AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
The characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and…
Full specification wording
Key ideas: the characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and its interaction with the environment
An organism's characteristics arise from its genome and environment interacting.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 8 of 26
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
An organism's characteristics arise from its genome and environment interacting. The genome is the entire genetic material of an organism, not just its genes. Genes code for proteins that build and control the body. The environment includes diet, temperature, light, water, and disease. Some features, like blood group, are determined by genes. Others, like spoken language, are environmental. Many characteristics, including body mass and height, are influenced by both. For example, a plant may inherit genes for tall growth, but without sufficient light and minerals, it remains short. Studying twins helps distinguish these effects: identical twins share their entire genetic material, so differences between them are largely environmental.
What earns the marks
- State that the genome is the entire genetic material of an organism.
- Explain that genes code for proteins, which contribute to characteristic development.
- Identify environmental factors like diet, temperature, and light that affect characteristics.
- Give examples of characteristics influenced by genes, the environment, or both (e.g., body mass).
- Use data from twin studies or plant growth experiments to distinguish genetic from environmental effects.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that all characteristics are controlled only by genes.
Put it right: Many characteristics, such as body mass and height, are also affected by the environment.
Confusing the genome with a single gene or just the genes.
Put it right: The genome is the entire genetic material of an organism.
Assuming identical twins always look exactly the same.
Put it right: Environmental differences can make identical twins differ in features such as body mass or scars.
Exam tips
- Read the question carefully to see whether it asks about genetic, environmental or combined effects, and answer all parts.
- Use specific named examples, such as plant height or human body mass, rather than vague words like 'things'.
Try the lesson
The start of the Key ideas: the characteristics of a living organism are influenced by its genome and its interaction with the environment lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A gardener plants two cuttings taken from the same rose bush. One cutting is grown in a sunny border and the other in a shady corner. The two plants end up looking different. What is the best explanation for this difference?
Listen
An organism's characteristics arise from its genome and environment interacting. The genome is the entire genetic material of an organism, not just its genes. Genes code for proteins that build and control the body. The environment includes diet, temperature, light, water, and disease. Some features, like blood group, are determined by genes. Others, like spoken language, are environmental. Many characteristics, including body mass and height, are influenced by both. For example, a plant may inherit genes for tall growth, but without sufficient light and minerals, it remains short. Studying twins helps distinguish these effects: identical twins share their entire genetic material, so differences between them are largely environmental. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that the genome is the entire genetic material of an organism. Explain that genes code for proteins, which contribute to characteristic development. Identify environmental factors like diet, temperature, and light that affect characteristics. Give examples of characteristics influenced by genes, the environment, or both (e.g., body mass). A common slip: Saying that all characteristics are controlled only by genes. Instead, many characteristics, such as body mass and height, are also affected by the environment. Exam tip: Read the question carefully to see whether it asks about genetic, environmental or combined effects, and answer all parts.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Genome
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Gene function and proteins
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Environmental influence on phenotype
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Nature versus nurture in characteristic development
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See every definition
- Genome
- The entire genetic material of an organism, not just its genes.
- Gene function and proteins
- Genes code for proteins that build and control the body.
- Environmental influence on phenotype
- The environment includes diet, temperature, light, water, and disease, which influence an organism's characteristics.
- Nature versus nurture in characteristic development
- Many characteristics, including body mass and height, are influenced by both the genome and the environment.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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