4.1 - 4.2 (Heredity/Asexual Reproduction) + Sexual Reproduction

Question 1

What is genetics?

Answer 1

Scientific study of heredity & variation (of inherited characteristics)

Question 2

Define heredity.

Answer 2

Passing of traits (chromosomes) from parents to offspring

Question 3

What is a gene?

Answer 3

Pieces/portions of DNA that ‘codes for a particular trait’

Question 4

What is a locus?

Answer 4

Specific locations for genes

Question 5

What is chromatin?

Answer 5

Tangled strands of DNA & proteins within a eukaryotic nucleus

Question 6

Define chromosome.

Answer 6

Thread-like structures in the nucleus

Question 7

What is an unduplicated chromosome?

Answer 7

Made up of a single DNA molecule & its associated proteins

Question 8

What is a duplicated chromosome?

Answer 8

2 sister chromatids, which are the identical copy of a single chromosome

Question 9

What is mitosis?

Answer 9

Eukaryotic cells’ nucleus is divided equally into 2 new nuclei

Question 10

What is cytokinesis?

Answer 10

A eukaryotic cell divides its cytoplasm into 2 new daughter cells

Question 11

Define sexual reproduction.

Answer 11

Production of offspring through fusion of 2 sex cells; genetically variable

Question 12

What are the advantages of sexual reproduction?

Answer 12

• Variable offspring can be better adapted to new environments
• Some will survive
  *Genetic diversity

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of sexual reproduction?

Answer 13

• Must have specialized organs to produce sex cells
• Requires lots of energy
• Biologically costly
• Animals - vulnerable to predators, Plants - producing flowers requires the production of nectar for pollinators

Question 14

What is asexual reproduction?

Answer 14

Production of offspring from a single parent through mitosis & cell division

Question 15

What are the advantages of asexual reproduction?

Answer 15

• Direct & invariable heredity
• No need for mate, special organs, or mating behaviors

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of asexual reproduction?

Answer 16

• Invariable offspring may not adapt to environmental changes
• May become extinct

Question 17

Give examples of asexual reproduction in plants.

Answer 17

• Plants - roots/shoots that develop into new plants (e.g., strawberries, dandelions)
• Budding - New individual develops from outgrowth of body of organism (e.g., hydra, yeast)
• Fragmentation - Parts of fungi break off and grow independently (e.g., mushrooms, starfish)

Question 18

What are the advantages of cloning (asexual reproduction)?

Answer 18

• Mass production of prized animals/plants
• GMOs for insulin production
• Saving endangered species

Question 19

What are the disadvantages of cloning (asexual reproduction)?

Answer 19

• Unethical
• High cost
• Invariable offspring cannot adapt to changing environments