TOPIC 1: Genes and Evolution

Question 1

Genes

Answer 1

Functional biochemical units of heredity which that make up the chromosomes

Question 2

Proteins

Answer 2

basic chemicals that make up the structure of cells and direct their activities

Question 3

Gene expression

Answer 3

whether a gene is turned on or off (whether it produces protein)

Question 4

Genotype

Answer 4

has to do with genes / an organism’s specific set of genes

Question 5

Phenotype

Answer 5

has to do with the environment / overt traits and behaviour of an
organism

Question 6

Heterozygote

Answer 6

whenever a dominant gene is present, it is expressed

Question 7

Homozygote

Answer 7

a recessive gene is only expressed when matched with a similar gene

Question 8

Heritability

Answer 8

A statistical estimate of the extent to which variations in a trait within a
population is due to genetics.

Question 9

Monozygotic twins

Answer 9

twin siblings that result from one zygote splitting in two and therefore share the same genes

Question 10

Allele

Answer 10

a variant form of a gene

Question 11

Genome

Answer 11

The set of complete instructions of making an organism (all the genes in the organism)

Question 12

Dominant gene

Answer 12

A gene that is expressed in the offspring whenever it is present

Question 13

Recessive gene

Answer 13

A gene that is expressed only when it is matched with a similar gene from the other parent

Question 14

Polygenic characteristic

Answer 14

When a population displays a range of variability for a certain characteristic, such as height or intelligence

Question 15

Epigenetics

Answer 15

how environment affects genetic expression

Question 16

Survival of the genes

Answer 16

individuals with a certain trait survive and reproduce at a higher rate
than others. The trait associated with this advantage is passed on and even better
represented in within the next generation.

Question 17

Chromosomes

Answer 17

Structures within the cell body that are made up of DNA, segments of which
compromise individual genes.

Question 18

Heredity

Answer 18

Transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring through genes.

Question 19

What influences gene expression?

Answer 19

the environment outside the cell, timing in development, the overall environment, experience, behavior

Question 20

Twin studies

Answer 20

monozygotic (identical) twins are compared to dizygotic
twins. Result: monozygotic twins are more alike, so genetic influence is
there.

Question 21

adoption studies

Answer 21

compare similarities between biological and adopted
relatives (same environment, different genes) Result: growing up in the
same home does cause little similarity. Sometimes, twins raised apart are
more alike than when they live together because then parents try to force
individuality