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

Interactive

Digestion Experiments

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 ...

Interactive

A Balanced Diet: food types

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.

Interactive

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.

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 ...

Interactive

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.

Interactive

Exploring the human body

This resource for basic physiology and anatomy has a comprehensive outline of all the systems of the body and sensory organs, with animated graphics and activities to help explain them, plus links to visual and interactive resources online.

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.

Interactive

Breathing

Students use this resource consisting of eleven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how the lungs are ventilated by breathing. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Composition of inhaled and exhaled air

This resource consists of 2 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting information about how the process of respiration changes the composition of gases present in inhaled and exhaled air. The second set demonstrates experiments to show that carbon dioxide and water vapour are exhaled.

Interactive

Specialised Cells in the Breathing System

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.

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

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.

Interactive

The Circulatory System

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to identify the names of the different types of blood vessels and explain that substances are exchanged between the blood and cells at capillary walls. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

Rate of Photosynthesis

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how to measure the rate of photosynthesis and understand what factors affect it. A detailed method is suggested for measuring the effect of varying levels of light. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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

Experiments to see if Chlorophyll and Light are Needed to Make Starch

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.

Video

AERO Ochre Science Year 8 Unit 1 - Cells, tissues and organs

This sequence of 15 lessons will teach students about cells, tissues and organs, and how they function in plants and animals.

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 ...

Interactive

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.

Video

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 ...