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1.1 Biology as a subject
1.1
Biology as a subject
KEY IDEAS
biology
Biology is a diverse and evolving science based on the study of all living things. It explores life by investigating the structure, function, origin, development and geographic distribution of organisms. Biologists investigate the processes of living things from the molecular level through to the entire organism, and then consider how those organisms function and interact.
There are many branches of biology, including botany, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology and zoology, and they can be applied to a wide range of human endeavours.
The five basic principles
All branches of biology are unified by a framework of five basic principles. These principles state the following: • All living things are composed of cells, the basic units of life. • All living things require energy, and energy flows between organisms and the environment. • All living things contain genetic material, the ‘barcode’ for the structure and function of all organisms. • All living things must maintain homeostasis, a relatively stable internal environment. • The concept of evolution unifies all living things.
Biology as a career
Studying biology provides a pathway that can lead to a range of careers. With ongoing advances in technology and biological concepts, career options in biology continue to grow. These include, but are not limited to: • allied health professional • bioengineer • biotechnologist • ecologist • medical practitioner • pharmacologist • research scientist.
There are also many career opportunities in cross-disciplinary areas such as bushfire research, environmental management and conservation, forensic science, medical research and many other fields.
All science disciplines, including biology, teach a wide variety of core skills, such as: • problem solving • teamwork • research • critical thinking • communication • attention to detail • innovation.
the science of living things, which is divided into different fields that cover the morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origin and distribution of organisms In this topic, you will learn that: ✚ biology is the study of all living things ✚ there are many career pathways that stem from studying biology ✚ the VCE Biology course is made up of four units ✚ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples – the traditional owners of Australia – have different methods for taking care of the land and producing medicine.
core skills
basic ‘soft skills’ required in most careers
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CASE STUDY 1.1
Meet a scientist
Dr Matthew McKenzie is a Melbourne-based lecturer and scientist. His work focuses on the function of mitochondria (small organelles in cells) and how dysfunctional mitochondria can cause diseases in humans. His love for science began at a very early age by watching science fiction such as Dr Who and Star Wars . These
TV shows and movies engaged Matthew’s interest in science and led him to question how things worked. His true love for biology developed when he started his science degree at the University of
Melbourne after finishing VCE. During his science degree, Matthew began specialising in biochemistry and molecular biology and he particularly enjoyed conducting his own experiments in these areas. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he completed an Honours year studying colorectal cancer at the Western Hospital in Footscray. This led to a three-year position as a research assistant working on breast cancer at the Genomic Disorder Research Centre in Melbourne.
During this time, he met his eventual PhD supervisor and developed an interest in mitochondrial biology and disease. After spending time overseas completing his doctorate and FIGURE 1 Dr Matthew McKenzie has a PhD postdoctoral studies, Matthew returned to Melbourne to establish in mitochondrial disease. He is a lecturer and research group head at Deakin University and a his research career. Matthew has established his own independent research scientist. research laboratory and has received an Australian Research
Council Future Fellowship, which provides financial support to continue his research on mitochondrial disease. His laboratory investigates the molecular aspects of mitochondrial disease to better understand how disruption of mitochondria causes problems in patients. Studying biology can lead to a range of careers, as seen with Matthew’s story from completing VCE to leading his own research program and all the career stages in between.
Structure of the VCE Biology course
The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) sets the Study Design for each VCE subject, and Biology is one of the five science courses that are offered at VCE. VCE Biology provides you with the opportunity to engage in a range of inquiry tasks to develop key science skills that identify the links between theory, knowledge and practice. By taking this course, you will develop an understanding of how life has evolved and how this has shaped the biodiversity of species on Earth. Units 1 and 2 are designed to be the first year of the VCE Biology course. They build a foundation of biological concepts for Units 3 and 4. However, Units 1 and 2 are not a prerequisite for Units 3 and 4.
Weblink VCE Biology Study Design DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE
TABLE 1 The VCE Biology course, Units 1–4
Unit
1 How do organisms regulate their functions? Description Unit 1 considers life from cell structure and function to multicellular life and the requirements for sustaining life. You will focus on the cell cycle and learn about system regulations in plants and animals.
2 How does inheritance impact on diversity? Unit 2 looks at how biological information is transferred from generation to generation and how that affects diversity of a species. You will look at asexual and sexual reproduction, including current cloning technologies. You will also look at interdependencies between species, physiological and behavioural adaptations, and contributions from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledge of Australian ecosystems.
3 How do cells maintain life? Unit 3 is based on understanding life at a cellular level. You will investigate the structure and function of cells, as well as the nature of biochemical pathways, specifically photosynthesis and cellular respiration, across two areas of study.
4 How does life change and respond to challenges?
Unit 4 considers the continuous changes and challenges for life on Earth. You will investigate the functioning of the immune system and the issues and challenges related to disease. You will also consider how the concept of biological evolution is based on an accumulation of evidence, how speciation occurs through isolation and divergence, and evidence of change through measurements of relatedness between species. TABLE 2 Units 1 and 2 breakdown of areas of study Unit 1 Area of Study Description 1 How do cells function? This Area of Study focuses on the structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. You will learn about the plasma membrane and the different modes of transport across plasma membranes. You will also learn about the cell cycle from growth to death, stem cells and their role in differentiation, and key events in the cell cycle. 2 How do plant and animal systems function? This Area of Study explores how systems function through cell specialisation in vascular plants and in animal digestion, and endocrine and excretory systems. You will also consider regulation of water balance and temperature in plants, and blood glucose and water balance in animals. 3 How do scientific investigations develop understanding of how organisms regulate their functions? In this Area of Study, you will design and conduct an investigation that explores the function and/or regulation of cells and systems. Unit 2 Area of Study Description 1 How is inheritance explained? This Area of Study focuses on key events in meiosis, particularly gamete production. You will investigate patterns of inheritance, genetic crosses and pedigree charts. Trait changes are considered from one gene, many genes and genes interacting. 2 How do inherited adaptations impact on diversity? This Area of Study considers the advantages and disadvantages of asexual and sexual reproduction. You will consider genetic diversity and structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations. Interdependencies between species and the importance of keystone species are discussed. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledge of Australian ecosystems is reviewed. 3 How do humans use science to explore and communicate contemporary bioethical issues?
In this Area of Study, you will explore a contemporary bioethical issue related to genetic DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE knowledge, reproductive science, inheritance or adaptations and interdependencies between species that enable them to survive.
Within the VCE Biology course, the special relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have with waterways, sea, sky and land is acknowledged. It is important to consider and understand the unique history and cultural diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the ways of being, knowing, thinking and doing. First Peoples’ knowledge of the land has been passed on for generations through song and dance, as well as Dreamtime stories, and there are many things to be learnt from the traditional custodians of Australia.
The traditional custodians of Australia are people who are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and who identify and are accepted as such by the community in which they live. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples may also be referred to as Indigenous, First Nations, First Peoples and/or Traditional Custodians/Owners when referring to a collective group. Indigenous Peoples are also identified by their particular Community, Nation, Tribe or Clan that they/their family and/or community recognise.
The knowledge, cultures and perspectives of more than 250 language groups belonging to a particular Country or Place of Australia are embedded throughout the VCE Biology course, with a specific focus in Units 2 and 4. Area of Study 2, Unit 2, discusses the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ knowledge of species in Australian ecosystems. Indigenous Australians have a profound relationship with the land – Indigenous Peoples honour and respect biodiversity. Indigenous Peoples’ understanding of traditional seasons, farming and fire practices has allowed for occupation and respect for the land for thousands of years.
Area of Study 1, Unit 4, investigates the impact of European arrival on the spread of diseases, particularly on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Area of Study 2, Unit 4, discusses the migration of modern humans with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples populations migrating into Australia and the connection to Country and Place.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
the original inhabitants and custodians of the land now known as Australia, inhabiting this land for more than 65 000 years FIGURE 2 The gum that exudes from the bark of the Country Corymbia gummifera tree is used as an antiseptic by an area (not just Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. geographical) that is traditionally owned and looked after by an Aboriginal (and sometimes Torres Strait Islander People) language group or community; a place of spiritual meaning with deep feelings of connection and attachment
Place
a space confined by physical or intangible boundaries occupied and regarded as belonging to individuals or groups of Torres Strait Islander Peoples (and sometimes Aboriginal Peoples); the spaces have varying spiritual meaning to the people
Apply, analyse and compare
1 Investigate a branch of biology that interests you.
Research and describe this area of biology and justify your choice. 2 Compare the terms ‘Country’ and ‘Place’.
Design and discuss
3 Discuss the research work of Dr Matthew
McKenzie. What is the importance of his current project?
4 Choose one of the following to conduct research on: a traditional medicines in Australia b traditional methods of caring for the Australian land c the migration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples into Australia. CHECK YOUR LEARNING 1.1DRAFT ONLY - NOT FOR SALE Present your findings to your class.
