Inherited and environmental variation
Some differences are written in DNA, some are written by life. Most are a mixture of both.
Part of your national curriculum
- Biology: genetics and evolution: Understand heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next
- Biology: genetics and evolution: Understand differences between species and the variation between individuals of the same species
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Describe inherited and environmental variation
Key learning points
- • Two sources
- • Continuous and discontinuous
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 13 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 13
Visual introductionPicture this
Inherited and environmental variation
Some differences are written in DNA, some are written by life. Most are a mixture of both.
In a nutshell
Describe inherited and environmental variation
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 13
Learn
Two sources
Eye colour is inherited. A scar is environmental. Height is inherited potential shaped by nutrition — the usual real answer is 'both'.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 13
Learn
Continuous and discontinuous
Continuous variation (height, mass) gives a smooth range. Discontinuous variation (blood group) gives distinct categories.
Reset break
Part 4 of 13
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 5 of 13
Quick check
Part 6 of 13
Quick check
Part 7 of 13
Reset break
Part 8 of 13
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 9 of 13
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 10 of 13
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Eye colour is ____.
A scar is ____.
Continuous ____ (height, mass) gives a smooth range.
Challenge round
Part 11 of 13
Game · Recall cards
What is a gene?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 12 of 13
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Inherited and environmental variation
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What is a gene?
2. Why are siblings not usually genetically identical?
3. Which characteristic usually reflects both genes and environment?
4. A scar is an example of…
Lesson round-up
Part 13 of 13
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 13 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Understand heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next
- Not looked at yet
Understand differences between species and the variation between individuals of the same species