Download QUESTIONS AND ANSWER TO PROBLEM SETS

CHAPTER 1
Concept check questions (in figure legends)
FIGURE 1.1
Concept check: How might a better understanding of our genes be used in the field of
medicine?
Answer: Understanding our genes may help to diagnose inherited diseases. It may also
lead to the development of drugs to combat diseases. Other answers are possible.
FIGURE 1.2
Concept check: What ethical issues may be associated with human cloning?
Answer: There are many ethical issues associated with human cloning. Is it the wrong
thing to do? Does it conflict an individual’s religious views? And so on.
FIGURE 1.3
Concept check: Why is it useful to sort male and female mosquitos?
Answer: By sorting the mosquitos, sterile males can be released into the environment to
limit mosquito reproduction, because females mate only once.
FIGURE 1.4
Concept check: Is DNA a small molecule, a macromolecule, or an organelle?
Answer: DNA is a macromolecule.
FIGURE 1.5
Concept check: Which types of macromolecules are found in chromosomes?
Answer: DNA and proteins are found in chromosomes. A small amount of RNA may
also be associated with chromosomes when transcription is occurring.
FIGURE 1.6
Concept check: Where is the information to a make a polypeptide stored?
Answer: The information to make a polypeptide is stored in DNA.
FIGURE 1.7
Concept check: Which butterfly has a more active pigment-producing enzyme, the lightor dark-colored one?
Answer: The dark-colored butterfly has a more active pigment-producing enzyme.
FIGURE 1.8
Concept check: Why do these two frogs look so different?
Answer: Genetic variation is the reason these frogs look different.
FIGURE 1.9
Concept check: Are these examples of gene mutations, variation in chromosome
structure, or variation in chromosome number?
Answer: These are examples of variation in chromosome number.
FIGURE 1.10
Concept check: What was different about the environment of the young girl in the center
versus her sister and brother? How did this affect her traits?
Answer: The girl in the center was given a phenylalanine-free diet, which prevented the
harmful symptoms of PKU.
FIGURE 1.11
Concept check: The leaf cells of a corn plant contain 20 chromosomes each. How many
chromosomes would be found in a gamete made by a corn plant?
Answer: A corn gamete would contain 10 chromosomes. (The leaf cells are diploid.)
FIGURE 1.12
Concept check: According to the theory of evolution, why have these changes occurred in
horse populations over the course of many generations?
Answer: The horse populations have become adapted to their environment, which has
changed over the course of many years.
FIGURE 1.13
Concept check: Can you think of another example of a model organism?
Answer: There are several possible examples of other model organisms, including rats
and frogs.