Topic 7 - DNA, Genes and Chromosomes

Question 1

where are chromosomes found?

Answer 1

in the nucleus

Question 2

what is a chromosome?

Answer 2

long lengths of DNA coiled up

Question 3

what is a gene?

Answer 3

a short section of DNA

Question 4

what does diploid mean?

Answer 4

having two copies of each chromosome, arranged in pairs

Question 5

are human body cells haploid or diploid?

Answer 5

diploid

Question 6

what is the diploid number for a human?

Answer 6

46, because a human cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes in total

Question 7

what makes up an organism’s genome?

Answer 7

all of the organism’s DNA

Question 8

what does every separate gene in a DNA molecule do?

Answer 8

give a chemical instruction that codes for a particular protein

Question 9

what do proteins control and determine?

Answer 9

they control most processes in the body and determine inherited characteristics

Question 10

what are alleles?

Answer 10

different versions of the same gene, giving different characteristics (e.g. blue and brown eyes)