Biology 2025 · Year 11 checklist

This study aid follows the three focus areas and 75 current lessons on this site. The 2025 syllabus starts in Year 11 in Term 1 2027, with the first HSC in 2028. Check your school's syllabus cohort before using it for assessment preparation.

2026 Year 11 and 2026–27 HSC students follow the 2017 syllabus. The legacy Year 11 lessons on this site are archived; the focus-area course is not a replacement checklist for those students.

Official NESA syllabus and implementation details. This is a study aid, not an official NESA publication.

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Focus area 1 · Cells as the basis of life

Outcome BI-11-01

Use a variety of sources to compare the cellular structures of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cells

Describe the structure and function of the cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi body, ribosomes, lysosomes and vacuoles in eukaryotic cells

Inside the Eukaryotic Cell

Contrast the cell structure and organelles of plant and animal cells based on the function of the cell

Plant vs Animal Cells

Describe the structure and function of the capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nucleoid, plasmid, ribosomes, flagella and pili in prokaryotic cells

Prokaryotic Cell Structures

Conduct a practical investigation to prepare a wet mount slide and identify the cytoplasm, cell wall and nucleus under a light microscope

Using the Microscope

Conduct a practical investigation to calculate the size of a variety of specialised cells under the microscope using a mini-grid and the equation

Using the Microscope

Assess the impact of technological developments in microscopy on scientific understanding of cell structure and function

Microscopy & Scientific Understanding

Use the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane to explain the structure and function of protein channels, phospholipids, peripheral proteins, integral proteins, cholesterol and glycoproteins

The Fluid Mosaic Membrane

Explain the processes of simple diffusion, osmosis and facilitated diffusion

Passive Transport

Conduct practical investigations to demonstrate the processes of diffusion and osmosis

Passive Transport

Predict the effects of hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions on animal and plant cells

Tonicity & Cells

Explain the processes of active transport, exocytosis and endocytosis

Active & Bulk Transport

Relate the movement of glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide, salts and wastes across membranes to concentration gradients and the characteristics of the materials being exchanged

Exchange & Concentration Gradients

Relate carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, ions, amino acids and glucose to cell requirements

Raw Materials of the Cell

Use the summary equation to describe the process of cellular respiration

Cellular Respiration

Use the summary equation to describe the process of photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

Explain the role of enzymes in cells

Enzymes: Biological Catalysts

Use diagrams of the induced fit model and the lock and key model to explain the interaction between enzymes and specific substrates

Enzyme Models

Plan and conduct laboratory experiments to demonstrate the effect of temperature, pH and substrate concentration on the efficiency of a selected enzyme

What Affects Enzyme Activity (Practical)

Analyse graphs to explain the effect of temperature, pH and substrate concentration on enzyme activity

Reading Enzyme Graphs

Use the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) double helix model to demonstrate the structure of DNA, including nucleotide composition, complementary base pairing and hydrogen bonding

The DNA Double Helix

Conduct a practical investigation to model the process of DNA replication, demonstrating the role of complementary bases, the replication fork with leading and lagging strands, and the enzymes of helicase, primase, DNA polymerases and ligase

DNA Replication (Practical)

Assess the use of models to demonstrate DNA replication

DNA Replication (Practical)

Construct diagrams to compare the forms in which DNA exists in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

DNA in Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes

Compare the structures and roles of somatic and gametic cells

Somatic vs Gametic Cells

Account for the phases of gap 1 (G1), synthesis, gap 2 (G2) and mitosis in the cell cycle

The Cell Cycle & Mitosis

Conduct a practical investigation to model the named phases of mitosis and cytokinesis

The Cell Cycle & Mitosis

Describe the processes of crossing over, independent assortment and random segregation during meiosis

Meiosis

Conduct a practical investigation to model the named phases of meiosis and cytokinesis

Meiosis

Evaluate the importance of DNA replication, mitosis, meiosis and cytokinesis in cell division

Why Cell Division Matters

Focus area 2 · Cells to systems

Outcome BI-11-02

Compare the characteristics and structures of cells in unicellular, colonial and multicellular organisms

Levels of Cellular Organisation

Explain the effect of the surface-area-to-volume ratio on the rate of movement of materials into and out of a cell

Surface-Area-to-Volume Ratio

conduct a laboratory experiment to predict the effect of the surface-area-to-volume ratio on the rate of movement of materials into and out of a cell

Surface-Area-to-Volume Ratio

Explain the hierarchical organisation of organelles, cells, tissues, organs and systems in organisms

From Organelles to Systems

Describe the nutrient, water and gas requirements of plants for photosynthesis and respiration

Plant Requirements

Discuss the conditions required for photosynthesis

Conditions for Photosynthesis

Conduct a practical investigation to predict how changes in conditions affect photosynthesis

Changing Conditions on Photosynthesis

Use a variety of sources to compare the structures and functions of xylem and phloem in the plant transport system

Xylem & Phloem

Use the translocation theory to explain the movement of nutrients through phloem tissue

Translocation in Phloem

Use the cohesion-tension theory to explain how osmotic pressure, transpiration stream and the cohesion of water molecules control the movement of water and dissolved minerals through the xylem

Cohesion-Tension in Xylem

Explain how light, temperature, wind and humidity affect the rate of transpiration in plants

Factors Affecting Transpiration

Conduct a practical investigation to demonstrate the effect of an environmental factor on the rate of transpiration

Measuring Transpiration Rate

Conduct a practical investigation to explain the functions of gas exchange, water and nutrient transport in microscopic leaf, stem and root structures

Inside Leaf, Stem & Root

Describe the organ systems required for nutrient, water, gas and waste management in animals

Animal Organ Systems

use a variety of sources to describe how the processes of mechanical, physical and chemical digestion, absorption and elimination in the human digestive system enable cellular functions

Human Digestion

account for changes in the concentration of gases, nutrients and wastes in blood as it travels through the lungs, liver, small intestine, large intestine, kidneys and muscles organs in mammals

Blood Through the Organs

use models to demonstrate the relationship between the structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins

Arteries, Capillaries & Veins

explain the relationship between the structure of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets and their function within blood

What's in Blood?

use models to demonstrate how the organisation of alveoli and capillaries in the lungs allows for efficient gas exchange

Gas Exchange in the Lungs

explain how glomerular filtration, selective reabsorption and secretion contribute to the removal of waste in nephrons

The Nephron

use models to explain how the glomerulus, Bowman's capsule and nephron tubules contribute to filtration and reabsorption for waste removal in the kidney

The Nephron

conduct a secondary-source investigation to compare the process of renal dialysis to the function of the kidney

Renal Dialysis

describe the key components of a typical feedback system, including stimulus, receptor, control centre, effector and response

Feedback Systems

Construct and interpret diagrams of negative feedback loops to demonstrate maintenance of homeostasis

Negative Feedback & Homeostasis

Discuss the role of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in regulating the secretion of hormones

Hypothalamus, Pituitary & Hormones

Describe the function of the primary hormones that regulate blood sugar levels and the stress response

Blood Sugar, Stress & Diabetes

conduct a secondary-source investigation to analyse the impact of diabetes on the body's ability to maintain homeostasis

Blood Sugar, Stress & Diabetes

analyse data on hormone levels and physiological processes to illustrate the role of an endocrine hormone in regulating a specific function

Blood Sugar, Stress & Diabetes

Using a physiological condition discuss the optimal range for functioning and critical tolerance limit

Optimal Range & Tolerance Limits

Focus area 3 · Evolution and ecosystems

Outcome BI-11-03

Discuss the role of genetic variation, inheritance and selective pressures in contributing to the process of evolution by natural selection

Natural Selection

Use examples to demonstrate how abiotic and biotic factors exert selective pressures on populations

Selective Pressures

Explain how human-induced changes may function as selective pressures

Human-Induced Selective Pressures

Analyse how evolution causes species diversity

Evolution and Species Diversity

Describe examples from Aboriginal palaeontological evidence that demonstrate the existence of Australian megafauna

Australian Megafauna: Aboriginal Evidence

Evaluate the role of isolation and adaptation in the evolution of Australian monotremes and marsupials

Monotremes and Marsupials

Conduct a practical investigation to model the processes involved in natural selection

Modelling Natural Selection

Discuss the validity of various models that demonstrate natural selection

Modelling Natural Selection

Use examples to explain convergent and divergent evolution

Convergent and Divergent Evolution

Use plant and animal examples to explain how structural, physiological and behavioural adaptations shaped by evolution enable survival in their environment

Structural, Physiological & Behavioural Adaptations

Conduct a practical investigation to examine structural adaptations for water balance in Australian plants

Water Balance in Plants (Practical)

Use examples to explain behavioural adaptations used by ectotherms and endotherms to survive in the Australian environment

Ectotherms & Endotherms

Analyse data to compare how the external environment and body temperature are related in endotherms and ectotherms

Ectotherms & Endotherms

Explain physiological adaptations of aquatic animals to regulate water and salt balance

Water & Salt Balance in Aquatic Animals

Explain how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples use the adaptations of local plants and animals for specific purposes

First Nations Use of Plant & Animal Adaptations

Use phylogenetic trees to compare the gradualism model with the punctuated equilibrium model of evolution

Gradualism vs Punctuated Equilibrium

Conduct a secondary-source investigation to analyse how human-induced pressures can drive the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria and Dichloro-Diphenyl-Trichloroethane (DDT)-resistant mosquitoes

Antibiotic & DDT Resistance

Analyse information on how transitional fossils, fossil assemblages and relative dating have provided palaeontological and geological evidence for past changes in life forms

Evidence from Fossils

Conduct a scientific investigation to infer evolutionary relationships between species using DNA and amino acid sequences

Inferring Evolutionary Relationships from Sequences

Evaluate comparative anatomy, genetic phylogeny, biogeography and biochemistry as evidence for the theory of evolution by natural selection

Weighing the Evidence for Evolution

Conduct a practical investigation to collect and analyse abiotic and biotic data, to discuss the features of an ecosystem

Features of an Ecosystem (Practical)

Compare abiotic data from a variety of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Comparing Ecosystems

Explain how abiotic and biotic factors influence the abundance, distribution and diversity of species in an ecosystem

What Shapes a Community

Compare sampling techniques to estimate distribution and abundance of organisms

Sampling Techniques: Quadrats & Transects

Conduct a practical investigation to examine the distribution and abundance of a plant or animal using belt transect, line transect or quadrat sampling techniques

Sampling Techniques: Quadrats & Transects

Conduct a practical investigation to model the mark-release-recapture method and estimate abundance of mobile organisms

Mark-Release-Recapture (Practical)

Use examples to determine relationships between organisms, including predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, allelopathy and parasitism

Relationships Between Organisms

Analyse data on the impact of predator–prey relationships and competition on populations

Relationships Between Organisms

Explain how the carrying capacity of a selected ecosystem is affected by biotic and abiotic factors

Carrying Capacity & Data Validity

Evaluate the validity, reliability and accuracy of ecological sampling data when drawing conclusions about ecosystem dynamics

Carrying Capacity & Data Validity