Year 11 Biology study notes and practice questions

For Year 11 and 12 students sitting the HSC, VCE, QCE, SACE, WACE and more. Each unit has short study notes, flashcards and practice questions, and the app builds timed practice exams from the whole course.

• Cells as the basis of lifeCell theory and microscopy; Cell structure and organelles; Membranes and transport; Surface area to volume ratio
• Enzymes, photosynthesis and respirationEnzyme structure and action; Factors affecting enzyme activity; Photosynthesis; Cellular respiration
• Organisation of living thingsLevels of organisation; Exchange surfaces; Transport in animals; Transport in plants
• Biological diversity and evolutionAdaptations; Natural selection and population genetics; Evidence for evolution; Speciation and patterns of evolution
• Ecosystem dynamicsPopulations and sampling; Biodiversity; Interactions and energy flow; Past ecosystems and human impact
• Working scientifically in biologyQuestioning, hypotheses and ethics; Variables, controls and sampling; Validity, reliability, accuracy and precision; Processing and analysing data

4 multiple choice and 2 written questions. Try each one before you open the answer. Written answers show the model answer and what a full-marks response needs.

1. Question 1. Cells as the basis of lifeMultiple choice

   A cell 20 µm long is drawn 40 mm long. The magnification is…

   1. A0.5×
   2. B2000×
   3. C20×
   4. D200×
   Show answer

   B. 2000×

   40 000 µm ÷ 20 µm.

2. Question 2. Enzymes, photosynthesis and respirationMultiple choice

   Chlorophyll mainly absorbs which colours of light?

   1. AInfrared only
   2. BGreen only
   3. CRed and blue
   4. DYellow only
   Show answer

   C. Red and blue

   Green is reflected.

3. Question 3. Enzymes, photosynthesis and respiration: photosynthesis3 marks

   Explain the concept of limiting factors in photosynthesis, using light intensity as an example.

   Show model answer and marking criteria

   Model answer. The rate of photosynthesis is controlled by whichever factor is in shortest supply. At low light intensity, increasing the light increases the rate because light is limiting the light-dependent reactions. Eventually the rate levels off even if light increases, because another factor such as carbon dioxide concentration or temperature now limits the rate.

   A full-marks answer:

   • The rate is limited by the factor in shortest supply
   • At low light intensity, increasing light increases the rate (light is limiting)
   • At high light the rate plateaus because another factor, such as CO₂ concentration or temperature, becomes limiting
4. Question 4. Organisation of living thingsMultiple choice

   Which chamber of the heart pumps blood to the body?

   1. ALeft atrium
   2. BLeft ventricle
   3. CRight ventricle
   4. DRight atrium
   Show answer

   B. Left ventricle

5. Question 5. Organisation of living things: levels of organisation3 marks

   A student finds that cardiac output rises from 5 L/min at rest to 20 L/min during exercise. Explain how and why this change occurs.

   Show model answer and marking criteria

   Model answer. During exercise both the heart rate and the stroke volume increase, so cardiac output (stroke volume × heart rate) rises about four times. Working muscles respire much faster and need more oxygen and glucose delivered, and they produce more carbon dioxide and heat, which the blood must carry away.

   A full-marks answer:

   • Heart rate and stroke volume both increase
   • Muscles respire faster and need more oxygen and glucose
   • More CO₂ and heat must be removed, so blood flow to muscles increases
6. Question 6. Biological diversity and evolutionMultiple choice

   In a population of 100, 36 are aa. Under Hardy–Weinberg, q is…

   1. A0.18
   2. B0.36
   3. C0.4
   4. D0.6
   Show answer

   D. 0.6

   √0.36 = 0.6.

A few of the 110 Year 11 Biology flashcards. In the app they use spaced repetition: rate each card Again, Hard, Good or Easy and it comes back just before you would forget it.

• Cell theoryAll living things are made of cells; cells are the basic unit of life; cells come from pre-existing cells.
• EnzymeA protein catalyst that lowers activation energy.
• TissueA group of similar cells with a common function.
• Structural adaptationA physical feature, e.g. thick waxy cuticle.

Biology questions turn on precise terms and the verb in the question: describe, explain, assess and evaluate each ask for something different. Learn processes as ordered steps, link structure to function, and practise data questions: read the axes, quote values with units and explain the trend.

Press Study for me and the app builds a 15 to 20 minute session from the cards that are due, the mistakes that are due and questions on your weakest topics. Practice questions come in three levels, and anything you get wrong comes back 1, 3 and 7 days later until you get it right. When an exam is close, sit a timed practice exam with AI marking.

Your state, your exam

Biology goes by different names around Australia. In the app the course shows under your state’s name: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT, NT: Biology.

When you set up Year 11, you pick your state (NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, TAS, ACT or NT) and your subjects. The AI then pitches explanations and marking at your certificate’s level. Courses differ between states, so compare the units above with your course outline, and turn your class notes into extra decks for anything that’s different.

Biology in Year 12

Year 12 Biology study notes and practice questions.

More Year 11 courses

Year 11 Maths Advanced, Year 11 Maths Standard, Year 11 English, Year 11 Modern History, Year 11 Chemistry, Year 11 Business Studies, Year 11 Legal Studies, Year 11 PDHPE. All Year 11–12 subjects.