Genetic material and DNA
I can describe what genetic material is and where it is stored in animals, plants and microorganisms.
Genetic material and DNA
I can describe what genetic material is and where it is stored in animals, plants and microorganisms.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Plant and animal cells are made of parts including a cell membrane, cytoplasm and a nucleus.
- In plant, animal and fungi cells, the genetic material is stored in the nucleus.
- Bacteria are microorganisms and do not have a nucleus; their genetic material is stored in the cytoplasm.
- The genetic material of all organisms is made of a chemical substance called DNA.
- DNA is built from molecules that form a code used as instructions to build inherited features and control life processes
Keywords
Cytoplasm - Cytoplasm is the jelly-like substance inside a cell where the chemical reactions of the cell take place.
Nucleus - The nucleus stores the genetic material of plant, animal and fungi cells.
Bacteria - Bacteria are unicellular microorganisms.
DNA - Genetic material is made of a chemical substance called DNA.
Genetic code - DNA is built from four different molecules (ATCG), which form a genetic code used as instructions to build and control living organisms.
Common misconception
Bacteria and plants do not have genetic material to be passed to offspring.
Examples of both bacteria and plants passing genetic material and features to offspring in reproduction, and the outcomes, i.e. growth.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Passing genetic material from parent to offspring.
The living building blocks of all living organisms.
To gain features or processes from a parent.
Where the genetic material of some cells is stored.
Process of making offspring.
Exit quiz
6 Questions
cell membrane
mitochondria
cytoplasm
nucleus
