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

Video

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.

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 ...

Video

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.

Video

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.

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.

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

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.

Interactive

Cell Fertilisation

Students use this resource consisting of six slides with diagrams, written explanation and voice-over to understand that fertilisation in humans and flowering plants is the fusion of a male and a female cell. There is a two-question quiz and a summary slide.

Interactive

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).

Interactive

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.

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

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

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.

Interactive

Components of Blood

This resource consists of 7 sets of automated illustrated slides with voice over presenting detailed information and explanations of the constituents of blood and their different functions. It also contains a drag and drop self correcting activity for students.

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

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

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

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

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.