Linking Ideas to write sentences

Giving reasons and making connections between ideas and concepts needs linking words or
phrases. Different types of linking words are needed in different situations; below are some
examples:
Cause and effect linking words/phrases (for actions which cause another to occur)
Therefore
Since
So
Creates
Causes
Hence
Making
Because
As a result of
This can lead to
The effect of
Accounts for
Which means that
The reason for
This explains why
Consequently
Contrast linking words/phrases (to describe differences)
While
Unlike
Although
However
Whilst
Whereas
Alternatively
Different from
In contrast to
Compared with
Rather than
More than
Comparison linking words/phrases (to describe similarities)
Same
Both
And
Similarly
Just as ... so ...
In the same way
In both cases
Similar in that
Other useful linking words/phrases
Before
Initially
Generally
Usually
Finally
However
In order to
So that
Together with
To begin with
From there
Normally
Complete the following sentences by choosing an appropriate linking word/phrase from the chart
above.
1. Discrete variations are either/or characteristics ______________________ continuous
variation where there is a range within the characteristic, e.g. height.
2. ________________________ a graph of a continuous variation, like height, will look like a
bell-shaped curve.
3. Variation is important as when conditions change, variations in characteristics
_______________ some of the individuals surviving.
4. Some characteristics are inherited ___________________________ some characteristics are
affected by the environment.
5. No two living things are ever exactly alike, ____________________________ each individual
is unique which is important for survival.
Now write your own sentence about variation using at least one linking word/phrase.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
DNA, Chromosomes and Genes

Read the following passage and circle any keywords.






Complete the following sentences to make them true. Refer to the information above and use any
prior understanding you have.

YOU MUST NOT COPY FROM ABOVE put it in your OWN words.

1. A chromosome ___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. DNA ____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. A gene __________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. Bases ___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Base pairs ________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
DNA is organised into genes
Each chromosome is made up of a DNA molecule, but what does a DNA molecule actually
look like and how does it store information?
A DNA molecule is made up of a series of nucleotides arranged in 2 strands that resemble
a ladder and twist to form a double helix.
Nucleotides are made up of a base, a sugar and a phosphate. The 4 bases adenine (A),
guanine (G), cytosine (C) and thymine (T) pair with each other (A with T and G with C). It
is the order or sequence of these base pairs that provides the information needed for the
growth and development of our bodies. It can help to visualise the bases as letters in the
alphabet that form words when they are in a certain order. These words are called genes
and act like a set of instructions for our cells.
Read the following passage to find out about DNA profiling.
Using the information above complete the sentences below to make them true.
1. DNA ___________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. DNA profiling _____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. Genetic loci ______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. DNA profiles can be _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
5. The information produced ___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

DNA profiling
DNA profiling is the process where a specific DNA pattern, called a profile, is obtained from
a person or sample of bodily tissue
Even though we are all unique, most of our DNA is actually identical to other peoples DNA.
However, specific regions vary highly between people, these regions are called
polymorphic. Differences in these variable regions between people are known as
polymorphisms. Each of us inherits a unique combination of polymorphisms from our
parents. DNA polymorphisms can be analysed to give a DNA profile.
Human DNA profiles can be used to identify the origin of a DNA sample at a crime scene, or
test for parentage.
What is a DNA profile?
To produce a DNA profile, scientists examine STRs (short
tandem repeats) at ten, or more, genetic loci (positions on the
chromosome). These genetic loci are usually on different
chromosomes.
A DNA profile can tell the scientist if the DNA is from a man or
woman, and if the sample being tested belongs to a particular
person.

CROSSES
In genetics, symbols and diagrams are
used to work out what traits offspring are
likely to have. Letters are used to stand
for alleles.
Leaving out the pictures in the diagram
below gives a Punnett square, which is
used in genetics to work out the results of
crosses.








If B is the allele for brown eyes and b is the allele for blue eyes, complete the diagram below to
show the cross between a Brown eyed mother (Bb) and a blue eyed father (bb). Use the model
above to help.




Punnett practice




Greebles come in two colours: BROWN and BLUE.
Mika is brown. Her coding for colour is Jj.
Zarko has fur (Ff) but Mikas blue brother Korm is bald (ff).
1. Identify the DOMINANT and RECESSIVE characteristics of the Greebles.
Dominant Recessive






2. Complete the chart below.
Name Phenotype Genotype Homozygous/heterozygous
Colour Zarko

Mika

Korm

Covering Zarko

Korm

3. Zarko and Mika have a child. Complete the punnet square to find the probability that their
child is blue.



DOMINANT ALLELE = allele for a particular characteristic which completely hides or masks
the alternative (recessive) allele for the same characteristic.
RECESSIVE ALLELE = allele for a particular characteristic which is completely hidden or
masked by the alternative (dominant) allele for the same characteristic.
2010 Question 2: Genetics
2a. Genes play an important role in determining the traits of an organism.
Explain the relationship between genes, chromosomes and DNA. In your answer you should:
Define gene, chromosome and DNA
State where each of these things would be found in a living thing
Explain how the three terms link together (the relationship between them)
You may use a diagram to help.

2b. People who can roll their tongue have the dominant allele (R).
Jill is heterozygous for tongue rolling (her genotype is Rr). Her husband Ben can not roll his tongue.
After several years Jill and Ben have three children which are all tongue rollers. Discuss why they can not be certain a
fourth child would also be able to roll their tongue.
State what the words genotype and phenotype mean
State Bens genotype
Draw a Punnet square to show the possible genotypes the child could have (the start of the Punnet square
has been shown below to help you)
State the likelihood (% chance) that the child will be able to roll its tongue
Explain why we cannot be certain that their fourth child will be able to roll its tongue too.





2c. The following applications all involve genetics
DNA Fingerprinting Cloning Designer babies Stem Cell research Genetic screening

Choose ONE of the applications above and discuss how this application is used today.
In your answer you should
Describe WHAT the application is
Explain how DNA is used in the application
Explain WHO might use this application and WHY
Discuss the advantages or disadvantages of this application



R r
?
?
2011 Question 2: Genetics
The graph below shows the eye colours for a small group of people

2a. Identify the type of variation shown in the graph above and explain how it differs to other types of variation.
In your answer you should:
Identify the type of variation shown in the graph
Define discrete variation
Define continuous variation
Explain what causes variation, you should refer to DNA, genes and alleles
2b. In dragons, the ability to fly (F) is dominant over non flying (f). A flying heterozygous male dragon
mates with a non-flying female dragon and they have three baby dragons, two can fly and one cant fly.
Using a Punnet Square find the possible genotypes of the offspring and explain whether you can determine if a
fourth baby, born to the dragons would be able to fly or not.
State the male and the female dragons genotypes
Draw a Punnet square to show the possible genotypes the baby dragons could have
State the ratio of flying to non-flying baby dragons from this cross
If the dragons had a fourth baby explain why you cannot be certain it will fly

2c. The following applications all involve genetics
DNA Fingerprinting Cloning Designer babies Stem Cell research Genetic screening
Choose ONE of the applications listed above and discuss the application.
In your answer you should
Name your chosen application
Describe WHAT the application is
Explain how DNA relates to this application
Describe the advantages and/or disadvantages of this application
Explain how this application can be used and why

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