YEAR 11 BIOLOGY

GTAC EXCURSION

Last Wednesday, Callum, Bailey and Jordyn visited GTAC to undertake an inquiry into prenatal and predictive genetic testing to explore how each test works and identify when different tests are used and why.  Under the guidance of Ph graduates from Melbourne University, they applied the genetics learning in Unit 2 to real life situations, taking on the role of genetic counsellors.

They began by exploring chromosome abnormalities created during meiosis. They use fluorescence microscopy to view the results of Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) genetic tests to diagnose chromosome abnormalities in embryos.

They then performed a Guthrie test, used to diagnose if babies have Phenylketonuria (PKU). They investigated the inheritance of this disease through other tools and techniques for testing DNA.  After collecting results for the gene responsible for the disease, they used their results to construct a family tree.