Study Guides

Unit Summary

This unit covers the structure and function of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, DNA as the genetic material, and key genetic terms. It also explains protein synthesis, genetic variants, and how DNA structure affects proteins. The emphasis is on using models to explain scientific concepts.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe simply how an organism's genome and its environment influence its characteristics.

Key Notes

• The genome stores instructions that are used by cells to make structural and functional proteins (including enzymes).
• The proteins that are made are used to build other structures and control chemical reactions.
• The characteristics of an organism are called the phenotype.
• Some characteristics in an organism's phenotype are determined only by its genome (e.g. eye colour).
• Most characteristics in the phenotype are influenced by the organism's genome and interaction with its environment.

Vocabulary To Learn

• genome: A genome is all of the DNA of an organism.
• gene: A gene is a section of DNA that holds the genetic code for a protein.
• protein: A protein a chemical substance whose structure is coded for by the genetic code in genes.
• phenotype: The phenotype is the physical characteristics of an organism.
• enzyme: An enzyme is a functional protein that acts as a biological catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• That all features encoded in the genome are visible in the phenotype.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype Study Guide
• Genetic variants in non-coding DNA can influence phenotype Study Guide
• Mutations and genetic variants Study Guide
• Protein synthesis Study Guide
• The chemical structure of DNA Study Guide
• The genetic code Study Guide
• The genome Study Guide
• The structure of DNA Study Guide