Important criteria are bolded:

Define: DNA, gene, protein, amino acid, organism, tissue, cell, organ
DNA- A molecule found in the nucleus that is made of a bunch of atoms stuck
together that act as a blueprint for living things as it contains genetic
information
Gene- a section of DNA that provides instructions for building a specific protein,
we have about 20,000.
Protein- A compound made up of amino acids
Amino acid- An organic chemical
Organism- an individual animal, plant or single celled life form. More in depth: a
living thing that has an organised structure, can react to stimuli, reproduce,
grow, adapt, and maintain homeostasis
Tissue- a group of cells that have similar structure and that function together as
a unit.
Cell- Basic unit of all living things
Organ- a collection of tissues that perform a particular function
Show the relationships between protein, amino acid, organism, tissue, cell
organ
Amino acids -> proteins → living cells → tissue → organs → organisms
Describe the shape of DNA
Double helix structure, two sugar phosphate backbones (two chains in helix
structure), base pair joins back bones/chains
List the four nitrogenous bases
Thymine, guanine, adenine, cytosine
State the complementary base of a second given base
A-T, G-C
Show how genes relate to the DNA in the nucleus of a cell.
Genes are a section of DNA that provides instructions for building a specific
protein. The collection of genes creates DNA.
Define: allele, dominant, recessive, phenotype, genotype, homozygous,
heterozygous
allele- different forms of a gene, how we get different characteristics. not all have same
alleles

dominant trait- is always expressed

recessive trait- only expressed when the dominant allele is not present

homozygous- having two of the same allele for a particular trait e.g YY (homo means
same)

heterozygous- having 2 different alleles for a particular trait e.g Yy (hetero means
different)

genotype- alleles possessed by an individual e.g YY or Yy

phenotype- outward expression of the genotype e.g yellow

Classify genotypes is homozygous or heterozygous

Define: variation, acquired trait, genetic trait, mutation

Variation- differences in traits between individuals of the same species

Acquired trait- a feature that is gained during an organism's time e.g loss of limb,
change in hair colour

Genetic traits- passed down by genes from one generation to the next e.g height

Mutation- small random changes in DNA

Give examples of acquired or genetic traits

Identify given traits as acquired or genetic
Explain how genetic variation arises
Genetic variety- the amount of genetic variation in a population
Through the process of genetic mutation over the course of multiple
generations
Define: evolution, population, genetic diversity

Population- a group of organisms of the same species living in the same place.

Evolution- any change in the genetic traits in a population over many generations.

Genetic variety- the amount of genetic variation in a population

Explain what evolution is

Evolution e.g a population of beetles might begin with very little variation in
colour. In each generation, random genetic mutations occur. These can produce
new variations in colour. Over many generations red beetles might become
more common. This is a change in the genetic traits in a population over many
generations. So it's a case of evolution.
 Explain why variation is important for evolution

Genetic variation is needed for a population to evolve. For this change to occur,
the population must have a variety of traits. Genetic traits that aid survival
gradually become more common. Genetic diversity helps a species survive when
its environment changes. In a population with low genetic diversity, even small
changes can spell disaster. such as a weak shelled egg

Define: natural selection, selection pressure

Natural selection- The survival of organisms that are better adapted to their
environment

Selection pressures: any challenge that affects an organism's ability to survive in a

particular environment

Explain how selection pressures affect a population

Selection pressures can either increase or decrease the frequency of a genetic trait.
These changes occur over many generations. Traits that help organisms survive and
reproduce become more frequent. Traits that make it more difficult for organisms to
survive and reproduce become less frequent. This in turn affects who survives and dies
in the population.

Define: species, speciation

Species- a group of organisms that can reproduce with one another in nature and
produce fertile offspring.

Speciation- The formation of a new species

List the steps of speciation

Process:

1.Population is isolated

2.Evolution under different selection pressures

3.After many generations, two distinct species have formed

Explain the process of speciation
First a population migrates or is separated due to a range of factors making it
impossible to reproduce with the other population. Then it experiences
different selection pressures such as cooler climates meaning to survive they
need to reproduce with organisms who have helpful genetic traits. Then after
many generations, all of the population has these genetic traits and have
mutated so much that they are unable to reproduce with the other population.
They are now its own distinct species.