KK1. nucleic acids as information molecules that encode instructions for the synthesis of proteins: the structure of DNA, the three main forms of RNA (mRNA, rRNA and tRNA) and a comparison of their respective nucleotides.
KK2. the genetic code as a universal triplet code that is degenerate and the steps in gene expression, including transcription, RNA processing in eukaryotic cells and translation by ribosomes
KK3. the structure of genes: exons, introns and promoter and operator regions
KK4. the basic elements of gene regulation: prokaryotic trp operon as a simplified example of a regulatory process
KK5. amino acids as the monomers of a polypeptide chain and the resultant hierarchical levels of structure that give rise to a functional protein
KK6. proteins as a diverse group of molecules that collectively make an organism’s proteome, including enzymes as catalysts in biochemical pathways
KK7. the role of rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and associated vesicles in the export of proteins from a cell via the protein secretory pathway
KK8. the use of enzymes to manipulate DNA, including polymerase to synthesise DNA, ligase to join DNA and endonucleases to cut DNA
KK9. the function of CRISPR-Cas9 in bacteria and the application of this function in editing an organism’s genome
KK10. amplification of DNA using polymerase chain reaction and the use of gel electrophoresis in sorting DNA fragments, including the interpretation of gel runs for DNA profiling
KK11. the use of recombinant plasmids as vectors to transform bacterial cells as demonstrated by the production of human insulin
KK12. the use of genetically modified and transgenic organisms in agriculture to increase crop productivity and to provide resistance to disease.
