Inheritance, genotype and phenotype
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Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from DNA and the genome, where they explored the structure and function of DNA in carrying genetic information. It deepens their understanding by examining how inheritance, genotype, and phenotype influence traits, and how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Cell division: mitosis and meiosis, where they will apply their knowledge of inheritance to understand how cells divide and how genetic variation arises, further reinforcing the principles of heredity and variation.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Genetic material stored in cells provides instructions for growth and other life processes.
- The genetic material of all organisms is made of a chemical substance called DNA.
- Some of an organism’s characteristics are determined only by instructions in its genome (e.g. eye colour).
- Most of an organism’s characteristics are influenced by the organisms’ genome and interaction with its environment.
- Humans and plants can reproduce sexually to have offspring that inherit some, but not all, of the characteristics of the parents.
- During sexual reproduction, male and female gametes fuse in process called fertilisation.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit builds on pupils’ prior learning from DNA and the genome, where they explored the structure and function of DNA in carrying genetic information. It deepens their understanding by examining how inheritance, genotype, and phenotype influence traits, and how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring. This prepares pupils for the next unit, Cell division: mitosis and meiosis, where they will apply their knowledge of inheritance to understand how cells divide and how genetic variation arises, further reinforcing the principles of heredity and variation.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Genetic material stored in cells provides instructions for growth and other life processes.
- The genetic material of all organisms is made of a chemical substance called DNA.
- Some of an organism’s characteristics are determined only by instructions in its genome (e.g. eye colour).
- Most of an organism’s characteristics are influenced by the organisms’ genome and interaction with its environment.
- Humans and plants can reproduce sexually to have offspring that inherit some, but not all, of the characteristics of the parents.
- During sexual reproduction, male and female gametes fuse in process called fertilisation.
Biology
Inheritance, genotype and phenotype
This unit covers key genetic terms, single-gene inheritance, and genetic crosses, including probability and ratios. It explores how most traits result from multiple genes and sex determination in humans. The unit also includes interpreting data and using models to solve problems.
5 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Inheritance, genotype and phenotype unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our AQA secondary biology curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for AQA secondary biology programmes.