bio scope and sequence

8/12/2019 BIO Scope and Sequence

1/9

Biological Sciences

Scope and sequenceFor teaching and examination in 2013


2/9


3/9

Biological Sciences: Scope and sequenceFor teaching and examination in 2013 3

Biological SciencesScope and sequence of content

UNIT 1A UNIT 1B UNIT 2A UNIT 2B UNIT 3A UNIT 3B

Ecosystems: biodiv ersi ty and sustainabi li ty

There is a huge diversity of

organisms and each has aparticular place in itsenvironment. Organismscan be classified usingsimilarities and differencesin their features. diversity of life and

reasons for diversityincluding classificationof organisms

structuralcharacteristics usedby biologists toclassify organisms

the flow of energythrough food chains

the word equationsand the roles ofphotosynthesis andrespiration

the role of organisms,including producersand consumers anddecomposers, in afood chain

relationships betweenorganisms includingpredatorprey,symbiosis andparasitic.

Ecosystems differ in abiotic

and biotic factors whichcause changes in the flowof energy and materials.Interdependence affectsthe survival of organisms. major ecosystems

(biomes) of the world the flow and transfer

of energy through anecosystem

loss of energythroughout the foodchain

the cycling of matterthrough an ecosystem

the role andsignificance of waterin the biosphere

the transfer of matterand energy throughfood webs andpyramids

abiotic and bioticfactors within anecosystem

the interdependenceof organisms in foodwebs including theeffects of an increaseor decrease in thenumbers of one typeof organism on otherorganisms in the foodweb

the interactionsbetween organismsincluding competition,predation, parasitismand symbiosis

the influence ofhuman activities onfood webs.

Organisms are classified

according to their featuresand roles in the ecosystem.Ecosystems are made up ofpopulations of differentorganisms that interrelate.Cycling of matter variesbetween ecosystems and isinfluenced by abiotic andbiotic factors in theirecosystem.

Classification biological classification

as a hierarchical systemof grouping organisms

the main classificationgroups used in biology:

kingdom, phylum, class,order, family, genus,species

different criteria areused at each level ofclassification

binomial nomenclatureand the use oftaxonomic keys.

Communities relationships between

biosphere, ecosystem,community andpopulation

role of organismsincluding autotrophs,heterotrophs anddecomposers in theecosystem

energy flow anddissipation in foodchains, webs andpyramids.

Population size, density,

distribution and growth areaffected by the features ofthe ecosystem. Humanactivities impact bothnegatively and positively onpopulation dynamics andviability.

Population dynamics relationships between

organisms incommunities and theirimpact on populationsize and distributionincluding competition,predator/prey,mutualism,

collaboration, parasitismand commensalism anddisease

regulation of populationby density dependentand densityindependent factorsincluding naturaldisasters, disease,availability of resources,predator control, pestspecies and humanactivities

carrying capacity of anecosystem

impact of populationchange on ecosystems

the influence ofpopulation dynamicsincluding birth, deathand migration rates on: population size density composition distribution

population calculationsusing birth, death andmigration rates.

Ecosystems are dynamic and

respond to variations tomaintain balance. Humanuse and activity alters theproductivity and stability ofthe ecosystem.

Biodiversity biodiversity in terms of

genetic, species andecosystem.

Ecosystems natural, agricultural and

urban ecosystems input and outputs amount of recycling stability productivity energy flow.

Environmental issues andhuman impact causes and biological

consequences ofchanges to natural,agricultural and urbanecosystems that resultfrom human activity eutrophication dryland salinity harvesting of

natural resources climate change fire biomagnification.

Ecosystem resilience relies

on maintaining biodiversity inorder to be sustainable andproductive. Conservationstrategies are developed toaddress environmentalchallengesnatural orhuman induced.

Conservation rationale for the

effective conservation ofbiodiversity withinnatural ecosystems

conservation projectsand strategies formaintaining biodiversityand the prevention of

extinction including: genetic strategies

including gene/seedbanks, captivebreeding programs,DNA profiling anddevelopment ofnew strains

environmentalstrategies includingbiological control,revegetation,introduced speciesand pest control

management strategiesincludingnational parks,protected zones,

licences and openseasons.


4/9


5/9



The funct ioning organism

Differences betweenorganisms at the cellularlevel relate to the featuresof organisms withparticular lifestyles and

living in particular habitats. adaptations of plants

and animalsincluding: structural behavioural physiological

cells as the basicunits of livingorganisms

structures andfunctions oforganelles including: chloroplasts nucleus plasma membranes cytoplasm cell wall

structural andfunctional differencesbetween cells inplants, animals andprotists

comparison ofdifferent tissues,organs or systemsfrom selectedorganisms.

Plants and animals arespecialised in differentways to solve similar lifeproblems, includingacquiring energy and

nutrients, support andprotection.

requirements of livingorganisms: energy,oxygen, water,nutrients, removal ofwastes andreproduction

structures andsystems of organismsincluding micro-organisms, plants andanimals that enablethem to acquireenergy and nutrients

structures and

systems of organismsincluding micro-organisms, plants andanimals that providesupport for the bodyand offer protectionfrom the environmentand predators.

Living organisms require inputs and produceoutputs that need to be exchanged with theenvironment. Energy requirements oforganisms are reflected in their lifestyle, energysource and cellular contents. Adaptations for

solving the problems of survival in a particularhabitat are reflected at the cellular and organ-system level.

Requirements of living organisms

requirements of living organisms energy gases water nutrients removal of wastes

energy flow in organisms: roles of photosynthesis respiration(word equations, no details of pathwaysrequired)

the nature and role of carbohydrates lipids and proteins in living organisms.

Cellular structures and functions

structures and functions of cytoplasm andlisted organelles nucleus mitochondria chloroplasts plasma membrane cell wall vacuoles

compare eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

compare plant and animal cells.

Exchange of materials exchange of substances between the

organism and its environment diffusion osmosis

factors affecting the rate of exchange ofmaterials surface area to volume ratio concentration gradient.

Control of cellular processes is necessary for thesurvival of the organism. Control is affected byenvironmental conditions and cellular contents andrequirements. Organisms use homeostaticmechanisms to control metabolic activity in order to

survive in changing environments.

Photosynthesis

light dependent and light independentreactions in terms of the sites at which theyoccur, requirements and products

factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis.

Respiration

anaerobic and aerobic respiration in terms ofsites at which they occur, requirements andproducts of plants and animals

factors affecting the rate of cellular respiration.

Surface area to volume ratio

cellular and organism level.

Energy transfer

importance of ATP and ADP cycles for cellfunctioning.

Control of cellular activities

transport of materials across the cellmembrane active transport including carrier

molecules, endocytosis and exocytosis passive transport including diffusion,

osmosis and facilitated diffusion

model for the structure and function of the cellmembrane

enzyme action: lock and key, induced fit,activation energy changes

enzymes as specific catalysts

effect of temperature and pH on enzyme

action importance of enzymes in biological

processes, including the control ofbiochemical pathways.


6/9

6 Biological Sciences: Scope and sequenceFor teaching and examination in 2013


The funct ioning organism

AdaptationsAdaptations may be structural, physiologicalor behavioural. Plants and animals haveadaptations to survive in terrestrial andaquatic habitats. Use local examples, where

possible, to examine adaptations for: transport

the transport of materials in plants the transport of materials in animals

including open and closed systems

gas exchange gas exchange surfaces and the

diffusion of oxygen and carbondioxide

significance of surface area to volumeratio

acquiring nutrients acquisition of nutrients by animals

including carnivores, herbivores,omnivores, detritivores, parasites

acquisition of nutrients by plants, fungi

and bacteria including photosynthetic,chemosynthetic, saprophytic,parasitic, insectivorous.

Homeostasis

the principles of homeostasis and negativefeedback

need for maintenance within limits of anorganisms internal environment for: carbon dioxide oxygen wastes temperature salts water.

Homeostasis in animals

factors affecting water balance water inputs water loss

nitrogenous wastes from different vertebrategroups in relation to water availability

factors affecting salt balance

temperature regulation endothermy/ectothermy heat transfer

o conductiono convectiono radiationo evaporation

adaptations for controlling heat transfero structuralo behaviouralo physiological.

Water balance and temperature regulation invascular plants

water balance water absorption transpiration and stomata

temperature regulation

adaptations.


7/9



Continui ty of species

Organisms need to growand reproduce for thespecies to survive.

working definition of aspecies

variation within andbetween species

life cycles oforganisms

physical features thatenable the survival oforganisms.

Living things use a varietyof ways to reproduce andsupport their offspring.Humans have ways ofcontrolling reproduction of

organisms for a range ofpurposes.

the role of celldivision inreproduction andgrowth

sexual and asexualmethods ofreproduction in plantsand animals

reproductivestructures in plantsand animals

specialisedreproductive cells(gametes) pollen,

sperm and ova mechanisms of

fertilisation in plantsand animals

use of family trees forbreeding experiments

practical applicationsof biotechnologyincluding themanipulation andcontrol ofreproduction inmicroorganismsplants and animals.

Reproductive processes influence the successof populations in providing genetically diverseindividuals to survive in various environmentalconditions.

Cell divisionmitosis

the cell cycle

role ofmitosis in growth, repair andasexual reproduction.

Types of reproduction

asexual reproduction

sexual reproduction in flowering plantsincluding structures involved in pollinationand fertilisation

sexual reproduction in animals including anexample of an aquatic and a terrestrial animal

compare advantages and disadvantages ofsexual and asexual reproduction forsurvival of species in stable and in

changing environments.

Strategies for maintaining species

strategies for the survival of offspringincluding seed dispersal, parental care,number of offspring

variations in life cycles including insects,amphibians, flowering plants, Australianmammals and parasites.

Cell divisionmeiosis

processes of meiosis for gameteproduction (names of stages not required)

roles of meiosis and fertilisation in thechange of chromosome number(haploid/diploid) in a life cycle.

DNA is a self-replicating and information-carrying molecule. The manipulation of DNAhas lead to a range of applications ofbiotechnology, particularly in agriculture andenvironmental conservation. Individuals within a

species show variety in a range ofcharacteristics. Change in a species, over time,is due to the selection of inheritablecharacteristics best suited to the environment.

DNA

replication of DNA

protein synthesis.

Recombinant DNA technologyTechnological advancements in DNAtechnology are rapidly occurring. The followingtechniques and processes provide importantsteps in this evolving area.

techniques restriction enzymes ligation

gel electrophoresis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) DNA microarrays (chips)

processes gene cloning transgenic organisms DNA profiling.

Applications of DNA technologies

recombinant DNA technology and DNAidentification technology in agriculture environmental conservation.

Variation

significance of meiosis

sources of variation including mutations the independent assortment of

chromosomes crossing over during meiosis random mating.

Isolation

barriers to gene flow.


8/9

8 Biological Sciences: Scope and sequenceFor teaching and examination in 2013


Continui ty of species

Principles of genetics

structure and function of DNA genes and chromosomes

the prediction of the frequencies ofgenotypes and phenotypes of offspringfrom monohybrid crosses for autosomal X linked conditions (as an example of

sex linkage) test crosses

interpretation of pedigree charts for patterns of inheritance probabilities.

Influence of the environment

effect of external environment on geneexpression

determination of sex by chromosomes orthe environment.

Selection

process of natural selection leading tochange in characteristics of a population

selective pressures leading to change orextinction

practical application of artificial selection.

Speciation/evolution

inheritance relationships between DNA, alleles,

genes and chromosomes concept of dominance including

heterozygous and homozygous,dominant and recessive

gene pools

changes in allele frequency due to: natural selection sexual selection genetic drift.

Evidence for evolution

evolutionary relationships between groupsusing physiological, molecular andevidence in phylogenetic trees

evidence for evolution including: fossils comparative anatomy embryology of vertebrates comparative biochemistry and

genetics.


9/9



Working as a biologist

Planning andconductingethicalbiologicalresearch

plan and conductexperiments safely

observation, inferenceand hypothesis

collect reliable data

and make validconclusions work safely and

responsibly in the fieldand the laboratory

identify specimensusing classificationkeys

use biologicalequipment, includingthe monocularmicroscope, toinvestigate cellstructure or micro-organisms.

safely conduct aninvestigationcollecting data

use an array ofmeasuring skills

appropriate to biologyincluding measuringtemperature, mass,time, volume and pH

make inferences fromcollected data basedon experimentaldesign and a givenhypothesis.

formulate hypothesesand make predictionsfrom them

identify the variables ina controlled experiment

plan and carry out aninvestigation use of microscopy

techniques, includingpreparation of wetmount slides

calculation ofmagnification and fieldof view of a microscope

estimation of the size ofcells (micrometres).



plan and carry out aninvestigation use of biological field

techniques includinganimal trapping andtracking, capture-recapture, transects,quadrats

use of ethical practicesin the handling ofanimals

use of computertechnology or othertools to modelpopulation dynamics.



use of biological fieldtechniques includinganimal trapping andtracking, transects andquadrats

use of ethical practicesin the handling ofanimals.



use of laboratorytechniques including gelelectrophoresis.

Evaluating and

communicatingas a biologist

contribution of

biological research toknowledge anddecision-makingprocesses about theworld

communication ofresults in oral andwritten form within areport structure, fromthe scientificinvestigation of a localenvironment.

communication of

research to provideevidence and data formaking decisionsabout biologicalissues

investigation reportusing diagrams,tables and othermeans (includingURLs) of presentingthe data and includinga reference list

consideration ofissues raised by theresearch done andproducts developedthrough genetic

manipulation.

classify, collate and

display data interpret and construct

visual representationsof phenomena andrelationships includingdiagrams, graphs, flowcharts and physicalmodels

analyse data and drawconclusions

evaluate the reliabilityand validity ofinvestigativeprocedures and theconclusions drawnfrom investigations

prepare written and

oral reports use of taxonomic keys

to classify organisms use standard scientific

techniques andappropriate SI units

use appropriate mediato communicatefindings.



visual representationsof phenomena andrelationships (diagrams,graphs, flow charts,physical models)


evaluate the reliabilityand validity ofinvestigativeprocedures and theconclusions drawn frominvestigations

prepare written and oralreports

use standard scientifictechniques andappropriate SI units







use standard scientifictechniques and

appropriate SI units analyse current

biological issues usingscientifically informedsources







use standard scientifictechniques and

appropriate SI units analysis of current

biological issues usingscientifically informedsources


bio scope and sequence

Documents