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Links to VCE Biology Units 3 & 4
The practical activities in the Get into Genes
workshop can be
used as the basis for the Unit 4 VCE Biology SAC 'A summary
report of a practical activity on a DNA manipulation technique'
(Outcome 1, Task 2). On request teachers are provided with
a document that can be used back at school after the workshop,
for students to complete the requirement for this SAC.
This SAC was designed by Get into Genes staff in
collaboration with Victorian Biology teachers.
NEW IN 2010:
For those choosing the option of the new 'Issues in Gene
Technology' workshop, follow-up assessment materials are
provided that can form the basis for a School-Assessed
Coursework task for VCE Biology Unit 4, Outcome 2, ‘A
response to an issue related to an application of gene
technologies’ (Outcome 2, Task 2).
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Key Knowledge |
Get Into Genes Program |
Unit 3: Signatures of Life
Area of Study 1:
Molecules of Life |
The chemical nature of the cell |
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- the structure and function of lipids
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*DNA extraction activity: The role of lipids in the cell membrane. The use of detergent to break open the phospholipid bilayer of the cell and nuclear membranes. |
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- the structure and function of DNA and RNA
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*Gel electrophoresis activity: Detailed analysis of the structure of DNA, and discussion of its overall negative charge.
*Restriction enzyme activity: Base pairs and complementary base pairing. The sequence of bases, and the specificity of the recognition sites of restriction enzymes. |
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- the structure and functional diversity of proteins
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*Addressed briefly in the introductory talk. |
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The nature of biochemical processes |
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- enzymes as organic catalysts
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*Enzymes involved in DNA manipulation are discussed.
*The use of the enzyme papain to break down proteins is discussed.
*Workstation 4: restriction enzymes looked at in detail. |
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Applications of molecular biology |
*A major focus of the workshop is the application of molecular biology to plant breeding. |
Unit 4: Continuity and Change
Area of Study 1: Heredity |
Molecular genetics |
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- genome, gene expression; genes as units of inheritance
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*The introductory talk and workstation 4 consider genes as pieces of DNA that code for a particular trait, the DNA code, and that the sequence of the code determines the protein that is made. |
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Tools and techniques |
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*Students load a gel with food dye and observe the dye separate into its component colours. |
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*Introductory talk and gel electrophoresis activity: Students learn what a DNA fingerprint is.
*Restriction enzyme activity: Students predict what a hypothetical DNA fingerprint will look like. |
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*Recombinant DNA technology is addressed in the concluding talk with reference to plant transformation, using specific examples of Australian research. |
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*PCR is discussed, and a PCR machine is set up as a demonstration to help students visualise the PCR process.
*From (date), a new workstation on PCR will be available. |
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*Discussed in the concluding talk. |
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*Discussed in the concluding talk, with specific reference to plant transformation in agriculture. |
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*Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and biolistic tansformtion are discussed in detail in the concluding talk. |
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Transmission of heritable characteristics |
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- genes as units of inheritance
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*Reinforced in both the introductory and concluding talks. |
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- eukaryote chromosomes, alleles
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*A demonstration microscope is set up showing wheat chromosomes.
*The concept of alleles as alternative forms of a gene is discussed at the restriction enzyme workstation. |
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*Discussed in the concluding talk with respect to Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. |
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Variation |
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*Addressed in introductory talk, and reinforced in the restriction enzyme activity. |
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*Addressed directly in introductory talk and reinforced in the plant breeding activity. |
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Patterns of inheritance in sexually reproducing organisms. |
*Monohybrid and dihybrid crosses are NOT discussed. The random nature of the inheritance of traits is introduced in the introductory talk and reinforced in the plant breeding activity. |
Unit 4: Continuity and Change
Area of Study 2: Change Over Time |
Natural selection |
*Addressed briefly in introductory talk. |
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Human intervention in evolutionary processes |
*This is a major focus of the workshop. |
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* Plant breeding workstation: Traditional methods of selective breeding. |
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- application of gene technologies
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*Restriction enzyme workstation: Use of molecular markers to assist in selection.
*Concluding talk: Transformation.
*Issues in gene technology workshop discussion. |
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Interrelationships between biological, cultural and
technological evolution. |
*Issues in gene technology workshop discussion and media
analysis. |
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