Science / Year 8 / Science Understanding / Biological sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

Multi-cellular organisms contain systems of organs carrying out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce (ACSSU150)

Elaborations
  • identifying the organs and overall function of a system of a multicellular organism in supporting the life processes
  • describing the structure of each organ in a system and relating its function to the overall function of the system
  • examining the specialised cells and tissues involved in structure and function of particular organs
  • comparing similar systems in different organisms such as digestive systems in herbivores and carnivores, respiratory systems in fish and mammals
  • distinguishing between asexual and sexual reproduction
  • comparing reproductive systems of organisms
Cross-curriculum priorities
ScOT terms

Plant structure and function,  Body systems

Video

BTN: Do you suffer from asthma?

Asthma is one of the most common chronic health problems in Australia. Fortunately, a lot is known about the causes of asthma attacks, and how to treat them. View this clip to find out what happens to the airways of an asthma sufferer and how this disease can be managed.

Online

Greener farming: protecting the environment

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 ...

Interactive

Human Circulatory System

This resource consists of 5 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting detailed information and explanations of the components of the human circulatory system and their functions.

Audio

Choleric waters still run deep with disease

With 884 million people globally not having access to clean drinking water, it comes as no surprise that cholera keeps on killing. Dr Karl explains arguably the most important medical discovery of the 20th century. An excellent resource for the understanding of why cleanliness of water is fundamental to the control of infectious ...

Audio

Killer cholera begins where other diseases end

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 ...

Interactive

The Menstrual Cycle

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the changes that occur in a woman's body during the menstrual cycle. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Puberty

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that changes in hormone concentrations result in the development of secondary sexual characteristics at puberty. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Digestion – part 1

This resource consists of 4 sets of illustrated slides with voice over presenting highly detailed information about the process of digestion and the role and function of the various parts of the digestive system up to the small intestine (it is the first part of a resource).

Video

BTN: Colour blindness - seeing the world differently

The ability to see colours is an important human trait, but did you know some people's colour vision is impaired. View this clip to discover what it means to be colourblind and how it happens. Find out also about the extraordinary colour vision of the dunnart, and why it is important for this nocturnal marsupial.

Online

Vitamania: vitamin profiles

Most people know that vitamins are an essential daily requirement for a healthy life, but few people really know how or why. Vitamins need to be examined individually to understand and appreciate their differences and specific importance to our bodily functions. This lesson plan with supporting video clips, introduces students ...

Video

BTN: Wasted by alcohol abuse

Consuming alcohol affects our bodies. Find out what alcohol actually does inside the human body and the organ that 'fights' to reduce its harmful effects. Discover why alcohol is literally a 'waste' product.

Interactive

Why are dogs such top smellers?

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.

Interactive

Cell Fertilisation

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.

Interactive

Fermentation

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.

Video

Turtles

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.

Interactive

Blood Plasma

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.

Interactive

The Role of Blood

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.

Interactive

Malnutrition (sk- Intel)

This set of eight illustrated slides with voice-over explanations and a two-question quiz addresses aspects of under nutrition such as deficiencies in protein, vitamin C, iron, vitamin D and fibre.

Interactive

Sexual Intercourse

Students use this resource consisting of two slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand what happens during sexual intercourse. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Pregnancy

Students use this resource consisting of five slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the sequence of main events during pregnancy and the functions of the placenta and amniotic fluid. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.