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

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

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

Birth

Students use this resource consisting of five slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to identify what happens during the birth of a baby. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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.

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

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

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).

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

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.

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

Did ancient teeth decay?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Respiration

Students use this resource consisting of eleven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over as an introduction to aerobic respiration, a chemical reaction that occurs in cells to release energy from glucose. They learn the word equation that represents it. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

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.