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

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.

Interactive

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.

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.

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 ...

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

The Structure of the Heart

Students use this resource consisting of nine slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the basic structure of the heart and its need for a supply of blood from the coronary artery. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

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.

Audio

Cholera's prevention preferable to its cure

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 ...

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

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

Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand some effects that the different chemicals in cigarette smoke can have on the body. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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

Human Fertilisation

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that fertilisation is the fusion of the egg and sperm nuclei, and know what happens to the egg after fertilisation up until implantation. 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

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

In Vitro-fertilisation

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.

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

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.