Page 55 - SUBSEC October 2017_Neat

UNIT 1
MODULE 2: GENETICS, VARIATION AND NATURAL SELECTION

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

On completion of this Module, students should:

1. understand the structure of nucleic acids and their roles in protein synthesis and nuclear
division;

2. understand the behaviour of chromosomes, nucleus and cytoplasm in mitotic and meiotic cell
division and their importance for stability and variation in a species;

3. understand the patterns of inheritance;

4. understand selected aspects of genetic engineering and its medical, agricultural,
environmental, ethical and social implications; and,

5. understand the genetic basis of variation and its importance in natural selection.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES EXPLANATORY NOTES SUGGESTED PRACTICAL
ACTIVITIES

1. Structure and Roles of Nucleic Acids

Students should be able to:

1.1. compare the structure of Draw a nucleotide using
RNA and DNA; shapes; recognise (not
draw) the structural
formulae of nucleotides,
ribose, deoxyribose,
pyrimidines, purines;
nature of hydrogen bonds.

1.2. explain the importance of Recognition of the
hydrogen bonds and base significance of 5’ and 3’;
pairing in DNA replication; semiconservative
replication; genetic code.

1.3. describe the roles of DNA Different types of RNA
and RNA in protein (tRNA, rRNA and mRNA)
synthesis; and their respective roles.
1.1 Initiation, transcription,
translation, termination.

CXC A10/U2/17
17