2. Edexcel GCSE Genetics ThinkIT! Section name: Reproduction:
Compare the process for making sperm to that for an embryo developing.
Explain why it is beneficial for fungi to reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Holly trees are either male or female. Cucumber plants have male flowers and female flowers on the same plant. What are the benefits of these arrangements?
Does sexual or asexual reproduction “save” endangered species? Discuss.
DNA and the genome:
What was Rosalind Frank’s contribution to our understanding of inheritance?
Why is knowing about human migration patterns in the past of importance?
If only 2% of the human genome contains information regarding the formation of proteins, what is all the rest for?
Genetic inheritance:
Cells in mature testes divide continually to produce sperm. Why do no two sperm carry the same genetic information?
If a colour blind man married a normal sighted woman none of their offspring would be colour blind. But if one of his daughters marries a normal sighted man the chances are that half of their sons will be colour blind. Explain this.
Section name:
Protein synthesis:
Compare and contrast the roles of messenger RNA and transfer RNA.
Without mutations there would be no evolution. Discuss this statement.
How is the information on DNA transferred to ribosomes?
Draw a flow diagram to illustrate the stages in protein synthesis. Explain the chart to your partner.
Edexcel GCSE Genetics
ThinkIT!
Inheritance continued:
Two black guinea pigs were interbred and produced eight offspring. Two were brown and six were black. Which coat colour allele is dominant?
Haemophilia is a sex linked disease. The faulty allele is found on the X chromosome but the disease is more common in males. Explain why.
What does monohybrid mean?
A gardener crossed a red flowering plant with a white flowering plant. Some offspring had pink flowers. Explain.
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DNA and meiosis:
Discuss the ways in which the structure of DNA allows it to carry out its functions.
Describe how to extract DNA from a strawberry and explain what each stage of the method is needed for.
Use plasticine to make a model of meiotic cell division and then describe the stages to your partner.
Compare mitosis and meiosis in a poster.
Mendel:
Research and write a magazine article based upon the life of Gregor Mendel and his observations which lead to his unofficial naming as the father of genetics.
Produce a glossary of all the key words used in genetics. Use these to construct a crossword.
Mutation:
Why do most genetic variations have no effect on the phenotype?
Research two examples of where a single mutation significantly affects the phenotype.
Find out about epigenetics and use your research to explain why cells on the retina don’t have hairs?