NSWTR 2024 HR - Flipbook - Page 55
PHOTO BY DAVID ILIFF. LICENCE: CC BY-SA 3.0
YEAR 9-10 SECTION
STAGE 5 –SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATION
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You are a genetic conservationist working in a wildlife
sanctuary and your job is to analyse the DNA of a small
population of koalas in order to identify the best
genetic partner for Kiki, one of the breeding females.
en
USE DNA DATA TO DESIGN
A CONSERVATION PLAN
FOR AN ENDANGERED SPECIES
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Each individual has a unique DNA code made up from the sequence of four letters,
known as nucleotide bases. The four bases are referred to as A, T, G and C. It is the
di昀昀erence in this DNA genetic code of bases that makes us all di昀昀erent. The greater the
di昀昀erence in the DNA sequence of individuals, the more genetically diverse they are. Having genetic
diversity in a species is preferable, as this promotes a greater variety of characteristics within that
species, which is an advantage if environmental pressures change. Breeding programs with a small
gene pool, that is, organisms with similar DNA, have low species diversity and vice versa.
AIM
To compare the DNA sequence of three di昀昀erent breeding males to identify who has the greatest
genetic diversity from female Kiki.
METHOD
1. Compare the sequence of DNA bases A, T, G and C for Kiki with Male 1.
KOALA IDENTIFICATION
DNA BASE SEQUENCE
KIKI (FEMALE)
TAC GGG CTC GGT AAT CGT CCG TAT GAT CAT
MALE 1
TAC GGT GTC GGT TAT CGT CCG TAA GAT CTT
MALE 2
TCC GGT GTC GAT TAT CGT CCA TAT GAT CTT
MALE 3
TAC GGT GTC GGT AAT CGT CCC TAT GAT CAT
MALE 4
TAC GGT GTC GGT TAT CGT CCG TAA GAT CTT
2. Highlight or circle the DNA bases for each male that do not match with the sequence of DNA
bases for Kiki. Male 1 has been done for you as an example.
3. Repeat step 2 for Males 2, 3 and 4.
SPECIES SURVIVAL – MORE THAN JUST SUSTAINABILITY
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