2.
1 Living Organisms (Ecology and
Selective Breeding)
Syllabus Summary (H) = higher only
You should be able to:
• explain how characteristics can
be passed from one generation
to the next.
• recognise dominant and
recessive characteristics (H)
• explain that these depend on
dominant and recessive alleles
(H)
• state that alleles are different
versions of the same gene (H)
• explain a monohybrid cross
involving dominant and recessive
alleles (H)
• explain the terms homozygous
and heterozygous (H)
• recognise the process of genetic
engineering as the transfer of
foreign genes into the cells of
animals, plants or
microorganisms;
• recognise some potential
advantages and risks of genetic
engineering and selective
breeding;
• recognise ethical dilemmas
concerned with genetic
engineering.
• describe the principles of genetic
engineering (H)
• evaluate potential advantages
and disadvantages of genetic
engineering and selective
breeding (H)
Key Points Key terms
Sexual reproduction
 Sexual reproduction requires genetic material from two parents.
This leads to offspring with physical characteristics present in
both the father and the mother. Gene
 In sexual reproduction the offspring acquires two genes for Dominant
every characteristic – one from the father and one from the Recessive
mother. Genetic engineering
Alleles
 The dominance of the gene decides which characteristic is
Monohybrid cross
expressed. A gene which does not express itself is called A diagram of how a punnett square
recessive, a gene which does express itself is called dominant works.
Depending on which cells meet
Asexual reproduction which during fertilization, the
 Only one parent is needed – it leads to genetically identical genetic make up (genotype) will
vary.
offspring – though offspring may not appear exactly the same
due to environmental factors.
Artificial selection and selective breeding
 Plants and cattle with desirable characteristics are made to
breed with each other in the hope that the offspring will inherit
that particular characteristic
 Long term selective breeding can lead to a weakening of the
genetic make up of a species, especially if recessive genes are
being selected.
Genetic Engineering
A recessive gene can only exhibit its
 Desired genes are taken out of one organism and placed into characteristics when it is paired up
another. Human insulin is produced by bacteria which have had with another recessive gene. Here
the gene for making insulin inserted into them. the dominant gene is ‘S’ for smooth.
The Recessive gene is ’s’ (small
case) for being wrinkly.