School / Grade 10
Grade 10 Biology: Science 10 (biology strand)
DNA, inheritance, mutation, selection and modern genetics
Science 10 is a core BC course that combines biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space science. This section covers only the biology (life science) strand, built around the big idea that DNA is the basis for the diversity of living things. Chemistry, physics, energy and the formation of the universe are not covered here.
The official biology content lists DNA structure and function (genes and chromosomes, gene expression, interactions of genes and the environment), patterns of inheritance (Mendelian genetics, Punnett squares, complete dominance, co-dominance, incomplete dominance, sex-linked inheritance, human genetics), mutation (positive, negative and neutral impacts, mutagens and carcinogens, impact on evolution), natural selection (adaptive radiation, selection pressure, adaptations, extinctions), artificial selection (agriculture, breeding), applied genetics (genomics, GMOs, gene therapy, cloning, stem cells, reproductive technology, species, population and ecosystems, forensics, genetic engineering) and ethical considerations.
The twelve lessons follow that order, one or two content items at a time, with worked examples, diagrams and check questions. These lessons are based on the BC curriculum and are an independent study aid. The official curriculum document is the authority on what is required.
Big ideas
- DNA is the basis for the diversity of living things.
- Its structure, function and mutations relate to biodiversity.
Lessons
- DNA Structure, Genes and ChromosomesHow DNA is built and copied, what genes and alleles are, how chromosomes package the genome, and how meiosis shuffles genes.
- Gene Expression: From DNA to ProteinHow a gene is transcribed into RNA and translated into protein, and how cells switch genes on and off to become different cell types.
- Interactions of Genes and the EnvironmentHow genotype, environment and epigenetic marks combine to produce traits, with PKU, height and complex diseases as examples.
- Mendelian Genetics, Punnett Squares and Complete DominanceMendel's pea experiments, dominant and recessive alleles, monohybrid and dihybrid Punnett squares, test crosses and probability.
- Incomplete Dominance, Co-dominance, Sex-Linkage and Human GeneticsInheritance patterns beyond complete dominance: intermediate and co-dominant traits, ABO blood groups, X-linked traits and pedigrees.
- Mutation: Types, Causes, Impacts and EvolutionWhat mutations are, how they arise and are repaired, mutagens and carcinogens, positive, negative and neutral impacts, and the role of mutation in evolution.
- Natural Selection, Adaptations and Selection PressureHow variation, heredity and differential reproduction produce adaptations, how selection pressures such as invasive species act, and the evidence for evolution.
- Adaptive Radiation, Speciation and ExtinctionHow new species form, how adaptive radiation produces diversity, the causes of extinction, and how selection pressure leads to adaptation or extinction.
- Artificial Selection, Breeding and AgricultureSelective breeding of plants and animals, monoculture versus polyculture, and food sustainability.
- Genomics, Genetic Engineering, GMOs and Gene TherapyReading whole genomes, moving genes between species, how GM crops are made and assessed, gene therapy and CRISPR genome editing.
- Cloning, Stem Cells, Reproductive Technology and ForensicsTypes of cloning, stem cells, IVF and genetic testing, DNA fingerprinting, and genetic tools for species, populations and ecosystems.
- Ethical Considerations of Modern GeneticsHealth, environmental, social and political implications of genetic technologies, with genetic discrimination, GM crops, genome editing and debate preparation.
Official BC curriculum for this course ↗
These lessons follow the content areas listed in the British Columbia curriculum. They are study material written for this site and are not an official document. The official curriculum is the authority on what each course requires. Lessons are general education, not medical advice.