Keyword glossary
Quick retrieval questions
1. What is the role of DNA in inheritance? Inheritance, Inheritance: The process by
2. Define the term "mutation."
3. How many chromosomes do humans have? Variation and which genetic information is
passed from parents to offspring
4. What is the difference between genotype
and phenotype? Evolution
Non-negotiables (You must
know)
through DNA.
Variation: Differences in the
5. Explain what causes variation in a • DNA is a double helix characteristics of individuals
population. structure and contains the within a population, caused by
6. What is natural selection? genetic code for making genetic and/or environmental
7. Give an example of continuous variation. proteins. factors.
8. How does asexual reproduction differ from • Sexual reproduction involves Mutation: A change in the DNA
sexual reproduction? the fusion of gametes and sequence that can result in new
9. What does a fossil record show about produces genetically diverse traits or characteristics.
evolution? offspring. Chromosome: A thread-like
10. What is selective breeding? • Asexual reproduction involves structure in the nucleus of a cell,
one parent and produces made of DNA, that carries genetic
genetically identical offspring. information.
• Variation can be continuous Gene: A segment of DNA that
(e.g., height) or discontinuous codes for a specific protein and
(e.g., blood type). determines a particular
• Mutations are a source of characteristic.
genetic variation and can be Allele: Different versions of a
harmful, beneficial, or neutral. gene that can produce variations
• Charles Darwin proposed the in a characteristic.
theory of evolution by natural Evolution: The gradual change
selection. in the inherited traits of a species
Punnett squares – you need to be able • Genetic information is carried over generations.
to fill for Foundation, for Higher you on chromosomes; we have 23 Natural Selection: A process
need to construct pairs. where individuals with
• Higher – Genetic engineering advantageous traits are more
6 markers involves using enzymes to likely to survive and reproduce,
1. Describe the process of natural selection cut a desired gene out of the passing those traits to the next
and explain how it leads to evolution. DNA of one organism and generation.
2. Explain the difference between sexual and inserting it into a vector Higher only – the Genotype: The genetic makeup
asexual reproduction and discuss how (usually a plasmid or virus). It process of genetic of an organism, represented by
these methods of reproduction affect is then transferring into the engineering alleles (e.g., Bb, BB).
variation in offspring. target organism during early Phenotype: The observable
3. Discuss the evidence that fossils provide development characteristics of an organism,
for the theory of evolution, including how • Selective breeding is used to resulting from the interaction of
fossils are formed. produce organisms with its genotype and the
4. Describe how genetic mutations can lead desirable traits but can reduce environment.
to variation within a species and explain genetic diversity. Genetic Engineering: Process
their significance in evolution. • Fossils provide evidence for which involves the artificial
5. Explain how selective breeding works, evolution, showing changes in transfer of genetic information
Quick retrieval questions Keyword glossary
1. What is the role of DNA in inheritance? Inheritance, Variation Inheritance: The process by which genetic information is passed
2. Define the term "mutation." from parents to offspring through DNA.
3. How many chromosomes do humans have? and Evolution - Triple Variation: Differences in the characteristics of individuals within a
4. What is the difference between genotype and population, caused by genetic and/or environmental factors.
phenotype? Non-negotiables (You must know) Mutation: A change in the DNA sequence that can result in new
5. Explain what causes variation in a population. • DNA is a double helix structure and contains traits or characteristics.
6. What is natural selection? the genetic code for making proteins. Chromosome: A thread-like structure in the nucleus of a cell,
7. Give an example of continuous variation. • (T) DNA is a polymer made from four different made of DNA, that carries genetic information.
8. How does asexual reproduction differ from sexual nucleotides, known as bases. A sequence of Gene: A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein and
reproduction? three bases is the code for a particular amino determines a particular characteristic.
9. What does a fossil record show about evolution? acid Allele: Different versions of a gene that can produce variations in a
10. What is selective breeding? • (T) The DNA code for the protein remains in characteristic.
the nucleus, but a copy, called mRNA, moves Evolution: The gradual change in the inherited traits of a species
from the nucleus to the ribosomes where over generations.
proteins are synthesised in the cytoplasm Natural Selection: A process where individuals with
• Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce,
gametes and produces genetically diverse passing those traits to the next generation.
offspring. Speciation: the populations become extremely varied and
• Asexual reproduction involves one parent and successful interbreeding cannot happen anymore
produces genetically identical offspring. Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by
• Variation can be continuous (e.g., height) or alleles (e.g., Bb, BB).
discontinuous (e.g., blood type). Phenotype: The observable characteristics of an organism,
• Gregor Mendel studied the genetic variation of resulting from the interaction of its genotype and the environment.
pea plants. Mendel's work expanded the
knowledge of genetic inheritance before DNA
6 markers had even been discovered.
1. Describe the process of natural selection and • Mutations are a source of genetic variation and
Clonin
explain how it leads to evolution. can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral.
• Charles Darwin proposed the theory of g
2. Explain the difference between sexual and asexual
reproduction and discuss how these methods of evolution by natural selection.
reproduction affect variation in offspring. • Alfred Russel Wallace created pioneering work
3. Discuss the evidence that fossils provide for the in speciation, this is how a new species can
theory of evolution, including how fossils are arise through populations becoming so
formed. extremely varied so successful interbreeding
4. Describe how genetic mutations can lead to cannot happen anymore
variation within a species and explain their • Genetic information is carried on
significance in evolution. chromosomes; humans have 23 pairs.
5. Explain how selective breeding works, including its • Higher – Genetic engineering involves using
advantages and disadvantages. enzymes to cut a desired gene out of the DNA
of one organism and inserting it into a vector
(usually a plasmid or virus). It is then
transferring into the target organism during
early development
• Selective breeding is used to produce
organisms with desirable traits but can reduce
genetic diversity.
• Dolly the sheep was the first mammal to be Protein
cloned in 1996. synthesis
• Fossils provide evidence for evolution, showing
changes in organisms over time.
• Genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis can be