B1.6 - Genetic variation and its control

The nucleus of a cell contains chromosomes
Chromosomes carry genes that control the characteristics of the body
Genes are passed from parents to offspring through the sex cells (gametes)
Differences between members of the same species is called variation and can be due to genes, the environment or a combination of both
Sexual reproduction is the joining of a male and female gamete and leads to variety in the offspring
Asexual reproduction needs only 1 parent so the offspring are identical to the parent and each other so are known as clones
New cloned plants can be produced cheaply and quickly by taking cuttings of old plants
Tissue culture can be used to grow new cloned plants from small groups of cells
In genetic engineering genes from one organism can be ‘cut out’ by enzymes and transferred into another cell
Genetically modified plants can be made by inserting new genes into crop plants to increase yield or pest resistance

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	Created by maxysmith3936 almost 11 years ago