🌿 Unit 4: Consequences
What is DNA?
● DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is a molecule that carries the genetic
instructions for life.
● It is made up of two strands twisted into a double helix.
● DNA has bases: A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine), and G (guanine).
● The order of these bases forms a genetic code.
How is DNA the Basis for Inheritance and Evolution?
● DNA carries genes, which are instructions for making proteins.
● These genes are passed from parents to offspring (inheritance).
● Variation in DNA can lead to changes in traits, which over time can cause
evolution.
● Evolution is the process by which species change over generations through
natural selection.
Who was Gregor Mendel and What Did He Do?
● Gregor Mendel is the Father of Genetics.
● He studied pea plants and showed that traits are inherited in predictable
patterns.
● Mendel discovered:
○ Dominant and recessive traits.
○ That traits are inherited in units (now called genes).
○ His famous laws:
■ Law of Segregation: Alleles separate during reproduction.
■ Law of Independent Assortment: Traits are inherited
independently.
What are Alleles?
● Alleles are different versions of the same gene.
○ Example: The gene for eye colour has different alleles for brown or blue
eyes.
● You inherit one allele from each parent.
What is Asexual Reproduction?
● Asexual reproduction: One parent produces offspring without fertilization.
● Offspring are clones (genetically identical to the parent).
● Example: Bacteria reproduce by binary fission (splitting into two).
What is Sexual Reproduction?
● Sexual reproduction: Two parents combine their DNA to produce genetically
unique offspring.
● Involves fertilization: sperm + egg = zygote.
● Provides variation, important for evolution.
How Do Single-Celled Organisms Reproduce?
● Mostly by asexual reproduction (binary fission).
● Some can also exchange DNA (e.g., bacteria in a process called
conjugation).
What is Mitosis?
● Mitosis is cell division that produces two identical cells.
● Used for:
○ Growth.
○ Repair.
○ Asexual reproduction.
How Do Multicellular Organisms Reproduce?
Method Process
Asexual Reproduction By mitosis (e.g., plants like strawberries)
Sexual Reproduction By meiosis (makes gametes), then fertilization creates
zygote
Different Life Cycles
● Some organisms have alternating generations (e.g., plants have both sexual
and asexual stages).
● Animals like humans have one main life cycle with growth, reproduction, and
death.
What Does the Structure of DNA Reveal About Its Function?
● The sequence of bases (A, T, C, G) forms a code.
● This code is read in triplets (3 bases = 1 amino acid).
● The double-helix structure protects the genetic code and allows replication.
● DNA’s shape allows it to unzip and copy itself during cell division.
How Does the Genetic Code Produce Physical Characteristics?
● The genetic code tells cells which proteins to make.
● Proteins control traits like hair colour, height, and eye colour.
● Example: The gene for melanin makes the protein that gives skin its colour.
To What Extent Does the Genetic Code Determine Identity?
● Genetics provides the blueprint for:
○ Physical traits (e.g., height, eye colour).
○ Some diseases and predispositions.
● Environment also plays a role:
○ Diet, lifestyle, learning, and experiences shape personality, talents, and
health.
● So, DNA influences identity but does not fully determine it.