WA · SCSASyllabus
Biology syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the WA Biologysyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.7, Anthropic's latest AI, published by Better Tuition Academy.
Unit 3: Continuity of Species
Module overview →- How do biotechnologies manipulate genetic material and what are their uses?Describe key biotechnology techniques and evaluate their applications and implications8 min answer →
- How is genetic information stored, organised and expressed in living organisms?Describe the structure of DNA, how genes code for proteins, and how DNA is packaged into chromosomes8 min answer →
- How is an exact copy of the genetic material made before a cell divides?Explain the semiconservative process of DNA replication and the roles of the enzymes involved6 min answer →
- What different lines of evidence support the theory of evolution?Evaluate the evidence for evolution from fossils, comparative anatomy, biochemistry and biogeography7 min answer →
- How do populations change over time and how do new species arise?Explain natural selection and the mechanisms that drive evolution and lead to speciation8 min answer →
- How is the information in a gene used to build a functional protein?Explain how a gene is expressed through transcription and translation to produce a polypeptide7 min answer →
- What forces change the genetic makeup of a population besides natural selection?Explain how genetic drift, gene flow, the founder effect and bottlenecks change allele frequencies in a gene pool7 min answer →
- What laboratory techniques allow scientists to copy, cut and read DNA?Describe the techniques of gene technology including restriction enzymes, PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA profiling8 min answer →
- How are traits inherited and how does variation arise within populations?Apply models of inheritance and explain the sources of genetic variation in populations8 min answer →
- How can we measure whether a population is evolving?Use the Hardy-Weinberg principle to calculate allele and genotype frequencies and test for change7 min answer →
- How does sexual reproduction generate genetic variation among offspring?Explain how crossing over, independent assortment and random fertilisation generate genetic variation6 min answer →
- How do cells divide to maintain organisms and produce genetically varied gametes?Compare mitosis and meiosis and explain how meiosis generates genetic variation8 min answer →
- How do changes to the DNA sequence arise and what are their consequences?Describe the types of gene and chromosomal mutations, their causes, and their effects on phenotype7 min answer →
- How does natural selection change a population over time?Explain how natural selection acts on variation through selection pressures to change populations7 min answer →
- How do different patterns of inheritance produce predictable ratios of offspring?Apply patterns of inheritance including dihybrid, codominance, multiple alleles, sex linkage and polygenic inheritance8 min answer →
- How can a family tree reveal the inheritance pattern of a genetic trait?Interpret pedigrees to determine the mode of inheritance and predict genotypes6 min answer →
- How do humans deliberately change the genetics of organisms, and what are the implications?Describe selective breeding, transgenic organisms and cloning, and evaluate their applications and implications7 min answer →
- How does one species split into two over time?Explain how reproductive isolation leads to allopatric and sympatric speciation7 min answer →
Unit 4: Surviving in a Changing Environment
Module overview →- How does the body keep blood glucose within a narrow range?Explain how insulin and glucagon regulate blood glucose concentration by negative feedback6 min answer →
- How do we track infectious disease and control its spread in populations?Explain epidemiological terms and evaluate strategies used to control the spread of disease8 min answer →
- How do animals maintain a stable internal environment as conditions change?Explain how animals maintain homeostasis using negative feedback, with reference to thermoregulation and osmoregulation8 min answer →
- How do plants regulate water loss and respond to a changing environment?Explain how plants maintain water balance and respond to environmental stimuli7 min answer →
- How does vaccination protect individuals and populations from disease?Distinguish types of immunity and explain how vaccination and herd immunity protect populations7 min answer →
- How do health authorities predict, control and respond to disease outbreaks?Explain the strategies used to predict and manage the spread of epidemics and pandemics7 min answer →
- How do animals maintain water and salt balance in their bodies?Explain how the kidney regulates water and solute balance and removes nitrogenous waste7 min answer →
- What causes infectious disease and how do pathogens spread?Classify pathogens and explain how infectious diseases are transmitted7 min answer →
- How do plants defend themselves against pathogens without an immune system like ours?Describe the physical, chemical and active defences plants use against pathogens6 min answer →
- How do plants respond to environmental stimuli without a nervous system?Explain how tropisms and plant hormones such as auxin allow plants to respond to their environment6 min answer →
- How does the body defend itself against pathogens?Describe the lines of defence and explain the specific immune response and immunity9 min answer →
- How do animals keep their body temperature within tolerable limits?Explain how endotherms and ectotherms regulate body temperature using behavioural and physiological mechanisms7 min answer →
- How do infectious diseases spread from one host to another?Describe the modes of transmission of infectious disease and the factors that affect their spread6 min answer →