SACE Stage 2 Biology study guide
SACE Stage 2 Biology · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
SACE Stage 2 Biology is a Year 12 subject offered within the South Australian Certificate of Education, the senior secondary qualification administered by the SACE Board of South Australia. It suits students completing Stage 2 who are building the 200 credits required for the SACE and who may be preparing for tertiary study in the biological or health sciences. The SACE Stage 2 Biology study guide has 4 sections and about 1,197 words.
01Science Understanding: Core Biological Concepts
Science Understanding in Stage 2 Biology rewards connected knowledge, not isolated definitions. Be fluent across four organising ideas: cells and cellular processes (organelles, membrane transport, enzymes, photosynthesis and cellular respiration, the cell cycle, mitosis and meiosis); genetics and inheritance (DNA structure and replication, protein synthesis, Mendelian and non-Mendelian ratios, pedigrees, mutations); evolution and biodiversity (natural selection, allele frequencies, speciation, evidence for change); and homeostasis and coordination (stimulus–response pathways, feedback loops, nervous and endocrine signalling, and exchange surfaces).
307 words, about 2 min02Science as a Human Endeavour: Biology in Context
This strand asks you to see biology as a human activity shaped by evidence, collaboration, ethics and society. Know the distinction between science as a body of knowledge and science as a way of knowing .
295 words, about 1 min03Science Inquiry Skills: Designing and Interpreting Investigations
Inquiry skills cover the full arc of an investigation: formulating a testable question, writing a hypothesis that predicts a relationship, identifying independent, dependent and controlled variables, selecting appropriate measurement and sampling methods, managing risk, analysing data and drawing evidence-based conclusions. You must be able to read tables and graphs, describe trends, identify anomalies, discuss uncertainty and evaluate whether a conclusion is justified by the data.
295 words, about 1 min04Practical and Investigative Skills: Doing Biology Safely and Well
Practical skills are assessed through your ability to plan, conduct, record and evaluate hands-on biology. You need competence with common techniques: using a light microscope and preparing wet mounts, aseptic technique, using a colorimeter or spectrophotometer, measuring with pipettes and balances, preparing dilutions and standard curves, and handling living or biological material responsibly.
300 words, about 2 min