Biology Year 12 - Module 6 - Lesson 11
Biodiversity Change Caused by Genetic Techniques
1. Key Ideas
Genetic techniques can alter biodiversity in more than one direction. They may support conservation and species management, but they may also reduce variation through uniformity or create ecological trade-offs. This lesson evaluates biodiversity effects at genetic, species and ecosystem levels rather than treating biotechnology as automatically beneficial or harmful.
- Biotechnology can increase, decrease or have mixed effects on biodiversity.
- Improved productivity is not the same thing as improved biodiversity.
2. Success Criteria
By the end, you should be able to:
- Biotechnology can increase, decrease or have mixed effects on biodiversity.
- Biodiversity should be evaluated at genetic, species and ecosystem levels.
- Uniformity and conservation support can both be outcomes of genetic techniques.
3. Key Terms
4. Activity: Build the Lesson Map
Use the lesson to complete the table. Keep answers brief but specific.
| Prompt | Your answer |
|---|---|
| Main concept | |
| Important example | |
| Common mistake to avoid | |
| How this links to the next lesson |
5. Short Answer Questions
1. Explain this lesson goal in your own words: "Biotechnology can increase, decrease or have mixed effects on biodiversity.". Use one specific example from the lesson.
2. Apply this idea to a new example: "Biodiversity should be evaluated at genetic, species and ecosystem levels.". Show your reasoning clearly.
3. Analyse why this idea matters for understanding Biodiversity Change Caused by Genetic Techniques: "Uniformity and conservation support can both be outcomes of genetic techniques.".
6. Extend: Apply the Idea
A student gives a memorised answer about Biodiversity Change Caused by Genetic Techniques but does not use evidence or reasoning.
Improve the answer by writing a stronger response that uses accurate terminology, a relevant example and a clear explanation.
7. Multiple Choice
1. What is the best first step when answering a question about Biodiversity Change Caused by Genetic Techniques?
A. Identify the key concept being tested
B. Write every fact from memory
C. Ignore the command word
D. Skip examples and evidence
2. Which answer would show stronger understanding of Biodiversity Change Caused by Genetic Techniques?
A. An answer with accurate terms and reasoning
B. A copied definition only
C. A single-word response
D. An answer with no example
3. What should you do if a question asks you to explain?
A. Link the idea to a reason or cause
B. List unrelated facts
C. Only draw a diagram
D. Write the shortest possible answer
8. Success Criteria Proof
Finish with evidence that you can do each success criterion.