KS3 Biology · Years 7 to 9
Genetics & evolution
How living things pass on their instructions and how populations change over time: DNA, genes and chromosomes, inheritance from both parents, continuous and discontinuous variation, adaptation and natural selection, and extinction, biodiversity and gene banks.
- 5 topics
- 12 min of notes
- 5 homework sheets
- Test paper
The topics, in order
Each has its revision notes, key words, a common misconception and quick questions; the homework sheets are free to print.
- 1DNADNA, genes and chromosomes2 min read5 questionsHomework sheet
- 2InheritanceInheritance: half from each parent2 min read5 questionsHomework sheet
- 3VariationVariation, measuring and graphs2 min read5 questionsHomework sheet
- 4SelectionAdaptation and natural selection3 min read5 questionsHomework sheet
- 5ExtinctionExtinction, biodiversity and gene banks3 min read5 questionsHomework sheet
Test the whole unit
When the topics are revised, one paper covers them all, marked the way an exam would be.
Test paper
KS3 Genetics & evolution Test Paper with Mark Scheme
A 40-mark KS3 biology test paper on genetics and evolution for Years 7 to 9: 22 questions in 40 minutes, with DNA to label, a histogram of heights, the peppered moth and gene banks. Plain-English mark scheme included.
- 40 marks, 22 questions
- 40 minutes
- Mark scheme included, 12 pages
Did you know?
- Stretched out, the DNA from one of your cells would be about two metres long. It is coiled up inside a nucleus far too small to see.
- Humans have 46 chromosomes. A potato has 48 and a dog has 78. The number says nothing about how complicated you are.
- Rosalind Franklin’s Photo 51 took more than 60 hours of X-ray exposure to make.
- Charles Darwin spent five weeks in the Galápagos Islands in 1835, and more than twenty years working out what he had seen before he published.
Watch the trailer · 1:06New from Cartana · Beta test 1–31 December
Revision that feels like an adventure
Cartana is our KS3 learning adventure: sail between islands, answer quick-fire questions and battle bosses. It starts with science, with maths on the way, and launches in 2027. This December a small group of testers gets to play it first.
In the Cartana adventure, genetics & evolution is the island The Gene Pool.
- Play the game before its official release
- Help us build it with your feedback
- Earn exclusive in-game items in return