Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Unlock Phenotypic Plasticity Secrets!

Word Count Emoji
497 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Hey future biologists, get ready to dig deep into a fascinating topic called Phenotypic Plasticity. It sounds complicated, but worry not! We're going to break it down so you'll be like, "Woah, I get it now!"

Key Terms 🌟

  • Phenotypic Plasticity: The ability of an organism to change its traits according to environmental conditions by modifying gene expression.
  • Gene Expression: The process where the information stored in genes is turned into functional products like proteins.
  • Traits: Characteristics like skin color, height, and so on.
  • Alleles: Different versions of a gene.

The Basics 📚

What the Heck is Phenotypic Plasticity?
Imagine you're a chameleon, and you can change colors to match your surroundings. That's kinda what phenotypic plasticity is, except instead of changing colors, you're changing other traits!

 

Real-world example 🌞

Think about when you go out in the sun a lot, and your skin gets darker. Why? The genes that control the production of melanin (a pigment that makes skin darker) get more active. When you stop sunbathing, your skin fades back to its original color. Your genes haven't changed; they've just switched "on" or "off" based on the environment. That's phenotypic plasticity in action!

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IB Resources
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme D - Continuity & Change

Unlock Phenotypic Plasticity Secrets!

Word Count Emoji
497 words
Reading Time Emoji
3 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

Hey future biologists, get ready to dig deep into a fascinating topic called Phenotypic Plasticity. It sounds complicated, but worry not! We're going to break it down so you'll be like, "Woah, I get it now!"

Key Terms 🌟

  • Phenotypic Plasticity: The ability of an organism to change its traits according to environmental conditions by modifying gene expression.
  • Gene Expression: The process where the information stored in genes is turned into functional products like proteins.
  • Traits: Characteristics like skin color, height, and so on.
  • Alleles: Different versions of a gene.

The Basics 📚

What the Heck is Phenotypic Plasticity?
Imagine you're a chameleon, and you can change colors to match your surroundings. That's kinda what phenotypic plasticity is, except instead of changing colors, you're changing other traits!

 

Real-world example 🌞

Think about when you go out in the sun a lot, and your skin gets darker. Why? The genes that control the production of melanin (a pigment that makes skin darker) get more active. When you stop sunbathing, your skin fades back to its original color. Your genes haven't changed; they've just switched "on" or "off" based on the environment. That's phenotypic plasticity in action!

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟