The following topic has been broken down into 6 components. Click on the part you wish to learn about in more detail below.
| Genetics & Characteristics | Biological Inheritance |
| DNA & Life | Biotech & Modification |
| Theory of Evolution | Natural Selection |
| Create a Baby Prac (External Link) |
Topic Revision
Vocabulary – make sure you can spell and give the meanings of the following words:
| allele amino acids characteristic chromosome diploid DNA dominant double helix environment gene genetic modification genotype haploid heterozygous homozygous | meiosis mitosis mutagen pedigree phenotype recessive replicate reproduce transgenic Evolution Natural selection Comparative anatomy pentadactyl limb embryology | stratigraphy relative dating absolute dating fossil sedimentary rock Charles Darwin Alfred Wallace Lamarck Galapagos Mutation Variation selective pressure Peppered moth antibiotic resistance geographical isolation |
Genetics
- Describe the stages involved in the two ways that cells divide (mitosis and meiosis).
- Why does there need to be different types of cell division? (What is each for?)
- Why is DNA important? Where is it found?
- Who discovered the structure of DNA? Did they achieve it on their own? Who made the discoveries that helped them?
- Draw a diagram of the structure of DNA, clearly labelling a sugar, a phosphate and a nitrogenous base.
- What are the four nitrogenous bases in DNA? Which bases join together?
- What is replication? Draw a diagram or flow-chart to show the basic steps in this process.
- What are two differences between DNA and RNA?
- What are chromosomes? How many do humans have? How are they arranged?
- What is the sequence of bases in DNA actually for? What is eventually made (hint: they are made of amino acids) and what do they actually do?
- What did Gregor Mendel study? Describe what he found out about how features are passed from parent to offspring using pea plants.
- What is a Punnett square? What do we use them for?
- What is a mutation in the DNA?
- What is a pedigree? Draw the symbols used to represent males, females, an affected male, identical twins and a carrier female.
- Define the term biotechnology in your own words. Describe one example of biotechnology (including advantages and disadvantages) that you have studied in class.
Evolution
- What is a fossil? What type of rock are they usually found in?
- Describe the conditions under which a fossil forms.
- Describe the significance of fossils and the fossil record as evidence to support the theory of evolution.
- Describe improvements in technology that have transformed scientific thinking in relation to the evolution of living things.
- What is the theory of evolution?
- Who contributed to the theory of evolution?
- How does a theory such as this gain acceptance in the scientific community? What is needed?
- Why can’t we disregard other theories about the evolution of life?
- Describe the following types of evidence to support the theory of evolution. Give specific examples. Make a link between present-day organisms and organisms from the past.
– Comparative Anatomy – Why are these limbs different and used for different functions?
– Comparative Embryology – Why do the embryos appear most similar at the earliest stage of development?
– Biochemical Similarities – What are the molecules present in all living things?
– Transitional fossils – give examples and relate to common ancestry of present day organisms. - Define natural selection. Who is responsible for introducing natural selection?
- Use natural selection as a mechanism to explain the theory of evolution. Give an example of two species not related that are similar in appearance due to the environment in which they live.
Mr Danic 