Genetics and Evolution Learning Objectives

All organisms utilize information coded within genetic material.
Differentiation between the terms DNA, gene, chromosome, and genome.
The relationship between the structure of the DNA double helix and its biological functions.
The history of scientific discovery regarding the double helix structure of DNA and the scientists involved.

Transmission of genetic information through sexual and asexual reproduction.
Connection between genotypes and phenotypes via Mendelian inheritance in plants and animals.
Modeling monogenic gene-trait relationships using pedigrees and Punnett squares to predict inheritance patterns.
Interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors in the development of traits.
Effects of DNA mutations on organism functioning, categorized as beneficial, harmful, or minimal.

Identification of current and emerging genetic technologies.
Applications of genetic technologies in medicine, industry, agriculture, and conservation.
Social, economic, and ethical implications associated with genetic testing.
Use of ethical frameworks for evidence-based arguments, including the ethical implications of the HeLa stem cell line.

The processes of natural selection and isolation as drivers of change within and between species.
Development and refinement of the theory of evolution and the significance of understanding the origins of species.
Investigation of organism complexity and diversity across geological timescales.
Identification of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' artwork depicting changes in plants and animals, including megafauna.