Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Whole Topic Checklist:

Describe features of sexual and asexual reproductionDescribe what happens during meiosis and compare to mitosisDescribe what happens at fertilisationExplain advantages of sexual and asexual reproductionDescribe examples of organisms that reproduce both sexually and asexually (malarial parasites, fungi, strawberry plants and daffodils)Describe the structure of DNA and its role in storing genetic information inside the cellExplain the term 'genome' and the importance of the human genome (specific examples from spec only)Describe the structure of DNA, including knowledge of nucleotide unitsExplain complementary base pairing in DNAExplain the relationship between DNA bases (ATCG), amino acids and proteinsDescribe how proteins are synthesised on ribosomes, including protein folding and its importance for protein functionExplain what mutations are, and the possible effects of mutationsExplain what non-coding parts of DNA are, and why they are importantDescribe how characteristics are controlled by one or more genes, including examplesExplain important genetic terms: gamete, chromosome, gene, allele, genotype, phenotype, dominant, recessive, homozygous and heterozygousExplain and use Punnet square diagrams, genetic crosses and family treesConstruct Punnet square diagrams to predict the outcomes of a monohybrid crossDescribe cystic fibrosis and polydactyly as examples of inherited disordersEvaluate social, economic and ethical issues concerning embryo screening when given appropriate informationDescribe how the chromosomes are arranged in human body cells, including the function of the sex chromosomesExplain how sex is determined and carry out a genetic cross to show sex inheritanceDescribe what variation is and how it can be caused within a populationDescribe mutations and explain their influence on phenotype and changes in a speciesExplain the theory of evolution by natural selectionDescribe how new species can be formedDescribe what selective breeding isExplain the process of selective breeding, including examples of desired characteristics and risks associated with selective breedingDescribe what genetic engineering is, including examples, and how it is carried outExplain some benefits, risks and concerns related to genetic engineeringExplain the process of genetic engineering, to include knowledge of enzymes and vectorsDescribe different cloning techniques, to include: tissue culture, cuttings, embryo transplants and adult cell cloningDescribe the ideas proposed by Darwin in his theory of natural selection and explain why this theory was only gradually acceptedDescribe other inheritance-based theories that existed (apart from the theory of natural selection), and the problems with these theoriesDescribe the work of Alfred Russel WallaceExplain how new species can be formedDescribe how our understanding of genetics has developed over time, to include knowledge of MendelDescribe some sources of evidence for evolutionDescribe what fossils are, how they are formed and what we can learn from themExplain why there are few traces of the early life forms, and the consequences of this in terms of our understanding of how life beganDescribe some of the causes of extinctionDescribe 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 developmentDescribe how organisms are named and classified in the Linnaean systemExplain how scientific advances have led to the proposal of new models of classification, inc three-domain systemDescribe and interpret evolutionary trees