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Biology Core Concepts: Genetics
Mutation and sexual reproduction lead to genetic variation in a population. A multi-cellular organism develops
from a single zygote, and its phenotype depends on its genotype, which is established at fertilization. Genes are
a set of instructions encoded in the DNA sequence of each organism that specify the sequence of amino acids in
proteins characteristic of that organism. The genetic composition of cells can be altered by incorporation of
exogenous DNA into the cells.
Meiosis is an early step in sexual reproduction in which the pairs of chromosomes separate and segregate
randomly during cell division to produce gametes containing one chromosome of each type. Random
chromosome segregation explains the probability that a particular allele will be in a gamete.
1.
Draw and label the steps of meiosis. Be sure to show alleles on chromosomes and how they randomly
segregate.
2. How do diploid and haploid cells differ?
3. Explain crossing over in terms of its process and its value.
Only certain cells in a multi-cellular organism undergo meiosis.
4. Identify cells in the human body that are haploid. How many chromosomes are present?
5. Identify cells in the body that are diploid. How many chromosomes are present?
New combinations of alleles may be generated in a zygote through the fusion of male and female gametes
(fertilization). Approximately half of an individual's DNA sequence comes from each parent. X and Y
chromosomes determine an individual’s gender.
6. What can be discovered about an embryo based on information found in a karyotype?
7. How many chromosomes do humans have? Of those, how many are autosomes?
Mendel's laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment are vital to understanding inheritance and
genetic diversity.
8. Describe Mendel’s contribution to biology.
9. Explain Mendel’s laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment.
The probable outcome of phenotypes in a genetic cross can be determined from the genotypes of the
parents and mode of inheritance (autosomal or X-linked, dominant or recessive).
10. Describe an organism’s genotype and phenotype. Give an example of each.
11. Describe dominant and recessive traits.
12. Describe autosomal and sex linked traits.
The possible combinations of alleles in a zygote can be predicted from the genetic makeup of the parents.
13. Explain what Punnett squares are used for.
14. Draw a Punnett square for an autosomal trait. Give the predicted genotypic and phenotypic ratios of
the offspring.
15. Draw a Punnett square with a sex-linked trait. Give the predicted phenotypic ratio of the offspring.
The structures and functions of DNA, RNA, and protein are distinct and fundamental to Biology.
16. Draw and label a DNA molecule with nine base pairs, the transcribed mRNA molecule, and the
resulting protein molecule.
17. Describe the three main types of RNA. Where is each found in the cell? Draw a picture of each.
Base-pairing rules explain precise copying of DNA during semi-conservative replication and transcription of
information from DNA into mRNA. Ribosomes synthesize proteins, using tRNAs to translate genetic
information in mRNA.
18. Describe DNA replication.
19. Describe transcription and translation (include the terms nucleus, cytoplasm, DNA, mRNA, rRNA,
tRNA, ribosome, codon, anticodon, and amino acids).
The genetic coding rules predict the sequence of amino acids from a sequence of codons in RNA. Proteins
can differ from one another in the number and sequence of amino acids.
20. Explain what the mRNA codon table is and describe its relationship with amino acids and proteins.
21. How are individual proteins alike and different (e.g., hemoglobin vs. insulin)?
Mutations in the DNA sequence of a gene may or may not affect the expression of the gene or the
sequence of amino acids in an encoded protein.
22. How do DNA sequence mutations (a.k.a. gene mutations) differ from chromosomal mutations?
23. Write a sample DNA sequence for a 12 nucleotide gene (you make it up!) and show a (a) point
mutation and (b) frameshift mutation for that gene. You will have three sequences: normal, point
and frameshift.
Genetic engineering (biotechnology) is used to produce novel biomedical and agricultural products.
24. What is bacterial transformation? Include the terms: plasmid, antibiotic resistance gene, and plate.
25. What is a transgenic organism?
26. How is biotechnology used to produce medical and agricultural products.
examples!
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