Students explore the mechanisms shaping biological diversity and the interconnectedness of life on Earth. This session takes students on a scientific journey to unravel the genetic mysteries of local duck populations in the Yarra Ranges. Using micropipettes and gel electrophoresis, participants will engage in hands-on experiments to identify species diversity among ducks, explore molecular homology, and construct detailed phylogenetic trees to trace their evolutionary lineage.
This practical experience aligns with Unit 4, Outcome 2 of the VCE Biology curriculum, focusing on analysing genetic changes in populations and species over time, examining evidence of species relatedness, and evaluating human evolution. Possible School Assessed Coursework (SACs) include data analysis, comparison of biological concepts, and evaluation of methodologies from practical activities such as gel electrophoresis for duck diversity, creating and analysing phylogenetic trees, and survival simulations. The workshop covers essential study points like the causes and consequences of changing allele frequencies, structural and molecular homology evidence, and interpreting phylogenetic trees to understand species relatedness.
