Year 11 VCE Biology
2011
Course and Study
Information
Unit 1- ‘Unity and diversity’
Throughout your studies in Biology, you will be given the opportunity to develop, use and apply a set of
key skills that are considered essential in Biology.
These skills include the ability to:
Investigate and inquire scientifically

Formulate questions and construct hypotheses appropriate for conducting first-hand and second hand
investigations

Plan, design and conduct first-hand investigations: select and use equipment and material appropriate to
the investigation; evaluate experimental procedures and reliability of data;

Collect, process and record information systematically; analyse and synthesise data; draw conclusions
consistent with the questions under investigation and the evidence obtained

Act responsibly when conducting investigations: maintain safe practices; work independently and
collaboratively as appropriate
Apply biological understandings

Apply understandings to familiar and new contexts; make connections between concepts; solve
problems


Analyse issues and implications relating to scientific and technological developments
Analyse and evaluate the reliability of information and opinions presented in the public domain
Communicate biological information and understandings



Interpret, transpose and communicate information and ideas effectively
Use techniques of communication appropriate to different audiences and purposes
Use scientific terminology and conventions appropriately
This unit contains two areas of study and two Outcomes within the Unit. Area of Study 1 is called ‘Cells
in action’ and Area of Study 2 is called ‘Functioning Organisms’.

In this Unit you will examine the cell as the structural and functional unit of the whole organism, including
the needs of individual cells and how specialised structures carry out cellular activities

You will also investigate the relationship between features of organisms and how organisms meet their
requirements for life. This includes looking at a range of organisms and investigates the ways that
structures and systems function in terms of obtaining and releasing energy; obtaining nutrients, water
and gases; processing and distributing materials to cells.

This is a really enjoyable Unit filled with interesting topics and practical lessons and lots of hard work,
so stay up to date and remember to ask for help when you need it!
Basic Housekeeping for Unit 1 Biology
Workbook:
You are to maintain a workbook for all of your classroom-based work. It will contain the following things:
Class notes from the board and overheads
Personal notes
Notes from class discussion
Planning ideas etc
Your workbook will be collected at regular intervals throughout the course and therefore should always
be kept up to date. Your workbook is a reflection of you and is intended to assist you in your general
planning and organisation.
Practical Work:
Practical reports are to be completed (that includes discussion and conclusion) within the time frame
allowed. Some of the practical reports throughout this year will be School Assessed Coursework
(SAC’s) assignments and therefore it is very important that you stick to deadlines. Most of the time
you will be required to submit practical reports on loose leaf paper separately from your workbook.
Assignment work/Assessment Tasks:
Throughout the year, you will be given a number of assignments, usually SAC’s to research and
complete. These will cover a number of key concepts. They are also designed to develop
comprehension and communication skills, and build familiarity with relevant biological concepts. It is
anticipated that these assignments will require different modes of presentation and these will be
negotiated with your teacher during the course.
Textbook chapter (Review) Questions:
As part of the assessment for VCE Biology Unit 1 and 2, you will be required to complete and submit
a number of chapter questions from the textbook. These questions are to be completed in your study
book and will be checked regularly. These must be completed within a week of finishing the chapter in
class. Some class time may be allocated to you to complete these questions; however these are
expected to be completed as homework. Therefore, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you stay upto-date with the chapter readings.
Glossary Words/Flashcards
Throughout each chapter a number of glossary words or Bioterms are found in the margins of the
pages in your textbook. Using these Bioterms, you are to create a series of flashcards that have the
Bioterm on one side, and a description on the back of the card. You should aim to include all Bioterms
and if possible, use a different colour for each chapter. These flashcards are very useful for study
purposes as well as learning key biological terms.
VCE Biology Unit 1- Unity and Diversity
Week
Content and Key Ideas
Suggested
Chapter /Review
Chapter
Activities
Questions
Readings
Term 1 Week
Introduction- Studying biology
Review questions for
Chapter 1
1
Chapter 1- ‘Cells in Action’
Ch.- 1 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8,
should have
(4 Feb)
Prokaryote and eukaryote cells, organelles
9, 10, 11 and 12
been read
Year 11 starts
(4th) :Note Year
12 subjects start
3rd!
and their functions, movement of cells
2
Chapter 1- ‘Cells in Action’
Prac: Microscopes
Review questions for
Read chapter
Prokaryote and eukaryote cells, organelles
and Cells
Ch. 1- 14, 15, 18, 19,
2 and begin
20 and 30
working on
th
(7 – 11
th
th
Feb)
over the
holidays
and their functions, movement of cells
flashcards for
chapter.
3
Chapter 1 – ‘Cells in Action’
(14 – 18
th
SAC 1: PowerPoint
of an animal/plant cell
th
Feb)
Dedication
Night (18th)
4
Chapter 2- ‘The chemical composition of
Prac: Investigating
Review questions for
(21 – 25
cells’
cells
Ch. 2 – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8,
Feb)
Organic and inorganic molecules,
st
th
9 and 10
investigating the chemicals in cells, plasma
membrane, lipids, proteins, vitamins and
minerals
5
Chapter 2- ‘The chemical composition of
Prac: Effect of
Review questions for
Read chapter
cells’
Temperature on
Ch. 2- 12, 13, 14, 15,
3 and begin
Mar)
Enzymes, cytoskeleton, cell wall and
enzyme activity
17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 28,
working on
VCE Basketball
(3rd)
cytoplasm, cell organelles and their
(SAC 2)
29 and 30.
flashcards for
6
Chapter 3- ‘Transport across plasma
Prac: Exploring
Review questions for
membranes’
Diffusion and
Ch. 3- 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7,
Mar)
Membranes, movement in and out of cells,
Osmosis
8, 9a and b, 10, 11,
Secondary
Swimming
Carnival (10th)
diffusions and osmosis, cell replication
12,
7
Chapter 3- ‘Transport across plasma
Review questions for
Read chapter
membranes’
Ch. 3 - 15a and 16.
4 and begin
(28 Feb– 4
th
(7 – 11
th
th
(14 – 18
th
th
th
functions.
chapter
Mar)
Cell replication- mitosis, growth and repair,
working on
Labour Day
(14th)
cell size and shape
flashcards
8
Chapter 4- ‘Common requirements of
Prac: Plant Transport
Review Q’s for Ch.
Read chapter
(21 – 25
living things: Single cells and plants’
Systems
4- 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10,
5 and begin
Mar)
Single- celled organisms, plant structure
13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and
working on
st
th
Student vs. Staff
Volleyball (24th)
SEISS Swim
Carnival (25th)
and functions, water and nutrient transport
9
Chapter 5- ‘Common requirements of
Review Q’s for Ch.
living things: Animals’
5- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8.
(28 Mar– 1
th
st
Apr)
20
systems, removing plant wastes
flashcards for
chapter
Obtaining nutrients and energy, digestion
and the digestive system, digestion in
various organisms
10
Chapter 5- ‘Common requirements of
Prac: Heart
Review Q’s for Ch.
(4 – 8 Apr)
living things: Animals’
dissection?
5-
School Photos
(4th)
Parent-Teacher
Interviews (6th)
The human circulatory system, blood
9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15,
vessels, the heart and lymphatic system, gas
16, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25,
exchange in some vertebrates
27, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35
TERM 2
Chapter 5: ‘Common Requirements of
Review Q’s for Ch.
Read chapter
1
living things: animals”
5-
6 and begin
Waste removal and water balance, the
37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43,
working on
Apr)
urinary system, kidney structure and
44, 47, 50, 54, 55, 56,
flashcards for
Easter Monday
(25th)
ANZAC Day
Holiday (26th)
Term 2 Starts
(27th)
function, nephrons, the nature of toxic
57 and 58.
chapter
2
Chapter 6- ‘Reproduction’
Review Q’s for Ch.
Asexual reproduction, mitosis
6- 1, 2, and 3
th
th
(25 – 29
th
th
(2 – 6 May)
nd
th
waste products and substances, waste
removal in other organisms, water balance
Heritage College
Cross Country
(5th)
3
Chapter 6- ‘Reproduction’
(9th – 13th
Sexual reproduction, cell cycles and
May)
meiosis
4
Review Q’s for Ch.
6- 6, 8, 11
Chapter 6- ‘Reproduction’
Prac: Digestive
Review Q’s for Ch.
reproductive systems in plants,
system of the rat
6- 12, 14, 16, 17, 24,
May)
reproductive systems in animals, grouping
(SAC 3)
27, 28, 29, 31
SEISS XCountry (20th)
living things
5
Chapter 6 - Reproduction
(16 – 20
th
th
(23 – 27
rd
Reproduction
Assignment (SAC
th
May)
4)
6
Unit 1: Putting it all together
(30 May –
th
classification
3 Jun)
rd
SEISS VCE
Soccer (1st)
7
REVISION WEEK
(6 – 10
th
th
Jun)
Study VAC?
REVISION
REVISION
WEEK
WEEK
8
EXAM WEEK
(13th – 17th
Jun)
Queens Bday
(13th)
Student Free
Day
(14th)
GAT/Unit 3 VCE
Exams
9
(20th – 24th
Jun)
10
(27th Jun– 1st
Jul)
VCE SEISS
AFL/Netball(27th)
Parent-Teacher
Interviews (29th)
Staff vs
Students Soccer
(30th)
UNIT 2 STARTS
EXAM WEEK
EXAM WEEK