Basic Genetics Questions! Quiz

Approved & Edited by ProProfs Editorial Team
At ProProfs Quizzes, our dedicated in-house team of experts takes pride in their work. With a sharp eye for detail, they meticulously review each quiz. This ensures that every quiz, taken by over 100 million users, meets our standards of accuracy, clarity, and engagement.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| Written by Mocprepacad
M
Mocprepacad
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 6 | Total Attempts: 4,901
Questions: 25 | Attempts: 86

SettingsSettingsSettings
Genetics Quizzes & Trivia

As we continue on our journey to understand the human body and how it functions, we dived a little deeper into all things genetics. How confident are you when it comes to the things we have learned so far? Take up the quiz below and get to review all the topics piece by piece before you sit for your final exams. All the best!


Questions and Answers
  • 1. 

    We inherit ________ from our parents

    Explanation
    Inheritance refers to the passing of characteristics or traits from one generation to another. These traits can include physical features, such as eye color or height, as well as behavioral or personality traits. We inherit these traits from our parents through the combination of their genetic material, which determines our genetic makeup and influences our physical and behavioral characteristics.

    Rate this question:

  • 2. 

    The passing of traits from parents to child is the basis of ______.

    Explanation
    Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to their offspring. It is the process by which genetic information is transmitted from one generation to the next. This transmission occurs through genes, which are segments of DNA that carry instructions for specific traits. Heredity plays a fundamental role in determining an individual's physical characteristics, such as eye color, hair color, and height, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases. Understanding heredity is crucial in fields such as genetics and evolutionary biology, as it helps explain the inheritance patterns and variations seen in different species.

    Rate this question:

  • 3. 

    Our genes encode the instructions that define our traits.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. These instructions determine our traits, such as eye color, height, and susceptibility to certain diseases. Therefore, it is correct to say that our genes encode the instructions that define our traits.

    Rate this question:

  • 4. 

    We have thousands of genes, which are made of DNA, and reside in our ___________ .

    Correct Answer
    chromosomes
    Explanation
    Genes are segments of DNA that contain the instructions for building and maintaining the body. They are organized into structures called chromosomes, which are located in the nucleus of our cells. Chromosomes carry the genetic information that is passed down from one generation to the next. Therefore, the correct answer is "chromosomes" because genes are indeed found in these structures within our cells.

    Rate this question:

  • 5. 

    Humans have four complete sets of chromosomes.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    B. False
    Explanation
    Humans typically have two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from the mother and one set inherited from the father, for a total of 46 chromosomes. Each set consists of 23 chromosomes, including 22 autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes. Therefore, the statement that humans have four complete sets of chromosomes is incorrect.

    Rate this question:

  • 6. 

    When parents conceive a child, they pass on _____ complete set(s) of chromosomes to the child.

    Correct Answer
    one
    1
    Explanation
    When parents conceive a child, they pass on one complete set of chromosomes to the child. This means that each parent contributes one set of chromosomes, which includes all the genetic material necessary for the development and functioning of the child. The chromosomes contain genes that determine various traits and characteristics of the child, such as eye color, hair color, and height. The combination of chromosomes from both parents creates a unique genetic makeup for the child.

    Rate this question:

  • 7. 

    Unlike other cells in our body, sperm and egg cells have only one set of chromosomes

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Sperm and egg cells, also known as gametes, are unique because they only have one set of chromosomes. This is because during the process of meiosis, the cells divide and reduce their chromosome number in half. This is necessary for sexual reproduction, as when the sperm and egg combine during fertilization, they create a new individual with the correct number of chromosomes. Other cells in our body, known as somatic cells, have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

    Rate this question:

  • 8. 

    When they combine, they form the first cell of life, called a ________, which has two sets (46).

    Correct Answer
    zygote
    Explanation
    When sperm and egg combine, they form a zygote, which is the first cell of life. The zygote contains two sets of chromosomes, totaling 46 chromosomes.

    Rate this question:

  • 9. 

    The zygote divides and develops into a child

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The zygote is formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg. After fertilization, the zygote undergoes a process called cell division or cleavage, where it divides multiple times to form a cluster of cells called an embryo. The embryo continues to develop and differentiate into different tissues and organs, eventually forming a fully developed child. Therefore, the statement "The zygote divides and develops into a child" is true.

    Rate this question:

  • 10. 

    The set of chromosomes from the parent can contain chromosomes from both of the parent’s two sets.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    During sexual reproduction, each parent contributes one set of chromosomes to their offspring. This means that the set of chromosomes from the parent can contain chromosomes from both of the parent's two sets. This is because each parent has two sets of chromosomes, one inherited from their mother and one from their father. Therefore, it is true that the set of chromosomes from the parent can contain chromosomes from both sets.

    Rate this question:

  • 11. 

    The child can receive both of the parent’s two chromosomes.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    B. False
    Explanation
    The child cannot receive both of the parent's two chromosomes. Each parent contributes only one chromosome to their offspring, resulting in the child having a total of two chromosomes, one from each parent.

    Rate this question:

  • 12. 

    Since the parents contribute the chromosomes randomly, each child receives a unique set of chromosomes.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    In sexual reproduction, each parent contributes a random set of chromosomes to their offspring. This means that each child will have a unique combination of chromosomes, resulting in genetic diversity. Therefore, the statement that each child receives a unique set of chromosomes is true.

    Rate this question:

  • 13. 

    Most children resemble their mothers more than their fathers.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    B. False
    Explanation
    This statement is not always true as children can resemble both their mothers and fathers equally or resemble one parent more than the other. The traits and characteristics of a child are determined by a combination of genes from both parents, so it is possible for a child to resemble their father more than their mother or vice versa. Therefore, the statement that most children resemble their mothers more than their fathers is false.

    Rate this question:

  • 14. 

    Traits are passed from generation to generation.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Traits being passed from generation to generation is a fundamental concept in genetics and inheritance. It refers to the transmission of genetic information from parents to their offspring, resulting in the inheritance of physical and behavioral characteristics. This process occurs through the transfer of genes, which are segments of DNA that contain instructions for specific traits. The passing on of traits allows for the continuation of species and the potential for variation and adaptation over time. Therefore, the statement "Traits are passed from generation to generation" is true.

    Rate this question:

  • 15. 

    Which of the following is a type of trait.

    • A. 

      A behavioral trait

    • B. 

      A trait of predisposition to a medical condition

    • C. 

      A physical trait

    • D. 

      All of the above

    Correct Answer
    D. All of the above
    Explanation
    All of the options listed are types of traits. A behavioral trait refers to a characteristic or pattern of behavior that can be observed in an individual. A trait of predisposition to a medical condition refers to a genetic or inherited tendency that increases the likelihood of developing a specific medical condition. A physical trait refers to a characteristic or feature of an individual's physical appearance. Therefore, all three options are valid types of traits.

    Rate this question:

  • 16. 

    Environmental influences in our lives can shape or even change a trait.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Environmental influences refer to external factors such as the physical surroundings, social interactions, and cultural norms that can impact an individual's development and behavior. These influences can have an effect on various traits, including physical characteristics, personality traits, and skills. For example, exposure to a particular environment or culture may shape an individual's language proficiency or dietary preferences. Therefore, it is true that environmental influences can shape or change a trait.

    Rate this question:

  • 17. 

    The set of genetic information for hitchhikers thumb is called an _____.

    Correct Answer
    allele
    Explanation
    An allele refers to the different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific location on a chromosome. In the case of hitchhiker's thumb, the set of genetic information that determines whether an individual has this trait or not is referred to as an allele. This allele can either be dominant or recessive, with the dominant allele resulting in the presence of hitchhiker's thumb and the recessive allele resulting in the absence of this trait.

    Rate this question:

  • 18. 

    The possible combination of alleles for the thumb trait are HH, Hh, hH or hh.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    The possible combination of alleles for the thumb trait are HH, Hh, hH, or hh. This means that an individual can have two dominant alleles (HH), one dominant and one recessive allele (Hh or hH), or two recessive alleles (hh). Therefore, the statement is true.

    Rate this question:

  • 19. 

    ___________ is to have two of the same alleles for a trait.

    Correct Answer
    Homozygous
    Explanation
    Homozygous refers to the condition where an individual has two identical alleles for a specific trait. This means that both copies of the gene for that trait are the same, either both dominant or both recessive. This results in the individual expressing the trait in a consistent manner.

    Rate this question:

  • 20. 

    The _________ allele will mask the recessive allele.

    Correct Answer
    dominant
    Explanation
    The dominant allele is the one that will be expressed or "seen" in the phenotype, while the recessive allele is only expressed if both alleles are recessive. Therefore, the dominant allele "masks" or overrides the expression of the recessive allele.

    Rate this question:

  • 21. 

    At the age of 18, Yakub had finished all of the colleges and universities of his nation. What field of science did he study?

    • A. 

      Astronomy

    • B. 

      Anthropology

    • C. 

      Genetics

    Correct Answer
    C. Genetics
  • 22. 

    Yakub discovered two traits in the gene of the original man, one black and the other ________.

    Correct Answer
    brown
    Explanation
    Yakub discovered two traits in the gene of the original man, one black and the other brown. This suggests that the original man had two different genetic variations, one resulting in black pigment and the other resulting in brown pigment. These traits could have been inherited and passed down through generations, leading to the diversity of skin colors we see today.

    Rate this question:

  • 23. 

    Racism could be classified as a behavioral trait.

    • A. 

      True

    • B. 

      False

    Correct Answer
    A. True
    Explanation
    Racism can be classified as a behavioral trait because it refers to the belief that certain races are superior or inferior to others, leading to discriminatory actions and attitudes. It is a learned behavior that is influenced by cultural, social, and historical factors. Racism manifests in various forms, such as prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination, which are all behavioral expressions of this trait. Therefore, classifying racism as a behavioral trait is accurate as it highlights the actions and attitudes associated with this harmful belief system.

    Rate this question:

  • 24. 

    How many years did it take to graft out or to separate the recessive brown trait from the more dominant black trait?

    Correct Answer
    200
    200 years
    two hundred years
    two hundred
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 200, 200 years, two hundred years, or two hundred. This suggests that it took a significant amount of time to eliminate or separate the recessive brown trait from the more dominant black trait. The use of the term "years" indicates that this time period is being referred to.

    Rate this question:

  • 25. 

    How many years did it take to graft out or to separate the recessive white trait from the original black trait?

    Correct Answer
    600
    600 years
    six hundred
    six hundred years
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 600,600 years, six hundred, six hundred years. This suggests that it took 600 years to graft out or separate the recessive white trait from the original black trait. The repetition of the answer in different formats reinforces the idea that it took a significant amount of time, specifically 600 years, to accomplish this task.

    Rate this question:

Related Topics

Back to Top Back to top
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.