VCE Biology
Unit 1
Course Outline
Biology is the study of living things from familiar, complex multicellular organisms that live in the many different habitats of
our biosphere to single celled micro-organisms that live in seemingly inhospitable conditions. It is a study of the dynamic
relationships between living things, their interdependence, their interactions with the non-living environment, and the
processes that maintain life and ensure its continuity. Biology enables students to understand that despite the diverse ways
of meeting the challenges of survival, all living things have many structural and functional characteristics in common.
Unit 1.
In this unit, students are introduced to some of the challenges to an organism in sustaining life. Students examine the cell as
the structural and functional unit of life, from the single celled to the multicellular organism, and the requirements for
sustaining cellular processes in terms of inputs and outputs. They analyse types of adaptions that enhance the organisms
survival in a particular environment and consider the role homeostatic mechanisms play in maintaining the internal
environment. Students investigate how a diverse group of organisms form a living interconnected community that is adapted
to, and utilises, the abiotic resources of its habitat. The role of a keystone species in maintaining the structure of an
ecosystem is explored. Students consider how the planets biodiversity is classified and the factors that affect the growth of a
population.
A student practical investigation related to the survival of an organism or species is undertaken in Area of Study 3. The
investigation draws on content from Area of Study 1 and/or Area of Study 2
Summative Assessment:
Sac 1: Week 6
Cell structure and function
Sac 2: Week 14
How do living things sustain life?
Learning Sequence
Week
1&2
Focus
Area of Study
1
Cell size,
structure and
function
Key Knowledge
3&4
5&6
Crossing the
plasma
membrane
Energy
Transformations
7&8
Functioning
Systems
Area of study 2
Assessments
Cell theory, basic structural feature of life on
earth, prokaryote and eukaryotic cells.
Surface are to volume ratio in relation to cell
size, internal compartments (organelles),
cellular functions
Ultrastructure of plant and animal cells
organelles, identification using light
microscope and electron micrographs.
Characteristics of plasma membrane, internal Data Analysis: Distinction between
simple diffusion, facilitated
and external cellular environments
diffusion, osmosis and active
Modes of transport across the plasma
transport.
membrane, simple diffusion, facilitated
diffusion, osmosis and active transport
Photosynthetic autotrophs, chemosynthetic
Sac 1: Cell structure and
autotrophs and heterotrophs
function
Photosynthesis, chemical energy,
carbohydrates
Aerobic and anaerobic cellular respiration in
both autotrophs and heterotrophs
Study of one vascular plant
Study of one Mammalian system
9 & 10
Survival through
adaptations and
regulation
11 & 12
13 & 14
Organising
biodiversity
Relationship
between
organisms within
an ecosystem
Structural, physiological and behavioural
adaptations enhancing survival in a range of
environments
Successful adaptations
Stimulus-response model, homeostatic
mechanisms eg feedback loops
Homeostatic mechanisms: temperature, blood
glucose, water balance
Homeostatic malfunctions: disease, type 1
diabetes, hyperthyroidism
Classification of biodiversity into taxonomic
groups, naming using binomial nomenclature
Strategies for managing earths biodiversity
Amensalism, commensalism, mutualism,
parasitism and predation
Keystone species, food webs and food chains
Distribution, size and density of populations
and the impact that has on resources,
predation, competition, disease, births, deaths
and migration
Maintaining Homeostasis case
study:
You need to be familiar with the
negative feedback loops involving
maintenance of
Glucose levels
Temperature
(thermoregulation) and
Water balance
Sac 2: How do living things sustain
life?
Area of study 3
15 & 16
Investigation
design
-Communicate
and explain
scientific ideas
Biological concepts, key terms, biological
representation
Characteristics of scientific methodologies
and techniques of primary qualitative and
quantitative data collection (lab work,
fieldwork, observational studies)
Ethics and issues of research
Methods of organising, analysing and
Scientific Report: Students
design an investigation the survival
of an organism or species of your
choice.
Options include: Scientific poster,
practical report, oral presentation or
digital presentation.
18
Exam Revision
evaluating primary data to identify patterns,
sources of errors and limitations
Observations / experiments on biological
models or theories
Evidence that supports or refutes a
hypothesis, model or theory
Options, strategies, solutions related to
organisms / species survival
Cytological and ecological concepts
Conventions of scientific report writing,
biological terminology and representations,
standard abbreviations and units of
measurement
Exam Practise
Students will sit mock exams, trial
practise exams and discuss best
ways to answer exam style
questions
