QCE Biology Syllabus Notes
Free QCE Biology notes for Queensland syllabus-aligned revision, worked examples, common mistakes and quick checks.
Use these notes as the first pass for a QCE syllabus point, then test the same topic with practice questions, feedback or subject-specific study guides.
Unit 3: Biodiversity and the interconnectedness of life
Biodiversity and populations
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Biodiversity levels and species concepts
Learn QCE Biology biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, plus species concepts and their limitations.
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Classification and dichotomous keys
Learn Linnaean classification, naming species, dichotomous keys and why classification systems change with new evidence.
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Sampling methods and bias
Learn random, systematic and stratified sampling, quadrats, transects, capture-recapture and bias control in QCE Biology.
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Biodiversity measures and population estimates
Learn species richness, evenness, percentage cover, percentage frequency, Simpson's diversity index and the Lincoln index.
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Distribution, abiotic and biotic factors
Learn how abiotic and biotic factors affect species distribution, abundance, microhabitats and ecosystem classification.
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Population growth and reproductive strategies
Learn exponential and logistic growth, population change calculations, carrying capacity links and r- and K-selected strategies.
Functioning ecosystems and succession
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Energy flow and productivity
Learn energy transfer, biomass, ecological pyramids, gross productivity, net productivity and transfer efficiency.
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Water, carbon and nitrogen cycles
Learn how matter is transferred and transformed through the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles in ecosystems.
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Species interactions, niches and keystone species
Learn predation, competition, mutualism, commensalism, parasitism, niches, competitive exclusion and keystone species.
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Carrying capacity, human impacts and ecosystem data
Learn carrying capacity, overexploitation, habitat destruction, monocultures, pollution and ecological data interpretation.
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Ecological succession
Learn primary and secondary succession, pioneer species and changes in abiotic factors, biodiversity and biomass.
Unit 4: Heredity and continuity of life
Genetics and heredity
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DNA, chromosomes and replication
Learn DNA structure, genes, chromosomes, histones, plasmids and DNA replication with helicase, DNA polymerase and Okazaki fragments.
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Mutations, meiosis, karyotypes and variation
Learn point and frameshift mutations, meiosis, crossing over, independent assortment, fertilisation, gametogenesis and karyotypes.
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Protein synthesis and gene regulation
Learn transcription, RNA processing, translation, codons, anticodons, mutation effects, chromatin regulation, transcription factors and HOX genes.
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Inheritance patterns and genetic data
Learn dominant, recessive, autosomal, sex-linked, polygenic and multiple-allele inheritance using pedigrees, Punnett squares and histograms.
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Recombinant DNA, PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA profiling
Learn recombinant DNA, restriction enzymes, plasmids, DNA ligase, PCR, gel electrophoresis and DNA profile interpretation.
Continuity of life on Earth
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Microevolution, allele frequencies and selection
Learn microevolution, mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, natural selection, allele frequencies and selection pressures.
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Macroevolution, speciation and isolation
Learn macroevolution, divergent, convergent, parallel and coevolution, plus allopatric, sympatric and parapatric speciation.
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Evolutionary evidence, phylogenies and evolutionary time
Learn comparative genomics, conserved sequences, cladograms, phylograms, molecular data, evolutionary radiation and mass extinctions.