UniGeniusSACE Biology

SACE Biology

SACE Biology Stage 2: the course and its four topics

Stage 2 Biology has four topics: DNA and proteins, cells as the basis of life, homeostasis, and evolution. School assessment is 70% of the subject and the external e-exam is 30%.

Weeks before your biology exam
Hours a week for biology
Topic 1: DNA and proteins
Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
Topic 3: Homeostasis
Topic 4: Evolution

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Topic 1

DNA and proteins: 26.7 of your hours. It is 5 of the 18 questions on our timed checks, 28%.

Hours per topic
TopicYour hoursShare of the checks
Topic 1: DNA and proteins26.728%
Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life26.728%
Topic 3: Homeostasis21.322%
Topic 4: Evolution21.322%

Week by week

  1. Week 1Topic 1: DNA and proteins
  2. Week 2Topic 1: DNA and proteins
  3. Week 3Topic 1: DNA and proteins
  4. Week 4Topic 1: DNA and proteins
  5. Week 5Topic 1: DNA and proteins
  6. Week 6Topic 1: DNA and proteins
  7. Week 7Topic 1: DNA and proteins, Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  8. Week 8Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  9. Week 9Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  10. Week 10Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  11. Week 11Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  12. Week 12Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  13. Week 13Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life
  14. Week 14Topic 2: Cells as the basis of life, Topic 3: Homeostasis
  15. Week 15Topic 3: Homeostasis
  16. Week 16Topic 3: Homeostasis
  17. Week 17Topic 3: Homeostasis
  18. Week 18Topic 3: Homeostasis
  19. Week 19Topic 3: Homeostasis, Topic 4: Evolution
  20. Week 20Topic 4: Evolution
  21. Week 21Topic 4: Evolution
  22. Week 22Topic 4: Evolution
  23. Week 23Topic 4: Evolution
  24. Week 24Topic 4: Evolution
  25. Week 25A timed check and a set of written questions, then review every lost mark
  26. Week 26A timed check and a set of written questions, then review every lost mark

Check your topics with the free test

The examination30% of the subject: one 130-minute e-exam, 120 marks
Section 1Multiple choice: 10 questions from 2026 (15 in 2024 and 2025)
Section 2Questions in parts, often on data or a science-as-a-human-endeavour context
ProvidedApproved calculators allowed; no data booklet
School assessment70%: investigations folio 30%, skills and applications tasks 40%

The four topics

  • DNA and proteins: DNA structure and replication, transcription and translation, protein shape and enzymes, epigenetics and mutations, and DNA technologies such as PCR, profiling and CRISPR.
  • Cells as the basis of life: membranes and organelles, photosynthesis, respiration and ATP, movement across membranes, cell metabolism, and cell division, the cell cycle and cancer.
  • Homeostasis: tolerance limits and negative feedback, neurons and reflexes, hormones such as insulin, glucagon, thyroxine and ADH, and body temperature.

How the subject is assessed

  • School assessment, 70%: an investigations folio (30%) and skills and applications tasks (40%).
  • The external examination, 30%: one 130-minute e-exam set on all four topics.
  • Science inquiry skills and science as a human endeavour are assessed throughout, so expect questions on investigations and on how biology is used.

Try 2 questions

Question 1
The genetic code: each mRNA codon, read 5' to 3', with its amino acid
First baseSecond base USecond base CSecond base ASecond base G
UUUU Phe, UUC Phe, UUA Leu, UUG LeuUCU Ser, UCC Ser, UCA Ser, UCG SerUAU Tyr, UAC Tyr, UAA stop, UAG stopUGU Cys, UGC Cys, UGA stop, UGG Trp
CCUU Leu, CUC Leu, CUA Leu, CUG LeuCCU Pro, CCC Pro, CCA Pro, CCG ProCAU His, CAC His, CAA Gln, CAG GlnCGU Arg, CGC Arg, CGA Arg, CGG Arg
AAUU Ile, AUC Ile, AUA Ile, AUG MetACU Thr, ACC Thr, ACA Thr, ACG ThrAAU Asn, AAC Asn, AAA Lys, AAG LysAGU Ser, AGC Ser, AGA Arg, AGG Arg
GGUU Val, GUC Val, GUA Val, GUG ValGCU Ala, GCC Ala, GCA Ala, GCG AlaGAU Asp, GAC Asp, GAA Glu, GAG GluGGU Gly, GGC Gly, GGA Gly, GGG Gly
The coding strand of a short gene from a Barossa grapevine reads 5' GCATGTGGAAACATTAGC 3'. Translation starts at the first start codon and ends at the first stop codon. Based on the genetic code table, which polypeptide is made from this gene?
Question 2
In an Adelaide hospital laboratory, two adults each had a glucose drink after fasting, and their blood glucose was measured every 30 minutes, as shown in the graph. Person Y has diabetes mellitus. Which additional measurement would best show whether person Y has type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

Next step

Take the free testTake the course tour

Questions people ask

How many topics are in Stage 2 Biology?

Four: DNA and proteins, cells as the basis of life, homeostasis, and evolution.

Is Stage 1 Biology needed?

Stage 2 builds on it: cells, microorganisms, multicellular organisms and biodiversity from Stage 1 are used throughout.