Chapter 1

Question 1

genome

Answer 1

Complete set of genetic instructions for an organism.

Question 2

transmission genetics

Answer 2

Field of genetics that encompasses the basic principles of genetics and how traits are inherited.

Question 3

molecular genetics

Answer 3

Study of the chemical nature of genetic information and how it is encoded, replicated, and expressed.

Question 4

population genetics

Answer 4

Study of the genetic composition of populations (groups of members of the same species) and how a population’s collective group of genes changes with the passage of time.

Question 5

model genetic organism

Answer 5

An organism that is widely used in genetic studies because it has characteristics, such as short generation time and large numbers of progeny, that make it particularly useful for genetic analysis.

Question 6

pangenesis

Answer 6

Early concept of heredity proposing that particles carry genetic information from different parts of the body to the reproductive organs.

Question 7

inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer 7

Early notion of inheritance proposing that acquired traits are passed to descendants.

Question 8

preformationism

Answer 8

Early concept of inheritance proposing that a miniature adult (homunculus) resides in either the egg or the sperm and increases in size in development, with all traits being inherited from the parent that contributes the homunculus.

Question 9

blending inheritance

Answer 9

Early concept of heredity proposing that offspring possess a mixture of the traits from both parents.

Question 10

cell theory

Answer 10

States that all life is composed of cells, that cells arise only from other cells, and that the cell is the fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms.

Question 11

germ-plasm theory

Answer 11

States that cells in the reproductive organs carry a complete set of genetic information.

Question 12

What is the relation between genetics and evolution?

Answer 12

evolution = genetic change over time;
for evolution to occur, genetic variation must happen first, then over time the proportions of genetics variation changes.

*genetic variation is the basis for evolutionary change

Question 13

For the following genetic topic, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.

a. Analysis of pedigrees to determine the probability of someone inheriting a trait

Answer 13

transmission genetics

Question 14

For the following genetic topic, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.

b. Study of people on a small island to determine why a genetic form of asthma is prevalent on the island

Answer 14

population genetics

Question 15

For the following genetic topic, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.

c. Effect of nonrandom mating on the distribution of genotypes among a group of animals

Answer 15

population genetics

Question 16

For the following genetic topic, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.

d. Examination of the nucleotide sequences found at the ends of chromosomes

Answer 16

molecular genetics

Question 17

For the following genetic topic, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.

e. Mechanisms that ensure a high degree of accuracy in DNA replication

Answer 17

molecular genetics

Question 18

For the following genetic topic, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.

f. Study of how the inheritance of traits encoded by genes on sex chromosomes (sex-linked traits) differs from the inheritance of traits encoded by genes on non-sex chromosomes (autosomal traits)

Answer 18

transmission genetics

Question 19

Compare and contrast the following terms:

eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells

Answer 19

BOTH:

• have lipid bilayer membranes
• have DNA genomes
• have machinery for DNA replication/transcription/translation
• have energy metabolism
• have response to stimuli
• have growth/reproduction

DIFFERENT:
-eukaryotic cells have a nucleus containing chromosomal DNA and possess internal membrane-bound organelles

Question 20

Compare and contrast the following terms:

gene and allele

Answer 20

gene- basic unit of hereditary information, usually encoding a functional RNA or polypeptide

allele- variant forms of a gene, arising through mutation

Question 21

Compare and contrast the following terms:

genotype and phenotype

Answer 21

genotype- set of genes or alleles inherited by an organism from its parents

phenotype- the expression of genes of a particular genotype (observable traits)

Question 22

Compare and contrast the following terms:

DNA and RNA

Answer 22

BOTH: nucleic acid polymers

RNA:

• contains ribose sugar
• uracil, adenine, guanine, cytosine
• single stranded

DNA:

• contains deoxyribose sugar
• thymine, adenine, guanine, cytosine
• double stranded

Question 23

Compare and contrast the following terms:

DNA and chromosome

Answer 23

chromosomes- structures consisting of DNA and associated proteins

DNA- contains genetic information

Question 24

Suppose that life exists elsewhere in the universe. All life must contain some type of genetic information, but alien genomes might not consist of nucleic acids and have the same features as those found in the genomes of life on Earth.

What might be the common features of all genomes, no matter where they exist?

Answer 24

• all genomes must have the ability to store complex information ad to vary
• blueprint for entire organism must be contained within the genome of each reproductive cell
• genetic material of any organism must be stable, be replicated precisely, and must be capable of mutating