Living things create offspring when they reproduce.

Things that are similar have some things in common or are alike in some ways.

Things that are identical are exactly the same as each other.

A variation is a difference between two or more things.

Offspring: similar but not identical

Science

In this Evolution and inheritance unit, pupils learn that, normally, offspring vary and are not identical to parents. In the Heredity and DNA unit, they will build on this knowledge to learn about how genes and chromosomes work. 

In the New life unit, pupils learnt that animals, including humans have offspring which grow into adults. In this Evolution and Inheritance unit, pupils will build on this knowledge to recognise that living things produce offspring of the same kind, but normally offspring vary and are not identical to parents

This unit explores how living things have changed over time, using fossils as evidence of past life. It covers how offspring vary from parents and how adaptation leads to evolution. Emphasis is on planning scientific enquiries, recording data, and evaluating scientific evidence.

Evolution and inheritance

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Which of these is the offspring of this animal?

Animals produce offspring of the same kind.

Only mammals produce offspring, not fish.

All animals can reproduce and create offspring.

Offspring are sometimes a completely different type to the parent organism.

The difference between parents and offspring is known as …

all of the exact same characteristics as its mother.

some of the same characteristics of its mother.

none of the same characteristics as its mother.

This sheep is pregnant with offspring. The offspring will have …

Normally, offspring vary and are not identical to their parents.

Normally, female offspring are identical to their female parent.

Normally, males only pass characteristics on to male offspring.

Normally, offspring do not share any characteristics with their parents.

One of them is less healthy than the other two.

They have each eaten a different type of diet.

They have chosen their individual fur colours.

They each share a different combination of characteristics with their parents.

These rabbits have the same parents and were born at the same time. Why do they look different to each other?

All animals can make copies of themselves. This is called {{}}.

What are the characteristics of a living thing?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Offspring: similar but not identical

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.