AQA Biology GCSE Topic 6: Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

These flashcards cover key concepts from AQA Biology GCSE Topic 6: Inheritance, Variation and Evolution, including genetics, reproduction, and evolution.

What is meiosis?

Meiosis is the formation of four non-identical cells from one cell.

How many chromosomes do gametes have?

Gametes have 23 chromosomes.

What is asexual reproduction?

Asexual reproduction involves one parent with no gametes joining, leading to clones through mitosis.

What is the primary advantage of sexual reproduction?

It produces variation in offspring, increasing the likelihood of survival in changing environments.

What are the different forms of a gene called?

Alleles.

What is a dominant allele?

Only one copy is needed for the phenotype to be expressed.

What are the two types of mutations that can affect DNA sequences?

Insertions and deletions.

What is protein synthesis?

The process of producing a protein from DNA through transcription and translation.

What is the definition of a gene?

A small section of DNA that codes for a specific protein.

What is the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis?

Ribosomes read the mRNA to assemble amino acids into a protein.

What is the process by which new species evolve?

Speciation.

What is selective breeding?

The human practice of breeding animals or plants for specific desirable characteristics.

What is genetic engineering?

Modifying an organism's genome by introducing a gene from another organism.

What is the difference between the genotype and phenotype?

Genotype is the combination of alleles, while phenotype is the physical characteristics observed.

What are fossil records used for?

To show how anatomy of organisms has changed over time.

What does antibiotic resistance in bacteria result from?

Mutations during reproduction that confer survival advantage against antibiotics.

What is the purpose of embryonic screening?

To determine if embryos have genetic conditions and help prevent inherited disorders.

What is extinction?

When an entire species has died out.

Define variation in the context of genetics.

Differences in traits among individuals in a population due to genetic and environmental factors.

Who is Gregor Mendel?

A scientist known for his work on inheritance patterns in pea plants, founding the field of genetics.

What are the three domains in the classification of living organisms?

Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota.