Subjects

Biology

Inheritance, variation and evolution

Variation

Selective breeding

774

•

2 May 2023

•

12 pages

GCSE Biology Paper 2: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution Notes - AQA Study Guide

reuben

@reubxyz

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution in GCSE Biology: Key Concepts and... Show more

Evolution and Natural Selection

This page delves into the theory of evolution, a cornerstone of Inheritance, variation and evolution GCSE Biology AQA.

Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection explains how species change over time:

Organisms within a species show wide variation in characteristics $phenotype variation$

Organisms compete for limited resources in ecosystems

Those with the most suitable characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce

Beneficial traits become more common over time, leading to evolution

Definition: Natural Selection - The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Key points about evolution:

It explains how all of today's species evolved from simple organisms over billions of years

New discoveries in genetics have further developed Darwin's theory

Speciation occurs when populations change so much that they become reproductively isolated

Example: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a modern example of evolution through natural selection.

Understanding these concepts is crucial for answering GCSE Biology inheritance exam questions effectively.

Extinction and Scientific Theories

This section explores extinction and the development of scientific theories, important topics for GCSE Biology Paper 2 inheritance variation evolution notes free.

Extinction occurs when no individuals of a species remain. Causes include:

Rapid environmental changes

Introduction of new predators or diseases

Competition with other species for resources

Catastrophic events

The development of Darwin's theory faced several challenges:

It conflicted with religious beliefs

Initially, there was insufficient evidence to explain how adaptations were passed on

The discovery of genes and mutations 50 years later provided supporting evidence

Quote: "Survival of the fittest" - A phrase often associated with Darwin's theory, though not coined by him.

Lamarck's competing theory of acquired characteristics:

Proposed that changes acquired during an organism's lifetime would be passed to offspring

Eventually rejected as experiments did not support the hypothesis

Highlight: The scientific process involves developing hypotheses from observations, which may differ based on scientists' beliefs and influences.

This historical context is valuable for understanding Inheritance, variation and Evolution Knowledge Organiser materials.

Selective Breeding in Biology

This page focuses on selective breeding, an important application of genetic principles covered in Topic 6 Biology AQA a level and GCSE curricula.

Selective breeding is the process by which humans artificially select plants or animals to breed for particular characteristics:

Purpose: Develop useful or attractive features in organisms Examples include high-yield crops, disease-resistant plants, and animals that produce more meat or milk

Process: Select organisms with desired traits from existing stock Breed selected organisms Choose best offspring and continue breeding over several generations Eventually, all offspring will possess the desired trait

Example: The development of various dog breeds with specific temperaments or physical features is a result of selective breeding.

Historical Context: Humans have been practicing selective breeding for thousands of years It has led to the development of edible crops and domesticated animals

Drawbacks: Reduces genetic diversity within a population Can lead to inbreeding, potentially causing health defects

Vocabulary: Gene pool - The total genetic diversity found within a population or species.

Understanding selective breeding is crucial for answering AQA GCSE Biology Topic 6 questions and comprehending human influence on evolution.

Variation in Biology

This section explores the concept of variation within species, a fundamental aspect of Inheritance, variation and evolution GCSE Biology.

Variation refers to the differences observed among organisms of the same species. There are two main types of variation:

Genetic Variation: Determined by inherited genes passed on through gametes Examples include eye color, blood group, and inherited disorders

Environmental Variation: Caused by the conditions in which organisms live and grow Examples include suntans or physical injuries

Highlight: Most characteristics result from a combination of both genetic and environmental factors, such as body weight, height, and skin color.

Mutations play a crucial role in introducing new variations:

They change the sequence of bases in DNA

While most have no effect, some can create new phenotypes

Beneficial mutations may become common in a species through natural selection

Vocabulary: Phenotype - The observable characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

This understanding of variation is essential for tackling AQA GCSE Biology Inheritance, variation and evolution exam questions.

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This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user

Subjects

Biology

Inheritance, variation and evolution

Variation

Selective breeding

Biology
•
774
•
2 May 2023
•
12 pages

GCSE Biology Paper 2: Inheritance, Variation & Evolution Notes - AQA Study Guide

reuben

@reubxyz

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution in GCSE Biology: Key Concepts and Exam Preparation

This comprehensive guide covers essential topics for GCSE Biology Paper 2 inheritance variation evolution notes AQA, including:

Genetic and environmental variation

Darwin's theory of evolution

Natural selection... Show more

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

Stefan S

iOS user

Samantha Klich

Android user

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Basil

Android user

David K

iOS user

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

Rohan U

Android user

Xander S

iOS user

Elisha

iOS user

Paul T

iOS user