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

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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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.

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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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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.

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Organ Systems

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand how different organs in our bodies work together to keep us alive. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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Digestion Part 2 (sk- Intel)

This brief resource consists of 6 sets of illustrated slides with voice over presenting highly detailed information about the role and function of the various parts of the digestive system starting at the small intestine onwards (it is the second part of a resource).

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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

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.

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 ...

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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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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.

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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.

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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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).

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The Respiratory System

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.

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Did ancient teeth decay?

Is tooth decay just a modern affliction? Archaeologists can tell us of evidence of dental procedures from long ago.

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Science Talk 2007: Annemarie Hennessey

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.

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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.

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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 ...

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 ...