AQA GCSE Biology contents

Unit 6 · Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

DNA, The Genome & Protein Synthesis

2 min read · part of the full Exam Guide

DNA and the genome

  • The genetic material in the nucleus is DNA, a polymer made of two strands forming a double helix. DNA is contained in chromosomes
  • A gene is a small section of DNA on a chromosome. Each gene codes for a particular sequence of amino acids, which makes a specific protein
  • The genome is the entire genetic material of an organism. The whole human genome has been studied, which matters for medicine:
    • Searching for genes linked to diseases
    • Understanding and treating inherited disorders
    • Tracing human migration patterns from the past

Full Exam Guide

The rest of this topic is in the full Exam Guide

The complete AQA GCSE Biology guide — every topic, exam checklist and common mistake — is coming soon. Until then, the first topic in every unit is free to read.

In the full topic

  • DNA and the genome
  • DNA structure [Biology only]
  • Protein synthesis [Biology only, Higher Tier]
  • Mutations [Biology only, Higher Tier]
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