KS3 

Revision lessons y8 ­ Biology.notebook June 15, 2021

Animal cell

Nucleus
Cell
membrane Ribosomes

Cytoplasm
Mitochondria

Plant cell
Cell membrane
Nucleus

Cell wall Mitochondria

Vacuole

Chloroplasts
Ribosomes

Cytoplasm

Plant and animal cells have some features in common:

• Cell membrane:
– It separates the contents of the cell and its
surrounding and controls the movement of substances
(e.g. oxygen, glucose, carbon dioxide) into and out of
the cell
• Cytoplasm:
– This is where many of the cell‛s chemical reactions take
place
– It contains many organelles (tiny structures that carry
out specific jobs)
• Nucleus:
– It‛s an organelle that contains DNA (the genetic
material)
– It controls all the activities of the cell
• Mitochondria:
– These are organelles in which aerobic respiration (i.e
respiration in the presence of oxygen) takes place
• Ribosomes:
– The site of protein synthesis.

Plant cells also have some other structures:

• Cell wall:
– It‛s made of tough cellulose, which supports the cell and
gives it shape
• Large permanent vacuole:
– it‛s filled with cell sap - helps support plants by
keeping cells turgid (i.e. filled with water)
• Chloroplasts:
- These are organelles that contain chlorophyll – a green
substance that absorbs light energy used for photosynthesis

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Practice questions

1. Label the following diagram of the animal cell.

Nucleus
Cell
membrane Ribosomes

Cytoplasm
Mitochondria

2. State two organelles that an plant cell has and they

don't appear in the previous diagram.

........................................................................................................

3. Describe the function of the nucleus and of the

ribosomes.

........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................

4. Explain why red blood cells do not have chloroplasts.

........................................................................................................

........................................................................................................

Bacterial Cell
A B
H C
D

E
F

1. Using your knowledge of plant and animal cells label Parts

B, C, E and H (4).

2. Add the following labels to the diagram.

- Chromosomal DNA
- Plasmid DNA
- Flagellum

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Functions of cell structures

Match Up

A. Contains the normal genetic

1. Flagellum
material e.g. genes for bacterial
proteins.

2. Plasmid DNA
B. Provides structural support for
the bacterial cell.
3. Chromosomal DNA
C. Contains extra genetic material
e.g. genes for antibiotic resistance.
5. Cell Wall
D. Allows the bacterial cell to move.

Checkpoint

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Practice question

Exam question
Yeasts are microorganisms that are used in the brewing
and baking industries.
The diagram shows a yeast cell.

(i) State two ways in which the structure of this yeast cell
differs from the structure of a bacterial cell. (2)

......................................................................................................
.

......................................................................................................
.

(ii) Plant cells can produce glucose. Suggest why yeast cells
cannot produce glucose. (2)
......................................................................................................

......................................................................................................

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From cell to organism

All living things are made of cells, the building blocks of life. 

Tissue is a group of same cells.

Practice tasks

1. Label the diagram about the levels of organisation in a

flower.

Challenge: Label the following diagram using the specific

names for each part.

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State as any organs as you can.

What are they made of?

An organ is a group of different tissues that 
work together to do a particular job.

Organs are grouped together into organ 
systems.

Match the different organs with their functions. 
Brain Removes water from waste food

Where oxygen goes into the blood and carbon dioxide comes out of the 
Skin
blood

Leaf Stores and mixes up food and breaks it down

Trachea For protection and feeling

Heart Many functions e.g storage, making and breaking substances

Lungs Holds the plant upright

Root Absorbs sunlight for making food during photosynthesis

Anchors the plant into the ground and takes up water and minerals from the 
Liver
soil

Kidney Controls the body

Stomach Breaks down and absorbs food

Small intestine Takes air into and out of the lungs

Large intestine Pumps blood

Stem Removes urine from the blood.

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Can you fill in the missing words, using the box of key words, to describe 
the function of each of the six organ systems?

True or False

Tissues are made from only one type of cell. T

Organs are made from one or more types of tissue. T

The heart can be found in the head. F

The kidneys are at the front of the body. F

Scientists cannot currently grow tissues in the lab. F

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Male Reproductive System

Sperm
Duct

Scrotum
Key words:
scrotum testes sperm duct bladder
penis rectum prostate gland urethra

MWBs
Label the male reproductive organs

5.

6.

3.
2.

1. 4.

Bladder Rectum
Urethra Testes
Penis
prostate gland
Scrotum Sperm Duct

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Checkpoint

Match the component to the correct function 

a. Tube that carries sperm
1) Urethra
b. Enters vagina 
2) Bladder

3) Testes c. Carries semen and urine 
out of penis 
4) Penis
d. Produces fluid that forms 
5) Scrotum semen

6) Sperm duct
e. Produces sperm
7) Prostate gland
f. Skin and muscle that holds 
testes   

Male Reproductive System

sperm tube
prostate
gland

penis
testes
scrotum urethra

Name Function

Tube that carries sperm from testes to penis

Produces fluid that mixes with sperm to form 
semen

Enters vagina during sexual intercourse

Carries semen and urine out of the penis

Produces sperm

Skin and muscle that holds the testes

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Female Reproductive System

Oviduct/
Fallopian 
Tube 

Ovary 

Uterus 
Vagina 
Cervix

Word bank:
uterus cervix ovary vagina fallopian tube

Checkpoint

Identify parts 1-6

4.
3.

2. 5.

6.
1.

Cervix Oviduct/
Ovary fallopian tube
Vagina

Uterus

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MWB 

True or false 

The cervix produces eggs
F

The cervix is the lower part of the uterus
T

The fallopian tubes carry the egg to the ovaries    F

Female Reproductive System

ovary fallopian tube

cervix uterus

vagina

Name Function
Produces eggs

Carries eggs to uterus. Site of 
fertilisation

Where fertilised egg implants

Lower part of uterus. Produces mucus.

Opening where sperm is deposited

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Practice 

Fill in the blanks: 
Female Reproductive System:

• The ________ is where a fertilised egg can grow into a

baby
• The cervix opens into the ________

• The _______contain small egg cells

• Every month an egg is released into the ________ _______.

Male Reproductive System:

• Sperm cells are made in the ________

• The testes are held outside the body in a bag of skin called
the ____________.
• Sperm travel up the __________ ______ where
liquids are added from the _________ _________.
This mixture is called ________
• Semen flows out of the _______ through a tube called
the _________

Watch the video and answer the following questions. 

1. Why a woman bleeds during her period?

2. What is the menstrual cycle and how long is it?

3. When does the menstrual cycle starts?

4. Where can you find the immature eggs?

5. How the eggs reach the uterus?

6. In which day of the menstrual cycle the eggs is 
released. 

7. What is happening at the final stage of the menstrual 
cycle?

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The menstrual cycle

Menstrual Cycle 

Cycle of changes that occur in the female reproductive 
system 

Prepares a womans body for the fertilisation of an egg cell 

which leads to pregnancy 

Cycle begins at puberty and continues till menopause 

(approx. 50 years of age) 

Ovulation - egg is released from the ovary

Menstruation - the shedding of the uterus lining.

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Checkpoint MWB

Put the stages in the correct order 

Uterus lining  If egg is not 
a builds  b fertilised uterus 
up again in  lining breaks 
preparation for an  down.
egg being 
released.
Uterus lining is 
d passed 
Egg travels down the  from the body 
c FALLOPIAN TUBE  through the vagina.
towards the UTERUS

e Egg is released from 
OVARY – OVULATION

Practice tasks

Use your diagrams to explain which days during the cycle 
each stage happens

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Exam questions

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Title: The digestive System

Starter

1) Describe the different stages that occur during 
the menstrual cycle in order. (4)

2) State the function of the prostate gland. (1)

3) Explain what happens when a sperm cell meets 
an egg cell. (3)

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Sperm Cells 
• Acrosome - Contains digestive enzymes to breakdown the
jelly like layer surrounding the egg cell so the head of the
sperm can fuse with the egg cell membrane
• Haploid nucleus - Contains half the genetic information so
that when the nuclei fuses with the ovum a full chromosome
compliment is established
• Mitochondria – to provide the cell with energy from
respiration for it to move to the egg cell
• Flagella – to propel the cell towards the egg cell

Egg Cells
• Cell membrane - Controls the movement of substances into
and out of the cell and becomes hardened following
fertilisation to prevent other sperm entering the egg.
• Haploid nucleus
• Large cytoplasm - Contains nutrients to supply the
fertilised egg with a source of energy and raw materials for
the growth and development of the embryo.

Practice questions

Nutrients Use in the body
To provide energy, are a source of 
Carbohydrate
energy
Protein For growth and repair
To provide energy. Also to store 
Fat energy in the body and insulate it 
against the cold.
Needed in small amounts to maintain 
Minerals
health
Vitamins Support your immune system

Help keep food moving through the 
Fibre
gut 
Needed for cells and body fluids. Keep 
Water
you hydrated!

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Checkpoint True or False

1) Carbohydrates are needed for storage: _____

2) A good source of vitamin C is liver: _____

3) A poor source of fat is dairy products: _____

4) Fat is also known as minerals: _____

5) Fibre cannot be digested: _____

6) Fibre is used for energy in the body: _____

7) We require a large amount of each minerals in our diets: _____

8) Vitamins are organic substances: _____

9) Fat is used as insulation in the body: _____

10)A good source of protein is meat: _____

The digestive system
How many 
organs can 
you name?

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Practice question
Fill in the boxes to label the digestive system using the word bank on 
the right.

Word bank:
• liver
• oesophagus
• salivary glands
• gallbladder
• pancreas
• anus
• large intestine 
• small intestine
• stomach

How does the digestive system work?

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The digestive system

Answer the following questions based on the video and

your notes.

• What is the function of the digestive system?

• What is the first step of digestion and what

nutrient is broken down?

• What is the name of the process that enables the

food to move down the oesophagus?

• What is happening in the stomach?

• Where does the digestion of fats take place?

• What is the function of villi and where you will find

them?

• What does it happen in the large intestine?

Checkpoint
Match up each organ to its function.

1.  stomach a. stores bile

2. liver b. produces enzymes

3. gallbladder c. food molecules are 
absorbed

4. pancreas
d. releases bile

5. small intestine e. churns food

6. large intestine f. water is absorbed

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Journey through the digesive system.

Fill in the boxes to show the journey of the food through the 
digestive system.

Food is chewed and broken down by enzymes                                             
in _____________

Food passes through the ________________                                            
into the __________________                                          

Food is churned by the stomach and digested 
by enzymes.________________ kills _______.

The liver releases _____, which digests _____ and is stored in the 
_____________ The _________ produces enzymes which also digest food.

Food passes into the _______________________, where food molecules are 
absorbed into the bloodstream.

Food passes into the _______________________, where water is absorbed 
into the bloodstream.

Foods that we cannot digest, (such as ___________) passes out of the anus.

EXTENSION
1. Explain how the stomach breaks down food.
2. Explain why we need fibre in our diet
3. Explain how the large and small intestine are different.

Exam question
State the name of the labeled parts of the digestive 
system and describe their function. 

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Exam questions

Adaptations of small intestines

How does the structure of 
villi help them for their 
function? 

1. One­cell layer wall
2. Large surface area
3. Good blood supply
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Checkpoint

Link the adaptation with its importance

One­cell layer wall More capillaries for the 
food to be absorbed to.

Large surface area Less diffusion distance

Good blood supply More surface for the 
nutrients to be absorbed. 

Exam question

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Exam Questions
The diagram shows the human digestive system.

(a) Complete the sentence by putting a cross (X) in the box next to your answer.
 The pancreas in the diagram is labelled

A 
B 
C 
D 
(c)    (ii) Describe the function of the small intestine.(2)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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What is digestion?
The body carries out digestion of food to convert large 
insoluble food molecules into smaller soluble ones.

Digestion of nutrients
Starchy foods contain carbohydrates, which are made of long 
chains of identical, small sugar molecules.

Proteins are made up of chains of small molecules called 
amino acids. There are over 20 different kinds of amino acid. 

Fats are made up of fat molecules, which contain fatty acids 
and glycerol. 

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MWB
Checkpoint

The _________ breaks down the starch into glucose 
molecules. 
Protease acts in the ______, the pancreas and the small 
_________. 
The lipase breaks down the _______ into ________ and 
fatty ________. 

1. amylase
2. stomach and 3. intestines
4. lipids (fats), 5. glycerol and 6. acids

Practice questions

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Practice tasks

1. Name the molecules A, B and C in figure 1 (3). 

2. Explain why the breakdown of large molecules into 
smaller substances is necessary for our health (2).
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

3. Orlistat is a drug that is used to help lower obesity 
rates. It works by preventing lipase from working in the 
digestive system. Explain why patients taking Orlistat 
may have oily faeces (3).  
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________

Exam question
Bread contains starch, protein and fat.
(a)     Complete each sentence by choosing the correct words from the box.

amino acids protein
fat starch
fatty acids sugar

Amylase speeds up the digestion of ______________ . The product of this digestion is 
_____________ . Protease speeds up the digestion of _____________ . The product of 
this digestion is _________________ .

(b)     Why do molecules of starch, protein and fat need to be digested?

(c)     In which part of the digestive system does the digestion of starch begin? Draw a 
ring around your answer.
large intestine   mouth   small intestine   stomach

(d)     What do we call substances like amylase and protease which speed up chemical 
reactions?

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Respiratory system

Checkpoint

1. State the function of the respiratory system (1).
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................

2. State the main components of the respiratory system(3).
..............................................................................................
..............................................................................................

3. Label the diagram of the respiratory system below:

pharynx, lungs, bronchioles, diaphragm, bronchus, 
alveoli, nasal cavity, larynx, trachea
 

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Practice

Adaptations of the Alveoli

Large surface area

Many small sacs 
More space for gas exchange to occur 

Thin walls

Gases can diffuse across easily

Lots of blood vessels

Many capillaries, gases move into and out of the blood easily

Permeable

Substances can move through

Moist

Gases must be dissolved so they can diffuse 

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Checkpoint MWBs

Match each adaptation with its description.

a) Gases diffuse across easily
b) Gases are dissolved so 
1. Large surface area they can diffuse
2. Moist c) More space for gas 
3. Permeable exchange to occur
4. Thin walls d) Allows substances to move 
through
5. Many blood vessels
e) Many capillaries to allow for  
easy gas exchange

Checkpoint

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Exam question

Aerobic and anaerobic respiration

1. What is the difference between the aerobic and

anaerobic respiration?

2. State the word and symbol equation of aerobic

respiration in animals and plants.

3. State the word equation for the anaerobic respiration

in humans.

4. Explain why we feel pain after a vigorous exercise in

our muscles.

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Practice task

Practice task

Jessica is playing football. She starts to respire 
anaerobically.
1. Define anaerobic respiration. (1)
This is respiration without oxygen.
2. Explain why she starts to respire anaerobically. (1)
Her muscle cells are running out of oxygen.
3. As she runs, the muscles in her legs start to hurt. 
Explain why. (2)

Anaerobic respiration produces lactic acid (1) which 
causes muscle cramps (1)

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Reaction in plants and microorganisms 

Glucose  Ethanol + Carbon dioxide 

Ethanol is produced instead of lactic acid. 
Carbon dioxide is produced as a waste product. 

This process is known 
as fermentation in yeast 
and can be used to 
(yeast)
make some foods and 
drink.

Practice task
The diagram below shows some equipment that can be used 
to make beer. The equipment must be sealed so that no air 
can get in.

a) Barley contains sugar. Explain why is this important.
Sugar/glucose is needed for (anaerobic) respiration.
b) Explain why it is important that no air gets into the equipment.
To make ethanol, the yeast must respire anaerobically (1)
which means there must not be any oxygen (1)
c) Name the process that is used to make beer.

Fermentation

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Practice questions

Humans can respire aerobically or anaerobically.

1. Name a substance that is broken down in both aerobic and 
anaerobic respiration.
glucose

2. Name a substance that is used in aerobic but not anaerobic 
respiration.
oxygen

3. Give one reason why it may be more beneficial for the body to 
use aerobic respiration rather than anaerobic.
Aerobic respiration releases more energy/is more efficient
Aerobic respiration doesn't produce lactic acid which is painful
4. Give one example of a situation where a person may respire 
anaerobically instead of aerobically.
during exercise (can give example)

5. Describe how the products of anaerobic respiration differ 
between plants and animals.
Plants will produce ethanol and carbon dioxide
whereas animals will produce lactic acid only.

Checkpoint

a) Draw what is happening to the particles during 
diffusion.

b) Diffusion is the movement of molecules from:
a. areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration
b. areas of lower concentration to areas of higher concentration
c. areas of high concentration to areas of high concentration
d. areas of low concentration to areas of low concentration 

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MWB

State whether each image shows diffusion (Y/N)

1.

2.

3.

Checkpoint

oxygen

carbon 
dioxide

• We breathe in _______, and breathe out ______ 
______.
• The oxygen diffuses from the a_____ to the bloodstream.
• It travels in the blood stream to respiring cells.
• Carbon dioxide travels in the bloodstream from respiring 
cells to the _______, where it diffuses into the alveoli.

• We obtain _______ from our food.
glucose • The glucose is absorbed from the 
____ ________ into the bloodstream, 
where it travels to respiring cells.

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Think­Pair­Share 

Blood 

Alveoli 

After breathing in, the alveoli become filled with air (and 
oxygen). 

Where is the concentration of oxygen high? 
a. Alveoli
b. Blood

Where will the oxygen move (moves from high to low)?                                                    

a. Alveoli 

b. Blood 

When our cells respire, our cells build up carbon dioxide.
Where is the concentration of CO2 high? 
a. Cells
b. Blood

Where will the CO2 move (moves from high to low)?
a Cells
b Blood  

Checkpoint MWB

(moves from alveoli to blood) 
Name gas X: -------------------
Name gas Y: ------------------- (moves from blood to alveoli)

Where is the highest concentration of each of these gases?

(alveoli or blood)
Alveolus
Gas X: -------------------
Gas Y: -------------------

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Practice tasks

Word bank: higher, lower, into, out of

1 When a cell is respiring, oxygen and glucose concentration is:
  ___________  inside the cell 
 ___________  outside the cell.

These substances diffuse ________ the cell (from areas of 
high to low concentration)  

2) When a cell is respiring, carbon dioxide concentration is 
  ___________  inside the cell 
 ___________  outside the cell.

It diffuses ________ the cell.

3) Label the gases in the following diagram.

Exam questions

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The circulatory system

What is the purpose of the circulatory
system (what does it do?)

The organ system that transports

substances around the body.

What is it made up of? 

Consists of:
• Blood
• Blood Vessels
• Heart

MWB
Checkpoint

Match the following: 

A Contain and carry the

Heart
blood around the body

B Pumps the blood around

Blood vessels
the body

C Is a fluid that carries dissolved

Blood
nutrients to the body's cells

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Practice  MWB

FIll in the blanks 

1
vessels
The circulatory system is composed of blood ________ and the

2
heart
______, 3
blood
and is used to transport _______ 4
body
around the ______,

5
cells
which carries nutrients to all the body's _______.

heart body

vessels blood
cells

MWB
Checkpoint

Fill in the blanks

oxygenated
• _______ blood around the body.
• Carry oxygen from the _____ to the ______.
tissues Blood
that is high in oxygen is called _________ blood.

carbon dioxide
• Blood cells also carry ______ _____ from tissues to
the lungs. Blood that is low in oxygen is called
deoxygenated
___________ blood.
lungs

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The heart

AV valves

Semilunar valves

Septum

G
F

Right E
Left

right atrium, left atrium, right ventricle, left ventricle, vena

cava, pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, aorta

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Muscles of the Heart 

Left side of the heart has thicker muscular walls that the 
right 

Left side pumps blood to entire body (higher pressure)
Right side pumps to the lungs (lower pressure)

Left and right side separated by muscular septum 

Exam Question 

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Checkpoint

Sort the following by putting the letter  into the correct section 
of the table  

Artery                      Vein                     Capillary 

a. Thick muscular layer f. High pressure  j. Towards  

b. 1 cell thick  g. Low pressure  heart

c. Thin muscular layer  h. Gas exchange  k. Away from 

heart  
d. Narrow lumen       location 
e. Wide lumen  i. Between artery l. Has valves
    and veins  

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Genetics

1. Describe the structure of DNA (3).

- two strands

- double helix: is linked through the complementary bases

- made of nucleotides

2. Copy and label the nucleotide (3).

pentose sugar (deoxyribose)

phosphate group

nitrogenous base

3. Name the four nitrogenous bases (4).

adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine

Complementary Base Pairing

Describe how the nitrogenous bases

are paired together (3).

- adenine (A) always with thymine

(T)

- guanine (G) always with cytosine

(C)

- linked by Hydrogen bonds

Example:
Strand 1 1. What base
goes on the red
box?

2. State two
Strand 2 mistakes.

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Practice questions

Copy and complete the boxes by showing the nitrogenous

base pairs for the DNA segments (3).
DNA section 1

DNA section 2
C A T C T T A G G T A C G C A T A G

DNA section 3 - Challenge

C A C C C A G T T C A C

A G C G C T

Calculations of DNA bases

1. A section of DNA is made up of 31% Adenine. Calculate the

percentage of Thymine it contains.

2. A section of DNA is made up of 23% Cytosine. Calculate the

percentage of Guanine it contains.

3. A section of DNA is made up of 11% Thymine. Calculate the

percentage of Adenine it contains.

4. A section of DNA is made up of 40% Guanine. Calculate the

percentage of Cytosine it contains.

Challenge: Calculate the percentage of all base pairs in a

DNA strand containing 35% adenine.

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Exam style questions

1. Describe the structure of DNA (3).

2. Describe how the two strands of DNA are connected (3).

3. Produce the complimentary chain for the following

chains (2):
> GACTTGGACCCGA

> TTAAACGCTGCAGG

4. Calculate the percentage of all base pairs in a DNA

strand containing 15% guanine (3).

Challenge: A part of the DNA double helix contains 60

bases. Calculate the percentage of all base pairs in this
DNA part of you know that 12 of them are thymine (3).

Discovery of the DNA structure

1. Name the main four scientists who contributed to the structure

of the DNA.

2.What equipment was used in order to observe the DNA and who
observed it first?

3. What was shown in the Photograph 51?

4. What did Watson and Crick use to help them in their research?

5. What event contributed to their final model?

6. Who was awarded with a Nobel prize for the DNA double helix
model?

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Checkpoint

Place the following events in the correct order:

4. Wilkins and Franklin formed a partnership to

discover DNA which quickly ended.

1. Franklin was able to photograph DNA using X-rays.

Photograph 51 showed an X which described the
helical structure.

5. Watson and Crick made models of what DNA could

look like.

2. Watson and Crick travelled to Wilkins who showed

them photograph 51. This confirmed their theory of
the helical structure.

3. Watson and Crick released the structure of DNA

and were awarded the nobel prize, along with Wilkins.

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True or False
Checkpoint

Sugar molecules are used to wrap DNA strands

DNA strands are first wrapped into a structure called

chromatin

Nucleosomes are wrapped directly into a structure called

chromosomes

The reason DNA strands are wrapped into chromosomes is so

that they fit in the nucleus

Checkpoint

1. DNA strands protein 4. Chromosomes

2. Nucleosome 3. Chromatin

To package DNA inside the nucleus, cells wrap their DNA

strands around a protein to form a structure called
nucleosome. Nucleosomes are wrapped to form a structure
called chromatin. Chromatin is further folded into a structure
that form the shape of chromosomes.

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Genes

Keyword Characteristics - features of a living organism.

What are the genes?

Genes are specific sections of DNA that give us specific
characteristics.

Can you think of any

characteristics that our genes
control?

Genes are specific sections of DNA that code for specific proteins,
giving us specific characteristics.

Checkpoint

Genes are found inside the cell membrane.

Genes are specific sections of DNA.

Genes contain the code for specific fat molecules.

Specific proteins cause specific characteristics such as

the colour of our eyes.

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Exam style question

The diagram below shows a chromosome with genes

Gene B highlighted in different colours. Gene A is important for
deciding the colour of a persons eyes.

State the name of the type of molecules that genes code for. (1)

Define the term gene. (3)

Suggest what Gene B might be responsible for. (1)

Gene A

Exam Question

(3)

b. State if the following characteristics can be affected by

environmental factors or they are inherited due to specific
genes (4):
i. colour of the eyes
ii. scar on the arm
iii. type of blood
iv. skin colour

c. Explain how DNA strands are packed inside the nucleus. (4)

Cells wrap their DNA strands (1) around a protein (1) to form a
structure called nucleosomes (1). Nucleosomes are wrapped to
make a structure called chromatin (1) which is further folded
into chromosomes (1).

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DNA extraction - Methodology

Step 1 - Grind the fruit using a pestle and mortar or chop

it in to fine pieces, in order to break down cell walls and
release the cell contents

Step 2 - Add to water with detergent/soap to break down

cell membranes and salt to cause the DNA to stick
together.

o
Step 3 - Water bath for 15 mins at 60 C to inactivate
enzymes.

Step 4 - Filter to remove large fragments of cells and

froth

Step 5 - Add ice cold ethanol to precipitate the DNA

Checkpoint

Place the following steps in the correct order A, E, B, C, F, D

A
C
B

F
E

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Practice questions

Q1. Explain why we need to add detergent (1).

Q2. State apparatus helps to crush and break down

the cell wall (1).

Q3. Explain why we need to filter the mixture (1).

Q4. Explain why we use a water bath (1).

Q5. Describe how you remove the DNA from the

sample (1).

Practice questions

1. For each genotype below, indicate whether it is a heterozygous

(He) OR homozygous (Ho).

TT _____ Bb _____ DD _____ Ff _____ tt _____ dd _____

Dd _____ ff _____ Tt _____ bb _____ BB _____ FF _____

2. Determine the phenotype for each genotype using the

information provided about SpongeBob.

Yellow body color is dominant to blue.

YY ________ Yy ________ yy ________

Square shape is dominant to round.

SS ________ Ss ________ ss ________

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Exam questions

Q1. For the each of the genotypes below indicate whether it is

Homozygous (Ho) or Heterozygous (He).

Q2. For each of the genotypes below determine the possible

phenotype.

Q3. For each of the phenotypes below, determine the possible

genotypes.

Practice question

Two peas are breed. A green pea (Gg) and a yellow pea (gg).

1. With the use of a genetic diagram, predict all the

possible outcomes.

2. State if the peas are homozygous or heterozygous for

the colour and determine which allele is the dominant.

3. Predict the phenotype of the possible outcomes.

4. What is the probability of the peas to be green?

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Starter Exam question

A tall plant (TT) is crossed with a tall plant (Tt).

1. With the use of a genetic diagram, predict all the possible

outcomes.

2. State if the plants are homozygous or heterozygous for

the height and determine which allele is the dominant.

3. Predict the phenotype of the possible outcomes.

4. What is the probability of the plants to be tall?

Practice question

Two heterozygous white (brown fur is recessive) rabbits

are crossed.

1. With the use of a genetic diagram predict all the possible

outcomes.

2. Predict the phenotype of the possible outcomes.

3. What is the probability of the fur of the rabbits to be

brown?

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Practice question

A homozygous tall plant is crossed with a heterozygous

tall plant (short is the recessive size).

1. With the use of a genetic diagram predict all the possible

outcomes.

2. Predict the phenotype of the possible outcomes.

3. What is the probability of the fur of the rabbits to be

brown?

Checkpoint

(1) (2)
Variation is the ............................ in ............................... between
(3) (4)
different ................... and between ...................... of the
(5)

same .................

A. Characteristics C. Species E. Difference

B. Members D. Species

Phenotype = blue eyes Phenotype = brown eyes

Phenotype are the ..................... .......................... resulting from a

persons .................... information and the ........................ they live in.

A. genetic B. environment C. physical D. characteristics

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Types of variation 

What are the possible reasons that cause variation?

1. Genetic (inherited): Characteristics caused by

different genes.

2. Environmental: Characteristics caused by the

surroundings (diet, lifestyle).

3. Both: Characteristics which are influenced by both

genes and the environment.

MWB Checkpoint
Genetic (inherited) Environmental
Both

1. being tallest
in the class 5. Having red hair 8. tanned skin
2. scar from injury 9. skin colour
6. being thinnest
3. having a tattoo in the class
10. missing finger
4. having lung 7. having green eyes 11. hair colour
cancer

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Genetic Variation

What could be the possible

reasons that member of a
species present different
phenotypes?

There are two reason why members of a species have a

different genetic make-up:

- Mutations have caused changes in the DNA and

genes.

- Genes are randomly inherited during sexual

reproduction.

Importance of variation

Suggest why
variation is
important.

Variation is important because it enables few individuals to

adapt to the environment changes thus, enabling the
survival of the population.

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Checkpoint

Explain why variation is important in the example of

peppermint moth (3).

Practice tasks

1. For the following examples state if they have derived from

a beneficial, neutral or detrimental mutation.

Down's syndrome
drug resistance in
B bacteria

Lactose intolerance
cannot digest milk

A C
Sickle cell anaemia
E Blue eyes

normal red Sickle cell

blood cell anaemia

D lobed lobeless

Malaria G ear ear

F
resistance

2. Explain your answer for D and F.

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Application questions

1. Explain why some mutations cause the shape of proteins to

change (2).
The sequence of DNA bases changes (1) due to mutation which
.................................................................................................................
changes the sequence of amino acids they code for (1). This means
.................................................................................................................
the protein made will be different (1) and will have a different
shape.
2. State and explain the three possible outcomes of mutations (3) .

The three possible outcomes of mutations are a beneficial

...................................................................................................................
Protein may no longer perform (1)its function if a mutation
effect (1) which gives the organism an advantage (1), a neutral
...................................................................................................................
causes it to change shape (1). This is because the shape of
effect (1) which has no obvious impact on the organism (1), or a
...................................................................................................................
a protein is essential to its function (1)
harmful effect (1) which puts the organism at a disadvantage (1).
...................................................................................................................

3. Give one example of each possible outcome of a mutation (3).

Two examples of a beneficial mutation are malaria resistance (1)

...................................................................................................................
in humans, and drug resistance in bacteria (1). Two examples of
...................................................................................................................
neutral mutations are a change in eye colour (1) and lobeless ear
...................................................................................................................
(1). Two examples of harmful mutations are Down's syndrome (1)
...................................................................................................................
and lactose intolerance (1).

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