Science KS 3 Unit 9A Inheritance and Selection

In this unit pupils learn:

• that characteristics are inherited and how this is used in selective breeding.
• why selective breeding is important.
• about variations arising from environmental differences.

In scientific enquiry pupils:

• decide what measurements are needed.
• collect, organise and use large data sets relating to variation.
• look for patterns in data.
• evaluate the strength of evidence.
• investigate the effect of selective breeding on a plant variety, taking account of variables that cannot be controlled.

When teaching this unit, teachers should make reference to their school's sex education policy and PSHE scheme. Teachers will be aware of the need for sensitivity to the personal circumstances of individual pupils and their families.

This unit is expected to take approximately 7.5 hours.

OTHER RESOURCES

• pictures of large family groups from which inherited characteristics can be identified
• secondary sources giving information about variation, reproduction and selective breeding in animals and plants, including different varieties of plant
• graphics software for producing graphs illustrating variation in a sample
• CD-ROMs on plants, eg a gardening reference work
• software simulations or video clips showing gametes and fertilisation and how animal and plant cells pass on genetic information
• information leaflets about breeds of farm animal
• information about cloning and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) from environmental groups and farming and governmental organisations
• plant specimens, eg common fruits and vegetables, showing variation such as size, shape and colour
• wind- and insect-pollinated flowers and photomicrographs of pollen and ovules