GTAC resources of the month – July

Each month we will be featuring a number of GTAC VCE Biology resources that are freely available for teachers and students. These resources are great to use as learning and/or revision tasks.

VCE Biology Unit 2

Introduction to ethics

A student online course that introduces them to some approaches and basic concepts involved in ethical analysis of a bioethical issue. Students can access this resource by clicking Students > Online courses on the GTAC homepage. Click here to view this resource.

A genetic test for haemochromatosis

An online course in which students explore how gel electrophoresis is used to diagnose hereditary haemochromatosis and analyse a DNA profile to construct a family tree. Click here for more information and to access this resource.

Investigation related to a genetic cross

Students explore the history of corn and use a test cross as an experimental method to determine pedigree. They investigate inheritance patterns for two genes and analyse data on genotypes and phenotypes. Please note this resource was originally designed to meet old curriculum requirements and has been earmarked for redevelopment. Click here to view this resource.

Exploring fertility and assisted reproductive technologies

Two online courses designed to introduce students to issues surrounding fertility and the use of assisted reproductive technologies to support Outcome 3 AOS 3. Click here for more information on this resource.

Application and emerging issues of cloning in agriculture

Students explore the transmission of the genome through asexual reproduction. They then investigate issues that may arise when genetic engineering techniques are used to produce Genetically Modified Organisms. Click here to view this resource.

VCE Biology Unit 4

Pathogen Attack: GTAC's immunology game

Students learn about the adaptive immune response by defending the body from pathogen attacks. Students can access this resource by clicking Students > Learning resources on the GTAC homepage. Click here to view more information and play this game.

Active immunity: Triggering the humoral immune response to generate memory

In this online course students explore the nature of some vaccines and how they train your immune system to quickly eliminate disease causing organisms. Students can access this resource by clicking Students > Online courses on the GTAC homepage. Click here to view this online course.

Outbreak! Strategies to deal with the emergence of a new infectious disease

An online course in which students model DNA manipulation techniques to identify the pathogen responsible for an outbreak and propose strategies to prevent an pandemic. They assume the role of epidemiologists and use predictive modelling to predict the spread of the disease and the effectiveness of control measures. Click here to view this resource .

Strategies to deal with the emergence of an outbreak of foodborne disease

Students explore approaches applied by epidemiologists and pathologists to control an epidemic of bacterial foodborne disease. This resource can be used as the first in a sequence of resources that includes Antibiotics in Action and Unit 4 AOS3 Practical Investigation. Click here for more information on this resource .

Introduction to ethics

Melanoma search and destroy - Monoclonal antibody treatments for melanoma

Students are introduced to a selection of monoclonal antibody treatments for melanoma, then play a game to explore the effectiveness of the treatments. Click here for more information and to view this resource.