Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype
I can explain how a genetic variant in a gene can influence an organism’s phenotype.
Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype
I can explain how a genetic variant in a gene can influence an organism’s phenotype.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- When a mutation changes the sequence of nucleotide bases in a gene, this creates a genetic variant of the gene.
- If a triplet code in a gene is changed, this may or may not change the amino acid sequence in the protein that is made.
- A change in the amino acid sequence of a protein can change the 3D shape of the protein.
- A change in the 3D shape of a protein can change what it does (e.g. by changing the shape of an enzyme’s active site).
- These changes can have impacts on an organism’s phenotype.
Keywords
Gene - A gene is a section of DNA that holds the genetic code for a protein.
Genetic variant - A genetic variant is produced when a mutation causes a change in the genetic sequence of a gene or non-coding DNA.
Allele - A genetic variant in a gene creates an allele (a different version of the gene), which produces a different phenotype.
Triplet code - The triplet code is carried by genes. Each three nucleotide bases codes for a specific amino acid.
Phenotype - The phenotype is the physical characteristics of an organism.
Common misconception
Mutations always have a negative effect on an organism.
Mutations can produce variation in a phenotype by producing alleles of a gene.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Genetic variants in genes can influence phenotype, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
the number of amino acids coded for by each triplet of bases
the number of nucleic acid strands in a DNA molecule
the number of nucleotide bases in one triplet code
the number of different nucleotide bases found in DNA
Exit quiz
6 Questions
a section of DNA that holds the genetic code for a protein
a section of DNA in which a mutation has changed the base sequence
a different version of a gene, created by a mutation
a set of three nucleotide bases that codes for one amino acid
would change leucine to proline
no change in amino acid
would change valine to leucine
would change valine to proline
