What is Biology?

Activity: Syllabus Read through the syllabus. Identify terms you are not familiar

with (highlight or underline). Write a list of these words down.

Biology Unit 1Organisms & Their Environment

Two Area of Studies (AOS):AOS1: Adaptations of OrganismsAOS2: Dynamic Ecosystems

Two SAC’s for each AOS

Assessment

SAC’s for every Outcome

OTHER Work Requirements (Assignments/Projects; Practical Reports; Biozone Pages; Topic Summaries; Glossary Words)

Mid – Year Exam

About the Exam

Each Area of Study (AOS) has approximately equal weighting in terms of questions

Questions that address key knowledge and science skills have approximately equal weighting

PART A: 25 Multiple - Choice Questions worth 1 mark each. Select correct response from four alternatives.

PART B: Short Answer Questions worth 50 marks in total.

Examples used in the exam will be unfamiliar – this is normal! You will be expected to apply knowledge of the concepts to unfamiliar settings.

Biozone and Nelson Biology Bizone can be purchased at the

start of the year from the office (approx $30)

Biozone should be brought to every class and will be checked regularly as a work requirement.

Nelson should remain at home and be used as a reference for study or summary notes.

What makes a good VCE student?

What research says: Use study techniques to make their learning time more productive.Eliminate procrastination.Determine and focus upon what you want to achieve in VCE and

beyond. Lay out small, achievable steps to achieve your VCE goals.Prioritise work and goals into small easily achievable chunks and

complete them in that order. Achieve a balance across all areas of life to minimise stress and

maximise performance.Continuously learn from their mistakes and refine their skills to

improve their performance.

How to be a good VCE student: What research says: Use study techniques to make their learning time more productive.Eliminate procrastination.Determine and focus upon what you want to achieve in VCE and

beyond. Lay out small, achievable steps to achieve your VCE goals.Prioritise work and goals into small easily achievable chunks and

complete them in that order. Achieve a balance across all areas of life to minimise stress and

maximise performance.Continuously learn from their mistakes and refine their skills to

improve their performance.

Science SkillsInvestigate & Inquire Scientifically:

Formulate questions & construct hypotheses

Experimental designEvaluate resultPresent & record dataAnalyse dataDraw conclusions consistent with dataAct responsibly & maintain safe

practices

Science SkillsApply biological understandings:

Apply your understanding to a new context, make connections between concepts & solve problems

Analyse issues relating to technological developments

Analyse & evaluate the reliability of information

Science SkillsCommunicate biological

information & understandings:Interpret & communicate

information effectivelyApply information to new

situationsUse scientific terms &

conventionsApply appropriate

communication techniques to different audiences & purposes.

Killer Whale Seal

Introduction: Activity

Examine each of the images on the following slides. Describe the climate (whether its hot or cold, wet or dry) Describe the vegetation:

Are there tall trees, shrubs, grass etc? Is the vegetation sparse or dense?

Image/Name Description of climate (Hot/Cold, Wet/Dry)

Description of vegetation (Plant life)

1

• Draw a table like the one below in your book• Note: you will need enough space for 7 different images)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Definitions of a Biome“A living community characterized by distinctive plants, animals and climate conditions of a

particular region”

“A biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which are adapted to that particular environment. The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist

in that region”

Your Task: In your note write your own definition of a biome

Biomes of the World

Shrubland

7 Main BiomesWhile biomes can be further

classified, we will only focus on 7 distinct types: Coniferous ForestTemperate Deciduous ForestDesertGrasslandRainforestShrublandTundra

Tundra in the Summer

Desert

Stop!

Lets go back and rename our images

To understand a world biome, you need to know:What the climate of the region is like. Where each biome is found and what its geography is

like. The special adaptations of the vegetation. The types of animals found in the biome and their

physical and behavioural adaptations to their environment.