Inheritance

Chapter 10
Contents
1. Introduction to inheritance
2. Genetic Crosses
a. Alleles
b. Constructing Genetic Diagrams
c. Sex Determination
d. Mendel's Seeds - Past Paper Question
e. Family Trees
3. Genetic Variation
4. Evolution
Introduction to Inheritance
Genetics / Inheritance looks at how the characteristics of
an organism are passed from generation to generation.

The characteristics
of an organism are
determined by
instructions carried
in the genetic
material.
Genes control our characteristics or features.
Characteristics or features are the parts of our body that
can be unique or the same as other bodies.
 Synonyms
Characteristic = trait = feature = quality = aspect =
attribute = property = expressions
Characteristics are either visible or hidden. But
they are both expressions of genes.
Genetic Material Structure big

Cell - the nucleus contains

chromosomes.
Chromosome - a structure
containing DNA & proteins.
DNA - nucleic acid molecule
containing thousands of genes.
Gene - A section of a DNA molecule
that controls characteristics.

small
A
B C

D
 Cell
Nucleus Chromosome

Genes

DNA
Definitions
● Cell - The basic unit of life.
● Nucleus - The organelle that houses the genetic material.
● Chromosome - The largest structure of genetic material,
contains a DNA molecule and proteins.
● DNA - The molecule of genetic material. Shaped in the
form of a double helix.
● Gene - A piece of DNA that controls the expression of a
particular feature.
 In a human, the cell nucleus has 46 chromosomes.
Or 23 pairs.

Cell

Nucleus

Chromosome
The number of chromosomes, or the number of
chromosome pairs, varies between species.

7 pairs 23 pairs

20 pairs 39 pairs
Chromosome pairs of a Chromosome of a cell Unpaired chromosome in
normal body cell. preparing for cell division. a gamete.

During fertilization, the gametes

combine their chromosomes into
the zygote.
This is a normal body cell. There This body cell also contains 23
are 23 pairs of chromosomes. pairs, but each chromosome has
Each stick / DNA molecule in the been duplicated because the cell
pair comes from different parents. is preparing for cell division.
A gene is the part of the DNA
that controls a particular
feature or characteristic.

● One banana has about 35'000

genes.
● One human has about 20'000
genes.
 Human Cell
Cell has one nucleus
↓
Nucleus has 46 chromosomes
↓
Chromosome has 1 DNA molecule
↓
DNA molecule has thousands of genes
 Concept Checking Questions
1. Order the following in order from biggest to
smallest:
chromosome - DNA - cell - gene - nucleus

cell → nucleus → chromosome → DNA → gene

 Concept Checking Questions
1. How many chromosomes does a human body cell
have?
46
2. How many chromosomes does a human gamete
cell have?
23
● Page 22. Chapter 8.
Transport.
● Page 26. Chapter 9.
Reproduction
Lesson 1 - Introduction to inheritance
1. What does genetics study? It studies how the characteristics of an organism are passed from generation to
generation.
2. What is a characteristic? It is a feature of our body that is either similar to others or unique.
3. Provide definitions for the following:
a. Cell - The basic unit of life.
b. Nucleus - The organelle that houses the genetic material.
c. Chromosome - The largest structure of genetic material, contains a DNA molecule and proteins.
d. DNA - The molecule of genetic material. Shaped in the form of a double helix.
e. Gene - A piece of DNA that controls the expression of a particular feature.
4. Which structures in the list above are considered "genetic material"? Chromosomes, DNA, and genes.
5. How many chromosomes per nucleus do the following organisms have?
a. Human: 46 or 23 pairs.
b. Mouse: 40 or 20 pairs
c. Dog: 78 or 39 pairs
6. How many chromosomes does a human gamete cell contain? 23
7. Provide the appropriate numbers for a human cell:
a. Number of nuclei in a cell: 1
b. Number of chromosomes in a body cell: 46
c. Number of chromosomes in a sex cell: 23
d. Number of DNA molecules in a chromosome: 1
e. Number of genes in a DNA molecule: thousands
Alleles
 ● Our chromosomes exist in
pairs, one from the father and
one from the mother.
● Both chromosomes carry genes
for the same characteristic.
From father From mother
● These corresponding Hair colour
Eye colour
genes are called alleles.
● Alleles for a single
characteristic can either be
the same or different.
Define 'alleles'
Alleles are genes that control the same
characteristic.
Let's assume these alleles control
hair colour.
One is a gene for red hair, and one is
a gene for white hair.

What colour hair will this person have?

That depends on gene dominance.

Alleles are either dominant or recessive.
If an allele is dominant, you only need one of it to be
expressed.
If an allele is recessive, you need two of it to be expressed.

For each situation decide if the person will have white hair or red hair.

White hair gene is dominant Red hair gene is dominant

= white hair = red hair

= red hair = red hair
= white hair = white hair
Use the diagram below to figure out which colour
(purple or pink) is dominant, and which is recessive.
Use the diagram below to figure out which colour
(purple or pink) is dominant, and which is recessive.

In this
example, the
dominant allele
is pink.
 White hair gene is dominant

= White hair

= Red hair

Genotype Phenotype
The genotype is the set of The phenotype is the
alleles controlling a expression of the genotype.
characteristic.
We have learnt the following:
● Definition of alleles.
● Dominant and recessive alleles.
● Genotype and phenotype.

Next we want to determine how characteristics

from the parents are passed to the offspring.
mother father Mother gametes

The alleles get Father's gametes

separated into
the gametes.

We use a punnett
square to find
the hair colour
50%
probability of the
50%
offspring.
 Genotype probability
of offspring

50%

50%

Determine the phenotype probability of offspring if:

● Red hair gene is dominant. = 50% white, 50% red
● White hair gene is dominant. = 100% white
 Most characteristics are
decided by many alleles,
but some characteristics,
like the colour of the flower
of the garden pea plant,
are decided by two alleles,
purple or white.

In the iGCSE Single Award course, we will only be performing

monohybrid crosses, which means we will only be performing
crosses for a single trait that involves two alleles.
Monohybrid cross

In iGCSE Single Award we

will only be considering
monohybrid crosses.

A monohybrid cross is a
genetic cross between two
individuals that focuses on
the inheritance of a single
trait, which is controlled by
two alleles.
 White White

Purple PW PW 50% PW
50% WW
White WW WW

50% Purple, 50% White

100% White
 Purple White

Purple PP PW 50% PW
25% PP
White PW WW
25% WW

75% purple, 25% white

75% white, 25% purple

● Page 22. Chapter
8. Transport.
● Page 26. Chapter
9. Reproduction
● Page 29. Chapter
10. Inheritance
Lesson 2 - Alleles
1. Provide the definition of 'alleles'. Alleles are different forms of the same gene.
They are genes that control the same characteristic.
2. What is a punnett square used for? The punnett square helps us figure out
how the alleles from the parent's gametes are combined into the offspring.
3. What is an organism's genotype and phenotype? The genotype is a set of
alleles controlling a characteristic, and the phenotype is the resulting
expression of those alleles.
4. What's the difference between a dominant allele, and a recessive allele? If an
allele is dominant, you only need one of it to be expressed. If an allele is
recessive, you need two of it to be expressed.
5. What is a monohybrid cross? It is a cross between two organisms that only
involves one trait which is controlled by two alleles.
Constructing Genetic Diagrams
It is convention to use capital letters for dominant alleles,
and lowercase letters for recessive alleles.
mother father The allele for white hair W W
is dominant. So we can
w Ww Ww
use W for white hair and
w for red hair. W WW WW

Genotype probability Phenotype probability

of offspring of offspring
50% Ww 100% white hair
50% WW
If both the alleles are the same, we call it homozygous.
If the alleles are different, we call it heterozygous.
mother father
W W Genotype of
mother =
w Ww Ww
homozygous
W WW WW

Genotype of
father =
heterozygous
 Concept Checking Questions
1. What is a genotype?
The set of alleles controlling a characteristic.
E.g. RR, Rr, rr are genotypes.
2. If the genotype has two similar alleles, it is …
Homozygous
3. If the genotype has two different alleles, it is …
Heterozygous
 When constructing genetic diagrams, we must move
through the following steps:

B = brown hair gene, b = red hair gene

Phenotype of parents
Genotype of parents Bb bb
B b
Genotype of gametes B, b, b, b or 75% b & 25% B
b Bb bb
Genotype of offspring 50% Bb, 50% bb b Bb bb

Phenotype of offspring 50% brown hair, 50% red hair

The flower of the pea plant can either be purple or white.

Purple is dominant,
and white is
recessive. P=purple,
p=white

We will do three examples:

1. One parent is homozygous dominant and one is homozygous
recessive (PP and pp).
2. Both parents are heterozygous (Pp and Pp)
3. One parent is heterozygous and one parent is homozygous
recessive (Pp and pp)
 Genetic Diagram - Example 1

One parent is homozygous dominant and one is

homozygous recessive.

Phenotype of parents Purple White

Genotype of parents PP pp
P P
Genotype of gametes P, P, p, p or 50%P, 50%p
p Pp Pp
Genotype of offspring 100% Pp
p Pp Pp
Phenotypes of offspring 100% purple
 Genetic Diagram - Example 2

Both parents are heterozygous.

P = purple, p = white

Phenotype of parents Purple Purple

Genotype of parents Pp Pp
P p
Genotype of gametes P, P, p, p or 50%P, 50%p
P PP Pp
Genotype of offspring 25% PP, 50% Pp, 25% pp
p Pp pp
Phenotypes of offspring 75% purple, 25% white
 Genetic Diagram - Example 3

One parent is heterozygous and one parent is homozygous

recessive.

Phenotype of parents White Purple

Genotype of parents pp Pp
P p
Genotype of gametes P, P, P, p or 75%P, 25%p
p Pp pp
Genotype of offspring 50% Pp, 50% pp
p Pp pp
Phenotypes of offspring 50% purple, 50% white
 Vocabulary

● Genes are the fundamental units of heredity.

● Genotype is a set of alleles that control a single characteristic.
● Genome is the organism's whole set of genetic material.
● Homozygous - two alleles of the same type (i.e. both dominant
or both recessive)
● Heterozygous - two different types of alleles (i.e. one dominant
and one recessive)
● Homologous - chromosome pairs from each parent that are
similar.
Genetic Diagram Activities

Exam Booklet.
Page 25. Question 3.
Page 30. Question 8.
Sex determination
 King Henry VIII had three
King Henry 8th legitimate children who
struggled to divorced executed died
survived infancy:
produce male ● Mary I — daughter of
offspring during Catherine of Aragon.
his reign as king ● Elizabeth I — daughter
of Anne Boleyn.
in 1500s
● Edward VI — son of
England. divorced executed
Outlived
Henry Jane Seymour.

Predict:
1) The female gamete decides the sex of the offspring.
2) The male gamete decides the sex of the offspring.
3) The sex of the offspring is decided after fertilisation.
The X and Y chromosomes are known as the sex
chromosomes.
Female
● All body cells have two X
chromosomes.
● All gametes (eggs) have
one X chromosome.
Male
● All body cells have one X
and one Y chromosome.
● Each gamete (sperm)
has either an X or a Y
chromosome.
 Although we are not talking about alleles anymore (we are talking
about chromosomes), we can still use a genetic diagram to show
how the sex of the offspring are decided. Female Male
provides provides
X only. X or Y
Phenotype of parents Male Female

Genotype of parents XY XX
X Y
Genotype of gametes X, Y, X, X
X XX XY
Genotype of offspring 50% XX and 50% Xy
X XX XY
Phenotypes of offspring 50% Male & 50% Female

The male Y chromosome is not typically referred to as dominant like

an allele would be, however, only one Y chromosome is required for
the offspring to be male.
● Page 22. Chapter
8. Transport.
● Page 26. Chapter
9. Reproduction
● Page 29. Chapter
10. Inheritance
 Mendel's Seeds
Past Paper Question
June 2021 Biology Pearson Edexcel
Monohybrid Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9dckbhl5g4&ab_chann
el=PatBradley
Mendel crossed a wrinkled seed with a round seed. All the
offspring were round. Predict the genotypes of the parents.

Phenotype of parents We first have to assume

round is dominant,
because if all gametes
Genotype of parents rr are recessive, then this
requires both parents to
Genotype of gametes
be homozygous
Genotype of offspring Rr or RR recessive.

Phenotypes of offspring r r
100%
r rr rr

r rr rr
 r r R r r r
R RR Rr R RR Rr R Rr Rr
r rr rr R RR Rr R Rr Rr

One parent is None of the parents One parent is

homozygous are homozygous homozygous
recessive. ✓ recessive. ✗ recessive. ✓

Some of the None of the offspring None of the offspring

gametes are are homozygous are homozygous
homozygous recessive. ✓ recessive. ✓
recessive. ✗
 r r
R Rr Rr Phenotype of parents

R Rr Rr
Genotype of parents RR rr
Genotype of gametes 50%R, 50%r
Genotype of offspring 100% Rr
Phenotypes of offspring
100%
This was the Now Mendel wants to do a second
first cross. cross using only the offspring from the
first cross.
r r
R Rr Rr Predict the phenotype probability of
the offspring of the second cross.
R Rr Rr
This was the Now Mendel wants to do a second
first cross. cross using only the offspring from the
first cross.
r r
R Rr Rr Predict the phenotype probability of
the offspring of the second cross.
R Rr Rr

R r = 75%
R RR Rr
r Rr rr = 25%
Questions
Clues
Cross-pollination = pollen travels between two
different plant organisms to fertilise the female
gamete.
Self-pollination = pollen travels to a carpel on the
same plant.
 Genetic Diagram

1. Parents phenotype
2. Parents genotype
3. Punnett Square
4. Offspring genotype
5. Offspring phenotype
Sexual reproduction involves fusion of gametes
from different organisms. This results in genetic
variation.

Asexual reproduction is just a simple copying

of cells to form a new organism which is a copy
of the parent organism.
Answers
X
Either the scientist could put the pollen on the stigma
him/herself using a paintbrush, or if there are too many
plants to do manually, a packet could be tied around the
entire plant to ensure no foreign gametes enter the gene
pool.
Phenotype of parents Round Round
Genotype of parents Rr Rr R r
Genotype of gametes 50%R, 50%r
R RR Rr
Genotype of offspring 25% RR, 50% Rr, 25% rr
r Rr rr
Phenotypes of offspring 75% round, 25% wrinkled
Sexual reproduction causes genetic variation, asexual
reproduction doesn't.
Sexual reproduction involves gametes and fertilisation,
asexual reproduction doesn't.

Sexual reproduction involves two parents, asexual

reproduction only involves one parent.
Family Trees
Sometimes we have to work out what genotypes an
organism has using a family tree.

The family tree

shows the
characteristics /
expression /
phenotype, and we
need to determine
the genotype.
Polydactyly is an inherited condition whereby someone
grows an extra finger or toe.

Pictures showing
different types of
polydactyly.

Polydactyly is a dominant allele, and the normal number

of digits is a recessive allele.
● DD = person has polydactyly
● Dd = person has polydactyly
● dd = person has normal number of digits.
 D = polydactyly, d = no polydactyly

Red = polydactyly, Yellow = no polydactyly Conclusions

1) DD or Dd
1 2 2) DD or Dd
3) dd
4) DD or Dd
3 4 5
5) dd
1 and 2 have to both be heterozygous (Dd), because if
even one of them is homozygous (DD), none of their
children can have normal digits.
 Both homozygous One homozygous dominant One homozygous dominant
dominant One Heterozygous One homozygous recessive

D D D d d d

D DD DD D DD Dd D Dd Dd

D DD DD D DD Dd D Dd Dd

Both heterozygous One homozygous recessive Both homozygous

One heterozygous recessive

D d d d d d

D DD Dd D Dd Dd d dd dd

d Dd dd d dd dd d dd dd

1. There are 3 possible genotypes for one

Red squares = Person has polydactyly 2.
parent (AA, Aa, or aa).
The other parent also has 3 possible
Yellow squares = Person has normal digits genotypes (AA, Aa, or aa).
3X3=6
 D = polydactyly, d = no polydactyly

Red = polydactyly, Yellow = no polydactyly Conclusions

1) DD or Dd
1 2 2) DD or Dd
3) dd
3 4 5
4) DD or Dd D
5) dd
Notice how we cannot be sure about 4. It could either
be homozygous, or heterozygous. If we are not sure
we can just write a D.
 D = polydactyly, d = no polydactyly

Red = polydactyly, Yellow = no polydactyly

Conclusions
1 2 1) dd
2) DD or Dd D
3) DD or Dd
3 4 4) DD or Dd

We cannot be sure if 2 is DD or Dd because even though

there are no offspring with polydactyly, this doesn't
discount the fact that a recessive gene might be present.
Activity Workbook. Page 31.
Family Trees.

Exam Question Booklet.

Page 31. Family Trees.
Genetic Variation
The offspring from sexual reproduction differ in their genetic
makeup (genotype and expressed phenotype). Individuals
within a species can therefore show genetic variation.
 What is genetic variation?

Genetic variation is differences in the genotypes

and therefore phenotypes of individuals in a
population.

Synonyms
Genetic variation is differences in the DNA /
genes / genotype and therefore characteristics &
phenotypes of individuals in a population.
How is genetic variation achieved?

1. Sexual reproduction
2. Mutations
3. Horizontal Gene Transfer (plasmids)
Genetic variation between Genetic variation between
individuals of different individuals of the same
species. species.
Genetic Variation /
Genetic diversity

● Duckweed usually reproduces asexually by budding, so

many of the individuals in the population are genetically
identical.
● However, duckweed also sometimes performs sexual
reproduction, which creates genetic diversity.
● Another contributor to genetic diversity are mutations during
asexual reproduction.
Why does sexual reproduction cause genetic
variation?

● Because the offspring receive a unique

combination of genes from each parent.
● The large amount of gametes produced provides
more genetic diversity.
Types of twins
● Identical Twins: Result from the splitting of one
zygote into two embryos.
● Non-Identical Twins: Result from the fertilization of
two separate eggs by two different sperm cells.
● Conjoined Twins: Result from incomplete separation
of a single zygote.
Identical twins do not show genetic variation.
They are formed from the same zygote.
When the zygote divides, instead of staying together
and making one organism, it separates and makes
two organisms.
Identical twins never look exactly the same,
especially if they grow up in different environments.
The different environments affect their physical,
social, and intellectual development in different ways.
● Product of inheritance
● Product of environment
● Product of both inheritance and environment
Genetic Variation Activities

Variation. Page 71.

9 minutes.
Evolution
 Guiding Question

Where do humans come from?

Some theories about where we came from.

God created the Earth We slowly developed Aliens planted their

and the humans in 7 from abiotic molecules DNA on this planet and
days. into simple biological we have grown up from
molecules, into large that.
complex organisms.
 Evolution - Summary

1. Evolution is the change of form of species over long periods

of time.
2. People have been thinking about Evolution for a long time
and have provided many theories. Our modern day theory of
Evolution is still based on Darwin's theory of Natural
Selection.
3. Darwin's theory of natural selection: The natural environment
selects features of organisms. The concept of natural
selection is also known as 'The survival of the fittest'.
4. Examples of evolution.
 Define Evolution:
Evolution is the change of form of a species over
long periods of time.

Evolution Change of form but

not evolution.
 People have been thinking about theories to
explain evolution for a long time.
Presocratics Lucretius and
and Ancient Pliny the Darwin and
Greece Elder Wallace

-500 0 500 1000 1500 2000

Today's theory of evolution is based largely on Darwin's

theory of Natural Selection.
 Natural Selection

Organisms that are better adapted to their

environment survive and reproduce more and pass
on their genes to the next generation.
 Adaptation

● A process
○ A process of an organism developing its characteristics so
that they are more suited or a better fit for their
environment.
● A thing
○ A characteristic / feature of an organism that has evolved
for a specific function. It is a feature of the organism that
makes that organism efficient in its environment.

In both cases the growing thing is moulded by the environment.

Some people say that the theory of Natural Selection
can be best defined using the phrase 'The Survival of
the Fittest'? What does this phrase mean?
Some people say that the theory of Natural Selection
can be best defined using the phrase 'The Survival of
the Fittest'? What does this phrase mean?

This phrase means the organism that 'fits' well in its

environment will survive and pass on its genes to the
next generation.
An organism that 'fits' is well adapted to its
environment. Organisms are well adapted if they
contain characteristics that are useful in their
environment.
Explain how Natural
Selection works
using an example.
Big beak bird Thin beak bird

1. Start with genetic variation. There is a big beak bird living on an island, and
it eats nuts. Within that bird, there is an allele for a thin beak. When the thin
beak is expressed, the bird usually dies quickly because it can't eat nuts.
2. The environment changes. After some time, the climate of the island
changes, and the nut plants don't grow so well, but there are more insects.
Now when the thin beak allele is expressed, the bird does well, because it
can use its thin beak to catch insects.
3. How is this favourable characteristic spread to more individuals? The birds
with thin beaks 1) survive longer, 2) reproduce more, 3) pass on more of
their genes to the next generation. This ensures the next generation has the
new characteristic / feature / trait.
Evolution happens over millions of years and is
preserved in the fossil record.
Darwin used the fossil record as further evidence of
evolution.
 What is evolution, natural selection,
& survival of the fittest?

Evolution is the change of inherited characteristics within a

population over time through natural selection.

Natural selection, sometimes referred to as 'survival of the

fittest', is a process where organisms that are better adapted
to an environment will survive and reproduce and pass their
genes to the next generation.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides (GCSE AQA)

3 Famous Examples of Natural Selection

1. Whales
2. Tilapia in the Salton Sea
3. The Peppered Moth
Example 1 - Whales
Page 34. Video -
Whales, Evolution, and
Darwin
Example 2 - Tilapia in the Salton Sea
Tilapia in the Salton Sea
 Tilapia in the Salton Sea

The shoreline of
the Salton Sea is
made of the bones
of millions of fish.

Those fish died

because the fresh
water got more and
more salty.
 Tilapia in the Salton Sea

But there are still fish that live in

this sea. They are called Tilapia.

If you take a Tilapia from another

lake and put it in the Salton Sea,
they will die, so how did the
Salton Sea Tilapia become suited
for salt water?
 Tilapia in the Salton Sea

When the water started getting

salty, by chance some Tilapia
had genetic variations that
allowed them to live in salty
water. More of these fish
survived and the other fish died
out. After many generations, the
fish with adaptations for salt
water dominated the gene pool.
 Tilapia in the Salton Sea

This gradual change in

adaptation is due to natural
selection. The environment
selected the fish that were better
suited for salt water.
Example 3 - The Peppered Moth
The Peppered Moth

Two variations of the same moth

were discovered.
There were more light coloured
moths than dark coloured moths.
 The Peppered Moth

Why were there

more light coloured
moths than dark
coloured moths?

Most trees were light coloured, and the Because the light
light coloured moths were better coloured moths
camouflaged. were better at
camouflage.
 The Peppered Moth

But then, due to the

industrial revolution,
the buildings and
trees turned black.

What do you think

happened to the
moths?
 The Peppered Moth

Now the black moths were

better at camouflage. So after
some time there were more
black moths than white moths.
This is an example of natural
selection, the environment is
selecting certain genetic
variations.
Explain using Natural Selection why the population of
black moths became larger and the population of
white moths got smaller. (4 marks)

● In the black environment, the darks moths were

more camouflaged, ✓
● so they survived longer, ✓
● and reproduced more, ✓
● and more of their genes were passed to the next
generation. ✓
Lesson 5 - Evolution
1. Define 'evolution'. Evolution is the change of form of a species over a long period of time.
2. Explain the term 'adaptation'. An adaptation is a characteristic of an organism or
biological structure that makes it more efficient in its environment.
3. Natural Selection is a theory that attempts to explain how evolution takes place. Modern day
understanding of evolution is still largely based on Natural Selection. Explain Natural
Selection. Natural selection is the theory that features or characteristics of a species are
'selected' by the natural environment.
4. Explain 'Survival of the fittest'. The organism that is the best fit for its environment will
survive and pass on its genes.
5. What is preserved in the fossil record? The changing forms of organisms over millions of
years.
6. Briefly explain why the Peppered Moths are an example of natural selection. After the
buildings and trees turned black, the population of dark moths grew because they were
now better camouflaged. This is a classic example of the environment selecting a
feature.
 Evolution Activities

Evolution & Natural

Selection. Page 72.
11 minutes

Page 34. Video -

Whales, Evolution, and
Darwin
Exam Practice Workbook. Page 72. Question 1.
The photograph shows an adult buff tip moth. The buff tip
moth's appearance mimics a broken twig, making it well
camouflaged. Explain how the moth might have evolved to
look like this. (5 marks)
Exam Practice Workbook. Page 72. Question 1.
The photograph shows an adult buff tip moth. The buff tip
moth's appearance mimics a broken twig, making it well
camouflaged. Explain how the moth might have evolved to
look like this. (5 marks)

● The population of moths contains 'genetic variation', with some

individuals containing alleles that control for twig-like characteristics. ✓
● The organisms with the 'twig-like' characteristics are better camouflaged
and therefore survive longer. ✓
● This makes them more likely to reproduce. ✓
● This makes them more likely to pass their twig-like alleles to the next
generation. ✓
● This continues and over time the population of moths gradually all start to
take on twig-like appearances. ✓
Exam Practice Workbook. Page 72. Question 2.
A population of finches on an island mainly eat seeds. The finches vary in the
size of their beaks. Larger beaks are better for breaking apart larger seeds,
whereas smaller beaks are better for picking up and eating smaller seeds. A
storm kills off many of the plants that produce larger seeds.

Describe how evolution by natural selection may lead to a change in the beak
size of the population of finches, following the storm. (6 marks)
Exam Practice Workbook. Page 72. Question 2.
A population of finches on an island mainly eat seeds. The finches vary in the
size of their beaks. Larger beaks are better for breaking apart larger seeds,
whereas smaller beaks are better for picking up and eating smaller seeds. A
storm kills off many of the plants that produce larger seeds.

Describe how evolution by natural selection may lead to a change in the beak
size of the population of finches, following the storm. (6 marks)

● After the storm, the birds with small beaks will find more food, ✓✓
● so they will survive longer, ✓
● reproduce more, ✓
● pass on their small beak alleles to the next generation. ✓
● The population of small beak birds will increase and eventually
take over the population of large beak birds. ✓