Genetics

Question 1

Genome

Answer 1

the complete set of genes of a particular individual

Question 2

Gene

Answer 2

a segment of DNA in a chromosome that contains the code for a particular characteristic

Question 3

Gene locus

Answer 3

the exact position (location) of a gene on a chromosome

Question 4

homologous pair of chromosomes

Answer 4

a set of one maternal and one paternal chromosome that pair up with each other inside a cell during meiosis – homologous chromosomes are the same size and shape, and carry the same genes

Question 5

Allele

Answer 5

different forms of a gene which occur at the same locus on homologous chromosomes

Question 6

Mendel’s Law of Dominance

Answer 6

Mendel’s Law of Dominance
When two homozygous organisms with contrasting characteristics are crossed, all the individuals of the F1 generation will display the dominant trait.

An individual that is heterozygous for a particular characteristic will have the dominant trait as the phenotype.

Question 7

Genotype

Answer 7

the genetic composition of an individual

Question 8

Dominant allele

Answer 8

An organism possesses two ‘factors’ (alleles) which separate or segregate so that each gamete contains only one of these ‘factors’ (alleles).

Half the gametes carry one allele, and the other half carry the other allele.

Question 9

Mendel’s Principle of Independent Assortment

Answer 9

The various ‘factors’ controlling the different characteristics are separate entities, not influencing each other in any way, and sorting themselves out independently during gamete formation.

In other words, the allele a gamete receives for one gene does not influence the allele received for another gene.

Question 10

Mutation

Answer 10

A mutation is any permanent change to the DNA of a cell. Mutations can be harmless, harmful or useful.