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Science at key stage 3    (Year 9)

Unit 9A: Inheritance and selection
Section 11: What is a clone?

QCA

Objectives
Children should learn:
  • that, in cloning, all genetic information comes from one parent
  • to consider some of the ethical issues relating to cloning
  • to ask questions to extend their thinking and refine ideas

Activities

Outcomes
Children:
  • As an extension, ask pupils what they understand by the term 'clone' and where they have heard it, eg science fiction, Dolly the sheep. Explain the principles of cloning, emphasising that it differs from sexual reproduction in that all genetic information comes from one parent. Ask pupils to describe the consequences of this for variation between parents and offspring.
  • Establish with pupils that methods of asexual reproduction, eg cuttings, grafting, have been used for many years with plants.
  • Ask pupils to suggest five questions that they would ask a scientist about cloning, given the opportunity, and to explain why they think they are important. Help pupils to evaluate and refine their questions and to use some of the many internet sites providing information on the process to find the answers. Ask pupils what they have found and make a brief summary.
  • explain why clones are genetically identical
  • describe how asexual reproduction has been used to produce new plants
  • identify ethical issues relating to cloning of animals
  • use the internet to answer their questions and interpret what they have found

Points to note
  • Asexual reproduction producing clones is covered in the key stage 4 programme of study. However, most pupils will have heard of cloning and teachers may wish to discuss it here.
  • As an alternative, teachers could invite a scientist to talk about their work and answer pupils' questions.
  • Media reports may contain excellent explanations and graphics of the process of cloning for the 'general reader'. The internet can also be a valuable resource.
  • Extension: pupils could plant cuttings, eg of geranium, and show that they grow into new plants.

Sections in this unit

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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