Unraveling Genetic Codes - Patterns Of Heredity Quiz

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Stephen Reinbold, PhD (Biological Sciences) |
Biology Instructor
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Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.
 , PhD (Biological Sciences)
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Christopher Mack
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  • 1/27 Questions

    ___ studied traits of pea plants and discovered the two fundamental laws of genetics.

    • Mendel
    • Watson and Crick
    • Mack
    • Einstein
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Unraveling Genetic Codes - Patterns Of Heredity Quiz - Quiz
About This Quiz

Embark on a genetic exploration with the 'Unraveling Genetic Codes - Patterns of Heredity Quiz.' This interactive quiz unravels the complexities of heredity patterns, challenging your understanding of genetic codes and inheritance. Dive into the world of dominant and recessive traits, genetic variations, and Mendelian principles.

Whether you're a student delving into biology or a curious mind seeking genetic insights, this quiz offers a comprehensive journey through the fascinating world of heredity patterns. Test your genetic knowledge, unlock the secrets of inheritance, and enhance your understanding of how traits are passed from one generation to the next.

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  • 2. 

    Recessive alleles may not be expressed because they are

    • Masked by the dominant allele.

    • The least common allele in a population.

    • The most common allele in a population.

    • Harmful to the organism.

    Correct Answer
    A. Masked by the dominant allele.
    Explanation
    Recessive alleles may not be expressed because they are masked by the dominant allele. This means that when an individual has one dominant allele and one recessive allele for a particular trait, only the dominant allele will be visible or expressed in the phenotype, while the recessive allele remains hidden or masked. This is due to the fact that the dominant allele has a stronger influence on the trait expression than the recessive allele.

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  • 3. 

    ___ is a pattern of inheritance in which the gene for a trait is located on the X-chromosome, thereby creating disorders that are much more common in males than females.

    • Incomplete dominance

    • Co-dominance

    • Multiple allele

    • Sex-linked

    Correct Answer
    A. Sex-linked
    Explanation
    Sex-linked inheritance is a pattern of inheritance in which the gene for a trait is located on the X-chromosome. This means that the trait is more commonly seen in males because they only have one X-chromosome, while females have two. If a male inherits the gene for a sex-linked disorder, he will express the disorder because he does not have a second X-chromosome to mask the effects. Females, on the other hand, would need to inherit the gene from both parents to express the disorder. Therefore, sex-linked disorders are much more common in males than females.

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  • 4. 

    The term for a cross that involves just one trait, such as flower color, is ___.

    • A homozygous cross

    • A test cross

    • A monohybrid cross

    • A dihybrid cross

    Correct Answer
    A. A monohybrid cross
    Explanation
    A monohybrid cross refers to a cross that involves only one trait, such as flower color. In this type of cross, individuals with different alleles for the same gene are crossed to determine the inheritance pattern of that specific trait. It helps in understanding how traits are passed down from one generation to the next and allows the study of genetic variations within a population.

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  • 5. 

    When an organism has two alleles at a particular locus that are different, the organism is called

    • Purebred

    • Dominant

    • Heterozygous

    • Recessive

    Correct Answer
    A. Heterozygous
    Explanation
    When an organism has two alleles at a particular locus that are different, the organism is called heterozygous. Heterozygous means that the organism has two different alleles for a specific trait. In this case, the organism has two different alleles at a particular locus, indicating that it carries both the dominant and recessive alleles. This is different from being purebred, which means having two identical alleles, and from being dominant or recessive, which refers to the expression of a particular allele in the phenotype.

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  • 6. 

    A child is born with attached earlobes, which is a recessive phenotype. Which of the following genotypes could the parents have?

    • RR and RR

    • Rr and RR

    • Rr and rr

    • RR and rr

    Correct Answer
    A. Rr and rr
    Explanation
    The child having attached earlobes indicates that the trait is recessive. This means that both parents must have at least one copy of the recessive allele in order for the child to inherit it. The genotype Rr and rr fits this requirement, as the parent with genotype Rr would have one dominant and one recessive allele, while the parent with genotype rr would have two recessive alleles. This combination allows for the possibility of the child inheriting two recessive alleles and expressing the recessive phenotype of attached earlobes.

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  • 7. 

    Genes that are located on the sex chromosomes are called ___.

    • Sex-linked

    • Alleles

    • Recessive

    • XY

    Correct Answer
    A. Sex-linked
    Explanation
    Genes that are located on the sex chromosomes are called sex-linked. This term refers to genes that are present on either the X or Y chromosome and are therefore inherited differently in males and females. In males, who have one X and one Y chromosome, a single copy of a sex-linked gene can have a noticeable effect because there is no second copy to compensate for any abnormalities. In females, who have two X chromosomes, both copies would need to be affected for the gene to have a similar effect. This term is used to describe the inheritance pattern of certain genetic disorders and traits that are more common in one sex than the other.

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  • 8. 

    ___ is a pattern of inheritance in which more than two alleles are possible, thereby creating a several possible genotypes and phenotypes.

    • Incomplete dominance

    • Co-dominance

    • Multiple allele

    • Sex-linked

    Correct Answer
    A. Multiple allele
    Explanation
    Multiple allele inheritance refers to a pattern where more than two alleles exist for a particular gene. This means that there are several possible genotypes and phenotypes for that trait. Each individual can only have two alleles, but there are more than two options available in the population. This type of inheritance can result in a wide range of variations in the phenotype, as different combinations of alleles can lead to different expressions of the trait.

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  • 9. 

    A type of organism whose ancestors are genetically uniform is called a ___.

    • Purebred

    • Hybrid

    • Mutant

    • Dominant

    Correct Answer
    A. Purebred
    Explanation
    A purebred refers to a type of organism whose ancestors are genetically uniform. This means that the organism has been selectively bred over generations to maintain specific desired traits. Purebred organisms are often used in scientific research, agriculture, and breeding programs to ensure consistent characteristics. They are distinct from hybrids, which result from the crossbreeding of different species or varieties, mutants, which have undergone genetic changes, and dominants, which are organisms that express a trait in the presence of another allele.

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  • 10. 

    The generation of offspring derived from the parental generation is called the ___.

    • F1 generation

    • P generation

    • F2 generation

    • Generation X

    Correct Answer
    A. F1 generation
    Explanation
    The F1 generation refers to the first generation of offspring that are produced from the parental generation. This generation is the result of the crossing or mating of two parental individuals. The F1 generation carries a combination of genetic traits from both parents, exhibiting a blend of characteristics from each. It is an important generation in genetic studies as it helps to understand the inheritance patterns and genetic traits passed on to subsequent generations.

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  • 11. 

    ___ is a pattern of inheritance in which two alleles are equally dominant, thereby creating a blotchy phenotype.

    • Incomplete dominance

    • Co-dominance

    • Multiple allele

    • Sex-linked

    Correct Answer
    A. Co-dominance
    Explanation
    Co-dominance is the correct answer because it is a pattern of inheritance where two alleles are equally dominant, resulting in the expression of both traits in a heterozygous individual. This leads to a blotchy phenotype where both traits are visible simultaneously. In co-dominance, there is no blending or intermediate phenotype, but rather the expression of both alleles in a distinct and equal manner. The most common example of codominance is in blood types where A and B are considered codominant. Each RBC has antigens for both A and B. 

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  • 12. 

    Hair color and eye color are examples of a person's

    • Recessive traits.

    • Dominant alleles.

    • Genotype.

    • Phenotype.

    Correct Answer
    A. Phenotype.
    Explanation
    Hair color and eye color are examples of a person's phenotype. Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics of an individual, including physical traits such as hair and eye color. It is determined by the interaction between an individual's genotype (genetic makeup) and the environment. In the case of hair and eye color, specific genes and alleles contribute to the expression of these traits, resulting in the observable phenotype.

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  • 13. 

    A chart or "family tree" that tracks which members of a family have a particular trait is called a ___.

    • Pedigree

    • Punnett square

    • Genetic linkage

    • DNA sequence

    Correct Answer
    A. Pedigree
    Explanation
    A chart or "family tree" that tracks which members of a family have a particular trait is called a pedigree. This is a common tool used in genetics to study inheritance patterns and trace the occurrence of genetic traits within a family lineage. It helps to visually represent the presence or absence of a trait across multiple generations, allowing researchers to analyze patterns of inheritance and determine the likelihood of passing on specific traits to future generations.

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  • 14. 

    A cross between organisms where two pairs of contrasting traits are studied and offspring probabilities are predicted is called a ___.

    • Monohybrid cross

    • Dihybrid cross

    • Test cross

    • Blue cross

    Correct Answer
    A. Dihybrid cross
    Explanation
    A dihybrid cross is a cross between organisms that involves the study of two pairs of contrasting traits. In this type of cross, the probabilities of different combinations of traits in the offspring are predicted. It is called a dihybrid cross because it involves the inheritance of two different traits simultaneously. This type of cross is commonly used to study the principles of inheritance and genetic variation.

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  • 15. 

    ___ is a pattern of inheritance in which one allele is not completely dominant over the other, thereby creating a blended phenotype.

    • Incomplete dominance

    • Co-dominance

    • Multiple allele

    • Sex-linked

    Correct Answer
    A. Incomplete dominance
    Explanation
    Incomplete dominance is the correct answer because it describes a pattern of inheritance where neither allele is completely dominant over the other. This results in a blended phenotype, where the traits from both alleles are expressed in the offspring. In incomplete dominance, there is an intermediate phenotype that is a combination of the two alleles, rather than one allele dominating over the other.

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  • 16. 

    What do the letters inside the grid of a Punnett square represent?

    • Phenotypes of parents

    • Genotypes of offspring

    • Test-crosses of offspring

    • Chromosomes of parents

    Correct Answer
    A. Genotypes of offspring
    Explanation
    The letters inside the grid of a Punnett square represent the genotypes of the offspring. Genotypes refer to the combination of alleles (different forms of a gene) that an individual inherits from its parents. In a Punnett square, the letters represent the different possible alleles that the parents can contribute to their offspring. By combining the alleles, the Punnett square shows the potential genotypes of the offspring.

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  • 17. 

    Any of the alternative forms of a gene that occurs at a specific place on a chromosome are known as ___.

    • Alleles

    • Genes

    • Chromosomes

    • Recessive traits

    Correct Answer
    A. Alleles
    Explanation
    Alleles are alternative forms of a gene that occur at a specific place on a chromosome. They are responsible for variations in inherited traits. Genes are the units of heredity that carry information for specific traits. Chromosomes are structures that contain genes. Recessive traits are traits that are expressed only when an individual has two copies of the corresponding allele. Therefore, the correct answer is alleles.

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  • 18. 

    A plant that is homozygous for red flowers (rr) is crossed with a plants that is homozygous for white flowers (ww). In the case of incomplete dominance, the flowers of the offspring will be ___.

    • Red and white

    • White only

    • Red only

    • Pink only

    Correct Answer
    A. Pink only
    Explanation
    When a plant that is homozygous for red flowers (rr) is crossed with a plant that is homozygous for white flowers (ww) in the case of incomplete dominance, the offspring will have flowers that are neither fully red nor fully white. Instead, the offspring will have flowers that are a blend of red and white, resulting in pink flowers. Therefore, the correct answer is "pink only".

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  • 19. 

    An allele is dominant in a heterozygote when it is

    • Expressed and the other allele is not.

    • A very common allele in the population.

    • The weaker of the two alleles.

    • More desirable than the other allele.

    Correct Answer
    A. Expressed and the other allele is not.
    Explanation
    In genetics, dominance refers to the relationship between two alleles of a gene. When an allele is dominant in a heterozygote, it means that it is expressed and the other allele is not. This means that the dominant allele's traits or characteristics are visible or observable, while the recessive allele's traits are not expressed in the presence of the dominant allele. Therefore, the correct answer is that the allele is expressed and the other allele is not.

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  • 20. 

    Mendel's second law of genetics, the law of independent assortment, is one explanation of the

    • Random fertilization of gametes.

    • Genetic variation within species.

    • Greater strength of dominant alleles.

    • Final stages of gametogenesis.

    Correct Answer
    A. Genetic variation within species.
    Explanation
    Mendel's second law of genetics, the law of independent assortment, states that during the formation of gametes, the alleles for different traits segregate independently of one another. This means that the inheritance of one trait does not affect the inheritance of another trait. As a result, there is a random mixing of alleles during gamete formation, leading to genetic variation within a species. This variation is essential for evolution and adaptation to changing environments.

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  • 21. 
    Which pair of genes in Figure 6.2 would be most likely to be inherited together? - ProProfs

    Which pair of genes in Figure 6.2 would be most likely to be inherited together?

    • A and B

    • A and C

    • B and C

    • B and D

    Correct Answer
    A. A and B
    Explanation
    In Figure 6.2, the pair of genes A and B would be most likely to be inherited together. This can be inferred because the question asks for the pair that is most likely to be inherited together, and the answer states A and B.

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  • 22. 

    For an XX female to express a recessive sex-linked trait, she must have

    • A Y chromosome.

    • An inactivated allele.

    • Two recessive alleles.

    • Two dominant alleles.

    Correct Answer
    A. Two recessive alleles.
    Explanation
    For an XX female to express a recessive sex-linked trait, she must have two recessive alleles. In sex-linked traits, the genes responsible for the trait are located on the sex chromosomes. Females have two X chromosomes, and for a recessive trait to be expressed, both X chromosomes must carry the recessive allele. If only one X chromosome carries the recessive allele, the dominant allele on the other X chromosome will mask the expression of the recessive trait. Therefore, for an XX female to express a recessive sex-linked trait, she must have two recessive alleles.

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  • 23. 

    What is the main reason that sex-linked disorders are most often observed in males?

    • The X chromosome only has genes for genetic disorders.

    • The Y chromosome cannot have genes that cause genetic disorders.

    • The Y chromosome cannot mask alleles on the X chromosome.

    • The X chromosome has genes only for sex determination.

    Correct Answer
    A. The Y chromosome cannot mask alleles on the X chromosome.
    Explanation
    Sex-linked disorders are most often observed in males because the Y chromosome cannot mask alleles on the X chromosome. In males, there is only one copy of the X chromosome, so if it carries a recessive allele for a genetic disorder, it will be expressed. On the other hand, females have two copies of the X chromosome, so even if one X chromosome carries a recessive allele, the other X chromosome may have a dominant allele that masks the effect of the recessive allele. Therefore, females are less likely to show symptoms of sex-linked disorders compared to males.

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  • 24. 

    The generation of offspring derived from the first filial generation is called the ___.

    • F1 generation

    • P generation

    • F2 generation

    • Generation X

    Correct Answer
    A. F2 generation
    Explanation
    The F2 generation refers to the second filial generation, which is the generation of offspring derived from the breeding of individuals from the F1 generation. In other words, it is the result of crossing two individuals from the F1 generation. This generation allows for the observation of traits that may have been masked or not expressed in the F1 generation, as well as the potential for new combinations of traits to arise through genetic recombination.

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  • 25. 

    If a pea plant were homozygous recessive for height, how would its alleles be represented?

    • Tt

    • TT

    • Tt

    • TT

    Correct Answer
    A. Tt
    Explanation
    If a pea plant were homozygous recessive for height, its alleles would be represented as "tt". This means that both alleles for height in the plant are recessive, resulting in the plant having a short height.

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  • 26. 

    Which law states that organisms inherit two copies of each gene and donate one copy to each of their offspring?

    • Law of genetic linkage

    • Law of segregation

    • Law of independent assortment

    • Law of inheritance

    Correct Answer
    A. Law of segregation
    Explanation
    The law of segregation states that organisms inherit two copies of each gene and donate one copy to each of their offspring. This means that during the formation of gametes, the two copies of a gene separate, with each gamete receiving only one copy. This ensures that offspring receive a combination of genes from both parents, contributing to genetic variation.

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  • 27. 

    Two parents have the genotype Gg for a genetic disorder caused by a dominant allele. What is the chance that any of their children will inherit the disorder?

    • 25%

    • 50%

    • 75%

    • 100%

    Correct Answer
    A. 75%
    Explanation
    Since both parents have the genotype Gg, they each have one dominant allele (G) and one recessive allele (g) for the genetic disorder. The dominant allele will always be expressed, so there is a 75% chance that each parent will pass on the dominant allele to their child, resulting in the child inheriting the disorder. Therefore, the chance that any of their children will inherit the disorder is 75%.

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Stephen Reinbold |PhD (Biological Sciences) |
Biology Instructor
Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.

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