Unit3Biology

In this unit students consider the molecules and biochemical processes that are indicators of life. They investigate the synthesis of biomolecules and biochemical processes that are common to autotrophic and heterotrophic life forms. Students consider the universality of DNA and investigate its structure; the genes of an organism, as functional units of DNA and code for the production of a diverse range of proteins in an organism.
 * Unit 3 VCE Biology Signatures of Life**



I'll add the worksheet and chapter questions answers to a separate page. Worksheet Answers

__Area of Study 1 Molecules of Life__ In this area of study, students investigate the activities of cells at molecular level; the synthesis of biomolecules that form components of cells and the role of enzymes in catalysing biochemical processes. Students investigate energy transformations in cells and how autotrophs and heterotrophs obtain their energy requirements, particularly through the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Students gain an understanding that DNA and proteins are key molecules of life forms, and that units of DNA code for the production of proteins underpins the relationship between changing the code and changing the molecular products of cells. Students explore applications of molecular biology in medical diagnosis and the design of new pharmaceuticals.

The pdf's below are slide shows used in class to support the teaching of the theory for each chapter of the course. I use the text: Heinemann Biology 2 in Year 12. media type="youtube" key="jqUhWDp73bM" height="234" width="288" media type="youtube" key="g78utcLQrJ4" height="262" width="293"media type="youtube" key="Gh2P5CmCC0M" height="243" width="325" media type="youtube" key="3aZrkdzrd04" height="234" width="288"media type="youtube" key="C1_uez5WX1o" height="234" width="288" media type="youtube" key="hyI2mYfbbxk" height="234" width="288"

__Area of Study 2 Detecting and Responding__ This area of study focuses on how cells detect biomolecules that elicit particular responses depending on whether the molecules are ‘self’ or ‘non-self’. Students investigate how signalling molecules, such as hormones and neurotransmitters, assist in coordinating and regulating cell activities by binding to specific receptors on membranes of target cells, initiating a series of molecular changes in response. Students examine the barriers and mechanisms of organisms that protect them from invasion and infection by pathogenic organisms. They investigate mechanisms that control the effectiveness of pathogens, and specific and non-specific immune responses of organisms to antigens. Students investigate signalling molecules and their role in regulating activities of organisms such as growth hormones in plants and/or action of antibiotics. They investigate how advances in molecular biology have helped to find causes of disorders in cell communication, and how technologies assist in managing disorders that interfere with coordination and regulation.

__Student Work__

I'd like to try two new things this year and manage them through the wiki so that everyone can use them. The first will be a Blog based on my favourite reflective activity - the 3 - 2 - 1 (thanks to Anne Semple who taught me this) On the Blog students will list the 3 new things they have learnt from each chapter, 2 things that they still aren't sure about (but they are going to work those out and add the answers to the Blog later) and one question they have for me. I'll answer these on the Blog. That way we all get to share these ideas. I hope that this support everyone's learning and that you can use some of the information on the Blog later for revision.

[|My Blog]

The other is to use student created Prezi's (or other electronic forms) for revising the main concepts each chapter. In pairs (or 3's) you will prepare a Prezi on a concept and then save them to the following wiki. Everyone will be able to see them and use them to reinforce their understanding of the concepts.

Student Prezi's

__Revision__

Each year I conduct revision lectures at Caulfield Grammar School for their HeadStart program. I have included the 2010 materials I produced for them here. I will replace these with my 2011 updates when I do them later this semester. I also have a collection of VCAA past papers and examiners reports which I have added to a separate page: Unit 3 VCAA Exams