Investigating patterns of inheritance - Year 10 CLE

Investigating patterns of inheritance - Year 10 CLE
Publication Date: September, 2015
Type of Resource: Practical activity/investigation

This CLE covers the topic of genetic inheritance.

The resource is a Connected Learning Experience developed by Science ASSIST to help Year 10 teachers teach the concept of genetic inheritance to their students.

It also includes examples of how the investigations and activities can be adjusted to cater for gifted and talented students.

Description: In this investigation, the inheritance of single gene traits will be investigated using animal and plant examples.

Learning intentions

Students will be able to:

  • describe the structure and function of DNA, genes and chromosomes;
  • understand that genetics and the environment define traits;
  • predict offspring genotypes and phenotypes resulting from single gene (monogenic) crosses;
  • explain why combining class data makes the data more reliable;
  • make predictions;
  • identify patterns in findings;
  • develop and justify conclusions;
  • explain how to increase the reliability of their data.

The SVG-based diagram that the external link takes you to is best viewed with a browser other than Internet Explorer.

Australian Curriculum v9 Codes: AC9S10U01 (Year 10)

Additional Information

The Connect Learning Experience Resource

A Connected Learning Experience (CLE) is a resource package designed to support the use of inquiry investigations in the classroom.

Each CLE may not encompass all the concepts and skills addressed in the specific content descriptions outlined by the Australian Curriculum: Science for that year level. The Learning Intentions clearly define the aims and objectives of the CLE.

Year 10 Achievement Standard

This lesson sequence provides opportunities to gather information about students’ achievement of specific components in the standards (which are bolded in the statements below).

By the end of Year 10, students analyse how the periodic table organises elements and use it to make predictions about the properties of elements. They explain how chemical reactions are used to produce particular products and how different factors influence the rate of reactions. They explain the concept of energy conservation and represent energy transfer and transformation within systems. They apply relationships between force, mass and acceleration to predict changes in the motion of objects. Students describe and analyse interactions and cycles within and between Earth’s spheres. They evaluate the evidence for scientific theories that explain the origin of the universe and the diversity of life on Earth. They explain the processes that underpin heredity and evolution. Students analyse how the models and theories they use have developed over time and discuss the factors that prompted their review.

Students develop questions and hypotheses and independently design and improve appropriate methods of investigation, including field work and laboratory experimentation. They explain how they have considered reliability, safety, fairness and ethical actions in their methods and identify where digital technologies can be used to enhance the quality of data. When analysing data, selecting evidence and developing and justifying conclusions, they identify alternative explanations for findings and explain any sources of uncertainty. Students evaluate the validity and reliability of claims made in secondary sources with reference to currently held scientific views, the quality of the methodology and the evidence cited. They construct evidence-based arguments and select appropriate representations and text types to communicate science ideas for specific purposes.

Relevant prior curriculum knowledge

Science / Year 8 / Science Understanding / Biological Sciences

Content description

Multi-cellular organisms contain systems of organs that carry out specialised functions that enable them to survive and reproduce (ACSSU150)

Australian Curriculum:
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Communicating > Communicate scientific ideas and information for a particular purpose,... > ACSIS208
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Evaluating > Evaluate conclusions, including identifying sources of uncertainty and possible... > ACSIS205
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Analyse patterns and trends in data, including describing relationships between... > ACSIS203
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Processing and analysing data and information > Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent... > ACSIS204
  • Year 10 > Science Inquiry Skills > Questioning and Predicting > Formulate questions or hypotheses that can be investigated scientifically > ACSIS198
  • Year 10 > Science Understanding > Biological Sciences > Transmission of heritable characteristics from one generation to the next... > ACSSU184