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Schemes of Work
QCA

Science at key stage 3    (Year 9)

Unit 9A: Inheritance and selection

QCA
About this unit

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.


Sections in this unit

This unit is divided into sections. Each section contains a sequence of activities with related objectives and outcomes. You can view this unit by moving through the sections or print/download the whole unit.
1. What characteristics can be inherited?
2. Why are offspring of the same parents similar but not identical?
3. a. How do differences between offspring with the same parents compare with differences between offspring of different parents?
4. b. How do differences between offspring with the same parents compare with differences between offspring of different parents?
5. How are new breeds of animal produced?
6. Checking progress
7. Why do farmers produce new breeds of animals?
8. a. How are new varieties of plant produced?
9. b. How are new varieties of plant produced?
10. Are varieties produced by selective breeding different from each other?
11. What is a clone?
12. Reviewing work