Australia · ACARA Content Descriptions
Year 12 Biology
An advanced exploration of the mechanisms of life, focusing on how species maintain continuity and how internal systems respond to external pressures. Students analyze complex biological data to understand the interconnectedness of organisms and their environments.
Heredity and the Continuity of Life
Investigation of the processes of reproduction and the inheritance of traits across generations.
Analysis of sexual and asexual reproduction methods in plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
Examining the molecular mechanisms of mitosis, meiosis, and DNA replication to ensure genetic fidelity.
Predicting variations in genotypes and phenotypes through Mendelian and non-Mendelian genetics.
Genetic Change and Biotechnology
Exploring how mutations and biotechnology drive shifts in the genetic makeup of populations.
Study of different types of mutations and their impact on protein synthesis and phenotype.
Evaluation of modern techniques used to manipulate DNA for medical, agricultural, and industrial purposes.
Using genomic data to investigate the genetic health and evolutionary history of populations.
Infectious Disease and Immune Response
Analysis of pathogen transmission and the complex defense mechanisms of the human body.
Classification of infectious agents and the study of how they spread within and between hosts.
Detailed study of the innate and adaptive immune responses to foreign antigens.
Evaluating strategies to manage the spread of infectious disease at local and global levels.
Non-Infectious Disease and Homeostasis
Examining how organisms maintain internal stability and the consequences of physiological failure.
The study of negative feedback loops in maintaining temperature, glucose, and water balance.
Analysis of the causes and effects of genetic, nutritional, and environmental diseases.
Evaluation of medical technologies used to assist or replace failing organs and senses.
Ecosystem Dynamics
Investigating the relationships between organisms and their environments across different scales.
Studying the factors that influence population size, density, and distribution.
Tracing the movement of matter and energy through biotic and abiotic components.
Exploring how species coexist or compete within a shared habitat.
Evolutionary Change and Biodiversity
Synthesizing evidence for evolution and understanding the processes that shape life on Earth.
Evaluating biochemical, anatomical, and fossil evidence for the common ancestry of life.
Examining the mechanisms that lead to the formation of new species and large-scale changes.
Investigating the biological and cultural evolution of hominids.