NZQA registered unit standard
12369 version 4
Page 1 of 4
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of bacterial genetics
Level
5
Credits
6
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to describe: the
typical components of the bacterial genome; the functional
components of a typical bacterial operon; the process of gene
expression in bacteria; the control of bacterial gene expression;
alterations to bacterial genes; and the processes of natural
gene transfer between bacteria.
Classification
Science > Microbiology
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
None.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the typical components of the bacterial genome.
Evidence requirements
1.1
The bacterial chromosome is described in terms of structure.
Range
1.2
structures include – supercoiled, circular, naked deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA).
The bacterial plasmids are described in terms of function.
Range
functions include – conjugation, resistance, degradation.
Outcome 2
Describe the functional components of a typical bacterial operon.
Range
functional components include – transcriptional promoters, ribosome binding
sites, initiation codons, open reading frames, stop codons, transcription
terminators.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
12369 version 4
Page 2 of 4
Evidence requirements
2.1
The functional components of a bacterial operon are described in relation to
transcription.
Outcome 3
Describe the process of gene expression in bacteria.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Transcription of a gene is described in terms of the role of ribonucleic acid
(RNA) polymerase.
Range
3.2
transcription initiation, transcription termination.
Functions of bacterial RNAs are described in terms of gene expression,
translation and protein synthesis.
Range
RNA includes – messenger RNA, transfer RNA, ribosomal RNA.
Outcome 4
Describe the control of bacterial gene expression.
Range
promotion, repression.
Evidence requirements
4.1
Control of gene expression is described in terms of bacterial operons.
Outcome 5
Describe alterations to bacterial genes.
Evidence requirements
5.1
Mutations are described in relation to gene transcription and translation.
Range
mutations include – point, block insertions, block deletions.
5.2
Consequences of mutations are described in terms of protein synthesis.
5.3
Mutagen mode of action is described in relation to gene expression.
Range
chemical, radiation.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
12369 version 4
Page 3 of 4
Outcome 6
Describe the processes of natural gene transfer between bacteria.
Evidence requirements
6.1
Bacterial gene diversity is described in terms of horizontal gene transfer.
methods of transfer include – transformation, conjugation,
plasmids generalised transduction, specialised transduction,
episomes.
Range
6.2
The function of transposons is described in terms of horizontal gene transfer.
6.3
The effects of genetic material transfer between bacteria are described in
relation to bacterial drug resistance.
Planned review date
31 December 2018
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
17 February 1998
31 December 2014
Review
2
23 November 1999
31 December 2014
Review
3
21 May 2010
N/A
Rollover
4
27 January 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0152
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
12369 version 4
Page 4 of 4
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016