Genetics and Evolution

Question 1

Where is the genetic code of an organism stored in?

Answer 1

It is stored in its deoxyribonucleic acid (or DNA) (housed within the nucleus)

Question 2

When will dominant traits versus recessive traits be displayed or carried?

Answer 2

Organisms will always display a dominant trait (if they have it) but may sometimes carry a gene for a recessive trait.
ex: the trait for brown eyes is dominant, if you have the trait for both you WILL show brown eyes.

Question 3

if you are asked the likelihood of something/someone carrying a gene..

Answer 3

Use the Punnett square when you are asked the likelihood of someone/something carrying a gene.

Question 4

What is Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Answer 4

asserts that organisms have changed over time to adapt to the unique and varied demands of their changing environments (organisms have different traits that may be slightly different then parents. we call them “variants”.
Ex: Giraffe has a longer neck, random variation of DNA. BUT that trait is helpful (advantageous) for environment because he’s going to feed from high trees, be healthy and reproduce, and hopefully propagate (give on his unique trait)

Question 5

What is supportive evidence for Darwin’s theory of evolution? Give 3 examples

Answer 5

1. Supporting evidence includes fossil records (different organisms over time, see variations over time)
2. comparative anatomy (whale with little feet under blubber, must have evolved)
3. DNA sequences ( between hippos and whales, totally different creatures but very sim DNA. same ancestors)

Question 6

What does Natural Selection do over time?

Answer 6

it causes beneficial traits to be propagated and detrimental traits to be eliminated.