Unit Plan

Topic: Biology Curriculum Learning Area: Science Year Level: 10

Unit Description:
This unit will begin with students learning about mitosis of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The cell cycles will be used to explain this. Mitosis will briefly be explained to
help with the understanding of inheritance. This will then carry the unit to patterns of inheritance and dominant/recessive characteristics. Students will develop skills for
predicting rations of offspring genotypes and phenotypes with the use of punnett squares. This unit will then follow onto natural selection, evolution and biodiversity.

Achievement standards/Performance Standards:
Science Understanding
The transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes (ACSSU184)
The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU186)
Science as a Human Endeavour
Advances in scientific understanding often rely on developments in technology and technological advances are often linked to scientific discoveries (ACSHE192)
Scientific understanding, including models and theories, are contestable and are refined over time through a process of review by the scientific community (ACSHE191)
Science Inquiry Skills
Select and use appropriate equipment, including digital technologies, to systematically and accurately collect and record data (ACSIS200)
Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between variables and identifying inconsistencies (ACSIS203)

Summative Assessments
Genetically Modified Organism Assignment
Students are to research the methods of GMOs, examples of GMOs and the ethical issues which surround this type of research. They are then given the opportunity to
design their own genetically modified organism.
Vegetable People Practical
This practical allows students to develop the understanding and knowledge about the transmission of characteristics to offspring and how punnett squares are used to
predict phenotype and genotype ratios. Students will collect data from the class and interpret and discuss their predicted and experimental data.
Issues Investigation
Students will select one of the three scientific issues and then research the issue and discuss ethical issues which surround it, presenting a pro and against argument.
Natural Selection Frog Practical
An investigation of how natural selection occurs in real life through a simulation. Students will practice their data collection skills by determining which phenotypes are
advantageous or disadvantageous.
Topic Test
Students will complete a test which includes questions on the content covered in this unit. An extended response question is incorporated at the end of the test.
Learning Objectives.
As a result of engaging with the lesson (or unit of work) students will:
Understand
The transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next involves DNA and genes (ACSSU184)
The theory of evolution by natural selection explains the diversity of living things and is supported by a range of scientific evidence (ACSSU186)

Will Know:
What occurs during each stage of the cell cycle
Definitions:
- Genotype
- Phenotype
- Homozygous
- Heterozygous
- Dominant/recessive genes
- Incomplete dominance
- Pedigree
Patterns of inheritance
Processes involved in natural selection including
variation, isolation and selection
That organisms are adapted to their environment

Will be able to:
Produce labeled diagrams of the cell cycle
Predict simple ratios of offspring genotypes and phenotypes in crosses involving dominant/recessive gene pairs
or in genes that are sex-linked
Create punnett squares
Create and analyse pedigrees
Describe biodiversity as a function of natural selection



General Capabilities
Literacy
Numeracy
Information and communication technology (ICT) capability
Critical and creative thinking
o Personal and social capability
Ethical understanding
o Intercultural understanding
Lesson development:
Week 1
Lesson 1: Introduction to DNA and structure
Lesson 2: Continue DNA and candy DNA activity
Lesson 3: Introduction to GMOs and Introduce Assignment (research)
Week 2
Lesson 1: Research GMO assignment
Lesson 2: Introduction to mitosis and jigsaw activity
Lesson 3: Introduce Mendel inheritance: Homozygous & heterozygous
Week 3
Lesson 1: Introduce Inheritance PowerPoint
Lesson 2: Harry potter genetics activity. Dominant & recessive Genes (punnett squares)
Lesson 3: Co-dominance
Week 4
Lesson 1: In-complete dominance (assessment worksheet)
Lesson 2: Issues investigation assignment
Lesson 3: Pedigrees
Week 4
Lesson 1: Vegetable People practical
Lesson 2: Complete vegetable people practical write up
Lesson 3: Research time for issues investigation
Week 6
Lesson 1: Introduce natural selection & kookaburra activity
Lesson 2: Frog natural selection activity
Lesson 3: David Attenborough DVD with questions
Week 6
Lesson 1: Complete natural selection write up
Lesson 2: Test Revision Activities
Lesson 3: Test