SAMPLE COURSE OUTLINE
HUMAN BIOLOGY
GENERAL YEAR 11
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2014/19760v3
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Sample course outline
Human Biology – General Year 11
Unit 1 – Healthy body
Week
Key teaching points
1–3
Science inquiry skills
 Investigation/experimental techniques
Characteristics of life
 Life processes
 Cell theory
 Cell membrane
 Structure and function of cell components – nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes, lysosomes
and cytoplasm
 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
Task 1: Practical – Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
4–6
Body organisation
 Hierarchical structural organisation – cells, tissues, organs, systems
Respiratory system
 Structure and function of the respiratory system
 Characteristics for efficient gas exchange
 Mechanics of breathing
 Diseases of the respiratory system
Task 2: Investigation – Effect of exercise on breathing rate and pulse rate
7–10
Circulatory system
 Structure and function of the circulatory system
 Structure of the heart
 Science inquiry skills: heart dissection
 Components of blood and their function
 Diseases of the circulatory system
Task 3: Practical – Heart dissection
Task 4: Test – Characteristics of life, respiratory and circulatory systems
11–13
Digestive system
 Structure and function of the digestive system
 Mechanical and chemical digestion
 Elimination of wastes
 Diseases of the digestive system
Task 5: Research assignment – Digestive disorders
14
15–16
Nutrition and diet
 Healthy diet
 Malnutrition
 Nutrient groups and their uses in the body
 Food testing
Urinary system
 Structure and function of the urinary system
 Water balance
 Dysfunctions of the kidneys and diseases of the urinary system
Task 6: Test – Digestive and urinary systems
Sample course outline | Human Biology | General Year 11
2
Unit 2 – Reproduction and inheritance
Week
Key teaching points
1–2
Genetic material
 DNA – structure and function
 Chromosomes – structure and function
 Genes and alleles
Task 7: Practical – DNA extraction
3–4
Cell division
 Mitosis – sequence of events
– characteristics of daughter cells
 Meiosis – sequence of events
– characteristics of daughter cells
 Difference between mitosis and meiosis
5–7
Reproductive system
 Structure and function of male and female reproductive systems
 Spermatozoa formation in males
 Role of ovarian and menstrual cycle in development and delivery of an ovum
 Hormones involved in ovarian and menstrual cycle – FSH, LH, oestrogen and progesterone
Task 8: Test – DNA, cells and reproductive system
8–10
Pregnancy
 Purpose of fertilisation
 Implantation and placenta formation
 Sequence of zygote, embryonic and foetal development
 Monitoring foetal development using ultrasound and other technology
 Effect of environmental factors on mother and baby – diet, smoking, alcohol and drugs
Task 9: Practical – Rat dissection (real/virtual)
11–12
 The sequence of events involved during birth for mother and baby
 Complications during birth
 Infant development – milestones
Task 10: Research assignment – Alcohol and smoking during pregnancy
Task 11: Test – Pregnancy and birth
13–14
Reproductive technologies
 Contraceptive methods
 Infertility treatments – IVF, GIFT, ZIFT and FET
 Parental, foetal and embryonic testing for disorders and abnormalities
Task 12: In-class assessment – Reproductive technology
15–16
Sexually transmitted diseases
 Transmission
 Causes
 Symptoms
 Treatment
Task 13: Test – Reproductive technology and STIs
Sample course outline | Human Biology | General Year 11