Year 10 Science · Unit 1 · Lesson 1

Introduction to Genetics and Heredity

Foundation Worksheet

Name

Date

Class

Learning Goals

Define key genetics terms: genetics, heredity, DNA, gene, chromosome, allele, trait, variation.
Distinguish between inherited traits and acquired characteristics.
Explain why offspring resemble but are not identical to their parents.

Warm Up

Match each term to its definition

Draw a line connecting each term on the left to its correct definition on the right. Or write the matching letter next to each term.

Term	Your answer	Definition
Genetics		A. A version or variant of a gene (e.g. one version produces brown eyes, another produces blue).
Heredity		B. Differences in traits between individuals of the same species.
DNA		C. The passing of traits from parents to their offspring during reproduction.
Gene		D. The scientific study of heredity and variation in living things.
Chromosome		E. A segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait or protein.
Allele		F. A structure made of DNA and proteins that carries many genes; humans have 46.
Trait		G. The molecule that carries genetic instructions in all living things (deoxyribonucleic acid).
Variation		H. An observable characteristic of an organism, such as eye colour or height.

Your Turn

Fill the gap

Choose the correct word from the word bank to complete the passage. Each word is used once. Two words will not be used.

DNA gene chromosome allele heredity variation trait acquired mutation

The genetic instructions for all living things are stored in , a molecule found inside the nucleus of every cell. A is a specific segment of this molecule that codes for a particular . Many genes are packaged together on a . Each gene can exist as different versions called . The process by which these instructions pass from parents to offspring is called . Differences between individuals of the same species are described as . A characteristic gained during an organism's lifetime, such as a scar or a learned skill, is called an characteristic, and it cannot be inherited.

Show What You Know

1. Classify each trait below as inherited or acquired. Briefly justify each answer.

Recall 4 marks

(a) Blood type

(b) A tattoo

(d) Tanned skin from a summer at Bondi Beach

2. Two siblings have the same parents but look different from each other. Use the terms allele and variation to explain why this happens.

Recall 2 marks

Wrap Up

In one sentence, what was the main idea of this lesson?