Biology as a subject
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KEY IDEAS 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 has a clear structure ✚ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the traditional custodians of Australia and have varying methods for taking care of the land and producing medicine. ✚
The five basic principles
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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, and their interactions with the non-living environment. Some of the branches of biology include botany, genetics, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology and zoology, and these can be applied to a wide range of human endeavours.
All branches of biology are unified by a framework of five basic principles. These principles state that: • All things are composed of cells, the basic unit of life. • All living things require energy, and energy flows between organisms and the environment. • All living things contain genetic material, the ‘barcode’ for structure and function in organisms. • All living things must maintain homeostasis – that is, a relatively stable internal environment. • The concept of evolution unifies all living things.
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the science of living things divided into different fields that cover the morphology, physiology, anatomy, behaviour, origin and geographic distribution of organisms
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biology
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Biology as a career
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Studying biology provides a continuing 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 career options include, but are not limited to, the following professions: • research scientist • medical practitioner • allied health professional • ecologist • pharmacologist. This may also include career options in the following areas: • biotechnology • bioengineering.
4 BIOLOGY FOR VCE UNITS 3 & 4
FIGURE 1 Allied health professionals help manage our physical and mental health and need a background in biology to succeed.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
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