Research
NSW HSC Biology
- 8.2 A Local Ecosystem
- 8.3 Patterns in Nature
- 8.4 Life on Earth
- 8.5 Evolution of Australian Biota
- 9.2 Maintaining a Balance
- 9.3 Blueprints of Life
- 9.4 The Search for Better Health
- 9.5 Option - Communication
- 9.6 Option- Biotechnology
- 9.7 Option- Genetics: The Code Broken?
- 9.8 Option- The Human Story
- 9.9 Option- Biochemistry
8.2 A Local Ecosystem
Learning about your local ecosystem will allow you to recognise how the environment impacts on all organisms. Biological science is a varied and exciting area with many different areas of study and subsequent career choices.
The distribution, diversity and numbers of plants and animals found in ecosystems are determined by biotic and abiotic factors.
Australian scientists use a variety of sampling techniques to study the distribution and diversity of plants and animals found in ecosystems across the country and to monitor the population changes within these environments.
8.3 Patterns in Nature
By looking across the range of commonly occurring living organisms, patterns in structure and function can be identified.
Organisms are made of cells that have similar structural characteristics.
Australian scientists use electron micrographs to analyse cell components.
8.4 Life on Earth
Life has evolved over millions of years from the common elements found in the cosmos. Life has been found to exist in the most hostile of conditions on Earth.
Evidence from Australian scientists has shown that bacteria exist kilometres deep in the Earth's crust and have done so for millions of years.
The fossil record provides information about the subsequent evolution of living things.
Developments in our knowledge of present-day organisms and the discovery of new organisms allows for better understanding of the origins of life and the processes involved in the evolution of living things.
Australian scientists study the diverse environments that living things occupy today to describe possible environments in which life may have originated.
8.5 Evolution of Australian Biota
The very large southern landmass, Gondwana, persisted for some time. When it broke up, it did so in stages but eventually the Australian continent was isolated from Antarctica and South America. As the biotic and abiotic features of ecosystems were altered, those organisms best adapted to these changes survived and passed on their genetic information to their offspring.
The contribution of paleontology and the study of past environments is important to our understanding of how our present actions may affect our environment and the distribution of flora and fauna in the future.
Evidence for the rearrangement of crustal plates and continental drift indicates that Australia was once part of an ancient super continent.
The changes in Australian flora and fauna over millions of years have happened through evolution. Australian scientists gather information to develop timelines that identify key events in the formation of Australia as an island continent from its origins as part of Gondwana.
Australian scientists have access to fossils that provide information that contributes to the development of understanding about the evolution of species in Australia.
Continuation of species has resulted, in part, from the reproductive adaptations that have evolved in Australian plants and animals.
Research in Australia and around the world can provide information to help us understand the differences that distinguish the processes of mitosis and meiosis.
Australian scientists research reasons for the evolution, survival and extinction of species.
- Charles Darwin University- School for Environmental Research
- Edith Cowan University- Centre for Ecosystem Management
9.2 Maintaining a Balance
Multicellular organisms have specialised organ systems that are adapted for the uptake and transport of essential nutrients from the environment, the use or production of energy and the removal of waste products arising from cellular activities. The basis of healthy body-functioning in all organisms is the health of their cells.
Most organisms are active in a limited temperature range.
Australian scientists study adaptations and responses that have occurred in Australian organisms to assist in temperature regulation.
Plants and animals transport dissolved nutrients and gases in a fluid medium.
Australian scientists are developing technologies that allow measurement of oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide concentrations in blood.
There are many ways in which products extracted from donated blood are used. Australian scientists research ways in which we can improve the use and management of blood.
Australian scientists are involved in research contributing to the progress in production of artificial blood.
Plants and animals regulate the concentration of gases, water and waste products of metabolism in cells and in interstitial fluid.
Australian scientists research processes used by different plants for salt regulation in saline environments.
9.3 Blueprints of Life
Because all living things have a finite life span, the survival of each species depends on the ability of individual organisms to reproduce. Modern molecular biology is providing opportunities to alter the information transferred from one generation to the next in technologies such as cloning and in the production of transgenic species.
Evidence of evolution suggests that the mechanisms of inheritance, accompanied by selection, allow change over many generations.
Australian scientists study how environmental change can lead to changes in a species.
Gregor Mendel's experiments helped advance our knowledge of the inheritance of characteristics.
Australian scientists research examples of hybridisation within species.
Chromosomal structure provides the key to inheritance.
Australian scientists investigate the effect of environment on phenotype.
The structure of DNA can be changed and such changes may be reflected in the phenotype of the affected organism.
Australian scientists use their research to explain modern examples of 'natural' selection.
Current reproductive technologies and genetic engineering have the potential to alter the path of evolution.
Australian scientists research processes and methodology involved in cloning.
Australian scientists research the development and use of transgenic species.
9.4 The Search for Better Health
The search for measures to treat and manage diseases of humans and other organisms continues and this search is paralleled by continued refinements in technology.
Australian scientists are involved in the treatment of drinking water to reduce the risk of infection from pathogens.
Australian scientists research problems relating to antibiotic resistance.
Australian scientists are developing new vaccination programs.
Australian scientists are involved in research to assist understanding of occurrence, symptoms, cause, treatment and management of non-infectious diseases.
Australian scientists are involved in activities to assist quarantine efforts in preventing the spread of plant and animal disease into Australia or across regions of Australia.
9.5 Option - Communication
Humans are social animals and are in constant communication with others. Many animals have an extensive range of communication strategies that include both visual and vocal signals. Learning these signals relies heavily on the involvement of all the sensory organs as well as the brain.
Visual communication involves the eye registering changes in the immediate environment.
Australian scientists are involved in research to study the range of senses involved in communication.
- University of Melbourne- Human Communications Research Centre
- University of New England- School Biological Sciences
The clarity of the signal transferred can affect interpretation of the intended visual communication.
Australian scientists research cataracts and develop technology that can be used to prevent blindness.
The light signal reaching the retina is transformed into an electrical impulse.
Australian scientists research the use of colour for communication in animals.
Sound is also a very important communication medium for humans and other animals.
Australian scientists research some of the structures used by animals other than humans to produce sound.
Animals that produce vibrations also have organs to detect vibrations. Australian scientists are involved in research and the production of technology in the areas of hearing aids and cochlear implants.
9.6 Option- Biotechnology
Biotechnology has been an identifiable part of human culture for thousands of years; people learned to use yeasts and other micro-organisms to produce bread, wine, yoghurt, cheeses and antibiotics.
Biotechnology now refers to the practical application of modern laboratory techniques, such as recombinant DNA technology, to support a wide range of human needs, including food and medicines. Applications of biotechnology are currently being investigated in areas as diverse as medicine, aquaculture and forensic science.
Classical biotechnology exploited knowledge of cell biochemistry to produce industrial fermentation procedures.
Australian scientists research and develop applications for fermentation processes.
Modern biotechnology includes recombinant DNA technology. Australian scientists are involved in research and applications of transgenic technology.
There are many applications and areas of research in biotechnology. Australian scientists are involved in the application of biotechnology in areas such as medicine, animal biotechnology, and aquaculture.
- University of Western Australia- Australian Research Centre for Medical Engineering
- Biotechnology in the Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries- Queensland Government
9.7 Option- Genetics: The Code Broken?
Science has come a long way since Mendel's important work on identifying the transmission of inherited factors across generations. Modern genetics is moving towards an increased understanding of the biochemical role of individual genes. This is being enhanced by the Human Genome Project that has sequenced the entire human genome to identify all the encoded genes.
The structure of a gene provides the code for a polypeptide.
Australian scientists are involved in gene expression research.
Multiple alleles and polygenic inheritance provide further variability within a trait.
Australian scientists study polygenic inheritance.
The Human Genome Project is attempting to identify the position of genes on chromosomes through whole genome sequencing.
Australian scientists are involved in research connected to the Human Genome Project.
Gene therapy is possible once the genes responsible for harmful conditions are identified.
Australian scientists research and develop applications for gene therapy to manage genetic diseases.
Selective breeding is different to gene cloning but both processes may change the genetic nature of species.
Australian scientists use selective breeding processes for agricultural purposes.
9.8 Option- The Human Story
Humans are a species of primate and share the characteristics of this group of animals. Tracing the evolution of humans in detail allows increased investigation of the arbitrary nature of classification and the reasons why scientists may differ in their interpretation of evidence. Humans have taken a very different path in their recent evolution as the ongoing development of culture has restricted and redirected the role of natural selection as a tool for guiding the evolution of a species.
Humans have characteristics that can be used to classify them with other organisms.
Australian scientists use technological advances applied to the research of the classification of primates.
Debate continues on the relationships between hominid species.
Australian scientists are involved in research looking at different models of human evolution.
Australian scientists study current and future trends in biological evolution and cultural development, looking at human population changes and the impact of technology on future populations.
9.9 Option- Biochemistry
The great challenge to biologists has been to identify and describe not only the structure and function of living organisms but to describe how their metabolisms work. It has been difficult for biologists to fully understand cell function in particular, because microanalysis of living tissue has never been easy.
Photosynthesis is one of the most important biochemical reactions that can be studied.
Australian scientists are involved in research to use photosynthesis in place of materials presently obtained from other non-renewable resources.
The use of radioisotopes makes the tracing of biochemical reactions much easier.
Australian scientists use radioactive tracers in plants to follow biochemical pathways.