About

Hawkesdale P12 College is a small, rural school in the south west of Victoria. We have 16 students doing Unit 1 and 2 Biology in 2009, and this blog is dedicated to their studies. It includes links to important references, student work and learning activities.

UNIT 1: Unity and Diversity (Cells and Functioning Organisms)

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to design, conduct and report on a practical investigation related to cellular structure, organisation and processes. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on the key knowledge outlined in area of study 1, and key skills listed on page 12 of the Study Design.

Key knowledge This knowledge includes

• cell structure: prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells at light and electron microscope levels; cellular organisation;

• cell functioning: specialised parts of cells and their functions; biochemical processes including photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of inputs and outputs; general role of enzymes in biochemical activities of cells;

• composition of cells: major groups of organic and inorganic substances including carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, minerals, vitamins; their general role in cell structure and function;

• internal and external environments of cells; plasma membranes; membrane transport including diffusion, osmosis, active transport; surface area to volume ratio;

• cell replication: purposes of cell replication (mitosis and cytokinesis); cell growth, cell size and cell division.

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to describe and explain the relationship between features and requirements of functioning organisms and how these are used to construct taxonomic systems. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on the key knowledge outlined in area of study 2, and key skills listed on page 12.

Key knowledge This knowledge includes

• common requirements of living things – obtaining nutrients: organic and inorganic requirements; autotrophs;  heterotrophs – obtaining energy: inputs and outputs of photosynthesis; structural features of photosynthetic organisms – processing nutrients: features of effective systems in heterotrophs; examples of systems in different animals – distributing materials: features of effective transport systems; examples of transport systems in multi-cellular organisms – removing wastes: nature of waste products and toxic substances; excretory mechanisms and systems – exchanging gases: features of effective surfaces of gaseous exchange; mechanisms and systems of gaseous exchange in multi-cellular organisms; process of diffusion;

• reproduction: asexual and sexual reproduction; mechanisms and systems of reproduction in unicellular and multi-cellular organisms;

• classifying organisms: purposes, principles, hierarchy of biological classification; features typically used in constructing major taxonomic groups.

UNIT 2: Organisms and their Environment

Outcome 1

On completion of this unit the student should be able to explain and analyse the relationship between environmental factors, and adaptations and distribution of living things. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on the key knowledge outlined in area of study 1, and key skills listed on page 12.

Key knowledge This knowledge includes

• environmental factors: biotic and abiotic factors; availability of resources;

• structural adaptations: relating major features of organisms to survival value;

• physiological adaptations – tolerance range of organisms; maintaining equilibrium by detecting and responding to changes in environmental conditions – nerve control in complex multicellular organisms: major sense organs and pathways of transmission of nerve impulses – hormonal control in complex multicellular organisms – regulating water balance and controlling temperature;

• plant tropisms: growth responses, rhythmic activities;

• behavioural adaptations: individual and group behaviours of animals including rhythmic activities, feeding behaviours; communication; social and territorial behaviours;

• reproductive adaptations: systems and strategies; development and life cycles;

 • techniques used to monitor environmental change and species distribution.

 

Outcome 2

On completion of this unit the student should be able to design, conduct and report on a field investigation related to the interactions between living things and their environment, and explain how ecosystems change over time. To achieve this outcome the student will draw on the key knowledge outlined in area of study 2, and key skills listed on page 12.

Key knowledge This knowledge includes

• components of ecosystems: communities of living organisms, ecological groupings; ecological niche;

 • relationships between organisms: feeding including parasite/host, predator/prey, of mutual benefi t including mutualism and symbiosis;

• flow of energy: inputs and outputs of the system; productivity; trophic levels and trophic

efficiency;

• cycling of matter: principle of exchange between living and non-living components of the ecosystem, including inputs and outputs; biogeochemical systems including those of water, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen; bioaccumulation;

• population dynamics: carrying capacity of ecosystems; factors affecting distribution and abundance of organisms including birth and death rates, migration;

• change to ecosystems over time – scope and intensity of regular and irregular natural changes; succession – human activity and the sustainability of ecosystems – historical practices of indigenous peoples and settlers;

• techniques for monitoring and maintaining ecosystems.

 

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