Download Biology - Genetics OEQs

Science Open-Ended Questions
Subject
Biology
Unit Name
Genetics
Genes exert their influence on organisms by being turned on and off in precise ways and at precise
times. Disease can result when problems arise during this process of “gene regulation.” The first
processes of gene regulation to be discovered involved molecular ‘switches’ that regulate transcription
at gene promoters. In the last 20 years, genomic research has uncovered many new types of gene
regulation that earlier researchers would have never imagined. Genes can be regulated by repressors,
activators, enhancers, epigenetic changes to chromatin, RNA interference, the environment, and other
processes.
 Choose one of the gene regulation processes listed above and, using references to support your
argument, explain why/how that regulatory process is critically important to ONE of the
following:
 early development
 normal cell function
 causation of disease or cell malfunction
Scientists can now determine the complete DNA sequences of organisms, including humans.
 Now that this milestone has been reached, is there a reason to continue learning about Mendel,
alleles, and inheritance patterns? Explain your answer.
 If you were a genetics researcher, what would you like to study and why?
In 2010, a major discovery in genetics research found that the DNA of some modern humans contains
small amounts of Neanderthal DNA.
 Briefly explain the relevance of this finding to human ancestry and evolution.
 Do you think that we have any traits of other lines of human ancestry? Explain.
Stem cell research has been in the press frequently in the last several years.
 Discuss the practical implications that genetics research is playing in our lives today.
 Discuss where is might lead us in the next 10 years.
Some traits come in two varieties (for example, Mendel’s round and wrinkled peas with the green and
yellow colors).
 Do all traits for all species come in only two varieties? Justify your answer by explaining the
relationship between genes and traits.
 Discuss your own personal traits and give examples of those that are inherited and those that
are learned.
In humans, sex linked recessive disorders such as color blindness occur more frequently in males than
females.
 Create a Punnett Square which shows the cross between a female carrier for color blindness and
a normal male.
 Referring to the Punnett Square created; explain how it is less likely that females suffer from sex
linked recessive disorders.
Changes in DNA are called mutations.
 Describe the importance of repair enzymes in the replication of DNA
 Why do you think it will be unlikely for a particular mutation to have a noticeable affect on a
population?