Fundamentals of Genetics: Inheritance, DNA, and Gene Expression

1. What is the term used to describe the genetic makeup of an organism?

Phenotype: Physical trait of an organism.

Allele

Phenotype

Chromosome

Genotype refers to the genetic composition of an organism, while the phenotype represents the observable physical traits of an organism. Allele refers to the alternative forms of a gene, and chromosomes are the structures that DNA is packaged into.

Explanation

Genotype refers to the genetic composition of an organism, while the phenotype represents the observable physical traits of an organism. Allele refers to the alternative forms of a gene, and chromosomes are the structures that DNA is packaged into.

2. Homogeneous: Organism with same alleles.

Polyploid: Organism with more than two sets of chromosomes.

Mutation: Organism with altered genetic material.

Diploid: Organism with two sets of chromosomes.

Heterozygous: Organism with different alleles.

Homogeneous refers to an organism with the same alleles for a particular gene, which is known as homozygous. The term 'heterozygous' actually describes an organism with different alleles for a specific gene. Diploid refers to organisms having two sets of chromosomes, while polyploid refers to those with more than two sets. Mutation involves alterations in the genetic material of an organism.

Explanation

Homogeneous refers to an organism with the same alleles for a particular gene, which is known as homozygous. The term 'heterozygous' actually describes an organism with different alleles for a specific gene. Diploid refers to organisms having two sets of chromosomes, while polyploid refers to those with more than two sets. Mutation involves alterations in the genetic material of an organism.

3. What is a Punnett square?

The process of photosynthesis in plants.

A type of weathering that occurs in rocks.

The method of creating artificial intelligence algorithms.

4. Which type of reproduction involves two parents producing genetically diverse offspring?

Asexual reproduction: one parent produces genetically identical offspring.

Budding reproduction: offspring develop as outgrowths of the parent organism.

Fragmentation reproduction: parent organism breaks into pieces, each becoming a new individual.

Cloning reproduction: producing genetically identical organisms from a single cell.

Asexual reproduction: one parent produces genetically identical offspring.

Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes from different parents, resulting in genetically diverse offspring. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves only one parent and produces genetically identical offspring. Budding reproduction, fragmentation reproduction, and cloning reproduction are examples of other types of asexual reproduction methods.

Explanation

Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of two gametes from different parents, resulting in genetically diverse offspring. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, involves only one parent and produces genetically identical offspring. Budding reproduction, fragmentation reproduction, and cloning reproduction are examples of other types of asexual reproduction methods.