Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

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Y9 Science
Term 1: Homework Booklet
Biology

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Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Homework 1

Homework 2

Homework 3

Homework 4
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 1

Comprehension Task:
DNA

DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a chemical made up of two long

molecules. The molecules are arranged in a spiral, like a twisted ladder. We call this
the double helix structure.

There is DNA in the nucleus of every

cell. DNA carries genetic information. It
has all the instructions that a living
organism needs to grow, reproduce
and function.

Genes

Genes are short sections of DNA.

Genes carry information for particular
characteristics, such as ear shape or
eye colour. Different sets of genes carry information for different characteristics.
There are many genes in a chromosome.

Chromosomes

In a cell nucleus, DNA is organised into coiled strands called chromosomes.

Humans have 46 chromosomes in each cell.

Half the chromosomes are inherited from one parent and half from the other. As
humans, therefore, we have 23 chromosomes from each parent.

Children generally look a little like their mother and their father, but are not identical
to either. They inherit their features from each parent's DNA. Every sperm and egg
cell contains half of the genetic information needed for an individual (23 single
chromosomes). When the chromosomes fuse during fertilisation, a new cell is
formed, which is known as a zygote. It has all the genetic information needed for an
individual.
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Questions

1. What does DNA stand for?

2. How do we describe the structure of DNA?

3. In which part of a cell is DNA found?

4. What are genes?

5. Genes determine our eye colour. Give another example of a characteristic

that is determined by our genes.

6. What are chromosomes?

7. How many chromosomes are found in most body cells?

8. Why are chromosomes found in pairs?

9. How many chromosomes are found in sex cells?

10. What is the name of the cell formed when a sperm fuses with an egg cell?
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 2

Complete the exam questions below:
1. The diagram below shows a cell.

(a) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each sentence.

chromosomes.
(i) In the nucleus of a cell, genes are part of membranes.
receptors.

(1)
characteristics
(ii) Different genes control different gametes of an organism.
nuclei

(1)

(b) In sexual reproduction, an egg fuses with a sperm.

(i) Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.

cloning.
An egg and a sperm fuse together in the process of fertilisation.
mitosis.

(1)

(ii) Egg cells and sperm cells each contain the structures given in the
box.

chromosome gene nucleus

List these three structures in size order, starting with the smallest.

1 ________________________________________ (smallest)

2 __________________________________________________

3 __________________________________________ (largest)
(2)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

(iii) The egg and the sperm contain genetic material.

Draw a ring around the correct answer to complete the sentence.

carbohydrate.
The genetic material is made of DNA.
protein.

(1)
(Total 6 marks)

2. These young rabbits look like their parents. This is because information about
characteristics such as fur colour is passed from parents to their young.

Choose words from this list to complete the sentences below.

body chromosomes clones cytoplasm

genes nucleus sex

Information is passed from parents to their young in ______________________

cells.

Each characteristic, e.g. fur colour, is controlled by _______________________

.

The structures which carry information for a large number of characteristics are

called ________________________ .

The part of the cell which contains these structures is called the
_________________ .
(Total 4 marks)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

3. Men and women produce different gametes (sex cells).

(a) In sexual reproduction the male and female gametes join together.

What is the name for this process?

___________________________________________________________
(1)

(b) Complete the sentences about sex cells.

(i) Male gametes are called

_________________________________________

They are produced in the

_________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Female gametes are called

_______________________________________

They are produced in the

_________________________________________
(2)
(Total 5 marks)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

4. The shape of a person’s earlobes is controlled by a gene.

Figure 1 shows two types of earlobe.

Figure 1

A dominant allele codes for free earlobes.

(a) What is a dominant allele?

Tick (✓) one box.

An allele expressed even if a person only has one copy of the

allele

An allele expressed only if a person has two copies of the allele

An allele expressed only if a person has no recessive allele

An allele expressed only if it is inherited from the male parent

(1)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

(b) A man with free earlobes and a woman with attached earlobes have
children together.

Complete Figure 2 to show the possible genotypes of the children.

Use the symbols:

E = allele for free earlobes

e = allele for attached earlobes

Figure 2

(2)

(c) What is the probability that one of the children would have attached
earlobes?

Use Figure 2.

Tick (✓) one box.

0.125 0.25 0.5 0.75

(1)
(Total 4 marks)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 3

1. Complete the sentences to describe the theory of natural selection:

Survive Variation Genes Species Environment Reproduce

Passed Evolve Generation Adapted

• Individuals in a s___________ show a wide range of v___________ and this

variation is because of differences in their g_________.
• Individuals with characteristics most suited to their e________________ are more
likely to s_____________ and r______________. The genes that allow these
individuals to be successful are passed to their offspring.
• Those that are poorly a_____________ to their environment are less likely to
survive and reproduce. This means that their genes are less likely to be passed on
to the next g_______________.
• Given time, a species will gradually e__________.
• Both genes and the environment can cause variation, but only genetic variation
can be p____________ on to the next generation.

2. Peppered moths can either be light coloured or dark coloured. During the 19th
century, an increase in pollution caused the bark on trees to go darker. How did this
affect the numbers of each type of moth and why?
What happened to the Explanation
number of each type?
Light
coloured

Increase/Decrease

Dark
coloured

Increase/Decrease
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Inheritance, Variation and Evolution: Homework 4

Complete the exam question below:

The photographs show two breeds of cow.

Friesian cow Jersey cow

By Keith Weller/USDA (www.ars.usda.gov: Image By Jamain (Own work)

Number K5176-3) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons [CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

In parts (a) and (b) draw a ring around the correct answer to complete each
sentence.

asexual reproduction.

(a) Cows produce their young (calves) by cloning.

sexual reproduction.
(1)

(b) Cows and their calves have many similar characteristics.

clones.

(i) The information for characteristics is carried by embryos.

genes

(1)

(ii) The information for characteristics is passed to the next generation in

cells

body
cells.

called gametes.

neurones.

(1)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

(c) Friesian and Jersey cows can both be used for meat or to produce milk.

The information shows features of Friesian and Jersey cows.

Friesian cows Jersey cows

Body mass up to 600 kg Body mass up to 400 kg

Milk contains 3.4% protein Milk contains 3.8% protein

Can be milked for 325 days after Can be milked for 250 days after
giving birth giving birth

Produce no milk for 55 days Produce no milk for 45 days

before having a calf before having a calf

Produce > 30 litres of milk per day Produce < 30 litres of milk per day

Use only the information above to answer these questions.

In your answers you must make comparisons between the two breeds of
cow.

(i) Give two advantages of a farmer keeping Friesian cows

and not Jersey cows.

1.
_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2.
_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
(2)

(ii) Give two advantages of a farmer keeping Jersey cows

and not Friesian cows.

1.
_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

2.
_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
(2)
 Y9 Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

(d) Cow’s milk is different from human milk. Cow’s milk should not be given to
young human babies.

Scientists in China have genetically engineered cows to produce human

milk. Milk from these cows can be fed to young human babies.

(i) What is genetic engineering ?

Tick ( ) one box.

Genes from one organism are transferred to a different

organism

Cells are separated from an embryo and are transferred to

host mothers

The nucleus from a body cell is transferred to an egg cell

(1)

(ii) Some people are worried about using milk from genetically
engineered cows, to feed human babies.

Give one reason why.

_______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________
(1)
(Total 9 marks)