LINKING LANGUAGE
Listed below are a variety of terms you might use to link phrases together in sentences, or to
link one sentence/idea to the previous sentences/idea.
and so
after that
alternatively
although
and
another
another point
another reason
as a result of
as follows
as well as
because
both … and …
but
can be shown by
consequently
despite
due to
finally
for these reasons
for example
however
in addition
in contrast
in spite of this
initially
is shown by
is similar to
likewise
meanwhile
nevertheless
next
on the other hand
similarly
since
subsequently
such as
then
this allows
this explains why
this leads to
thus
whereas
which
which means that
yet
Which terms could you use:
1. when describing a
sequence of
events?
2. when elaborating on
or providing more
details about an
idea?
3. when adding more
supporting ideas to
your argument?
4. when comparing
two or more things
to show similarities?
5. when contrasting
two things to show
differences?
6. when explaining
how or why
something
happens?
7. to show cause and
effect?
8. to start a sentence?
(Some terms are
not appropriate for
this use!)
Thames HS
adapted from Terry Burrell SSA Biology
USING LINKING LANGUAGE IN GENETICS & EVOLUTION
In each row below, fill the central box with a term or phrase that best shows how the ideas in the left and right
columns are related to each other. Try not to repeat the same linking words in different rows.
 You may choose to keep the information as separate sentences or to combine the ideas in one sentence.
 You may also decide to edit the second idea e.g. to turn a repeated noun into a pronoun like “they” or “it”.
Idea 1
Linking language
Idea 2
Sexual reproduction is important in
evolution
It is the main source of variation.
During meiosis sections of
homologous chromosomes are
swapped by crossing over
Contributes new combinations of
genes.
Variation amongst offspring is also
affected by sexual selection.
Many female birds tend to mate with
the male that has the biggest and
brightest tail.
DNA is tightly twisted and wound
around proteins
Long lengths to be packed into the
nucleus of a cell.
Inherited characteristics are
important in evolution
Acquired (non-inherited)
characteristics do not have an effect.
Homologous pairs are where a
chromosome from the mother and
one from the father are paired up
Incomplete dominance is when the
heterozygote is a blend of the
dominant and recessive
characteristic
A heterozygous peron with sicklecell anaemia has some cells normal
and some that are sickle cells
The chromosome number in a body
cell should always be an even
number.
A red flower crossed with a white
flower produces a pink flower.
This is an example of co-dominance.
Darwin’s theory of evolution says
that species change through time
Natural selection, which is the idea
that organisms best suited to their
environment will leave the most
offspring.
Genetic variation in organisms
occurs
Mutation and sexual reproduction.
Evidence for evolution can be found
in fossils, comparative anatomy,
Protein and DNA analysis.
A gene pool can be changed very
quickly (show genetic drift) if it is in a
small population
A large population will be resistant to
genetic drift.
“Founder effect” is when a few
individuals migrate to a new area
When a population number drops to
a small number, the genetic
variation is reduced,
Directional and stabilising selection
both have one peak.
When Australian pukekos being
bown over to New Zealand and then
reproducing here as takahe.
Something called the “Bottleneck
Effect”, where genetic defects can
become common.
Disruptive selection has two peaks.
Thames HS
adapted from Terry Burrell SSA Biology