Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

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Whole Topic Checklist

Describe features of sexual and asexual reproduction
Describe what happens during meiosis and compare to mitosis
Describe what happens at fertilisation
Describe the structure of DNA and its role in storing genetic information inside the cell
Explain the term 'genome' and the importance of the human genome (specific examples from spec only)
Describe how characteristics are controlled by one or more genes, including examples
Explain important genetic terms: gamete, chromosome, gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous and heterozygous
Explain and use Punnet square diagrams, genetic crosses and family trees
HT ONLY: Construct Punnet square diagrams to predict the outcomes of a monohybrid cross
Describe cystic fibrosis and polydactyly as examples of inherited disorders
Evaluate social, economic and ethical issues concerning embryo screening when given appropriate information
Describe how the chromosomes are arranged in human body cells, including the function of the sex chromosomes
Explain how sex is determined and carry out a genetic cross to show sex inheritance
Describe what variation is and how it can be caused within a population
Describe mutations and explain their influence on phenotype and changes in a species
Explain the theory of evolution by natural selection
Describe how new species can be formed
Describe what selective breeding is
Explain the process of selective breeding, including examples of desired characteristics and risks associated with selective breeding
Describe what genetic engineering is, including examples, and how it is carried out
Explain some benefits, risks and concerns related to genetic engineering
HT ONLY: Explain the process of genetic engineering, to include knowledge of enzymes and vectors
Describe some sources of evidence for evolution
Describe what fossils are, how they are formed and what we can learn from them
Explain why there are few traces of the early life forms, and the consequences of this in terms of our understanding of how life began
Describe some of the causes of extinction
Describe how antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria can arise and spread (inc MRSA)
Describe how the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be reduced and controlled, to include the limitations of antibiotic development
Describe how organisms are named and classified in the Linnaean system
Describe and interpret evolutionary trees
Explain how scientific advances have led to the proposal of new models of classification, inc three-domain system