Post on 25-Jun-2015
What is Biology?
Activity: Syllabus Read through the syllabus. Identify terms you are not familiar
with (highlight or underline). Write a list of these words down.
Biology Unit 1Organisms & Their Environment
Two Area of Studies (AOS):AOS1: Adaptations of OrganismsAOS2: Dynamic Ecosystems
Two SAC’s for each AOS
Assessment
SAC’s for every Outcome
OTHER Work Requirements (Assignments/Projects; Practical Reports; Biozone Pages; Topic Summaries; Glossary Words)
Mid – Year Exam
About the Exam
Each Area of Study (AOS) has approximately equal weighting in terms of questions
Questions that address key knowledge and science skills have approximately equal weighting
PART A: 25 Multiple - Choice Questions worth 1 mark each. Select correct response from four alternatives.
PART B: Short Answer Questions worth 50 marks in total.
Examples used in the exam will be unfamiliar – this is normal! You will be expected to apply knowledge of the concepts to unfamiliar settings.
Biozone and Nelson Biology Bizone can be purchased at the
start of the year from the office (approx $30)
Biozone should be brought to every class and will be checked regularly as a work requirement.
Nelson should remain at home and be used as a reference for study or summary notes.
What makes a good VCE student?
What research says: Use study techniques to make their learning time more productive.Eliminate procrastination.Determine and focus upon what you want to achieve in VCE and
beyond. Lay out small, achievable steps to achieve your VCE goals.Prioritise work and goals into small easily achievable chunks and
complete them in that order. Achieve a balance across all areas of life to minimise stress and
maximise performance.Continuously learn from their mistakes and refine their skills to
improve their performance.
How to be a good VCE student: What research says: Use study techniques to make their learning time more productive.Eliminate procrastination.Determine and focus upon what you want to achieve in VCE and
beyond. Lay out small, achievable steps to achieve your VCE goals.Prioritise work and goals into small easily achievable chunks and
complete them in that order. Achieve a balance across all areas of life to minimise stress and
maximise performance.Continuously learn from their mistakes and refine their skills to
improve their performance.
Science SkillsInvestigate & Inquire Scientifically:
Formulate questions & construct hypotheses
Experimental designEvaluate resultPresent & record dataAnalyse dataDraw conclusions consistent with dataAct responsibly & maintain safe
practices
Science SkillsApply biological understandings:
Apply your understanding to a new context, make connections between concepts & solve problems
Analyse issues relating to technological developments
Analyse & evaluate the reliability of information
Science SkillsCommunicate biological
information & understandings:Interpret & communicate
information effectivelyApply information to new
situationsUse scientific terms &
conventionsApply appropriate
communication techniques to different audiences & purposes.
Killer Whale Seal
Introduction: Activity
Examine each of the images on the following slides. Describe the climate (whether its hot or cold, wet or dry) Describe the vegetation:
Are there tall trees, shrubs, grass etc? Is the vegetation sparse or dense?
Image/Name Description of climate (Hot/Cold, Wet/Dry)
Description of vegetation (Plant life)
1
• Draw a table like the one below in your book• Note: you will need enough space for 7 different images)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Definitions of a Biome“A living community characterized by distinctive plants, animals and climate conditions of a
particular region”
“A biome is a large geographical area of distinctive plant and animal groups, which are adapted to that particular environment. The climate and geography of a region determines what type of biome can exist
in that region”
Your Task: In your note write your own definition of a biome
Biomes of the World
Shrubland
7 Main BiomesWhile biomes can be further
classified, we will only focus on 7 distinct types: Coniferous ForestTemperate Deciduous ForestDesertGrasslandRainforestShrublandTundra
Tundra in the Summer
Desert
Stop!
Lets go back and rename our images
To understand a world biome, you need to know:What the climate of the region is like. Where each biome is found and what its geography is
like. The special adaptations of the vegetation. The types of animals found in the biome and their
physical and behavioural adaptations to their environment.