Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
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Y9 Science
Term 1: Homework Booklet
Biology
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Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Homework 1
Homework 2
Homework 3
Homework 4
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 1
Comprehension Task:
DNA
DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a chemical made up of two long
molecules. The molecules are arranged in a spiral, like a twisted ladder. We call this
the double helix structure.
There is DNA in the nucleus of every
cell. DNA carries genetic information. It
has all the instructions that a living
organism needs to grow, reproduce
and function.
Genes
Genes are short sections of DNA.
Genes carry information for particular
characteristics, such as ear shape or
eye colour. Different sets of genes carry information for different characteristics.
There are many genes in a chromosome.
Chromosomes
In a cell nucleus, DNA is organised into coiled strands called chromosomes.
Humans have 46 chromosomes in each cell.
Half the chromosomes are inherited from one parent and half from the other. As
humans, therefore, we have 23 chromosomes from each parent.
Children generally look a little like their mother and their father, but are not identical
to either. They inherit their features from each parent's DNA. Every sperm and egg
cell contains half of the genetic information needed for an individual (23 single
chromosomes). When the chromosomes fuse during fertilisation, a new cell is
formed, which is known as a zygote. It has all the genetic information needed for an
individual.
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Questions
1. What does DNA stand for?
2. How do we describe the structure of DNA?
3. In which part of a cell is DNA found?
4. What are genes?
5. Genes determine our eye colour. Give another example of a characteristic
that is determined by our genes.
6. What are chromosomes?
7. How many chromosomes are found in most body cells?
8. Why are chromosomes found in pairs?
9. How many chromosomes are found in sex cells?
10. What is the name of the cell formed when a sperm fuses with an egg cell?
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 2
Complete the exam questions below:
1. The diagram below shows a cell.
(a) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.
chromosomes.
(i) In the nucleus of a cell, genes are part of membranes.
receptors.
(1)
characteristics
(ii) Different genes control different gametes of an organism.
nuclei
(1)
(b) In sexual reproduction, an egg fuses with a sperm.
(i) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.
cloning.
An egg and a sperm fuse together in the process of fertilisation.
mitosis.
(1)
(ii) Egg cells and sperm cells each contain the structures given in the
box.
chromosome gene nucleus
List these three structures in size order, starting with the smallest.
1 ________________________________________ (smallest)
2 __________________________________________________
3 __________________________________________ (largest)
(2)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
(iii) The egg and the sperm contain genetic material.
Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.
carbohydrate.
The genetic material is made of DNA.
protein.
(1)
(Total 6 marks)
2. These young rabbits look like their parents. This is because information about
characteristics such as fur colour is passed from parents to their young.
Choose words from this list to complete the sentences below.
body chromosomes clones cytoplasm
genes nucleus sex
Information is passed from parents to their young in ______________________
cells.
Each characteristic, e.g. fur colour, is controlled by _______________________
.
The structures which carry information for a large number of characteristics are
called ________________________ .
The part of the cell which contains these structures is called the
_________________ .
(Total 4 marks)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
3. Men and women produce different gametes (sex cells).
(a) In sexual reproduction the male and female gametes join together.
What is the name for this process?
___________________________________________________________
(1)
(b) Complete the sentences about sex cells.
(i) Male gametes are called
_________________________________________
They are produced in the
_________________________________________
(2)
(ii) Female gametes are called
_______________________________________
They are produced in the
_________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
4. The shape of a person’s earlobes is controlled by a gene.
Figure 1 shows two types of earlobe.
Figure 1
A dominant allele codes for free earlobes.
(a) What is a dominant allele?
Tick (✓) one box.
An allele expressed even if a person only has one copy of the
allele
An allele expressed only if a person has two copies of the allele
An allele expressed only if a person has no recessive allele
An allele expressed only if it is inherited from the male parent
(1)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
(b) A man with free earlobes and a woman with attached earlobes have
children together.
Complete Figure 2 to show the possible genotypes of the children.
Use the symbols:
E = allele for free earlobes
e = allele for attached earlobes
Figure 2
(2)
(c) What is the probability that one of the children would have attached
earlobes?
Use Figure 2.
Tick (✓) one box.
0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75
(1)
(Total 4 marks)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 3
1. Complete the sentences to describe the theory of natural selection:
Survive Variation Genes Species Environment Reproduce
Passed Evolve Generation Adapted
• Individuals in a s___________ show a wide range of v___________ and this
variation is because of differences in their g_________.
• Individuals with characteristics most suited to their e________________ are more
likely to s_____________ and r______________. The genes that allow these
individuals to be successful are passed to their offspring.
• Those that are poorly a_____________ to their environment are less likely to
survive and reproduce. This means that their genes are less likely to be passed on
to the next g_______________.
• Given time, a species will gradually e__________.
• Both genes and the environment can cause variation, but only genetic variation
can be p____________ on to the next generation.
2. Peppered moths can either be light coloured or dark coloured. During the 19th
century, an increase in pollution caused the bark on trees to go darker. How did this
affect the numbers of each type of moth and why?
What happened to the Explanation
number of each type?
Light
coloured
Increase/Decrease
Dark
coloured
Increase/Decrease
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 4
Complete the exam question below:
The photographs show two breeds of cow.
Friesian cow Jersey cow
By Keith Weller/USDA ([Link]: Image By Jamain (Own work)
Number K5176-3) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons [CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons
In parts (a) and (b) draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each
sentence.
asexual reproduction.
(a) Cows produce their young (calves) by cloning.
sexual reproduction.
(1)
(b) Cows and their calves have many similar characteristics.
clones.
(i) The information for characteristics is carried by embryos.
genes
(1)
(ii) The information for characteristics is passed to the next generation in
cells
body
cells.
called gametes.
neurones.
(1)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
(c) Friesian and Jersey cows can both be used for meat or to produce milk.
The information shows features of Friesian and Jersey cows.
Friesian cows Jersey cows
Body mass up to 600 kg Body mass up to 400 kg
Milk contains 3.4% protein Milk contains 3.8% protein
Can be milked for 325 days after Can be milked for 250 days after
giving birth giving birth
Produce no milk for 55 days Produce no milk for 45 days
before having a calf before having a calf
Produce > 30 litres of milk per day Produce < 30 litres of milk per day
Use only the information above to answer these questions.
In your answers you must make comparisons between the two breeds of
cow.
(i) Give two advantages of a farmer keeping Friesian cows
and not Jersey cows.
1.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
(2)
(ii) Give two advantages of a farmer keeping Jersey cows
and not Friesian cows.
1.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
(2)
Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
(d) Cow’s milk is different from human milk. Cow’s milk should not be given to
young human babies.
Scientists in China have genetically engineered cows to produce human
milk. Milk from these cows can be fed to young human babies.
(i) What is genetic engineering ?
Tick ( ) one box.
Genes from one organism are transferred to a different
organism
Cells are separated from an embryo and are transferred to
host mothers
The nucleus from a body cell is transferred to an egg cell
(1)
(ii) Some people are worried about using milk from genetically
engineered cows, to feed human babies.
Give one reason why.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)
