Chapter 1: How characteristics are inherited
Why do snow leopard cubs resemble their parents without being identical copies? The answer begins inside almost every cell.
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
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next
Key learning points
- • From cells to genes
- • Passing information on
- • Inherited is not inevitable
- • Model with care
This lesson at a glance
- 30 minutes
- 19 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
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Part 1 of 19
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Chapter 1: How characteristics are inherited
Follow inherited information from chromosomes to variation between individuals.
In a nutshell
Understand heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 19
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · From cells to genes
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
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Part 3 of 19
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From cells to genes
The nucleus of a body cell contains chromosomes made from DNA. A gene is a section of DNA carrying instructions that influence a characteristic, often by coding for a protein. Different versions of a gene are called alleles.
Reset break
Part 4 of 19
Pause
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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.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 19
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Passing information on
Reproductive cells carry genetic information from each parent. At fertilisation, their nuclei join, giving the offspring a new combination of alleles. This explains both family resemblance and difference.
Quick check
Part 6 of 19
Quick check
Part 7 of 19
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Part 8 of 19
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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.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 19
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Inherited is not inevitable
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 19
Learn
Inherited is not inevitable
Some characteristics, such as blood group, are strongly inherited. Others, such as body mass or sporting performance, result from genes interacting with environment, health and experience.
Explore the idea
Part 11 of 19
Learn
Model with care
A simple family tree can track a characteristic across generations, but appearance alone cannot reveal every allele. Scientific conclusions must match the limits of the evidence.
Reset break
Part 12 of 19
Pause
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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 13 of 19
Challenge round
Part 14 of 19
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 15 of 19
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
Reproductive cells carry ____ information from each parent.
Reset break
Part 16 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 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 17 of 19
Game · Recall cards
What is a gene?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 18 of 19
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Chapter 1: How characteristics are inherited
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…
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Part 19 of 19
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Understand heredity as the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next