Module 1 · syllabus 17.1
Chromosomes, genes and alleles
What is written in your chromosomes?
This module is planned. It will have readings, an experiment, practice with self-checks and a final check.
Topic 17 of 21 · 5 modules planned
Chromosomes, genes and proteins, cell division and how characteristics are inherited.
Module 1 · syllabus 17.1
What is written in your chromosomes?
This module is planned. It will have readings, an experiment, practice with self-checks and a final check.
Core for every pupil · Supplement also for Extended entry. Paraphrased from the Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610 syllabus (2026–2028); check the official syllabus for exact wording.
17.1.1Chromosomes, DNA and genesC17.1.2Gene: DNA coding for a proteinC17.1.3Allele: alternative form of a geneC17.1.4Inheritance of sex with X and YC17.1.5Base sequence sets amino acid sequenceS17.1.6Amino acid sequence sets protein shapeS17.1.7DNA controls cells through the proteins madeS17.1.8Protein synthesis: mRNA and ribosomesS17.1.9Cells express only the genes they needS17.1.10Haploid nucleus: one chromosome setS17.1.11Diploid nucleus: two chromosome setsS17.1.12Chromosome pairs; 23 pairs in humansS17.2.1Mitosis gives genetically identical cellsS17.2.2Roles of mitosisS17.2.3Chromosomes copied before mitosisS17.2.4Chromosome number kept in daughter cellsS17.2.5Stem cells divide and specialiseS17.3.1Meiosis produces gametesS17.3.2Meiosis halves chromosome number; varied cellsS17.4.1Inheritance across generationsC17.4.2GenotypeC17.4.3PhenotypeC17.4.4HomozygousC17.4.5Identical homozygous parents breed trueC17.4.6HeterozygousC17.4.7Heterozygotes are not pure-breedingC17.4.8Dominant alleleC17.4.9Recessive alleleC17.4.10Interpret pedigree diagramsC17.4.11Monohybrid crosses: 1:1 and 3:1 ratiosC17.4.12Punnett squares for possible genotypesC17.4.13Test cross to find an unknown genotypeS17.4.14CodominanceS17.4.15Inheritance of ABO blood groupsS17.4.16Sex-linked characteristicsS17.4.17Red-green colour blindness as sex linkageS17.4.18Crosses with codominance or sex linkageS