Bio revision

The last part- Continuity and Variation

 DNA, Chromosomes, genes and alleles
DNA( deoxyribonucleic acid) –DNA molecules are large and complex. They
carry the genetic information that determines the characteristics of a
living organism.

Chromosomes-The cell’s nucleus contains chromosomes. These are long threads

of DNA, each made up of many genes. Haploid cells are those that have only a
single set of chromosomes while diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes.

Genes- Genes are specific sections of chromosomal DNA molecules and are the
basic units of hereditary.

Alleles- Alleles are different versions of the same gene. For example, the gene
for eye colour has an allele for blue eye colour and an allele for brown eye
colour. 
Mitosis We don’t need to learn the stages
The role of mitosis in asexual reproduction
Meiosis
Advantages of sexual reproduction

The advantages of sexual reproduction:

• produces genetic variation in the offspring.
• the species can adapt to new environments due to variation,
which gives them a survival advantage.
• a disease is less likely to affect all the individuals in a
population
 Genetic terms
Dominant trait- An inherited trait that results from the presence of a single dominant allele.
it is seen in an individual with one or two dominant alleles .

Recessive trait- An inherited treats that results from the presence of two recessive allies. it is
only seen in an individual with no dominant allele.

Co-dominance- Neither are you dominant neither ideal dominates the other such that the
influence of both alleles is visible in the heterozygous individual.

Genotype- The combination of alleles present in an Organism

Phenotype- The observable characteristics of an Organism.

Homozygous-Having two identical values in corresponding positions on a pair of

homologous chromosomes.

Heterozygous- Having two different alleles in correspondent positions on a pair of

homologous chromosomes.
Bb
Doominant and
recessiveds
HOW TO DRAW GENETIC DIAGRAMS
Sample question

A heterozygous female of blood group A marries a heterozygous male of blood group B.

What are the chances of their first child having blood group O? Explain your answer by
means of a genetic cross diagram.

Blood group A * blood group B

I A IO * IB l O

gametes IB lO

IA IA IB IAlO

Blood
I O
II
B O
I I
O O
group
O

Therefore, we can see that there is a 1 in 4 chance that their first child will have blood
group O.
 VARIATION

No two living organism are exactly alike, not even identical

twins. Variation arises from a combination of genetic causes
and environmental causes, The phenotype of an organism
is defined by its genotype and the influences of its
environment

Genetic variation arises in several ways:

• Meiosis
• Sexual reproduction
• Mutations
 Discontinuous and Continuous variation
Variation……
SPECIES
 HOW NEW SPECIES ARE FORMED
New species form by speciation, in which an ancestral population splits
into two or more genetically distinct descendant populations.
Speciation involves reproductive isolation of groups within the original
population and accumulation of genetic differences between the two
groups

Mommy = Daughter (mule)

+ Daddy
Me  NATURAL SELECTION
 Natural and artificial selection

Natural selection might occur on all organisms living on the

earth. Artificial selection can be selective and can be
performed on selected groups of animals and plants. Natural
selection is based on the adaptive characteristics of
animals. Artificial selection is based on the desirable
characters selected by humans
 Genetic engineering

Daniel 
 So…
Genetic engineering can be used to:
• Protect agricultural crops against environmental threats. E.g. pathogens, pests, herbicides
• Modify the quality of products e.g. increasing nutritional value
• Make organisms produce materials that they do not usually produce e.g. vaccines and drugs
• Improve yields e.g. increasing size or growth rate, or making organisms more hardy.
Advantages and disadvantages of genetic
engineering

Shania 