Heredity Quiz
How many Chromosomes do humans have?
23 pairs of Chromosomes or 46 total chromosomes
How many feet of DNA is in a cell?
6 feet
What is a Dominant trait?
A Dominant trait "dominates" or covers up other traits. Only 1 allele is needed for a dominant trait to be expressed.
What is a Recessive trait?
A Recessive trait "recedes" behind a dominant trait. 2 alleles are needed for a recessive trait to be expressed.
What are the base pairs in DNA?
Adenine-Thymine (AT) and Guanine-Cytosine (GC)
What is an Allele?
Alleles are different forms of the same gene (an example, is genes that code for brown, blue, or green eye color).
What does Heterozygous mean?
An individual having 2 different alleles of a particular gene
What does Homozygous mean?
An individual having two identical alleles of a particular gene
What are the parts of a Chromosome when it is X-shaped (ie. duplicated)?
An x-shaped chromosome is comprised of 2 chromatids joined together by a centromere.
Where are Chromosomes found?
Chromosomes are found in the nucleus (but are not always visible)
What are Chromosomes made of?
Chromosomes are made up of DNA and support proteins.
What are Chromosomes?
Chromosomes are structures made of nucleic acids and protein, are found in the nucleus of most living cells, and carry genetic information in the form of genes. They are important because they are composed of DNA and pass on traits. They contain all the information used to make the cell grow, thrive, and reproduce (in other words, they make the organism what it is).
What is the function of a Chromosome?
Chromosomes pass on traits to offspring (ie. they carry genetic information in the form of genes).
What is DNA comprised of?
DNA has a sugar and phosphate backbone (ie. the sides of the ladder) connected by base pairs of Adenine-Thymine (AT) and Guanine-Cytosine (GC) (ie. the rungs of the ladder).
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
Describe the relationship between chromosomes, DNA, and genes.
Genes are sections of DNA and DNA makes up Chromosomes. (Chromosomes are made up of DNA and support proteins. Genes are sections of DNA that code for proteins. Proteins build, regulate, and maintain your body.)
What are Genes?
Genes are sections of DNA that act as instructions to make molecules called proteins (ie. genes code for proteins).
What is Heredity?
Heredity is the passing on of traits from parents to their offspring.
How is the 23rd pair of chromosomes different between males and females?
Males have an XY pair and Females have an XX pair.
Who was Gregor Mendel?
Mendel is considered the "father of genetics". He used pea plants to study inheritance.
What do Chromosomes look like?
Most of the time chromosomes are long thin threadlike strands floating in the nucleus, but when a cell is preparing to divide they condense and become tightly coiled/wrapped around proteins into an x-shape (two chromatids joined together by a centromere).
Does the number of Chromosomes relate to the complexity of the organism?
No, the number of Chromosomes does not indicate the complexity of an organism.
How are genes inherited?
One of each of the 23 pairs of chromosomes are inherited from your mom and one from your dad.
Who was Reginald Punnett?
Reginald Punnett developed a method to predict the likelihood of traits appearing in an offspring, called the "Punnett square".
What is Genotype?
The genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism (ie. the genetic combination of alleles)
What is Phenotype?
The phenotype is the specific characteristic of an organism (for example, how something looks or what is shown).
Can two people have the exact same chromosomes?
Yes, if they are identical twins.
What is the shape of DNA?
a Double Helix (ie. a twisted ladder)
