Homework #1

Question 1

The theory of epigenesis states that _____.

Answer 1

Adult structures in the organism develop de novo from substances present in the egg

Question 2

In many species, there are two representatives of each chromosome. In such species, the characteristic number of chromosomes is called the _____ number. It usually is symbolized as _____.

Answer 2

diploid; 2n

Question 3

The functional unit of heredity is a _____.

Answer 3

gene

Question 4

How does genetic information flow in an organism?

Answer 4

DNA > RNA > protein

Question 5

Which term describes the complete haploid content of DNA contained within an organism?

Answer 5

Genome

Question 6

All of the following are desirable qualities in a model organism EXCEPT _____.

Answer 6

long life span

Question 7

What is an example of transnational medicine

Answer 7

A gene product associated with lower cholesterol levels is used to develop a treatment for high cholesterol.

Question 8

Describe Mendel’s conclusions about how traits are passed from generation to generation.

Answer 8

Mendel hypothesized that traits in peas are controlled by specific unit factors. He suggested that unit factors occur in pairs and that unit factors separate from each other during gamete formation.

Question 9

What applications of recombinant DNA technology should be included if you were discussing the impact of recombinant DNA technology on genetics?

Answer 9

\+ Understanding gene function
\+ Medical advances 
\+ Plant and animal production 
\+ Drug development 
\+ Forensics 
\+ Plant and animal husbandry

Question 10

What is the chromosome theory of inheritance?

Answer 10

It states that inherited traits are controlled by genes residing on chromosomes that are transmitted by genes.

Question 11

How is it related to Mendel’s findings?

Answer 11

The chromosome theory of inheritance is based on the parallels between Mendel’s model of heredity and the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis.

Question 12

The _____ of an organism is defined as its specific allelic or genetic constitution.

Answer 12

genotype

Question 13

The _____ of an organism is defined as its observable sum of features.

Answer 13

phenotype

Question 14

How do alleles fit into your definitions?

Answer 14

+ Different alleles may produce differences in the phenotype of an organism.
+ Alleles are alternative forms of a gene.
+ A population can contain many alleles for a gene, but an individual diploid organism has only two alleles for a gene/

Question 15

Given the state of knowledge at the time of the Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty experiment, why was it difficult for some scientists to accept that DNA is the carrier of genetic information?

Answer 15

Genes possess a variety of functions. Since proteins can contain up to 20 different amino acids, while DNA is made up of only 4 different nucleotides, proteins should have more functional variations. It seemed likely that proteins should be the genetic material.

Question 16

Contrast chromosomes and genes.

Answer 16

Genes take part in the production of proteins through the processes of transcription and translation. They are functional units of heredity. Chromosomes carry genes and take part in cell division during mitosis and meiosis.

Question 17

How is genetic information encoded in a DNA molecule?

Answer 17

Genetic information is encoded in DNA by the sequence of amino acids.

Question 18

How does the central dogma of molecular genetics serve as the basis of modern genetics?

Answer 18

Because DNA and RNA are discrete chemical entities, they can be isolated, studied, and manipulated in a variety of experiments that define modern genetics.