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Introduction
This part is intended to provide the necessary background information for teacher to
lead the learning activities of this case study. Teacher is not expected to have an in
depth understanding of the scientific aspect of GM food as the focus of this case study
is placed on the issue area. But it is necessary for teacher to have some fundamental
concepts and of GM food and its development. Teachers should also realize some of
the potential benefits and various issues of GM food utilization. It should be
remembered that this part of information is not the teaching materials for students.
Rather student learning is done by the participation of the learning activities. Students
are also expected to perform the active role of learning via information searching,
presentation and discussion. Not only the teacher can assess the performance of
students, assessment by classmates can be included which in turn can stimulate the
interest and participation of students.
Basic Life Science Terms
Cells
All living organisms contain cells, which are the fundamental working units of life.
Some cells are singular and some are multi-cellular. Human cells can be divided into
two parts: the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Cells are alive and take in food and water.
Cells can be organized to form tissues and organs.
DNA
The full name of DNA is deoxyribonucleic acid, which is the basic hereditary unit of
life. DNA can be linked up to form a long chain of molecule called chromosome.
DNA can be found in the nucleus of the cell. DNA controls all the cellular activities.
The order of bases is important in determining the characteristic of an organism. The
DNA molecule is arranged as a double helix, which is composed of sugar, phosphate
and nitrogenous bases. There are four different bases in DNA. The DNA sequence is
the particular side-by-side arrangement of bases along the DNA molecule.
Genome
It is the complete set of DNA in an organism.
Gene
It can be regarded as the specific DNA sequence that encodes instructions on how to
make proteins, particularly enzymes which catalyses the biochemical reactions inside
the body.
Protein
Proteins are the major cellular structures and perform most life functions. Protein is a
polypeptide, a kind of polymer, made up of the basic units of amino acids)
Nucleus
containing
Nucleus
containing
DNA
DNA
Many other
cellular
structures
in
cytoplasm
Fig. The structure of a cell
Proteins control
cellular activities
Proteins
Genes
Chromosomes
Cell
DNA
Genes direct protein synthesis
Fig. DNA and protein
Websites
Please refer to ‘Background Information for Teachers  References’.