6.+Term+4+Biology+overview

__**Past, present and future**__

An understanding of the chemical structure of DNA and the laws of inheritance has increased our understanding of mechanisms by which evolution could have occurred. This unit provides students with opportunities to:

• investigate and model the structure of DNA and ways the code is used to produce proteins • model the process of meiosis and gamete formation to gain an understanding of the possible genetic variation in the offspring • simulate the effect of natural selection on the characteristics of populations and recognise the potential for speciation • examine ways that evidence is used to support the theory for evolution by natural selection • evaluate potential benefits and drawbacks of modern gene technologies.

This unit provides opportunities for students to visit a research facility thereby undertaking part of the mandated field work component of the syllabus.

DNA, RNA and protein synthesis || 459–64 472–81 || Meiosis—cell division for reproduction //3.4 Genetic roulette// Human variation and pedigrees //3.5 One, two or more genes// Patterns of genetic inheritance || 351–3 502–38 || Environmental influences on phenotype. || 481–96 || Simulating natural selection //3.11 Some people don’t like broad beans// Selection in small populations 3//.12 Living in isolation// The founder effect and genetic drift //3.13 Diversity or bust!// Genetic diversity and extinction (also relevant to Unit 2 ‘I can live here because…!’) || 571–95 || Fossils and evolution //3.8 Similarities and differences// Convergent and divergent evolution //3.14 Fossils and the southern continents// Explaining patterns of fossil distribution (also relevant to Unit 5 ‘Changing environments’) //3.15 Exploring the past// Changes in Australia over geological times (also relevant to Unit 5 ‘Changing environments’) //3.9 Lucy and her friends// Human evolution || 545–66 || DNA replication //3.3 Tigers and devils// A discussion of cloning Visit to a genetics laboratory || 465–72 539–40 ||
 * Unit organisation || Outline || Relevant activities || Text pages ||
 * The genetic code || Discuss the evidence that DNA is the molecule carrying the genetic code. Model the structure of DNA, the transcription process and translation into protein molecules || //3.2 Making master molecules//
 * Passing on the information || Model stages of meiosis and make links to the laws of inheritance of characteristics || //2.40 Division for gametes//
 * Environmental influence || Gather information about ways in which the environment of an individual acts on the genotype to produce the phenotype || //3.6 Growing up in the hills//
 * Natural selection || Simulate the process of natural selection and investigate its effect on populations || //3.10 Adelie penguin populations//
 * Evidence for evolution || Gather information about the evidence used to support the theory of evolution by natural selection. Interpret the information to gain an understanding of past environments || //3.7 Digging up the past//
 * Modern technologies || Gather information about DNA technologies and make inferences related to their long- and short-term advantages and drawbacks || //3.1 As easy as PCR//