KS3 SCIENCE
Curriculum link: Genetics and
evolution (variation between
individuals)
BASIC CONCEPTS IN GENETICS LESSON PLAN
Introduce your students to basic concepts in genetics. This section introduces the concept of genetic
variation through considering inherited and environmental variations. Students will also research the
structure of DNA.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Resources required: Iguana images, genetics terminology dominoes.

1. FIRE STARTER
3. MAKING WAVES
Show students two pictures of iguanas and ask
them to write down as many ways they think they are
different and why they might be different. From the list
of ideas identified discuss the concepts of inherited
and environmental variation as a way to introduce the
concept of genetic variation.
In pairs students can put the genetics terminology
dominoes in the correct order to display knowledge of
the key terms for this section of the module.
2. GAINING GROUND

To know that heredity is the
process by which genetic
information is transmitted from one
generation to the next.
To understand that genetic
variation between individuals
within a species can be due to
inherited or environmental
variation.
To understand how the double
helix is formed.
4. FUTURE FOCUS
Students should research the structure of DNA molecule
to understand how the double helix is formed.
Students read the basic concepts in genetics
chapter on the Discovering Galapagos website which
introduces the key concepts related to genetic
variation and why it is relevant to learning about the
Galapagos Islands. Talk students through the links
between the cell, nucleus, chromosome and gene so
that they can draw an annotated diagram, introducing
key concepts and terminology as listed in the online
glossary.
A RESOURCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE GALAPAGOS CONSERVATION TRUST (REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 1043470) AND THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (WITH IBG)
STUDENTS’ OUTCOMES


To explain how individual variation
can be due to inherited or
environmental forces.
To explain how the double helix is
formed.