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

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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.

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Spare parts

This ABC In Depth feature article deals with the historical and future development of our use of implants including the bionic ear and eye. Research into tissue regeneration and bionic regeneration is outlined. A bionic eye, a new heart grown in the lab, spinal implants that will help quadriplegics walk again. This provides ...

Audio

Diabetes type 2 cured by surgery ABC Radio national

Download the audio or view the transcript of this ABC radio program. It is an excellent example of how approaching a problem from a different perspective and with an open mind may result in an amazing solution. Richard Stubbs, and New Zealand scientist, claims type 2 diabetes is a disease of the gut. If his hypothesis is ...

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Catchment management: where the river meets the sea

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Catchment management: what’s in a drop?

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Catchment management: the drain is just for rain

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Catchment management: water sustainability

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Video

How does the retina work?

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Video

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Video

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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 ...

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

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.

Downloadable

The Invisible War: A tale on two scales

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Test of nerves | Questacon

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Thermoregulation in spacesuits

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Assist me

This set of learning activities challenges students to students consider the role that STEM plays in healthcare. They explore how biomedical engineers and doctors work together to improve and invent devices that enable people with disabilities to complete daily life tasks efficiently and effectively. Students consider ethics, ...