1.
How many unique gametes could be produced through independent assortment by an individual with the genotype AaBbCCDdEE
Correct Answer
B. 8
Explanation
In this question, the genotype of the individual is given as AaBbCCDdEE. Each letter represents a different gene, and since there are 5 different genes, there are 5 different possibilities for each gene (A or a, B or b, C or C, D or d, E or E). Through independent assortment, these genes can segregate and recombine in different ways, resulting in different combinations of alleles in the gametes. Since there are 5 genes, and each gene can have 2 different alleles, the total number of possible combinations is 2^5, which equals 32. However, since the question asks for the number of unique gametes, we need to divide this number by 4, as each individual can only produce 4 different gametes (one from each gene), resulting in 32/4 = 8 unique gametes.
2.
When crossing an organism that is homozygous recessive for a single trait with a heterozygote, what is the chance of producing an offspring with the homozygous recessive phenotype?
Correct Answer
B. 50%
Explanation
When crossing an organism that is homozygous recessive for a single trait with a heterozygote, there is a 50% chance of producing an offspring with the homozygous recessive phenotype. This is because the heterozygote has one dominant allele and one recessive allele, and when crossed with the homozygous recessive organism, there is a 50% chance that the offspring will inherit the recessive allele from the heterozygote and therefore display the homozygous recessive phenotype.
3.
Mendel's second law of independent assortment has its basis in which of the following events of meiosis I?
Correct Answer
A. Alignment of tetrads at the equator
Explanation
Mendel's second law of independent assortment states that during meiosis, the alignment of tetrads at the equator is the basis for the independent assortment of alleles. This means that during meiosis I, the homologous chromosomes line up randomly at the equator, resulting in the random distribution of maternal and paternal chromosomes into different daughter cells. This process allows for the independent assortment of different traits, as the inheritance of one trait does not affect the inheritance of another. Therefore, the correct answer is alignment of tetrads at the equator.
4.
Given the parents AABBCc × AabbCc, assume simple dominance for each trait and independent assortment. What proportion of the progeny will be expected to phenotypically resemble the first parent?
Correct Answer
A. 3/4
Explanation
When we cross the parents AABBCc and AabbCc, we can determine the proportion of progeny that will phenotypically resemble the first parent by looking at the dominant traits. In this case, the dominant traits are represented by the capital letters. The first parent has two dominant traits (AA and BB), while the second parent has one dominant trait (Aa).
Since simple dominance is assumed, any progeny that inherits at least one dominant trait from the first parent will phenotypically resemble the first parent. The only way a progeny will not resemble the first parent is if it inherits the recessive trait from both parents (aa and cc).
The possible combinations of dominant traits in the progeny are AaBbCc, AaBbCc, AABbCc, and AABBCc. Out of these four combinations, three have at least one dominant trait from the first parent. Therefore, the proportion of progeny that will be expected to phenotypically resemble the first parent is 3/4.
5.
Which of the following describes the ability of a single gene to have multiple phenotypic effects?
Correct Answer
B. Pleiotropy
Explanation
Pleiotropy refers to the phenomenon where a single gene can influence multiple traits or phenotypes. This means that a single gene can have effects on various aspects of an organism's phenotype, such as its appearance, behavior, and physiology. This is different from other options like incomplete dominance, multiple alleles, or epistasis, which all describe different genetic mechanisms but do not specifically address the ability of a single gene to have multiple phenotypic effects.
6.
One of two major forms of a human condition called neurofibromatosis (NF 1) is inherited as a dominant gene, although it may range from mildly to very severely expressed. If a young child is the first in her family to be diagnosed, which of the following is the best explanation?
Correct Answer
D. One of the parents has very mild expression of the gene
Explanation
The best explanation for a young child being the first in her family to be diagnosed with neurofibromatosis (NF 1) is that one of the parents has a very mild expression of the gene. This means that the parent carries the gene but does not show severe symptoms of the condition. As a result, the child may inherit the gene and exhibit more severe symptoms than the parent. This explanation accounts for the range of expression of the condition, from mild to very severe.
7.
Marfan syndrome in humans is caused by an abnormality of the connective tissue protein fibrillin. Patients are usually very tall and thin, with long spindly fingers, curvature of the spine, sometimes weakened arterial walls, and sometimes ocular problems, such as lens dislocation. Which of the following would you conclude about Marfan syndrome from this information?
Correct Answer
D. It is pleiotropic
Explanation
Marfan syndrome is pleiotropic because it affects multiple systems and organs in the body, leading to various symptoms such as tall stature, thin body build, skeletal abnormalities, cardiovascular issues, and ocular problems. This indicates that the abnormality in the connective tissue protein fibrillin has widespread effects throughout the body, causing a range of different symptoms.
8.
What do we mean when we use the terms monohybrid cross and dihybrid cross?
Correct Answer
D. A dihybrid cross involves organisms that are heterozygous for two characters and a monohybrid cross involves only one
Explanation
A dihybrid cross involves organisms that are heterozygous for two characters, meaning they have two different alleles for two different traits. In contrast, a monohybrid cross involves organisms that are only heterozygous for one character, meaning they have two different alleles for one trait. This difference in the number of characters being considered is what distinguishes a dihybrid cross from a monohybrid cross.
9.
Why did the F1 offspring of Mendel's classic pea cross always look like one of the two parental varieties?
Correct Answer
C. One pHenotype was completely dominant over another.
Explanation
The F1 offspring of Mendel's classic pea cross always looked like one of the two parental varieties because one phenotype was completely dominant over another. This means that one allele, or version of a gene, was expressed and determined the physical appearance of the offspring, while the other allele was not expressed. This is known as Mendel's principle of dominance, where the dominant allele masks the expression of the recessive allele.
10.
Why did Mendel continue some of his experiments to the F2 or F3 generation?
Correct Answer
A. To observe whether or not a recessive trait would reappear
Explanation
Mendel continued some of his experiments to the F2 or F3 generation to observe whether or not a recessive trait would reappear. This is because in the F1 generation, only the dominant trait is expressed, and the recessive trait is masked. By observing the F2 or F3 generation, Mendel could determine if the recessive trait would reappear, indicating that it was still present in the genetic makeup of the plants. This helped him understand the principles of inheritance and the concept of dominant and recessive traits.
11.
A sexually reproducing animal has two unlinked genes, one for head shape (H) and one for tail length (T). Its genotype is HhTt. Which of the following genotypes is possible in a gamete from this organism?
Correct Answer
D. HT
Explanation
The genotype of the organism is HhTt, which means it has one dominant allele for head shape (H) and one recessive allele for tail length (T). During gamete formation, the alleles segregate independently, so each gamete can receive either the dominant or recessive allele for each gene. Therefore, the genotype HT is possible in a gamete from this organism.
12.
Mendel was able to draw his ideas of segregation and independent assortment because of the influence of which of the following?
Correct Answer
A. His reading of the scientific literature current in the field
Explanation
Mendel was able to draw his ideas of segregation and independent assortment because of his reading of the scientific literature current in the field. This suggests that he was able to gather information and knowledge from the existing research and studies conducted by other scientists. By staying informed about the current advancements and theories in the field, Mendel was able to develop his own ideas and make significant contributions to the understanding of genetics.
13.
Mendel's observation of the segregation of alleles in gamete formation has its basis in which of the following phases of cell division?
Correct Answer
C. AnapHase I of meiosis
Explanation
Mendel's observation of the segregation of alleles in gamete formation is based on anaphase I of meiosis. During anaphase I, homologous chromosomes separate and move towards opposite poles of the cell. This segregation allows for the independent assortment of alleles, as each gamete receives only one copy of each chromosome. This process is essential for the creation of genetic variation and the inheritance of traits according to Mendelian genetics.
14.
Which of the following is an example of polygenic inheritance?
Correct Answer
D. Skin pigmentation in humans
Explanation
Skin pigmentation in humans is an example of polygenic inheritance because it is controlled by multiple genes. The variation in skin color is determined by the combined effects of several genes, each contributing a small amount to the overall phenotype. This results in a wide range of skin tones observed in human populations.
15.
Two plants are crossed, resulting in offspring with a 3:1 ratio for a particular trait. What does this suggest?
Correct Answer
A. That the parents were both heterozygous for a single trait
Explanation
The 3:1 ratio suggests that the parents were both heterozygous for a single trait. This is because a 3:1 ratio is characteristic of a monohybrid cross between two individuals heterozygous for a single trait. In this case, the offspring would inherit one dominant allele and one recessive allele from each parent, resulting in a 3:1 ratio of dominant to recessive phenotypes in the offspring.