Edexcel GCSE Combined Science, topic 4
Natural selection and genetic modification
This topic explains how populations change over time by natural selection, and the evidence for evolution, including human evolution. It then covers the ways humans change organisms for their own use: selective breeding and genetic engineering.
Revision notes
Worksheet
FlashcardsSubtopics
Work through them in order. Each one has notes, exam questions and flashcards, and a PDF of each. Triple-only subtopics are left out.
- 1Darwin, natural selection and antibiotic resistance Spec 4.1B–4.3How evolution by natural selection works, and how antibiotic-resistant bacteria are evidence for Darwin's theory.NotesQuestions 4Flashcards 7
- 2Evidence for evolution and classification Spec 4.4–4.7Fossil and stone tool evidence for human evolution, and how genetic analysis led to the three-domain system of classification.NotesQuestions 6Flashcards 11
- 3Selective breeding and tissue culture Spec 4.8–4.9BHow selective breeding is used to develop food plants and domesticated animals, and the benefits and problems it brings.NotesQuestions 3Flashcards 5
- 4Genetic engineering Spec 4.10–4.12BWhat genetic engineering is, and the main stages of the process using restriction enzymes, ligase and vectors.NotesQuestions 4Flashcards 7
- 5Agriculture and evaluating biotechnology Spec 4.13B–4.14How to evaluate the benefits and risks of genetic engineering and selective breeding in agriculture and medicine, including ethical issues.NotesQuestions 2Flashcards 5
Whole topic
When you have done the subtopics: test yourself on everything, or print the lot.