Home learning activities
Subject
Science
Year Group
Year 8
Unit of work / Knowledge organiser
Inheritance, Variation and Evolution - 1
Activities
• Complete the ‘Knowledge Check’ by clicking on the link below (Mr Tobi
has also emailed this link out to you):
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=tWaUKrjGMEuM3bZvypd0
-1JR5WsjuLFPvbjI4VXu0Y1UMTVSRUpSUEhKS0lEVkdEV0JQUEFKWjhLWS4u
• Read through each of the Sections of the ‘Knowledge Organiser’ on
‘Inheritance, Variation and Evolution’.
• Make careful and details notes on the Sections of the first page of the
‘Knowledge Organiser’, including writing out the ‘Key Words’, which are
written in bold, along with their meanings.
• Without looking at your notes, state the names of the four different bases of
DNA.
• Describe, in your own words, what are meant by genes, without looking at
your earlier notes
• Learn the meanings of the key words from the ‘Inheritance and Variation
Keywords’ sheet and complete the key words from memory on the
‘Keywords Test’ sheet. Work out your score using the first sheet.
• Complete the ‘Inherited or Environmental Characteristics’, ‘Continuous or
Discontinuous Variation’ and ‘Natural Selection’ activities on the ‘Test
Yourself’ pages; the answers are provided, but do not look at these until
you have tried the work yourself (be strict with yourself here).
Where do you complete the work?
In Study Books.
What to do if you finish the work? (Extension activity)
• Make sure you have completed the previous set work on ‘Plants and
Photosynthesis’ and then complete the ‘Mini Project’ on ‘Variation’.
These websites might help:
• BBC Bitesize -> Secondary -> KS3 -> Science -> Biology -> Inheritance and Genetics
If you are struggling with your work or if you have finished.
Please email your classroom teacher directly using the email list found in the
Home Learning section of the website.
Year 8: Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Sexual reproduction involves the Within the nuclei of cells, there are Most of the characteristics of an individual are determined by more than one
fusion of two gametes (the sperm and chromosomes containing stored gene interacting. However, some characteristics are controlled by a single gene.
the egg, or pollen and egg cells in genetic information as DNA. Small Examples of these are fur colour in mice and red-green colour blindness in
plants). The mixing of genetic sections of DNA on chromosomes are humans.
information leads to variation in the called genes. The full set of genetic
Different forms of a specific gene are called alleles. An individual inherits one
offspring. information for an organism is called a
allele from each parent so it will have two alleles for each characteristic.
genome.
Gametes are produced by meiosis:
The genotype is the combination of two alleles that an individual has for a
The number of Scientists have studied the whole
particular characteristic. The phenotype is the expressed characteristic as a result
chromosomes in the human genome which will improve
of this combination of alleles (i.e. the displayed physical trait).
nucleus is doubled. our understanding of inherited
diseases. When an individual has two of the same alleles for a specific characteristic it is
homozygous. If it has two different alleles it is heterozygous.
The first division
produces two dip- Dominant alleles are always given capital letters and will always be expressed in
loid cells. the phenotype if an individual has this allele. Recessive alleles are given small
letters and will only be expressed in the phenotype if the individual is homozygous
A second division
for this allele.
produces four
haploid cells. Example:
The allele for black fur on a mouse is given the capital letter B because it is
Asexual reproduction only involves dominant. The allele for brown fur on a mouse is given the small letter b because it
one parent and there is no mixing of is recessive.
genetic information. This leads to
The possible genotypes are therefore:
genetically identical offspring called
BB: Homozygous for the dominant allele, so the phenotype would be black fur.
clones.
Bb: Homozygous for the recessive allele, so the phenotype would be brown fur.
DNA is a polymer (a repeating
Asexual reproduction Bb: Heterozygous, so the phenotype would be black fur.
pattern of molecules) made up of two
happens by mitosis:
strands. It has: Genetic cross diagrams can be used to show the possible genotypes that an
Mitosis happens in - a double helix structure offspring could have from two known parents:
three stages: - sugar-phosphate backbones
1 - The parent cell
- complementary base pairs held This genetic cross diagram shows that
replicates its DNA. together by hydrogen bonding there is a 50% chance of the offspring be-
2—The chromosomes ing homozygous for the dominant allele,
are pulled to either DNA contains four different bases: and 50% chance of the offspring being
side of the cell. adenine, thymine, cytosine and heterozygous. This means there is a 100%
3—The cell divides guanine. These are always found in chance of the offspring having black fur.
into two identical complementary pairs: A-T, C-G.
cells.
Year 8: Inheritance, Variation and Evolution
Some diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, There is variation in all species; there are Selective breeding is sometimes known as Evidence for Darwin’s theory of
are inherited. The allele for having differences between the characteristics artificial selection. evolution by natural selection:
cystic fibrosis is recessive (c). The allele of individuals.
For thousands of years humans have been Understanding of inheritance:
for not having the disease is dominant
Genetic variation is due to inherited selectively breeding plants and animals to It has been shown that
(C).
genes. Environmental variation is caused have desired genetic characteristics. Two characteristics are passed to
The genetic cross diagram below by the conditions that organisms have individuals of a species who have the offspring through genes. Darwin
shows how two parents who do not developed in. desired characteristics are bred together did not have knowledge of genes
suffer from cystic fibrosis can produce and, over many generations, the offspring or DNA at the time but he did
A species is defined as a group of
an offspring who has the phenotype also display that characteristic. suggest that character traits were
organisms in which two individuals can
of having cystic fibrosis: passed down from parents to their
produce fertile offspring. Plants can be selectively bred for:
offspring.
- disease resistance in food crops
A lion and tiger can be
- large or unusual flowers Fossils:
crossed to produce a
liger. Lions and tigers are Animals can be selectively bred for: Fossils are the preserved traces or
different species because - ability to produce more food or milk remains of organisms that lived
ligers are infertile. - calm temperaments thousands or millions of years ago.
We can learn how organisms have
Inbreeding is when close relatives
Charles Darwin came up with the theory changed over time by examining
within a species are bred together and can
of evolution by natural selection which fossils.
The probability of two parents having cause them to display inherited
can be explained in four stages:
a boy or a girl can also be defects. Species of plants or animals are
determined using a genetic cross Variation: There is genetic variation considered to be extinct when
Genetic engineering is a process where
diagram. One of the pairs of within all species. there are no remaining living
scientists can modify the genome of an
chromosomes in the nuclei of body Competition: Individuals within a species individuals of that species.
organism to give a desired characteristic.
cells determines sex: compete for food, space and mating
This is done by inserting a gene from another Species may become extinct due
Males have the genotype XY. partners.
organism. to natural disasters, new predators
Females have the genotype XX. Survival of the fittest: Only those
or diseases, or changes to their
individuals who are best adapted to Advantages:
environmental conditions.
their environment will survive. - Plants or crops can be engineered to be
Passing on genes: The individuals who resistant to diseases and herbicides, or to Bacteria can evolve very rapidly
survive reproduce together and their produce increased yields (GM crops). due to reproducing at a fast rate.
successful traits are passed on through - Bacteria can be engineered to produce
Some bacteria are evolving to
their genetic information. insulin for treating diabetes.
become resistant to antibiotics,
Over many generations, this leads to the Disadvantages: which is concerning for human
formation of new species. All species - Concerns over the effect of GM crops on health.
This genetic cross diagram shows that have evolved from simple life forms that wild flowers and insects.
MRSA is an example of a bacterial
the probability of having a boy (or first developed more than three billion - Some people are concerned about the
strain that is resistant to antibiotics.
girl) is always 50%. years ago. effects of GM foods on their health.
‘Inheritance and Variation’ Keywords
Word Pronunciation Meaning
characteristics The features of an organism.
DNA A large molecule that contains genes.
gamete gam-meet Scientific word for sex cell.
gene jeen A length of DNA that controls one inherited
characteristic of an organism.
genetic The instructions that control your
information characteristics. These instructions are found on
genes.
inherited Passed on to an organism from its parents.
variation The differences between things or organisms.
environment The surroundings of an organism.
environmental Things in an environment that can change
factors something about an organism.
resistant Something that is not affected by disease is
said to be resistant to it.
species spee-shees A group of organisms that can reproduce with
each other to produce offspring that will also
be able to reproduce.
variety A set of plants that are in some way different
from other members of the same species.
breed A set of animals that are in some way different
from other members of the same species.
breeding To mate two organisms of the same species to
produce offspring.
cross-breeding When different varieties or breeds are mated
with one another.
selective When humans choose certain animals and
breeding plants that have useful characteristics and
breed more of these organisms.
yield How much of something useful to humans that
an organism produces.
‘Inheritance and Variation’ Keywords Test
Word Pronunciation Meaning
The features of an organism.
A large molecule that contains genes.
gam-meet Scientific word for sex cell.
jeen A length of DNA that controls one inherited
characteristic of an organism.
The instructions that control your
characteristics. These instructions are found on
genes.
Passed on to an organism from its parents.
The differences between things or organisms.
The surroundings of an organism.
Things in an environment that can change
something about an organism.
Something that is not affected by disease is
said to be resistant to it.
spee-shees A group of organisms that can reproduce with
each other to produce offspring that will also
be able to reproduce.
A set of plants that are in some way different
from other members of the same species.
A set of animals that are in some way different
from other members of the same species.
To mate two organisms of the same species to
produce offspring.
When different varieties or breeds are mated
with one another.
When humans choose certain animals and
plants that have useful characteristics and
breed more of these organisms.
How much of something useful to humans that
an organism produces.
Adaptation and Inheritance Test Yourself
Inherited or Environmental Characteristics
Place a in the correct box to show whether the characteristic is inherited or caused by environmental
factors.
Feature Inherited Environmental
Tattoos
Brown eyes
Blood group
Scars
Accent
Skin colour
Continuous or Discontinuous Variation
When studying a group of people, continuous variation covers any feature in which there will be a range
of results. Discontinuous variation involves no range of results; there is a limited number of outcomes.
Complete the word search, marking the characteristic in blue if it is continuous and green if it is
discontinuous.
g t t e r l r d r b u d e e b Blood group
h n u h g s e e l t e a n u o
e g i o b o a o d h e i g h t Ear lobes
c r o l o r o s n n u i h o a
Gender
e p p h l d d n t u e l s i o
o i e o g o e t s a c g i e r
Hand span
h u b r t n r w p a t e n h h
o e o n n m m e e i r u n m c Height
s u a h m u h m u i i n t o r
p n a p s d n a h g g r u d t Shoe size
e z i s e o h s o r n h t t e
x a n t y s e e e g r o t o o Tongue rolling
u s c o u a d a u c s m t h i
i b e l p d a e g e e r y l s Weight
e n h i m e h i r n y e t t e
Page 1 of 2
Adaptation and Inheritance Test Yourself
Natural Selection
Who is the person who studied natural selection and survival of the fittest?
What is natural selection?
Give an example of natural selection.
Page 2 of 2
Adaptation and Inheritance
Test Yourself Answers
Inherited or Environmental Characteristics
Place a in the correct box to show whether the characteristic is inherited or caused by environmental
factors.
Feature Inherited Enviromental
Tattoos
Brown eyes
Blood group
Scars
Accent
Skin colour
Continuous or Discontinuous Variation
When studying a group of people, continuous variation covers any feature in which there will be a range
of results. Discontinuous variation involves no range of results; there is a limited number of outcomes.
Complete the word search, circling the characteristic in blue if it is continuous and green if it is
discontinuous.
g t t e r l r d r b u d e e b Blood group
h n u h g s e e l t e a n u o
h e i g h t Ear lobes
e g i o b o a o d
c r o l o r o s n n u i h o a
Gender
e p p h l d d n t u e l s i o
o i e o g o e t s a c g i e r
Hand span
h u b r t n r w p a t e n h h
o e o n n m m e e i r u n m c Height
s u a h m u h m u i i n t o r
p n a p s d n a h g g r u d t Shoe size
e z i s e o h s
o r n h t t e
x a n t y s e e e g r o t o o Tongue rolling
u s c o u a d a u c s m t h i
i b e l p d a e g e e r y l s Weight
e n h i m e h i r n y e t t e
Natural Selection
Who is the person who studied natural selection and survival of the fittest? Charles Darwin
What is natural selection? Organisms with the desired characteristics will survive and pass onto
offspring
Give an example of natural selection. Any suitable example ie. Peppered Moth or Rabbit
Variation
Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNU30T2EmQ8
Task Description
1 Create a family tree for your family looking at one inherited characteristic for example noting down the eye colours
of each member next to their name.
2 Explain how sexual reproduction promotes variation.
3 Research the reasons why variation is beneficial within a species
4 Define the following key words (in terms of biology): variation, inherited, characteristics, classification, adaptations,
habitat, species
5 Make a poster showing the different types of variation (inherited and environmental characteristics) with examples
for each.
6 Choose two closely related species that live in two very different environments. Compare and contrast the
variations between these species.
7 Research the classification system we use to classify living organisms today. Create a short project about its history
and how the species are grouped. Evaluate this system of classification.
8 Make a game based on this topic that could be used as a revision activity for Year 8 pupils preparing for their
assessment.
