Example Unit Standard

Unit 10: Biotechnology

Specific Learning Outcomes,

Candidates should be able to:

Define biotechnology as the use of living things or their products to improve quality of life.

Microbes

• define microbes as microscopic living organisms.
  
• classify microbes as fungi, bacteria or viruses.
  
• recognise the basic structure of fungi, bacteria and viruses.
  
• understand lab safety rules for culturing microbes.
  
• culture samples and identify groups as being bacteria or fungi.
  

Working Microbes

• recognise that microbes can be useful.
  
• investigate fermentation in yeast and it's importance in baking, brewing and/or winemaking.
  
• describe some of the roles of bacteria in biotech.

Enzymes

• describe the role that enzymes play in controlling biological reactions in living organisms.
  
• investigate how temperature and pH affect enzyme activity.
  
• outline some uses of enzymes in biotech.

Genetic Engineering

• define genetic engineering as finding (identifying) and altering genes in living organisms including transferring genes between species.
• revise the role of DNA and genes in inheritance.
• demonstrate knowledge of some applications of genetic engineering, eg gene splicing, cloning, DNA finger printing, genetically mod)fied food.
  

Suggested Activities:

• Brainstorm examples of biotech.
• Look at photographs, microscope slides or video.
• Make a poster, collage or diagram.
• Design safety poster.
• Design and/or set up an experiment involving collecting samples from common objects or places (NB safety).
• Experiment to compare conditions needed for growth of microbes on agar plates.
• Graphing exercise on bacterial populations.
• Brainstorm uses.
• Experiment or demo of action of yeast on sugar to produce carbon dioxide.
  Make bread and/or ginger beer.
  Research baking, brewing or winemaking processes. Make a poster.
  Make yoghurt and/or cheese.
  Draw a flowchart of cheese making.
  Visit cheese making company.
• Starch and amylase or egg white and pepsin experiment.
  Hydrogen peroxide and peroxidise experiment.
  Make soft centred chocolates.
  Biological washing power experiments.
  Design advert/box for biological washing powder.
• Collect and discuss recent newspaper articles.
• Timelines of important milestones in genetic engineering.
• Watch a video.
• Debate.
• Group research.