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

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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 ...

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Plant scan

Show an alien how much you know about plant life on Earth. Answer a quiz on plant structure and function. Identify labels for plant parts. Match each plant part with its function. This learning object is the last in a series of two objects.

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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.

Video

Dam threatens ancient lungfish

Explore the issues around the construction of the Traveston Dam in Queensland with Professor Jean Joss and former Queensland Premier Peter Beattie. In this 2006 news report they outline arguments for and against the construction of the dam and how it would affect one of the few remaining homes of a 150-million- year-old ...

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DIY Human Body - iTunes app

Learn about the human body and its systems - circulatory, digestive, skeletal, immune and respiratory systems. Each body system includes information, diagrams, videos and step-by-step scientific investigations to carry out. Free when viewed on 21/6/15

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Eyeballing colours

Fiery red, cool blue and sunny yellow are phrases used to describe feelings associated with colours. But what actually is colour? Why is it there and what helps us to see it? Follow Chloe Sheridan as she unravels the complexity of seeing colour by delving into its physics and biology. She entered this video in the 2013 ...

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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.

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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 ...

Video

Breathing and Respiration: animation

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.

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Respiration in Plants

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.

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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.

Video

The Circulatory System: Heart animation

This resource allows students to 'resuscitate' a patient by dragging and dropping the main parts of the heart to their correct position. Incorrect positioning results in death! When organs are correctly positioned, the patient commences breathing and the heart beating and the structures are labelled. Note this resource ...

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Organ Systems at Work

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.

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Transport of Gases

Students use this resource consisting of four slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how oxygen and carbon dioxide are transported around the body. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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The female reproductive system

Students use this resource consisting of two slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the structure and function of the female reproductive organs. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide. Note: Quiz and Review sections are not working.

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Photosynthesis

Students use this resource consisting of five slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that plants make food by photosynthesis and the word equation that represents it. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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Plant Mineral Requirements

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that nitrogen and other elements, in addition to carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, are required for plant growth. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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The Heart as a Double Pump

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand why the heart is described as a double pump. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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Aerobic Respiration

This resource consists of 2 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting information about aerobic respiration and compares respiration with burning.