Unit for

[gmx]

Do we need to memorize numeric data such as the width of a DNA helix, or the number of genes in the body (roughly) and similar numeric stuff? 

Should we learn specifically about thalyassaemia? How about genotypes and there corresponding phenotypes (a few examples)? 

How about the history of many biological theories and ideas (ie: about Benoit De Maillet explaining a fanciful view of biogenesis or Watson and Crick discovering the DNA structure as a double helix)?

How about 'Darwinism' removed from the strictly biological information in it (ie: opposition to the idea)?

There is a lot of content on 'social and political influences of theories of evolution'.

What about the 'child from Taung and what that taught us anthropology, or should we only learn about those anthropological principles independently?

[minilunchbox]

Honestly, no.

I have never heard of thalyassaemia or the 'child from Taung' and never learnt numerical data such as the width of a DNA helix.

I also know nothing about Benoit De Maillet and I only know Watson and Crick (but more importantly ROSALIND FRANKLIN) because I decided genetics/DNA was awesome and did some extra reading for funsies.

[stonecold]

oh god, another semester of these annoying threads...

do you even own a textbook?

[minilunchbox]

Oh right. Disclaimer; our class didn't use any textbooks last year which is probably why I haven't heard of 1/2 the stuff you mentioned.

[slothpomba]

They cant expect you to know anything too specific really, they cant be sure if one book covers it or not. Well, that's what my teacher said last semester.

Sort of like homeostasis for this unit, they cant expect everyone to of done blood sugar regulation or know every disease and which pathogen causes it. NoB has quiet a bit of fluff, so far i've noticed the first little sub topic of every chapter is pretty useless and some of the stuff inside as well. I wouldnt worry about the little things like this just make sure you nail the big concepts.

[simpak]

they cant expect everyone to of done blood sugar regulation

Actually, with regard to homeostasis there are staple model systems that you are required to have an understanding of.
They include water regulation and kidney function, blood sugar regulation and temperature regulation.

[stonecold]

they cant expect everyone to of done blood sugar regulation

Actually, with regard to homeostasis there are staple model systems that you are required to have an understanding of.
They include water regulation and kidney function, blood sugar regulation and temperature regulation.

Yeah, these ones are pretty stock standard.  You should have known them, not that it matters now.

[shinny]

they cant expect everyone to of done blood sugar regulation

Actually, with regard to homeostasis there are staple model systems that you are required to have an understanding of.
They include water regulation and kidney function, blood sugar regulation and temperature regulation.

Yeah, these ones are pretty stock standard.  You should have known them, not that it matters now.

Actually, I thought they took out the details of those three systems in the 'new' course (2006 onwards I think it was?). Pretty sure you're not expected to learn all the details, but rather, just have an understanding of the principles behind homeostasis and apply them to whatever situation they give. But really, after doing enough practice exams, you'll probably learn those systems off by heart anyway.

[lexitu]

Yeah that is right. For unit one and two you might need to know about them but it is not in the unit three and four study design. It's just that other companies sneak them in and ask for specifics, VCAA doesn't.

In the exam question I didn't even mention glucagon/insulin, I just talked about the principles of homeostasis.

[simpak]

No but I'm srs, you need to know about counter current heat exchange systems, functional modules of the kidney and etc and that all relates to homeostasis.
Highly doubt I would have spent like three lessons studying homeostasis modules in length after already spending one studying homeostasis in its basic format.

Consider this years exam - it would have been slightly difficult to write an answer to Q1 had you no knowledge of blood glucose regulation.

[stonecold]

yeah, and certain homones work based on concentration, like ADH, whilst others such as insulin and glucagon are antagonistic hormones.

[lexitu]

No but I'm srs, you need to know about counter current heat exchange systems, functional modules of the kidney and etc and that all relates to homeostasis.
Highly doubt I would have spent like three lessons studying homeostasis modules in length after already spending one studying homeostasis in its basic format.

Consider this years exam - it would have been slightly difficult to write an answer to Q1 had you no knowledge of blood glucose regulation.

From the study design: principles of homeostasis: stimulus-response model and negative feedback model; roles of
nervous and endocrine systems

I know they are ambiguous as hell but if you look at exam questions, including this year's one, they give enough information for you to be able to apply the principles of homeostasis and not need to have a background knowledge of the specific scenario.

Studying specifically would be useful to understand how the underlying concepts work but I don't think there are certain modules that you should cover, as long as the ones that you choose reinforce your knowledge.

[slothpomba]

they cant expect everyone to of done blood sugar regulation

Actually, with regard to homeostasis there are staple model systems that you are required to have an understanding of.
They include water regulation and kidney function, blood sugar regulation and temperature regulation.

Really? My teacher was wrong then i guess...

[simpak]

they cant expect everyone to of done blood sugar regulation

Actually, with regard to homeostasis there are staple model systems that you are required to have an understanding of.
They include water regulation and kidney function, blood sugar regulation and temperature regulation.

Really? My teacher was wrong then i guess...

Did you learn each of those modules, or at least cover them well enough to be familiar with them?
Probably, considering water regulation is an offset of osmosis, I'm assuming you know blood sugar.
Temperature, perhaps not.