A structure in animal, plant and fungi cells that stores the genetic material (DNA).

A large chemical molecule made of smaller chemical groups, it carries the genetic code of all living organisms.

A short section of DNA that carries the genetic code to provide instructions for an inherited feature or process.

All of the DNA of an organism that codes for and controls the inherited features and processes.

The genome

Biology

Pupils will learn about dominant and recessive alleles, and how to use models of single gene inheritance to make predictions about the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

Pupils learned about flower structure, wind and insect pollination, fertilisation, seed and fruit formation and dispersal.

This unit covers the structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, DNA as the genetic material, and key genetic terms. It also explains protein synthesis, genetic variants, and how DNA structure affects proteins. The emphasis is on using models to explain scientific concepts.

DNA and the genome

DNA is a nucleic acid polymer made up of four nucleotides, it contains the genetic code in all living organisms.

A nucleic acid is a polymer made up of nucleotides, an example is DNA.

A polymer is a chemical made up of smaller repeating chemical groups.

A nucleotide is a chemical group that make up the building blocks of DNA, the four types are coded A, T, C and G.

A base is the part of a nucleotide that pairs to its complementary base across the middle of the DNA double helix C-G and A-T.

The chemical structure of DNA

A genome is all of the DNA of an organism.

A gene is a section of DNA that holds the genetic code for a protein.

A protein a chemical substance whose structure is coded for by the genetic code in genes.

The phenotype is the physical characteristics of an organism.

An enzyme is a functional protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

The genome, the environment and phenotype

A chemical made up of smaller repeating chemical groups.

A chemical substance whose structure is coded for by the genetic code in genes.

A small chemical group that makes up a protein polymer, there are 20 types.

A chemical group that make up the building blocks of DNA, the four types are coded A, T, C and G.

The genetic code

The part of the nucleotide that differs between the four types; A, T, C and G.

Small chemical group that makes up a protein polymer, there are 20 types.

A section of DNA that holds the genetic code for a protein.

A copy of a gene that is made and transported from the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm.

A structure in all cells whose function is to build proteins.

Protein synthesis

DNA is a large chemical molecule made of smaller chemical groups. It carries the genetic code of all living organisms.

Nucleotides are the chemical groups that are the building blocks of DNA. The four types are coded A, T, C and G.

A mutation is a change in the nucleotide base sequence in the DNA of the genome.

Ionising radiation (e.g. X-rays, gamma rays and high-energy ultraviolet) can cause mutations in DNA.

A genetic variant is produced when a mutation causes a change in the genetic sequence of a gene or a non-coding region of DNA.

Mutations and genetic variants

A genetic variant is produced when a mutation causes a change in the genetic sequence of a gene or non-coding DNA.

A genetic variant in a gene creates an allele (a different version of the gene), which produces a different phenotype.

The triplet code is carried by genes. Each three nucleotide bases codes for a specific amino acid.

Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype

The process in which genes are copied during the first step in protein synthesis.

Produced when a mutation causes a change in the genetic sequence of a gene or non-coding section of DNA.

The physical characteristics of an organism.

DNA and the genome

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These lessons will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.