Okay so now we should know about DNA and how to figure out the likelihood of inheriting certain characteristics. But if we all have DNA and we all have genes for eyes, noses, legs etc how do we end up being so different? We are the same species - but we aren't the same! How does that work?

We need to understand about a thing called "Variation".

Step 1 : Have a look as what it is and what are the things that lead to it, and then as the different types are explained to you. (Learn)

Mission 1 : Lets see what you have learned = read and complete the section in your workbook on "What is Variation" (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

Challenge 1 : Using the equipment your teacher lends you, gather the height data of your class. Using this data complete the graph and discussion work on "Variation and Normal Distribution". Why is your graph not like the book example? What will you have to do to get one more like the book example? (Learn) (Create) (Share)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

Mission 2 : Using what you have learn't from the videos and the variation exercise read and complete the section "Sources of Variation - An Overview" (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

SEX SEX SEX - there is another way!!

Step 2: STOP thinking about it .... watch as the alternative is explained to you - is an option? (Learn)

Mission 3 : Sorry if you are disappointed ..... But read and complete the section on "Asexual Reproduction" (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

We humans are the product of Sexual Reproduction ..... We also should know that we have 46 chromosomes in each of our cells - But if our parents have 46 chromosomes too, how do we only end up with 46? Mum (46) + Dad (46) = Us (46). How come we don't end up with 92? 

When you look in the mirror you can see bits of your parents in you = you are a blend of both of your biological parents. Somehow we only end up with half of each parents DNA.

 In sexual reproduction our bodies make special cells called gametes - each gamete only has 23 chromosomes. So when the male gamete (sperm) meets the female gamete (egg). 23 + 23 =46.

The special cell division process that does this is called Meiosis. It not only halves the chromosome number, but it also mixes up the genetic material to lead to more variation.

Step 3 : Watch as Meiosis is explained to you - pay attention to how the chromosome number gets halved and how variation happens. (Learn)

Meiosis is similar to Mitosis - but it is important to not get them confused - but also know the differences. This next clip may help. (Learn) 

Mission 4 : Understanding Meiosis is an important key piece of information = re watch the videos and get your teacher to explain further. If you are ready - Read and complete the sections on "Cell Division - Meiosis" and "Meiosis as a Cause of Variation" (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

Earlier we learned about Asexual Reproduction .... hopefully you remember? What is the other type of reproduction? 

Step 4 : Re watch the clip to remind yourself, also watch the next one to see what the consequences are. (Learn)

Are you ready for that?

Mission 5 : Are you ready for this? Yes? Okay now read and complete the work on "Sexual Reproduction" and "Making Babies" in your work book. (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

If you look around your classroom you'll notice that, (a) we are all humans, and, (b) no one looks like each other (unless your class has a set of identical twins ...) In other words there is a lot of variation among us. 

We've learn't about alleles = the different versions of genes that we can have - that causes some of the variation we see.

The only other way to get variation is to get new genes - the only way to get new genes is to change the DNA. This is called a mutation and it is NOTHING like what happens in the movies.

Step 5 : To understand the real happenings of mutations in us, watch the next clips - make sure you understand about the 3 different types of mutation. (Learn)

How mutations do you have? ( Truth is we all have some)

Mission 6 : Read and complete the work on "Mutation as a Cause of Variation" Pay close attention to what happens to resistant bacteria. (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

So we are all different - why could this be important?

Step 6 : Why are netballers and basketballers tall? Why do racing drivers have quick reactions? What is the advantage? Watch as the "Classic" case of variation and its importance is explained to you. One is short and one has more detail - which gives you the advantage? (Learn)

Being different could be the thing that means you live and they die!

Mission 7 : Now read and complete the work on "The Importance of Variation" and "Variation in Guppies - An Example of Natural Selection". How different are you? (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

There is variation in everything - sometimes its useful ..... sometimes it causes a problem. Ever heard those strange bumps in the night up in your ceiling? Rats? Mice? something else???? Its a pain putting traps up there = you have to keep going back up to check and empty the traps .... what do you do??

Poison !!

But beware of "super mice" or "super rats" - they don't wear capes or underwear over their pants but ....

Step 7 : Watch and be worried - first the story of the poison and then meet "super rats" (Learn)

Mission 8 : Do you have "super rats or mice" at home? Read the story about resistance mice in the section "Variation in Rodents - An Example of Natural Selection". Now answer the questions. (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

If you are wondering why we need to use poison to control mice - watch the next clip - but not if you are scared of mice.

Also as an alternative to poison we have ...... 

Your genotype (what genes you have) should lead to your phenotype (what you look like) but sometimes the environment gets in the way. You might have the genetic potential to be really tall - but miss out on too much food and you'll never reach your true genetic potential.

Step 8 : There are many different environmental factors that can affect the genotype, diet is only one. Here are a few more being explained to us. (Learn)

It has been summed up in this equation:

Phenotye = Genotype + Environment.

Mission 9 : Read and complete the questions on "The Effect of the Environment on Phenotype" in your workbooks. (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

Mission 10 : Now go back to the start of the topic and finish off the definitions page. Also complete the puzzle pages at the end of the topic as these are useful to help with your revision. (Learn)

Done that? = Share with your teacher.

Yes = now its time for your next Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission.

No = go back and complete the Step/Video clip/Challenge/Mission please.

Final Mission : Your teacher will organise some revision time but its also time for the end of chapter review questions. (Learn) (Share)

Final Final Mission : At the end of this topic there is also a practice exam that puts problems from all the 3 topics ( The Genetic Code, Predicting Inheritance, and Understanding Variation) together in the form of the type of exam you'll be sitting at the end of the year. Do a bit more revision and give it a go. (Learn) (Share)