Mutation
Inquiry question: How does mutation introduce new alleles into a population?
Students:
● explain how a range of mutagens operate, including but not limited to:
– electromagnetic radiation sources
– chemicals
– naturally occurring mutagens
● compare the causes, processes and effects of different types of mutation, including but not limited to:
– point mutation
– chromosomal mutation
● distinguish between somatic mutations and germ-line mutations and their effect on an organism (ACSBL082, ACSBL083)
● assess the significance of ‘coding’ and ‘non-coding’ DNA segments in the process of mutation (ACSBL078)
● investigate the causes of genetic variation relating to the processes of fertilisation, meiosis and mutation (ACSBL078)
● evaluate the effect of mutation, gene flow and genetic drift on the gene pool of populations (ACSBL091, ACSBL092)
Biotechnology
Inquiry question: How do genetic techniques affect Earth’s biodiversity?
Students:
● investigate the uses and applications of biotechnology (past, present and future), including: (ACSBL087)
– analysing the social implications and ethical uses of biotechnology, including plant and animal examples
– researching future directions of the use of biotechnology
– evaluating the potential benefits for society of research using genetic technologies
– evaluating the changes to the Earth’s biodiversity due to genetic techniques
Genetic Technologies
Inquiry question: Does artificial manipulation of DNA have the potential to change populations forever?
Students:
● investigate the uses and advantages of current genetic technologies that induce genetic change
● compare the processes and outcomes of reproductive technologies, including but not limited to:
– artificial insemination
– artificial pollination
● investigate and assess the effectiveness of cloning, including but not limited to:
– whole organism cloning
– gene cloning
● describe techniques and applications used in recombinant DNA technology, for example:
– the development of transgenic organisms in agricultural and medical applications (ACSBL087)
● evaluate the benefits of using genetic technologies in agricultural, medical and industrial applications (ACSBL086)
● evaluate the effect on biodiversity of using biotechnology in agriculture
● interpret a range of secondary sources to assess the influence of social, economic and cultural contexts on a range of biotechnologies