Genetics

Question 1

Allele

Answer 1

One of two or more different versions of the same gene

Question 2

Cloning

Answer 2

The process of isolating and making copies of a gene

Question 3

Codominance

Answer 3

Both alleles are expressed equally in the phenotype of the heterozygote

Question 4

Dominant

Answer 4

Allele that masks the presence of another allele for the same gene

Question 5

Gametes

Answer 5

Reproductive cell produced during meiosis that has the haploid number of chromosomes

Question 6

Genetic engineering

Answer 6

Using biotechnology to change the genetic makeup of an organism

Question 7

Genetics

Answer 7

The science of heredity

Question 8

Genotype

Answer 8

Alleles an individual inherits (Red flower - RR, Rr, or rr)

Question 9

Heredity

Answer 9

How parents pass characteristics to their offspring

Question 10

Heterozygote

Answer 10

Organism that inherits two different alleles for a given gene

Question 11

Homozygote

Answer 11

Organism that inherits two alleles of the same type for a given gene

Question 12

Hybrid

Answer 12

Offspring that results from a cross between two different types of parents

Question 13

Inbreeding

Answer 13

Breeding from closely related people or animals

Question 14

Incomplete dominance

Answer 14

Occurs when the dominant allele is not completely dominant (Red flower + white flower = pink flower)

Question 15

Mutation

Answer 15

Change in the sequence of bases in the DNA or the RNA

Question 16

Pedigree

Answer 16

A chart showing how a trait is passed from generation to generation within a family

Question 17

Phenotype

Answer 17

Characteristics of an organism that depend on how the organism’s genotype is expressed (Red flower rather than Rr)

Question 18

Punnet square

Answer 18

A chart used to predict the outcome of a particular cross breeding experiment

Question 19

Recessive

Answer 19

Allele that is masked by the presence of another allele

Question 20

Selective breeding

Answer 20

The intentional mating of two organisms in attempt to produce an offspring with desirable characteristics or the elimination of a trait all together

Question 21

Sex-linked trait

Answer 21

Traits controlled by a gene located in the sex chromosome

Question 22

Transgenic organism

Answer 22

An organism the obtains genetic material that has been genetically modified or engineered

Question 23

3 reasons genetic engineering could be helpful? 3 reasons genetic engineering could be harmful?

Answer 23

Helpful:

• Save endangered species
• Make copies of useful genes
• Create expierental groups for studying (advances in the medical field)

Harmful:

• Possibly unsafe / unhealthy to consume genetically modified foods
• Genetically engineered crop may not be safe for the environment: may harm other organisms and ecosystems
• Legal issue: Who would own genetically modified organisms like bacteria? Issue of patenting

Question 24

What are codominance and incomplete dominance? How are they different from each other?

Answer 24

• Codominance: Both alleles expressed equally in the phenotype
• Incomplete dominance: One allele is only partly dominant and the other also appears
• Both alleles appear in codominance, and a mix of the two appear in incomplete dominance
• Example: A flower programmed to be red or white:
  
  • Codominance: The flower has both red and white petals because of the codominance in the red-petal and white-petal alleles)
  • Incomplete dominance: The flower had pink petals because of the incomplete dominance of the red-petal allele and the recessive white-petal allele

Question 25

How can two parents not affected by a disorder have a child who IS affected by a disorder?

Answer 25

• They could have a recessive trait, which means they have the gene but do not have the disease
• The child will receive the gene regardless, and the gene could potentially be activated

Question 26

Why are males so much more affected by a sex-linked trait? Why can’t a male pass on a trait that is on an X chromosome to their son?

Answer 26

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Question 27

What are phenotype and genotype? How are they different from each other?

Answer 27

• Phenotype: Characteristics of an organism that depend on how the organisms genotype is expressed (Ex. Red flower)
• Genotype: Alleles an individual inherits (RR, rr, Rr)
• While phenotypes are the visual and physical aspect of genetics (like brown hair), genotypes and the alleles that make up the phenotype (like Bb, BB, bb)

Question 28

Give three reasons why could studying genetics be important and useful for you

Answer 28

• Future use in careers (Potentially medical field)
• Potential breakthrough in agriculture - make a food last longer and send to third world countries - prevent world hunger
• Informs people of our own heredity and if our kids could possibly have a gene we carry