HSC Biology study guide
HSC Biology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The NSW Higher School Certificate Biology course, often called HSC Biology or Biology Stage 6, is a senior secondary science subject completed in Years 11 and 12 in New South Wales, Australia. It suits students who want a deeper understanding of living systems and who may pursue tertiary study in health, environmental or life sciences. The HSC Biology study guide has 8 sections and about 2,468 words.
01Cells as the Basis of Life
Cells are the functional units of life, and their internal structure reflects function. Know the difference between prokaryotic cells (no membrane-bound organelles, circular DNA, 70S ribosomes) and eukaryotic cells (membrane-bound organelles, linear chromosomes, 80S ribosomes).
364 words, about 2 min02Organisation of Living Things
Life is organised in levels: organelle, cell, tissue, organ, organ system, organism. In multicellular organisms, specialised cells are grouped into tissues with common structure and function (epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous in animals; epidermal, vascular, ground in plants).
349 words, about 2 min03Biological Diversity
Biodiversity has three levels: genetic diversity within a species, species diversity within an ecosystem, and ecosystem diversity . Be able to explain how each level contributes to resilience.
297 words, about 1 min04Ecosystem Dynamics
Ecosystems involve flows of energy and cycles of matter . Energy enters as sunlight, is captured by producers and transferred through trophic levels, but only about 10% passes to the next level; the rest is lost as heat through respiration.
307 words, about 2 min05Heredity
Heredity explains how traits pass from parents to offspring. Know the structure of DNA, the process of DNA replication (semi-conservative), transcription and translation, and how genes determine proteins and therefore phenotype.
276 words, about 1 min06Genetic Change
Genetic change underpins evolution. Know the sources of genetic variation: mutation, meiosis (crossing over, independent assortment), and random fertilisation.
268 words, about 1 min07Infectious Disease
Infectious diseases are caused by pathogens : bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and prions. Know how pathogens are transmitted (direct contact, droplets, vectors, contaminated food/water, blood) and how the body defends itself.
286 words, about 1 min08Non-infectious Disease and Disorders
Non-infectious diseases are not caused by pathogens and cannot be transmitted between individuals. Know the major categories: genetic diseases (e.g.
321 words, about 2 min