Chapter 20.1 - Genetic Variation

Question 1

Textbook:
What 2 factors contribute to an organism’s phenotype?

Answer 1

1. An individual’s genotype
2. The environment in which the organism lives

Question 2

Textbook:
What is a species?

Answer 2

A species is a group of individuals that are capable of sharing alleles with each other (through reproduction)

Question 3

Textbook:
What is a population?

Answer 3

A population is an interbreeding group of organisms of the same species living in the same geographical area.

Question 4

Textbook:
What is population genetics?

Answer 4

Population genetics is the study of genetic variation in natural populations.

Question 5

Textbook:
What is a gene pool?

Answer 5

A gene pool consists of all the alleles present in all of the individuals in the species.

Question 6

Textbook:
What are the 2 sources of genetic variation?

Answer 6

1. Mutation
2. Recombination

Question 7

Textbook:
What is a mutation?

Answer 7

A mutation is a change in an organism’s DNA sequence. It generates new alleles.

Question 8

Textbook:
What is recombination?

Answer 8

Recombination shuffles mutations to create new alleles.

Question 9

Textbook:
What are somatic mutations?

Answer 9

Somatic mutations are mutations that affect cells that are not germ cells (reproductive cells).
You cannot inherit these mutations.

Question 10

Textbook:
What are germ-line mutations?

Answer 10

Germ-line mutations are mutations that occur in an organism’s germ cells (reproductive cells).
You can inherit these mutations.

Question 11

Textbook:
What is a neutral mutation?

Answer 11

A neutral mutation is a mutation that does not have a harmful or beneficial effect on the ability of the organism’s ability to survive and/or reproduce.

Question 12

Textbook:
What is a deleterious mutation?

Answer 12

A deleterious mutation is a mutation that has a harmful effect on the organism.

Question 13

Textbook:
What is an advantageous mutation?

Answer 13

An advantageous mutation is a mutation that has a beneficial effect on the organism.
These mutations often result in a species that is better adapted to its environment.

Question 14

Textbook:
Why are germ-line mutations more important in evolution than somatic ones?

Answer 14

Germ-line mutations are more important in evolution because they are passed on to the next generation.
Evolution is a change in the genetic makeup from generation to generation.

Question 15

Textbook:
Why is recombination critical to generating genetic variation?

Answer 15

Recombination shuffles mutations into new permutations.

Question 16

Lecture:
Why are acquired characteristics not passed on to offspring?

Answer 16

Acquired traits are not coded into the DNA of an individual