Saumya NH

Inheritance

1. Structure of DNA :
a. 3.16B - describe a DNA molecule as two strands coiled to form a double helix, the strands
being linked by a series of paired bases: adenine (A) with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) with
guanine (G)

2013 JUN 2B-1a

2. Principles of inheritance
a. 3.14 - Understand that the genome is the entire DNA of an organism and that a gene is a
section of a molecule of DNA that codes for a specific protein
b. 3.15- Understand that the nucleus of a cell contains chromosomes on which genes are
located
c. 3.19- understand how genes exist in alternative forms called alleles which give rise to
differences in inherited characteristics

EX: 2012 JAN 1B-2, 2013 JAN 1B-1a

3. DNA replication and mutation

a. 3.34 understand that mutation is a rare, random change in genetic material that can be
inherence
b. 3.35B understand how a change in DNA can affect the phenotype by altering the sequence
of amino acids in a protein
c. 3.36B understand how most genetic mutations have no effect on the phenotype, some have
a small effect and rarely do they have a significant effect
d. 3.37B understand that the incidence of mutations can be increased by exposure to ionizing
radiation (for example, gamma rays, x-rays and ultraviolet rays) and some chemical
mutagens (for example, chemicals in tobacco)

4. Proteins synthesis

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a. 3.17B - understand that an RNA molecule is single stranded and contains uracil (U) instead
of thymine (T)
b. 3.18B - describe the stages of protein synthesis including transcription and translation,
including the role of mRNA, ribosomes, tRNA, codons and anticodons
5. Mitosis
a. 3.28 understand how division of a diploid cell by mitosis produces two cells that contain
identical sets of chromosomes
b. 3.29 understand that mitosis occurs during growth, repair, cloning and asexual reproduction
6. Meiosis
a. 3.30 understand how division of a cell by meiosis produces four cells, each with half the
number of chromosomes, and that this results in the formation of genetically different
haploid gametes
b. 3.31 understand how random fertilisation produces genetic variation of offspring
c. 3.32 know that in human cells the diploid number of chromosomes is 46 and the haploid
number is 23
d. 3.33 understand that variation within a species can be genetic, environmental, or a
combination of both

2013 JUN 2BR-10

7. inheritance
a. c3.19- understand how genes exist in alternative forms called alleles which give rise to
differences in inherited characteristics
b. 3.20 - understand the meaning of the terms: dominant, recessive, homozygous,
heterozygous, phenotype, and genotype
c. 3.21B understand the meaning of the term codominance
d. 3.22 understand that most phenotypic features are the result of polygenic inheritance
rather than single genes
e. 3.23 describe patterns of monohybrid inheritance using a genetic diagram
EX: 2012 JAN 2B-6, 2012 JUN 1B-7, 2013 JUN 2BR-10, 2013 JUN 2B-4, 2013 JUN 2BR-8
8. Inheritance and pedigree charts
a. 3.24 understand how to interpret family pedigrees

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b. 3.25 predict probabilities of outcomes from monohybrid crosses

c. 3.26 understand how the sex of a person is controlled by one pair of chromosomes, XX in a
female and XY in a male
d. 3.27 describe the determination of the sex of offspring at fertilisation, using a genetic
diagram

EX: 2011 1B-6, 2013 JAN 1B-8,

e. 3.38 explain Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection

f. 3.39 understand how resistance to antibiotics can increase in bacterial populations, and
appreciate how such an increase can lead to infections being difficult to control

Building blocks of inheritance

Inheritance as the transmission of genetic information from generation to generation

Chemical that is the basis of inheritance is DNA.

A DNA molecule is made up of long chains of

nucleotides, formed into two strands. A nucleotide is
a 5-carbon sugar molecule joined to a phosphate
group (PO3) and an organic base.
In DNA the sugar is deoxyribose and the organic base
is either adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C) or
guanine (G).

The structure of DNA as:

Two strands coiled together to form a double

helix
Each strand contains chemicals called bases

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Cross-links between the strands are formed by pairs of bases using H-Bonds.
The DNA in a chromosome consists of two
strands (chains of nucleotides) held together by chemical bonds between the bases.
Base pairing rule: The bases always pair up in the same way: A with T, and C with G (full names are
not required)

Why DNA?
DNA is more chemically stable than RNA, which makes it ideal for long-term storage. RNA viruses like
HIV have a short lifespan and must replicate to survive, which is why they can get by with a less
chemically stable genome.

RNA is a useful format to transcribe since it has multiple forms and functions (e.g. rRNA, mRNA, tRNA,
siRNA, snRNA, miRNA, etc.).

DNA is usually found in nucleus as chromosomes.

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Inside a nucleus are thread-like structures called chromosomes which can be seen most clearly
at the time when the cell is dividing.
Each chromosome has certain characteristics when ready to divide: there are two chromatids,
joined at one point called a centromere.
Each chromatid is a string of genes, coding for the persons characteristics.
The other chromatid carries the same genes in the same order.

A human body (somatic other type is germline) cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes.

These are difficult to distinguish when packed inside the nucleus, so scientists separate them and
arrange them according to size and appearance. The outcome is called a karyotype
(F. There are pairs of chromosomes. The only pair that do not necessarily match is chromosome pair 23:
the sex chromosomes. The Y chromosome is much smaller than the X chromosome.)

A chromosome is a thread of DNA, made up of a string of genes.

A gene is a length of DNA that codes for a protein. A small section of DNA that determine a
particular feature is a gene.

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Sensed strand stand used in proteon synthesis and aanti sensed strand not used in protien
synthesis.

An allele is a version of a gene.

Genotype is the genetic make-up of an organism in terms of the alleles present.

Phenotype is the features of an organism.
Homozygous means having two identical alleles of a particular gene e.g. TT, where T is tall. Note that
two identical homozygous individuals that breed together will be pure-breeding.
Heterozygous means having two different alleles of a particular gene e.g. Tt. Note that a
heterozygous individual will not be pure breeding.
An allele that is expressed if it is present is dominant.
An allele that is only expressed when there is no dominant allele of the gene present is recessive.