Biology

Biological ideas relating to genetic variation are limited to concepts and processes connected with:

Genetic language and conventions:

gene, allele, mutation, genotype, phenotype, gamete, zygote, dominant, recessive, homozygous, heterozygous, pure breeding, Punnett square, and pedigree chart.

This investigation involves collecting information about interactions between humans and micro-organisms.

Investigate involves using observations or findings to describe how humans use or are affected by micro-organisms.

For Merit include:

• an explanation of how or why humans use or are affected by micro-organisms.

For Excellence include:

• significant links about the interactions between humans and micro-organisms
• a discussion of the impacts of this knowledge on human’s personal actions or everyday life.

The information could come from a variety of sources such as direct observations, collection of experimental data, resource sheets, photos, videos, websites, and reference texts.

A micro-organism will be selected from: bacteria, fungi and viruses.

The ways that humans use and are affected by micro-organisms may include: disposal of organic wastes, sewage treatment, composting, food production and preservation, food poisoning, microbial action on everyday materials (helpful and harmful micro-organisms), disease in humans and animals they are in contact with, antibiotics, resistance to antibiotics, and origins and control of pandemics.

Biological ideas relating to how humans use and are affected by micro-organisms may include the following:

• structure and life processes of micro-organisms
• culturing of micro-organisms
• factors that affect the life processes of micro-organisms.