AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Evidence for Darwin’s theory is now available as it has been shown that…
Full specification wording
Evidence for evolution: Evidence for Darwin’s theory is now available as it has been shown that characteristics are passed on to offspring in genes.
Darwin proposed that characteristics are passed from parents to offspring, but he did not know how inheritance worked.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Darwin proposed that characteristics are passed from parents to offspring, but he did not know how inheritance worked. Modern genetics provides the mechanism: genes are sections of DNA that code for characteristics, and they are passed from parents to offspring in gametes. Alleles are different versions of a gene, and the combination of alleles an offspring inherits affects its characteristics. This explains why variation exists in a population and why advantageous characteristics can become more common over generations. Understanding genes therefore supports Darwin’s theory by showing how inherited variation arises and how natural selection can change populations over time.
What earns the marks
- Genes are sections of DNA that carry the instructions for characteristics and are passed from parents to offspring.
- Alleles are different versions of a gene, and different combinations of alleles produce variation within a population.
- Inherited variation is the raw material on which natural selection acts, because some alleles give a survival advantage.
- Knowledge of genes supports Darwin’s theory by explaining how characteristics are inherited and how populations can change over generations.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing genes with alleles.
Put it right: That a gene is a section of DNA and alleles are different versions of that gene.
Thinking that acquired characteristics can be inherited.
Put it right: That only genetic information passed in gametes is inherited.
Believing that Darwin knew about genes.
Put it right: That the genetic mechanism was discovered later and now provides evidence for his theory.
Exam tips
- Use the terms gene, allele, DNA and gamete accurately when explaining inheritance.
- Link inheritance explicitly to natural selection by stating that advantageous alleles are passed on and become more common.
- Avoid saying that an organism ‘has a gene for’ a trait in a way that ignores alleles; refer to alleles where variation is involved.
Try the lesson
The start of the Evidence for evolution: Evidence for Darwin’s theory is now available as it has been shown that characteristics are passed on to offspring in genes. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which statement describes how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring?
Listen
Darwin proposed that characteristics are passed from parents to offspring, but he did not know how inheritance worked. Modern genetics provides the mechanism: genes are sections of DNA that code for characteristics, and they are passed from parents to offspring in gametes. Alleles are different versions of a gene, and the combination of alleles an offspring inherits affects its characteristics. This explains why variation exists in a population and why advantageous characteristics can become more common over generations. Understanding genes therefore supports Darwin’s theory by showing how inherited variation arises and how natural selection can change populations over time. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Genes are sections of DNA that carry the instructions for characteristics and are passed from parents to offspring. Alleles are different versions of a gene, and different combinations of alleles produce variation within a population. Inherited variation is the raw material on which natural selection acts, because some alleles give a survival advantage. Knowledge of genes supports Darwin’s theory by explaining how characteristics are inherited and how populations can change over generations. A common slip: Confusing genes with alleles. Instead, that a gene is a section of DNA and alleles are different versions of that gene. Exam tip: Use the terms gene, allele, DNA and gamete accurately when explaining inheritance.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Genes
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Alleles
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Inherited variation
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See every definition
- Genes
- Sections of DNA that carry the instructions for characteristics and are passed from parents to offspring.
- Alleles
- Different versions of a gene, and different combinations of alleles produce variation within a population.
- Inherited variation
- Variation that is the raw material on which natural selection acts, because some alleles give a survival advantage.
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