Unit 3 Biology
On Monday, 9 May Unit 3 Biology students attended 2 workshops which were related to their study of DNA manipulation using various analytical techniques, along with studies on Photosynthesis and Cellular respiration. Both workshops occurred at Swinburne University- Wantirna Campus at their KIOSC (STEM building).
The first workshop students explored how we can use various DNA manipulation techniques. The students were asked to create and isolate a plasmid for insulin, which they ran through a PCR machine and confirm the plasmid using Gel electrophoresis. Both PCR and Gel Electrophoresis are techniques which the students have explored within their content of Unit 3 Biology, but by attending this workshop students were able to get a first-hand taste of the techniques, and how they are used in the real world.
The second workshop was focusing on the concepts of Photosynthesis and Cellular respiration. Again, both concepts which the students have covered in Biology this year. They completed 3 practical activities looking at how we can alter the rates of Photosynthesis via Light intensity, light availability and temperature.
The excursion provided a great insight to the real-world applications of the concepts which they are learning within Biology and allowed them to explore and get a taste of life at university which the students really enjoyed.
