SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE

BIOLOGY ATAR YEAR 11

2014/8283v4

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1

Sample course outline | Biology | ATAR Year 11

Sample course outline Biology – ATAR Year 11

Unit 1 and Unit 2

Semester 1 – Ecosystems and biodiversity

Week Key teaching points

1 Describing biodiversity • Australia’s Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010–2013 • A 100-year Biodiversity Strategy for WA

2–3

Classification • Purpose–why classify organisms • Taxonomy–naming groups • Major groups–five kingdoms • Using dichotomous keys Start Task 1: Investigation – The effect of fire on ecosystems (fieldwork/camp/long term investigation). Alternative activities may include rocky shore, beach succession, freshwater or terrestrial community study.

4–5

Ecosystems • Components of ecosystems • Naming ecosystems • Types of ecosystems • Studying ecosystems and communities

6–8

Interactions in ecosystems • Food chains and food webs • Relationships–predation, competition, symbiosis, collaboration and disease • Keystone species Task 2: Test – Describing biodiversity

9–10 Ecosystem dynamics • Flow of energy • Cycling of matter–carbon and nitrogen

11–13

Population dynamics • Populations–definition, ecological niches • Size, density, composition and distribution • Carrying capacity • Monitoring populations Task 3: Extended response – Population dynamics

14

Change in ecosystems • Natural changes–daily, seasonal (migration routes), succession • Fire • Impact of human activity • Modelling the impact of change Task 1: Investigation – fieldwork/camp/long term investigation due

15

Conservation • Sustainability • Strategies used to maintain biodiversity • Monitoring and managing ecosystems • International agreements–World Heritage, biodiversity hotspots, migration routes Task 4: Test – Ecosystem dynamics

16 Task 5: Semester 1 examination

2

Sample course outline | Biology | ATAR Year 11

Semester 2 – From single cells to multicellular organisms

Week Key teaching points

1

Cells as the basis of life • Cell requirements • Composition of organisms • Metabolism

2–3

Cell structure and function • Cell theory • Prokaryotes and eukaryotes • Specialised structures and organelles in eukaryotic cells Microscopy techniques • Development of microscopes • Use of microscopes • Preparation of slides • Interpreting images Task 6: Practical – Microscopes

4

Cell membrane • Fluid mosaic model • Movement across membranes • Factors affecting exchange of materials across membranes Task 7: Practical – The cell membrane

5–6

Enzymes • Models of enzyme activity • Factors affecting enzyme activity • Using probes technology and computer analysis Task 8: Practical – Enzyme action

7

Photosynthesis • Balanced chemical equation • Light-dependent reaction – simple equation and site • Light-independent reaction – simple equation and site • Factors affecting rate of photosynthesis Task 9: Test – Cells as the basis of life

8–9

Cellular respiration • Balanced chemical equation • Aerobic respiration • Anaerobic respiration • Factors affecting rate of respiration Task 10: Extended response – Current research for the production of food, beverages and biofuels, and breakdown of rubbish, involving the control of cellular respiration and photosynthesis

10

Multicellular organisms • Hierarchical structural organisation • Ethical treatment of animals Gas exchange • Exchanging gases with the environment • Gas exchange in animals • Gas exchange in plants

11–12

Nutrient acquisition and processing • Nutritional requirements of animals • Digestion • Features of digestive systems • Specialisation related to diet

3

Sample course outline | Biology | ATAR Year 11

Week Key teaching points

13–14

Transport systems • Features of transport systems • Types of transport systems in animals • Transport systems in plants

15

Plant adaptations to minimise water loss • Temperature and water balance in vascular plants • Adaptations of terrestrial Australian plants Task 11: Test – Multicellular organisms

16 Task 12: Semester 2 examination