Year 8 Biology - Genes

Question 1

What is the theory of Natural Selection?

Answer 1

Natural selection is the idea that organisms best suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Question 2

Why do species evolve over time?

Answer 2

Species change to fit where they live, win against others, and reproduce easier.

Question 3

What is the process of peer review?

Answer 3

In peer review, experts check research to make sure it’s accurate, and right for publishing in science journals.

Question 4

Evaluate the evidence that Darwin used to develop his theory of Natural Selection?

Answer 4

Darwin used observations of different species and fossil records to support his theory and showing how traits changes over time.

Question 5

What factors may lead to extinction?

Answer 5

Habitat loss, unable to adapt to its environment, pollution and competitions from predators.

Question 6

What is the importance of biodiversity in maintaining plant and animals populations?

Answer 6

Biodiversity helps plants and animals by giving them different genes, making them strong against changes, and keeping ecosystems balanced.

Question 7

Why might a species become extinct?

Answer 7

A species might become extinct due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change or disease.

Question 8

How might lack of biodiversity affect an ecosystem?

Answer 8

Lack of biodiversity can disrupt food webs, and have fewer types of plants and animals makes nature less able to handle big changes.

Question 9

What does it mean by an endangered species?

Answer 9

An endangered species is one that is at risk of extinction due to low population numbers.

Question 10

What techniques are used to preserve extinction?

Answer 10

habitat protection, captive breeding, and public awareness campaigns.

Question 11

How does preserving biodiversity benefit humans?

Answer 11

Preserving biodiversity ensures essential resources, such as food, medicines, and clean air and water,.

Question 12

How are characteristic inherited?

Answer 12

You inherit characteristics from your parents through genetic material stored in the nucleus of your cells.

Question 13

Describe the relationship between DNA, genes and chromosomes?

Answer 13

DNA contains genes, which are segments of DNA. Chromosomes are structures that contain many genes.

Question 14

How does a DNA mutation affect an organism and future offspring?

Answer 14

A DNA mutation can change traits, affecting an organism’s health and potentially passing on changes to offspring.

Question 15

Describe the structure of DNA?

Answer 15

DNA is a double helix, containing of two long strands twisted around each other, with steps made of nucleotide bases.

Question 16

How did scientist work together to discover the structure of DNA?

Answer 16

Scientists like Watson worked using X-ray crystallography and model building, to show DNA’s structure.

Question 17

What’s the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

Answer 17

Dominant alleles mask the effect of recessive alleles when present together, determining an organism’s trait expression.

Question 18

How can a Punnett square be used to demonstrate the inheritance of genes?

Answer 18

A Punnett square predicts possible gene combinations in offspring from parental genotypes, showing inheritance patterns.

Question 19

Why are offspring’s not identical to their parents?

Answer 19

Children get some genes from each parent making them different from their parents and each other.

Question 20

How is a product produced using genetic modification?

Answer 20

Genetic modification adds new genes to an organism’s DNA to give it desired traits.

Question 21

Describe some advantages of genetic modification?

Answer 21

Genetic modification can boost crop yield, make plants pest-resistant, improve nutrition, and lower costs.