Science at key stage 3    (Year 9)

• describe similarities between parents and offspring
• identify some inherited characteristics in plants and animals

• produce a sequence of diagrams showing the process of sex-cell formation and fertilisation, and show, eg by annotations, how genetic information is transferred
• describe, eg in annotated drawings, some ways in which sperm and egg cells are adapted
• summarise similarities in fertilisation in plants and animals

• make and record appropriate measurements
• present data in tables and use spreadsheet software to produce appropriate graphs
• explain how evidence supports conclusions, eg variation between varieties is greater than variation within varieties

• identify some characteristics that are influenced by environmental factors
• identify environmental factors that influence characteristics of an individual

• identify some characteristics that breeders wish to pass on
• explain why breeders may wish animals to have these characteristics
• describe in terms of cells how desired characteristics are passed on

• relate characteristics to genetic information passed from both parents
• explain why individuals from the same parents may vary
• explain why individuals with the same genetic information may vary
• suggest why particular inherited characteristics are important in animals

• identify useful sources of information
• select information relevant to the question
• describe and explain 'desirable' characteristics in a breed of animal, making clear links between the description and the reasons it is desirable

• identify differences in visible characteristics in varieties of food crops
• suggest other characteristics that might be desirable

• describe pollination in terms of male and female cells
• identify problems to be overcome in selective pollination
• suggest how to ensure that a flower is pollinated by the selected pollen

• decide on a question or questions to investigate, eg Do frozen peas weigh less than fresh peas?
• decide on a suitable sample, eg 50 peas
• choose a method appropriate to the question
• state conclusions, indicating the strength of the evidence, in terms of a comparison of variation within and between varieties and in terms of sample size

• 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

• use ideas and concepts accurately in answering questions