AQA GCSE Biology, topic 6
Inheritance, variation and evolution
This topic explains how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring, why individuals within a species vary, and how natural selection leads to evolution. It also covers how humans use selective breeding, genetic engineering and cloning, and how our understanding of genetics, evolution and classification has developed.
Examined in Paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes, 100 marks).
Revision notes
Worksheet
FlashcardsSubtopics
Work through them in order. Each one has notes, exam questions and flashcards, and a PDF of each.
- 1Reproduction Spec 4.6.1Sexual and asexual reproduction, meiosis, DNA and the genome, genetic crosses, inherited disorders and sex determination.NotesQuestions 10Flashcards 32
- 2Variation and evolution Spec 4.6.2Causes of variation, evolution by natural selection, selective breeding, genetic engineering and cloning.NotesQuestions 6Flashcards 18
- 3The development of understanding of genetics and evolution Spec 4.6.3Darwin, Wallace and Mendel, evidence for evolution, fossils, extinction and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.NotesQuestions 6Flashcards 15
- 4Classification of living organisms Spec 4.6.4The Linnaean system, binomial names, the three-domain system and evolutionary trees.NotesQuestions 3Flashcards 5
Whole topic
When you have done the subtopics: test yourself on everything, or print the lot.