Course Outline: WACE ATAR Human Biology

Year 11
Jonathan Kop

UNIT # 1 and 2 (Concurrent program)

Unit 1 looks at how human structure and function supports cellular metabolism and how lifestyle choices affect body functioning.
Unit 2 provides opportunities to explore, in more depth, the mechanisms of transmission of genetic materials to the next generation, the
role of males and females in reproduction, and how interactions between genetics and the environment influence early development.
The cellular mechanisms for gamete production and zygote formation contribute to human diversity. Meiosis and fertilisation are
important in producing new genetic combinations.

Term/ Syllabus Content Key Teaching Points / Resources Assessment Tasks / Evidence
Week of Learning
Scientific Inquiry Scientific Inquiry: Syllabus, Program & Assessment Outline
 Identifying variables for Yr 11 ATAR Human Biology
o Independent Newton and Joyce: Human Perspectives
o Dependent 7th Edition
1/1 WACE Human Biology Study Guide ATAR
o Control
 Reliability
 Validity
Ethical Considerations
Cell Organelles Review of Cells
 The human body is comprised of cells, tissues and organs
within complex systems that work together to maintain
1/2 life
 Cell organelles maintain life processes and require the
input of materials and the removal of wastes to support
efficient functioning of the cell
1/3 Cell Membranes and Transport Cell membrane & movement of materials: Task 1: Cell Transport
 Fluid mosaic model Investigation
o Diffusion
o Facilitated diffusion
o Osmosis
 o Active transport
o Vesicular transport (endocytosis and exocytosis)
 Factors affecting the exchange of materials across the cell
membrane include;
o Surface area to volume ratios
o Concentration gradients
o The physical and chemical nature of the
materials being exchanged
Body Tissues Tissues
 Tissues perform specific functions and can be categorised
into four basic tissue types;
1/4 o Epithelial
o Connective
o Muscular
o Nervous
Metabolism Metabolism Task 2: Cells, Tissues and
 Cellular respiration to release energy in the form of ATP. Metabolism TEST
 Cells require nutrients including : carbohydrates, proteins,
1/5
lipids etc.
 Enzymes & factors affecting ie pH, temperature,
concentrations etc.
Circulatory System Circulatory System Task 3: Heart and
 The transport of materials within the internal Breathing Rates
environment for exchange with cells is facilitated by Investigation
the structure and function of the circulatory system
1/6-7
at the cell, tissue and organ levels
 The lymphatic system functions to return tissue fluid
to the circulatory system

Respiratory System Respiratory System

 Gas exchange
 The efficient exchanges of gases in the lungs is
1/8-9 maintained by;
o The actions of breathing Task 4: Respiratory and
Circulatory TEST
o Blood flow
o The structure of the alveoli
1/10-2/1 Digestive System Digestive System- structure & function.
  The sequence of organs important in the efficient
digestion of food & absorption of nutrients in providing
the appropriate conditions & enzymes.
 Digestion involves the breakdown of large molecules to
smaller ones by mechanical digestion (teeth, bile and
peristalsis) and chemical digestion (by enzymes with
distinctive operating conditions and functions that are
located in different section of the digestive system)
Digestive system- efficiency of surfaces
 Large surface area of small intestine aids in absorption.
 Structure of villi
 Elimination removes undigested materials and some
metabolic wastes from the body
Excretory System Excretory System
 Macrostructure of the kidney & associated blood vessels
& connections to bladder& external environment.
 Introduce structure of nephron- in terms of areas for
filtration, secretion & absorption only (no hormones).
2/2-3  Performance enhancing drug testing
 Deamination
 Urine composition with respect to volume & Task 5: Digestion and
concentration. Hydrated or dehydrated. Urine colour Excretory System TEST
charts to reference.
Muscles and Bones Muscles & Bones
 Macroscopic structure, location and function of skeletal
muscles, bones & cartilage.
 Role of bones, joints and muscles in movement.
2/4  Types of joints
 Range of movements
 Limitations of movement due to structure & attachments
to surrounding muscles.
 Flexor & extensor muscles
2/5 Muscles and Bones Microstructure of skeletal muscles Task 7: Movement
 Muscle fibres, myofibrils, myofilaments, actin & myosin, Investigation
sarcomeres, H zone, A & I bands, Z lines.
 Sliding filament theory
 Microscopic structure of bone
 Compact & cancellous bone- osteocytes & structure of
bony matrix
Osteoporosis & osteoarthritis
 Relate these conditions to the skeletal system to explain
the symptoms & effects on lifestyle of each.

2/6 Exam Review

2/7 Examination Task 6: Semester 1 EXAM
DNA DNA
 DNA occurs bound to proteins in chromosomes in the
nucleus and as unbound DNA in the mitochondrion
 DNA stores the information for the production of protein
2/8-9 that determines the structure and function of the cells
 The structural properties of the helical DNA molecule,
replication.
 Protein synthesis
Epigenetics Epigenetics
 Epigenetics is the study of phenotypic expression of genes
2/10-3/1  Factors controlling transcription and translation during
protein synthesis, the products of other genes and the
environment
Cell Reproduction Cell Reproduction Task 8: DNA and Cell
 Mitosis forms part of the cell cycle producing new cells Reproduction TEST
with the same genetic content
3/2-3
 Stages of meiosis allow for orderly distribution of haploid
sets of chromosomes to daughter cells
 Spermatogenesis and oogenesis,
3/4-4/1 Human Reproduction  Structure and function of the male and female Task 9: Stem Cell Response
reproductive systems
 Hormonal regulation of female menstrual & Ovarian cycle- Task 10: Assistive
FSH, LH, Oestrogen, Progesterone. Reproductive Technologies
 Role of hormones in male reproductive system- FSH,LH Response
Testosterone.
Task 11: STI Inquiry
 Contraception methods
 Sexually transmitted infections
  Assisted reproductive technologies Task 12: Human
 Embryonic development Reproduction TEST
 The stages of labour
 Circulatory systems changes in the child
Inheritance Inheritance
 DNA profiling
 Frequencies of genotype and phenotype
o Punnett squares
4/2-4 o Dominance, co-dominance, autosomal or sex-
linked alleles
 multiple alleles:
Task 13: Genetic Disorders
 Genetic disorders Investigation
 Pedigrees
4/5 Exam Revision
4./6 Exam Task 14: Semester 2 EXAM
4/7 Exam Feedback
4/8-10 Head Start Program