11–12Biology 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Use examples to explain the impact of genetics, environment and nutrition on the development of non-infectious diseases in humans

Compare the causes and effects of a range of non-infectious diseases in humans

Explain the Aboriginal Cultural Practices of using native grasses to prevent nutritional disease

Conduct a secondary-source investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of a campaign to prevent a non-infectious disease

Use examples of infectious diseases to classify infectious agents as macroorganisms, microorganisms or non-cellular pathogens

Describe the adaptive features of prions, viruses, bacteria, protozoans, fungi and macroparasites

Compare direct contact, indirect contact and vector transmission of pathogens that facilitate entry into and transmission between hosts

Conduct a laboratory experiment to assess the effect of antimicrobial treatment on the growth of microorganisms found in food or water

Distinguish between innate and adaptive immune response

Interpret and construct diagrams of the innate immune system including barriers, secretions, phagocytic leukocytes, antimicrobial proteins, inflammatory response and fever

Conduct a scientific investigation to determine the effect of temperature on the viability of a non pathogenic E. coli

Discuss the role of interleukin communication between innate and adaptive cells

Describe the roles of helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, memory T cells and suppressor T cells of the cell-mediated immune response within the adaptive immune system

Describe the roles of plasma cells, memory B cells and antibodies of the humoral immune response within the adaptive immune system

Interpret and construct diagrams of the adaptive immune system to demonstrate how the cell-mediated and humoral components of the immune system respond after primary and secondary exposure to a pathogen

Distinguish between passive and active immunity

Use data to demonstrate how vaccinations support adaptive immunity

Compare pharmaceutical treatments for viral and bacterial diseases

Describe the use of an Aboriginal bush medicine in treating disease

Explain procedures that can be employed to limit transmission of infectious diseases in humans

Explain the role of epidemiology in public health and disease control

Compare the features of observational, analytical and experimental epidemiological studies

Discuss the features of randomised clinical trials, cross-sectional studies, case studies and cohort studies

Assess surveillance methods used in the management of disease

Distinguish between incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality as used in epidemiological studies

Analyse data of the incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates for a non-infectious and an infectious disease in humans

Explain how epidemiological information is used to create strategies that prevent and treat a selected disease in humans

Outline the impact of the work of selected scientists on current disease management

Distinguish between causal and correlational relationships

Interpret evidence from secondary sources about herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer to discuss scientific causation and correlation

Analyse data that demonstrates a causal relationship for a selected environmental disease

Assess approaches taken to reduce selection error and confounding factors in an epidemiological study

Interpret data and information to outline causes of error, information bias, measurement bias and limitations in data relating to a disease during an epidemic or pandemic

Evaluate, using examples, the benefits of engaging in an epidemiological study on preventing and managing disease