practices e.g. over-grazing, over-cropping, fertiliser use
  • urbanisation e.g. sewage disposal, land clearing, exotic garden plants.
/ 116–136 / 459–465 / WS43: Treacherous toxins: bioaccumulation
WS47: Diminishing diversity: saving species
WS48: Counting the cost: an ecological footprint
The functioning organism / Control of cellular processes is necessary for the survival of the organism. Control is affected by environmental conditions and cellular contents and requirements. Organisms use homeostatic mechanisms to control metabolic activity in order to survive in changing environments
Photosynthesis
  • the chemical equation of photosynthesis
  • factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
/ 190-195 / 2.6*:Green or variegated?
IT: Photosynthesis / WS6: Reciprocal reactions: cellular respiration and photosynthesis / 56–65 / WS2: Gadget gallery: cell organelles
WS8: Zooming in on photosynthesis
PA3: Tracking photosynthesis: energy conversions in plants
IT: Photosynthesis
Respiration
  • anaerobic and aerobic pathways of cell respiration (no details of mitochondrial structure required)
  • factors affecting the rate of cellular respiration.
/ 184–190 / 2.5*:Useful yeasts
2.10: Respiring seeds and rodents / WS6: Reciprocal reactions: cellular respiration and photosynthesis / 51–55 / WS2: Gadget gallery: cell organelles
WS7: Mighty mitochondria
Energy transfer
  • importance of ATP and ADP cycles for cell functioning.
/ 187 / 47–56 / WS6: Energy transformations
WS9: Energy transformations in cells: cellular respiration and photosynthesis
Control of cellular activities
  • active transport of materials across the cell membrane
  • models for the structure and function of the cell membrane
  • models of enzyme action including lock and key, induced fit, activation energy changes
  • catalytic and specific nature of enzymes
  • effect of temperature and pH on enzyme action
importance of enzymes in biological processes, including the control of biochemical pathways e.g. respiration, photosynthesis and protein synthesis. / 155–160
166–170 / 2.2:That’s about the size and shape of it!
2.3:Moving molecules
2.4*:The facilitators
2.7:Using enzymes
IT: Movement across membranes / 37–39 / WS5: Cells at work: enzymes and energy
PA3: Capable catalase: investigating enzyme efficiency / 19–21
39–44
28–34 / WS10: Cell user’s manual
SAT 2 Porous potatoes
WS1: Cells
WS3: Model membranes
WS4: Enzyme ABC: amazing biological catalysts
WS5: Active enzymes
PA2: Factory facilitators: investigating enzyme activity
SAT 1 Absent enzymes
IT: Movement across membranes
Homeostatic mechanisms
  • the principles of homeostasis and negative feedback.
/ 303 / 278 / 95–106
Homeostasis in animals
  • water balance
  • water inputs
  • water loss
  • influence of different habitats on water balance
  • temperature regulation
  • endothermy/ectothermy
  • mechanisms of heat loss/gain
  • avenues of heat loss/gain (metabolic rate)
  • adaptations- structural e.g. large ears, fur, blubber; behavioural e.g. burrowing; physiological e.g. blood flow
  • surface area to volume ratio (SA : Vol)
  • links between water balance, salt balance, temperature regulation and excretion
/ 325–327
317–324 / 2.17:An evolutionary development
2.20:Temperature tales: keeping warm staying cool
2.23:Survival / 309-314
299-308 / WS29: Routine regulation: regulatory mechanisms in animals
WS31: Temperature regulation and water balance
WS32:Human thermostat: temperature regulation
PS9: Australian ectotherms and endotherms: temperature regulation
SAT 1: A tale of two rats: investigating water balance in mammals / 107–120
Homeostasis in plants
  • water balance
  • water absorption
  • transpiration
  • temperature regulation
  • adaptations - structural e.g. leaf covering and shape (SA : Vol); physiological e.g. tolerance limits, wilting.
/ 304 / 299 / SAT 1: Restricting flow: water flow vs carbon dioxide exchange in plants
WS16: Open all hours: stomata and gas exchange in plants / 120–123
Working as a biologist / Planning and conducting ethical biological research
  • designing, analysing and evaluating ethical experiments and investigations
  • designing and conducting an investigative study in their local environment
  • conducting cytological or biochemical testing e.g. factors affecting enzymes, photosynthesis or biological membranes
  • microscopy techniques
Evaluating and communicating as a biologist
  • interpreting results in terms of cellular chemistry and processes
  • use of various media to communicate findings e.g. time lapse photography, video recording, building models or poster/PowerPoint presentations

Biology: A Contextual Approach – Work Program © Pearson Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty Ltd) 1