Science / Year 8 / Science Understanding / Biological sciences

• TLF-IDM016119

This engaging article outlines the science behind the sense of smell. It explains what makes dogs' noses and their sense of smell so powerful. It also describes how understanding the science has had implications for the potential development of new technologies.

• TLF-IDM016163

This resource consists of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting information about why plants need to respire, their need for oxygen and a comparison of when respiration and photosynthesis occurs.

• TLF-IDM016189

Students use this resource consisting of nine slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to identify some of the substances transported in the plasma. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016747

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that chlorophyll and light are needed for a plant to make starch. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016443

This resource consists of 7 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting detailed information and explanations of the constituents of blood and their different functions. It also contains a drag and drop self correcting activity for students.

• TLF-IDM016652

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that fertilisation in humans and flowering plants is the fusion of a male and a female cell. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016256

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how smoking cigarettes can damage the breathing system. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016506

This ABC article by Dr Karl describes in detail aspects of how water balance occurs with some interesting examples of when things go wrong. He then outlines the disease, cholera and how it is associated with bacteria carried by water and the disruption to our water balance. Dr Karl looks at the causes and effects of cholera ...

• TLF-IDM016458

This ABC article by Dr Karl continues his examination of the causes, effects and treatments for cholera. A good explanation of how the body responds to the disease cholera and when healthy, maintains a balance in its absorption of water through the digestive system. The historical background to developing treatment for ...

• TLF-IDM016764

This very brief resource consists of one set of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting basic information of the role of blood in the body, drawing an analogy of blood to a transport system.

• TLF-IDM016672

Students use this resource consisting of five slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the basic structure and function of the male reproductive organs. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016290

Students use this resource consisting of four slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that different organ systems need to work together in a healthy organism. The example provided is in humans. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016536

This resource allows students to 'resuscitate' a patient by dragging and dropping the main structures involved in breathing into the correct position. Incorrect positioning results in death! When organs are correctly positioned, the patient commences breathing and the structures are labelled.

• TLF-IDM016414

Students use this resource consisting of five slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how cells in the mucous membrane perform their function. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016168

Explore in vitro fertilization in this interactive. The IVF cycle is broken down into seven sequential steps and the related anatomy and specific procedures involved are shown for each step. The organs and functioning of the human female are given in detail through the process.

• TLF-IDM016640

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the structures and their functions of the respiratory system. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016338

Students use this deatiled resource consisting of ten slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to identify the names and sources of food types needed in a balanced diet and the different uses of food in the body. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016166

This resource consists of 3 sets of illustrated slides with voice over presenting detailed information and explanations of an experiment used to investigate the action of amylase on starch and the optimum pH for the action of protease on egg white protein. Results are provided and interpreted using tables and graphs. More ...

• TLF-IDM016326

This resource consists of 2 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting information about fermentation and useful microorganisms. It includes the use of terms such as enzymes and anaerobic respiration.

• TLF-IDM016391

This 7 minute video segment from Catalyst describes the risk factors that impact on turtle survival. Protecting the future of turtle populations on the Queensland coast has been the life's work of Col Limpus for the past 40 years. His efforts have included research and reducing predation from foxes and entrapment in trawler nets.

• TLF-IDM016754

An interview and visit to a hospital room with Professor Annemarie Hennessy, a medical researcher at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). Annemarie talks to a teacher about her work in researching the relationship between the placenta and the mother's blood pressure, and about her career and future directions.

• TLF-IDM020088

This study guide examines ways Australian cattle and sheep farmers are monitoring and researching how greenhouse gas emissions are being produced by farms and steps farmers use to reduce them. This includes selective breeding programs to produce cattle and sheep whose digestive processes emit less methane, research into ...

• TLF-IDM021143

Considering the impact of a changing climate on the severity and frequency of fires is one thing, but how about the impact of fires on climate? Why does Professor David Bowman describe this scenario as a 'fire spiral'? What are the consequences of a world with fewer forests? As Professor Craig Allen explains, drought and ...

• TLF-IDM015968

Did you know that Australia is the most flammable continent on Earth? Watch this clip to discover how bushfires impact natural ecosystems, and how the increasing global threat of bushfires may affect Australia. Australian scientists explain the ecological consequences of fire and a US expert describes his concerns for the future.

• TLF-IDM025101

Numbats are native Australian marsupials that can be found in Western Australia and South Australia. Unfortunately, their numbers are declining rapidly. What are the causes? What can we do to combat this and protect these unique Australian animals? Find out what one community group, the Numbat Taskforce, is doing to help ...

• TLF-IDM019504

This is an interactive resource in which students explore natural selection by controlling an environment and causing mutations in rabbits. Students can select vary environments, selection pressures, mutations and associated genetics, and then observe the populations change. This interactive resource is supported by tips ...

• TLF-IDS4975

These seven learning activities, which focus on 'visual representations' using a variety of tools (software) and devices (hardware), illustrate the ways in which content, pedagogy and technology can be successfully and effectively integrated in order to promote learning. In the activities, teachers assist students to understand ...

• TLF-IDR7915

This is a colour photograph of the internal skull of a platypus ('Ornithorhynchus anatinus'). This museum specimen displays two components of the skull: the braincase with fused rostrum and the lower jaw. This image has a pale background and includes a black scale line representing 2 cm. Museum identification labels are ...

• TLF-IDR7910

This is a colour photograph of the internal skull of a bilby ('Macrotis lagotis'). This museum specimen displays two components of the skull: the braincase with fused rostrum and the lower jaw. This image has a pale background and includes a black scale line representing 2 cm. (Classification - Phylum: Chordata, Class: ...

• TLF-IDR7921

This is a colour photograph of the internal skull of an eastern horseshoe bat ('Rhinolophus megaphyllus'). This museum specimen displays two components of the skull: the braincase with fused rostrum and the lower jaw. This image has a pale background and includes a thick black scale line representing 1 cm. (Classification ...

• TLF-IDR6885

This is a colour photograph of a feather fossilised in mudstone. This specimen is from the Koonwarra fossil bed in the South Gippsland region of Victoria. This fossil shows detail of the feather structure, including the central shaft and attached barbs.

• TLF-IDM017139

This is a digital resource containing information and resources, such as printable games, that relate to biodiversity and farming, and how food and materials can be produced while protecting the Earth's natural resources. It includes an extensive glossary of important terms, and external links to teacher and student resources ...

• TLF-IDM016283

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how the mucous membrane lining the respiratory system helps to prevent infection. Three of the eight slides deal with the impact of smoking. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

• TLF-IDM016492

A master class with Dr Paul Willis, a science journalist and palaeontologist specialising in fossil crocodiles. Paul talks to a Year 2 group about dinosaurs, their size and how you can find evidence about them. Students ask Paul some very interesting questions! Then, a biology student from Richmond High School talks to ...

• TLF-IDM016453

An interview and lab tour with Vaughan Macefield, a neuroscientist at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). Vaughan talks to students and their teacher from Quakers Hill High School about his work studying nerves and their function in the human body.

• TLF-IDM016738

This page links to a range of materials from the Australian Museums' Bugwise program, with additional materials and activities, including a resource about invertebrates in freshwater.

• TLF-IDR9534

This is an edited sound recording of Sir Gustav Nossal describing the medical research for which he became internationally known. He outlines his contributions to the emerging science of immunology in the 1950s-70s, and how other researchers have been able to make further discoveries based on his initial work. The recording ...

• TLF-IDM008860

Find out how the landscape is repaired after open-cut mining. This is a PowerPoint presentation showing rehabilitation work carried out at the Ensham open-cut coal mine in central Queensland. The slides are predominantly pictorial and illustrate the processes of planning, removal and stockpiling of overburden, mining, surface ...

• TLF-IDM015383

View vineyards of the Yarra Valley region of Victoria in a news clip from 2006 and discover a warming climate's consequences for the region's wine-grape growers. This clip examines some of the ways these growers can adapt to climate change. An environmentalist also gives views on climate change and issues politicians with ...

• TLF-IDM016656

An interview with Adam Cawley, a chemist and scientist from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, who is an expert in drug testing in sport. Adam talks to a teacher from Killara High School about working as a chemist, and the challenges in drug testing.

• TLF-IDA002268

Kevin Bradley, CEO of Save the Bilby Fund, and Cassandra Arkinstall, a researcher and volunteer at Save the Bilby Fund, explain why the bilby is an important indicator of the health of an ecosystem, and how their decline impacts other wildlife. This video gives an overview of what the Save the Bilby Fund does as they work ...

• TLF-IDA002852

The satisfaction of eating straight from the garden is one of life’s best learning experiences, however we need to be respectful and mindful to only harvest what we need to allow the plant to continue to thrive for generations to come. This activity involves the assessment and mapping of local environments to create a successful ...

• TLF-IDA002795

Planting a food garden is an exciting and fulfilling task. This learning activity is part of a sequence of 5 individual learning activities focused on creating a food garden. The order of these learning activities are: vision, site assessment, installing a no dig garden bed, planting and harvesting. OUTCOMES of this activity ...