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Science / Year 9 / Science Understanding / Biological sciences

Curriculum content descriptions

Multi-cellular organisms rely on coordinated and interdependent internal systems to respond to changes to their environment (ACSSU175)

Elaborations
  • describing how the requirements for life (for example oxygen, nutrients, water and removal of waste) are provided through the coordinated function of body systems such as the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous and excretory systems
  • explaining how body systems work together to maintain a functioning body using models, flow diagrams or simulations
  • identifying responses using nervous and endocrine systems
  • investigating the response of the body to changes as a result of the presence of micro-organisms
  • investigating the effects on humans of exposure to electromagnetic radiations such as X-rays and microwaves
ScOT terms

Nervous system,  Plant hormones,  Endocrine system,  Immune system,  Homeostasis

Video

Unlocking the key to why chillies are hot

Have you ever eaten hot chilli and wondered why your mouth feels like it's on fire? Watch this clip to find out all about the science of chillies, including what makes them hot, why they are hot and why they cause so much pain when we eat them.

Online

Catchment management: the drain is just for rain

Stormwater originated as rain and flows into creeks, rivers and other water bodies. Any rubbish or chemical pollution collected during this journey can end up polluting the waterways. This activity looks the impacts of stormwater and rubbish in our waterways. Outcomes of this learning activity are for students to: understand ...

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Rat Nav

This 5 minute video segment from Catalyst shows how University of Queensland scientists have created a computer program which mimics the way a rat navigates, in the hope of one day giving future robotic vehicles the ability to explore and map their environments by themselves.

Interactive

Brain Quiz

This is a ten question multiple choice quiz that gives students feedback on their understanding of the role of the brain in interpretation of signals and the coordination of behaviour and maintaining humans as functioning organisms. Non-threatening quiz that gives explanations with the feedback.

Online

Catchment management: what’s in a drop?

Water is a precious resource, yet water is also wasted every day. This activity investigates water consumption and how you can reduce the amount of water wasted. OUTCOMES of this learning activity are for students to: understand the urban water cycle; learn different ways to reduce water usage; discover how much water is ...

Online

Catchment management: water sustainability

Water is an important resource, and is required by all living species to survive. Water is also important for many industries and businesses. This activity investigates the different land uses over time across your local catchment. OUTCOMES are for children to: understand the natural and urban water cycle; learn about the ...

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Animal survivor

This resource provides a scaffold for students to analyse the features of a Queensland animal and relate them to its survival success. Students then conduct the animal design challenge: Engineering new features for their animal to increase its chance of survival and future success. Students also make predictions about how ...

Video

Why do people get itchy?

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How does the retina work?

When electrons in your retina absorb photons of light they don't emit light, they cause a molecule to change shape - and that lets you see colour!

Video

BTN: Cancer - when the baddies take over

Cancer is a major disease in Australia and there are many different types, including leukaemia, and breast and skin cancers. View this clip to discover more about how cancer forms, why it occurs, and what cancer research is being done.

Video

BTN: Do you suffer from asthma?

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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.

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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.

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.

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Body identity

This eleven and a half minute video segment from Catalyst is an excellent example of how science research can change our understanding. Some rare people who actually want their limb removed and will go to extraordinary lengths to do so are now regarded as experiencing a neurological phenomenon rather than a psychological disorder.

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Eggs on ice

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst addresses some economic, social and scientific issues around the development of reproductive technologies.

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Hendra Virus

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst describes research into the Hendra virus with its high mortality rate and animal vectors.

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Stem Cells Repair

This 11 minute video segment from Catalyst is a case study of research in the use of stem cells. It demonstrates the structure of the knee joint and the role of bones and cartilage. Stem cells from bone marrow are collected and used in attempt to prevent the onset of arthritis. This program distinguishes embryonic from ...

Video

CMT disease

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Thermoregulation in spacesuits

Space exploration demands technological advances that enable survival in extremely harsh environments. In this lesson, students will explore contemporary spacesuit design and create their own representation of the suit’s thermoregulation system.