VCE BIOLOGY STUDY GUIDE

Unit 2: How is the continuity of life maintained?

Area of Study 1: How does reproduction maintain the continuity of life?

Topic Learning Objectives Textbook References &

Online Resources

The Cell Cycle: Understand the purposes of cell reproduction Text Reference:
Mitosis & Meiosis Define the term mitosis, meiosis and apoptosis Read Chapter 9, p.389-414
Understand that all cells come from preexisting cells through Quick Check Question 1-12
2 weeks Biochallenge, p.411
(Week 10) completion of the cell cycle Chapter Review Q1-14, p.412
(Week 1) Know that prokaryotic cells proceed rapidly through their cell
cycle by binary fission PPT: Cell Division
Be familiar with the key events of the eukaryotic cell cycle by
Introduction to Mitosis
describing and explaining each stage of mitosis: prophase,
metaphase, anaphase, telophase and cytokinesis Experiment: Observing Mitosis
Be able to describe the cell cycle and what occurs in each
stage: G1, S, G2 and interphase Revision Questions: Genetics
Be able to define terms such as: chromosomes, karyotype,
Mitosis & Meiosis Worksheet
centromere, spindle fibres, centrioles, haploid and diploid
Be able to describe the main differences between mitosis and The Cell Cycle - Edrolo
meiosis
Be familiar with the key events in meiosis that result in the Student Booklet Cell
Replication
production of gametes from somatic cells including the
significance of crossing over of chromatids between
homologous chromosomes in Prophase 1 and the non-dividing
of the centromere in Metaphase 1 (nondisjunction)

Asexual & Sexual Be able to define and describe the differences between Text Reference:
Reproduction asexual and sexual reproduction Read Chapter 10, p.415-458
Be familiar with the types of asexual reproduction including; Quick Check Question 1-10 (Ch.9)
1 week Quick Check Question 1-8 (Ch.10)
(Week 2) fission, budding, fragmentation, vegetative propagation Biochallenge, p.438 and p.460
and spore formation Chapter Review Q1-8, p.439
Be familiar with the biological advantages and Chapter Review Q1-12, p.461
disadvantages of asexual reproduction
PPT: Cell Division
Be aware of the emerging issues associated with cloning,
including applications in agriculture and horticulture. Asexual Reproduction - Edrolo
Understand how an offspring from two parents has a unique
genetic identity from sexual reproduction Sexual Reproduction - Edrolo
Be familiar with the biological advantage of sexual
reproduction, specifically the genetic diversity in offspring

Cell Growth & Define the term stem cell and describe the function and types Text Reference:
Cell of stem cells in humans Read Chapter 12, p.463-480
Differentiation Be able to describe the difference between embryonic and Quick Check Question 1-13
Biochallenge, p.480
1 week adult stem cells and their potential use in the development Chapter Review Q1-8, p.481
(Week 4, T3) of medical therapies
Be familiar with the consequences of stem cell PPT: Cell growth & differentiation
differentiation in human prenatal development including the Worksheet: Introductory Questions
Online Resource: Stem Cells
development of germ layers, types of tissues formed from
Online Website: Stem Cells
germ layers and the distinction between embryo and foetus Stem Cell Resources
Understand the disruption of the regulation of the cell cycle Worksheet: Stem Cells & Cloning
through genetic predisposition or the action of mutagens that Worksheet: Germ Layers
gives rise to uncontrolled cell division including cancer and Worksheet: Cancer
Online resource: Stem Cells
abnormal embryonic development
TedTalk: Stem Cells
Cell Growth and Cell Differentiation
- Edrolo
 Area of Study 2: How is inheritance explained?

Genomes, genes Be able to describe the difference between a genome, gene, Text Reference:
and alleles chromosome, gene locus, chromatid and allele Read Chapter 13, p.483-519
Quick Check Question 1-13
Know that the genome as the sum total of an organisms DNA
Biochallenge, p.518
1 week measured in the number of base pairs contained in a haploid Chapter Review Q1-17, p.519
set of chromosomes
Be familiar with the role of genomic research since the Human PPT: Inheritance
Genome Project, with reference to the sequencing of the PPT: Genetics
Genes booklet
genes of many organisms, comparing relatedness between
Webquest: Gregor Mendel
species, determining gene function and genomic applications Experiments
for the early detection and diagnosis of human diseases
Edrolo Genome, Gene and
Allele
Genomic Research - Edrolo

Chromosomes Be able to define the term chromosome Text Reference:

Know that DNA is found in the nucleus of a chromosome tightly Read Chapter 14, p.521-544
Quick Check Question 1-7
1 week coiled
Biochallenge, p.568
Understand the term karyotype and know that humans Chapter Review Q1-12, p.569
possess 46 chromosomes (23 pairs) and that chromosome
pairs vary in size and structure Chromosomes - Edrolo
Use the presentation of an organisms set of chromosomes as a
Karyotypes - Edrolo
karyotype that can be used to identify chromosome number
abnormalities including Downs, Klinefelters and Turners
syndromes in humans.
Know the difference between a sex chromosome and
autosome
Know the nature of a homologous pair of chromosomes (one
maternal and one paternal) as carrying the same gene loci

Genotypes and Know the difference between a genotype and phenotype Text Reference:
phenotypes Be able to the use of symbols in the writing of the genotypes Read Chapter 15, p.547-569
Quick Check Question 1-9
for the alleles present at a particular gene locus
Biochallenge, p.568
2 weeks Be able to describe the distinction between a dominant and Chapter Review Q1-2, p.569
recessive phenotype
Be familiar with the relative influences of genetic material, PPT: Genetics Trivia
environmental factors and interactions of DNA with other
Genotypes and Phenotypes -
molecules (epigenetic factors) on phenotypes
Edrolo
Be familiar with qualitative treatment of polygenic
inheritance as contributing to continuous variation in a Polygenes - Edrolo
population, illustrated by the determination of human skin colour
through the genes involved in melanin production or by
variation in height

Pedigree charts, Know the purpose of a pedigree and how to use one Text Reference:
genetic cross Be familiar with the following patterns of inheritance including Read Chapter 16, p.571-603
Quick Check Question 1-9
outcomes and autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, incomplete
Biochallenge, p.602
genetic dominance/co-dominance, X-linked and Y-linked traits Chapter Review Q1-13, p.603
decision-making Be able to use monohybrid crosses and test crosses to
determine the genotypic and phenotypic outcomes. Student Booklet Genetics
2 weeks Be familiar with dihybrid crosses
Worksheet: Linked Genes &
Define what is a linked gene
Recombination
Identify whether the inheritance of two characteristics is either
independent or linked, and the biological consequence of Worksheet: Oompah Loompa
crossing over for linked genes Genetics
Be familiar with the nature and uses of genetic testing for
Worksheet: Dihybrid Cross
screening of embryos and adults, and its social and ethical
Worksheet: Drosophila Inheritance
implications Area of Study 2 Test - Revision
Checklist

Genetics worksheet 1
 Genetics worksheet 2

Monohybrid Crosses - Edrolo

Dihybrid Crosses - Edrolo

Pedigree Charts - Edrolo

Genetic Testing - Edrolo