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

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 ...

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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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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.

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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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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.

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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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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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Adaptations of the Alveoli

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to identify how the lungs are adapted for efficient gas exchange. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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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.

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Experiments that compare Inhaled Air and Exhaled Air

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the procedures to compare carbon dioxide levels of inhaled and exhaled air and to detect presence of water vapour in exhaled air. It relates the change in exhaled air to respiration. There is a two-question ...

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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.

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e-Health: Digital Citizenship

Resource consisting of information and student activities that emphasise the need for neutral posture when using computers. Contains activities and links to stimulus materials.

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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.

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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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The Uses of Glucose

Students use this resource consisting of nine slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that the glucose made during photosynthesis can be respired or changed into a variety of chemicals by combining with other elements. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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The Role of the Leaf in Photosynthesis

Students use this resource consisting of nine slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand the structures of the leaf and its cells that facilitate photosynthesis. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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Differences between Inhaled and Exhaled Air

Students use this resource consisting of seven slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to identify the differences between inhaled and exhaled air. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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Gas Exchange

Students use this resource consisting of eight slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that gas exchange is the absorption of oxygen from the air into the blood and the removal of carbon dioxide from the blood. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

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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.