VCE BIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE

Unit 1: How do living things stay alive?

Area of Study 2: How do living systems sustain life?

Topic Learning Objectives Textbook References &

Online Resources

Define the term; biome, niche, abiotic, biotic, organism, Nature of Biology, Chapter 8
Ecosystems & habitat, community, ecosystem Q1-3 pg.342
Relationships Q4-5 pg.346
Define abiotic and biotic factors for a given ecosystem
between Q6-9 pg.6-9
organisms Be familiar with the difference between niche and habitat Q10-11 pg.365
Be familiar with how ecosystems remain self-sustaining Biochallenge pg.383
Orientation Be able to draw and construct food webs relating to
Week & Week 1 particular organisms PPT: Orientation
Be familiar with the ecological grouping of organisms:
PPT: Ecosystems
producers (autotrophs), consumers (heterotrophs) and
decomposers PPT: Relationships between
Define the term herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, detritivore organisms
Understand there must be a continual supply of energy
into an ecosystem Ecosystems Booklet
Understand how the food chain relates to trophic levels and
define the term trophic efficiency
interdependencies between species as represented by food Relationships Between Species -
Edrolo
webs, including impact of changes to keystone species and
apex predator Interdependencies Between Species -
Define the terms; competition, symbiosis, amensalism, Edrolo
commensalism, mutualism, parasitism, antagonism and
predation
Identify the difference between interspecific competition
and intraspecific competition
Be familiar with examples of both beneficial, harmful and
benign relationships between organisms

Population Be familiar with the terms: keystone species, species Nature of Biology, Chapter 8
Dynamics richness, limiting factor, carrying capacity Q15-19 pg.379
Understand how to characterise a population: abundance, Q20-22 pg.382
Week 2 Chapter 8 Review pg.383
distribution, rate of growth, reproductive strategy and
age structure PPT: Population Dynamics
Discuss the difference between r-strategists and
k-strategists PPT: Population Dynamics (HSL)
Understand how a population can be sampled;
Population Dynamics Booklet
mark/recapture, quadrat, total count and transect
Understand the difference between a community and Experiment: Virtual Lab Population
population Growth
Understand the term species richness and how
Population Dynamics Brainpop Game
area/distance from equator affects this
Understand the factors that affect population size; birth, Case Study: Population Models &
death, immigration and emigration Loggerhead Turtles
Be familiar with the two types of growth; exponential and
logistic Experiment: Random Sampling

Population Dynamics - Edrolo

Classification Understand why we need classify and how we classify living Nature of Biology, Chapter 7
organisms based on their morphological/molecular Q1-4 pg.293
Week 3 Q5-7 pg.299
characteristics
Q8-12 pg.311
Be familiar with the levels of classification; kingdom, phylum, Q13-17 pg.322
class, order, family, genus, species Biochallenge pg.323
Chapter 7 Review pg.324
 Understand the use of binomial nomenclature
Be familiar with the use of keys to classify; dichotomous, PPT: Classification & Biodiversity
cladograms, tables, circular
Classification & Biodiversity Booklet

Task: Construct a Dichotomous Key

Worksheet: Classifying Sharks

Biozone Worksheets

Classification - Edrolo

Biodiversity Be familiar with the term biodiversity and the three types; Nature of Biology, Chapter 7
genetic, species and ecosystem Q1-4 pg.293
Week 4 Q5-7 pg.299
Be familiar with strategies for managing Earths biodiversity to
Q8-12 pg.311
support the conservation of species and as a reservoir for the Q13-17 pg.322
bio-prospecting of new food sources and medicinal drugs Biochallenge pg.323
Chapter 7 Review pg.324

Classification & Biodiversity Exam

Style Questions

Biochallenge: The Green Frog

Biodiversity - Edrolo

Adaptations & Define the term; homeostasis and adaptation Nature of Biology, Chapter 5
Biomimicry Understand the structural, physiological and behavioural Q1-3 pg.197
Q4-9 pg.207
adaptations that enhance an organisms survival and enable
Week 5 + 6 Q10-13 pg.214
life to exist in a wide range of environments Q14-18 pg.224
Be familiar with the types of plant tropisms; phototropism, Q19-20 pg.226
geotropism, thigmotropism Q24-27 pg.223
Be familiar with plant hormones such as; auxin, cytokinins Chapter 5 Review pg.237
and gibberellin
PPT: Adaptations-structural and
Be familiar with some examples of successful adaptations as behavioural (NIE)
models for biomimicry to solve human challenges
PPT: plant hormones and tropisms

Worksheet: Bills & Beaks Structural

Adaptations

Adaptations booklet

Behavioural Quiz

Physiological Quiz

Worksheet: Tropisms

Adaptations - Edrolo

Biomimicry - Edrolo

Homeostasis Discuss how regulation of factors is needed to maintain a Nature of Biology, Chapter 6
relatively constant internal environment, explained by the Q1-2, pg.250
Week 7 + 8 Q3-4 pg.263
stimulus-response model and the use of homeostatic
Q5-7 pg.267
mechanisms including feedback loops Q8-10 pg.273
Discuss factors regulated by homeostatic mechanisms in Biochallenge pg.275
humans, including temperature, blood glucose and water Chapter 6 Review pg.276
balance
PPT: Homeostasis (NIE)
Discuss malfunctions in homeostatic mechanisms that result
in diseases, including Type 1 diabetes and hyperthyroidism in Webquest: Homeostasis
humans
Worksheet: Thermoregulation

Worksheet: Thermoregulation Visual

Organiser
 Regulation - Edrolo

Factors Regulated by Homeostatic

Mechanisms - Edrolo

Homeostatic Malfunction - Edrolo

Area of Study 1: How do organisms function?

The Cell Define the following terms: cell, organism, mitosis, apoptosis, PPT: Cells & Organelles
tissue, organ, system
Understand the three components that make up the cell PPT: The Cell Theory
theory
Be able to define the difference between tissue, organ and Outcome 3: Cell Model
system (due first lesson back)

Cells - Edrolo

Cells, plasma membranes and

enzymes booklet (MAC)

Microscopes Understand the difference between a light, compound and PPT: Microscopes
electron microscope
Understand the measurements used in microscopy - Experiment: Cells under the
millimetres (mm), micrometres (um) and nanometres (nm) microscope
Be able to calculate the total magnification when using a
microscope Microscopes - Edrolo
Be familiar with the use of stains during microscopy work
Be able to identify organelles under a microscope
Be able to predict which organelles will be visible when
viewing cells under a microscope

Cellular Understand the differences between a prokaryote (bacteria) PPT: Cells & Organelles
Organelles and eukaryote (plant and animal)
Understand the need and function of cellular organelles such Animal Cell Worksheet
as; nucleus, mitochondria, golgi apparatus, smooth
endoplasmic reticulum, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Organelles Revision
ribosomes, lysosome, centrioles, cell wall, cell membrane,
nucleolus, vacuole, vesicle Organelles Webquest
Understand the differing features between a plant and animal
cell Surface Area: Volume Ratio - Edrolo
Understand the term and application of unicellular and
multicellular organism
Be familiar with the cell size and relate to this to surface
area:volume ratio

The Scientific Be able to define the independent variable, dependent

Method variable, control variable, controlled variable
Know the elements of the scientific method; introduction, aim,
hypothesis, materials, method, results, discussion, conclusion
Discuss how to design an effective experiment
Be familiar with the types of errors that can occur in an
experiment and how to ensure accurate results are obtained.

Plasma Understand the term semi-permeable membrane and 'fluid PPT: Plasma Membranes & Cellular
Membrane & mosaic model' Transport
Cellular Be able to identify the main features of the plasma membrane
Transport Understand the difference between passive and active PPT: Plasma Membranes & Cellular
transport Transport
Understand the term concentration gradient
Understand the factors that affect the rate of diffusion Plasma Membrane Notes with PPT
Be able to describe the three types of passive transport:
simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis Plasma Membrane Homework Task
Understand the effect of osmosis on cells, and relate to terms
isotonic, hypotonic and hypotonic Cell Membranes Webquest
Be able to describe the three types of active transport: protein
pump, exocytosis and endocytosis (pinocytosis and Experiment: Diffusion & Cell Size
phagocytosis)
Why are cells so small?

Fill in the blank worksheet

 Plasma Membrane - Edrolo

Transport Across the Plasma

Membrane - Edrolo

Composition of Understand the difference between a protein, lipid, PPT: Composition of Cells
Cells carbohydrate and nucleic acids
Describe the elemental composition of each macromolecule
Define the monomer and polymer of each macromolecule
Describe the function of each macromolecule
Be able to provide an example of each macromolecule
Be familiar with the differences between RNA and DNA
Be familiar with the use of minerals and vitamins
Define the difference between an organic and inorganic
molecule

Enzymes Understand the function of enzymes within the body and its PPT: Enzymes Structure & Function
application to the term catalyst
Be able to describe how an enzyme works by using terms Enzymes Visual Organizer for PPT
active site and substrate
Define the difference between the lock-and-key model and Enzymes Webquest
the induced-fit model
Define the five factors that affect the function of an enzyme: Enzymes (notes)
temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme
concentration and competitive inhibition Enzymes (notes - detailed)

Enzymes creative homework task

Cellular Define ATP and understand why a cell needs a continual PPT: Cellular Respiration
Respiration supply of energy
Be familiar with the chemical reaction for cellular respiration Cellular Respiration Visual Organizer
Know the different stages involved in anaerobic and aerobic for PPT
respiration
Understand each stage of aerobic respiration; glycolysis, Cellular Respiration (notes)
krebs cycle, electron transport chain, where they occur and
how many ATP are yielded in each stage Cell Respiration Quiz
Understand the differences between fermentation in
bacteria/yeast and in animals Cellular Respiration - Edrolo

Photosynthesis Be able to define the difference between photosynthetic PPT: Photosynthesis

autotrophs, chemosynthetic autotrophs and heterotrophs
Be familiar with the chemical reaction for photosynthesis Photosynthesis (notes)
Understand photosynthesis as a chemical process in which
solar energy is captured and transformed to chemical energy Exam Question Answers
by fixing carbon to produce a carbohydrate and releasing
oxygen as a by-product Homework Worksheet
Understand the different components of the mitochondria and Homework Answers
the chloroplast
Be able to compare the processes of photosynthesis and Autotrophs and Heterotrophs - Edrolo
cellular respiration
Photosynthesis - Edrolo

Digestive Be familiar with the main features of the digestive system PPT: Body Systems (NIE)
System Understand the difference between mechanical and chemical
digestion and where they occur PPT: Digestive System
Be familiar with the following terms: villi, bolus, peristalsis,
chyme, bile Digestive System Notes
Understand the function of the following digestive enzymes
and where they are found: amylase, protease, lipase Digestive System Homework

Digestive System Worksheet

Gas Exchange Be familiar with how organisms exchange gases with the Respiratory System Homework
environment
Understand the features which define an effective surface for
gaseous exchange
Relate the process of diffusion to gas exchange

Transport Understand the difference between xylem and phloem

System in Describe the structure and function of stomata
Plants Describe the term transpiration stream
 Study of one selected vascular plant with reference to how its
cells are specialised and organised (cells into tissues, and
tissues into organs) for the intake, movement and loss of
water from the plant

VCE BIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE

Unit 2: How is the continuity of life maintained?

Area of Study 1: How does reproduction maintain the continuity of life?

Topic Learning Objectives Textbook References &

Online Resources

The Cell Cycle: Understand the purposes of cell reproduction Text Reference:
Mitosis & Meiosis Define the term mitosis, meiosis and apoptosis Read Chapter 9, p.389-414
Quick Check Question 1-12
Understand that all cells come from preexisting cells through
2 weeks Biochallenge, p.411
(Week 10) completion of the cell cycle Chapter Review Q1-14, p.412
(Week 1) Know that prokaryotic cells proceed rapidly through their cell
cycle by binary fission PPT: Cell Division
Be familiar with the key events of the eukaryotic cell cycle by
PPT: Mitosis, Meiosis and Binary
describing and explaining each stage of mitosis: prophase,
Fission - Year 11 Biology
metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokinesis
Be able to describe the cell cycle and what occurs in each Introduction to Mitosis
stage: G1, S, G2 and interphase
Be able to define terms such as: chromosomes, karyotype, Experiment: Observing Mitosis
centromere, spindle fibres, centrioles, haploid and diploid
Revision Questions: Genetics
Be able to describe the main differences between mitosis and
meiosis Mitosis & Meiosis Worksheet
Be familiar with the key events in meiosis that result in the
The Cell Cycle - Edrolo
production of gametes from somatic cells including the
significance of crossing over of chromatids between
homologous chromosomes in Prophase 1 and the non-dividing
of the centromere in Metaphase 1 (nondisjunction)

Asexual & Sexual Be able to define and describe the differences between Text Reference:
Reproduction asexual and sexual reproduction Read Chapter 10, p.415-458
Quick Check Question 1-10 (Ch.9)
Be familiar with the types of asexual reproduction including;
1 week Quick Check Question 1-8 (Ch.10)
(Week 2) fission, budding, fragmentation, vegetative propagation Biochallenge, p.438 and p.460
and spore formation Chapter Review Q1-8, p.439
Be familiar with the biological advantages and Chapter Review Q1-12, p.461
disadvantages of asexual reproduction
PPT: Cell Division
Be aware of the emerging issues associated with cloning,
including applications in agriculture and horticulture. PPT: Reproduction
Understand how an offspring from two parents has a unique
genetic identity from sexual reproduction Asexual Reproduction - Edrolo
Be familiar with the biological advantage of sexual
Sexual Reproduction - Edrolo
reproduction, specifically the genetic diversity in offspring

Cell Growth & Define the term stem cell and describe the function and types Text Reference:
Cell of stem cells in humans Read Chapter 12, p.463-480
Differentiation Quick Check Question 1-13
Be able to describe the difference between embryonic and
Biochallenge, p.480
1 week adult stem cells and their potential use in the development Chapter Review Q1-8, p.481
(Week 4, T3) of medical therapies
 Be familiar with the consequences of stem cell PPT: Cell growth & differentiation
differentiation in human prenatal development including the
development of germ layers, types of tissues formed from Worksheet: Introductory Questions
germ layers and the distinction between embryo and foetus Online Resource: Stem Cells
Understand the disruption of the regulation of the cell cycle Online Website: Stem Cells
through genetic predisposition or the action of mutagens that
gives rise to uncontrolled cell division including cancer and Stem Cell Resources
abnormal embryonic development
Worksheet: Stem Cells & Cloning

Worksheet: Germ Layers

Worksheet: Cancer

Online resource: Stem Cells

TedTalk: Stem Cells

Cell Growth and Cell Differentiation

- Edrolo

Area of Study 2: How is inheritance explained?

Genomes, genes Be able to describe the difference between a genome, gene, Text Reference:
and alleles chromosome, gene locus, chromatid and allele Read Chapter 13, p.483-519
Know that the genome as the sum total of an organisms DNA Quick Check Question 1-13
Biochallenge, p.518
1 week measured in the number of base pairs contained in a haploid Chapter Review Q1-17, p.519
set of chromosomes
Be familiar with the role of genomic research since the Human PPT: Inheritance
Genome Project, with reference to the sequencing of the
PPT: Genetics
genes of many organisms, comparing relatedness between
species, determining gene function and genomic applications Genes booklet
for the early detection and diagnosis of human diseases
Webquest: Gregor Mendel
Experiments

Genome, Gene and Allele - Edrolo

Genomic Research - Edrolo

Chromosomes Be able to define the term chromosome Text Reference:

Know that DNA is found in the nucleus of a chromosome tightly Read Chapter 14, p.521-544
Quick Check Question 1-7
1 week coiled
Biochallenge, p.568
Understand the term karyotype and know that humans Chapter Review Q1-12, p.569
possess 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) and that chromosome
pairs vary in size and structure Chromosomes - Edrolo
Use the presentation of an organisms set of chromosomes as a
Karyotypes - Edrolo
karyotype that can be used to identify chromosome number
abnormalities including Downs, Klinefelters and Turners
syndromes in humans.
Know the difference between a sex chromosome and
autosome
Know the nature of a homologous pair of chromosomes (one
maternal and one paternal) as carrying the same gene loci

Genotypes and Know the difference between a genotype and phenotype Text Reference:
phenotypes Be able to the use of symbols in the writing of the genotypes Read Chapter 15, p.547-569
for the alleles present at a particular gene locus Quick Check Question 1-9
Biochallenge, p.568
2 weeks Be able to describe the distinction between a dominant and Chapter Review Q1-2, p.569
recessive phenotype
Be familiar with the relative influences of genetic material, PPT: Genetics Trivia
environmental factors and interactions of DNA with other
Genotypes and Phenotypes -
molecules (epigenetic factors) on phenotypes
Edrolo

Polygenes - Edrolo
 Be familiar with qualitative treatment of polygenic
inheritance as contributing to continuous variation in a
population, illustrated by the determination of human skin colour
through the genes involved in melanin production or by
variation in height

Pedigree charts, Know the purpose of a pedigree and how to use one Text Reference:
genetic cross Be familiar with the following patterns of inheritance including Read Chapter 16, p.571-603
Quick Check Question 1-9
outcomes and autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, incomplete
Biochallenge, p.602
genetic dominance/co-dominance, X-linked and Y-linked traits Chapter Review Q1-13, p.603
decision-making Be able to use monohybrid crosses and test crosses to
determine the genotypic and phenotypic outcomes. Genetics Booklet
2 weeks Be familiar with dihybrid crosses
Worksheet: Linked Genes &
Define what is a linked gene
Recombination
Identify whether the inheritance of two characteristics is either
independent or linked, and the biological consequence of Worksheet: Oompah Loompa
crossing over for linked genes Genetics
Be familiar with the nature and uses of genetic testing for
Worksheet: Dihybrid Cross
screening of embryos and adults, and its social and ethical
implications Worksheet: Drosophila Inheritance

Area of Study 2 Test - Revision

Checklist

Genetics worksheet 1
Genetics worksheet 2

Monohybrid Crosses - Edrolo

Dihybrid Crosses - Edrolo

Pedigree Charts - Edrolo

Genetic Testing - Edrolo