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Science · Grade 7

Reproduction, Heredity and Variation

Learners compare asexual reproduction, which copies one parent's genetic information, with sexual reproduction, which combines half from each parent and produces variation. They connect chromosomes, genes and alleles to dominant and recessive traits, use Punnett squares to predict offspring as fractions and percentages, and compare predictions with real counts. They then explain mutations and environmental effects as sources of variation, and use evidence to explain how animal behaviours and plant structures increase reproductive success.

  • 5 lessons
  • About 120 minutes
  • Reproduction, heredity and variation check: 11 questions
  • Ways to answer: fill in the blanks, choose an answer, type a fraction, match pairs, type a number and place on a number line
See plans Included with Family, Teacher and School plans. Open in PlayOwl

What learners will discover

  • Compare asexual and sexual reproduction and explain why asexual reproduction produces genetically identical offspring while sexual reproduction produces genetic variation.
  • Describe genes as sections of DNA on chromosomes that come in different versions (alleles), one copy inherited from each parent, and use the terms dominant, recessive, genotype and phenotype.
  • Use Punnett squares to predict the probabilities of offspring genotypes and phenotypes as fractions and percentages, and compare predictions with observed offspring counts.
  • Explain mutations as changes to genes that create new alleles with harmful, neutral or beneficial effects, and distinguish variation caused by genes from variation caused by the environment.
  • Use evidence to explain how animal behaviours and specialised plant structures increase the probability of successful reproduction.

Lessons

  1. Asexual and sexual reproduction 8 steps4 practiceabout 22 min
  2. Genes, alleles and chromosomes 8 steps5 practiceabout 22 min
  3. Punnett squares and probability 9 steps6 practiceabout 26 min
  4. Mutations and other sources of variation 8 steps5 practiceabout 24 min
  5. Behaviours and structures for reproductive success 8 steps5 practiceabout 22 min
  6. Reproduction, heredity and variation check 11 questions at the end

Keep exploring

Games to practice with

  • Bridge LabBuild a bridge from beams, brace it with triangles, and stay on budget.
  • Circuit Workshop 3DWire up batteries, bulbs and switches on a 3D workbench.
  • River MysterySomething changed the river. Sample sites with a limited budget, follow the evidence and find where the change begins.

More 7th grade science

Guide for grown-ups