Heredity, Punnett Squares And Pedigree Charts Quiz

Reviewed by Stephen Reinbold
Stephen Reinbold, PhD (Biological Sciences) |
Biology Instructor
Review Board Member
Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.
, PhD (Biological Sciences)
By Nlaxton
N
Nlaxton
Community Contributor
Quizzes Created: 1 | Total Attempts: 2,731
| Attempts: 2,731 | Questions: 20
Please wait...
Question 1 / 20
0 %
0/100
Score 0/100
1. Alleles can be dominant or ____________.

Explanation

Alleles can be dominant or recessive. Dominant alleles are expressed when present, while recessive alleles are only expressed if there are no dominant alleles present. This means that the phenotype, or physical trait, associated with a recessive allele will only be observed if an individual has two copies of that recessive allele. In contrast, individuals with one or two copies of a dominant allele will exhibit the phenotype associated with that allele. Heredity refers to the passing of traits from parents to offspring and is not directly related to the dominance or recessiveness of alleles.

Submit
Please wait...
About This Quiz
Heredity, Punnett Squares And Pedigree Charts Quiz - Quiz

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of genetics? Take our Heredity, Punnett Squares, and Pedigree Charts Quiz! This quiz is designed to test your understanding of how traits are passed down through generations. You'll explore the basics of heredity, learn to use Punnett squares to predict genetic... see moreoutcomes and interpret pedigree charts to track family genetics.

Whether you're a student preparing for an exam or just curious about genetics, this quiz will challenge and enhance your knowledge. With multiple-choice questions covering key concepts, you'll gain a deeper insight into the patterns of inheritance. Get ready to put your genetics knowledge to the test and see how much you really know!
see less

2. In a pedigree chart, a square is represented by a female.

Explanation

In a pedigree chart, a square is typically used to represent a male, not a female. This is a common convention in genetics and family tree diagrams. Female individuals are usually represented by circles in a pedigree chart.

Submit
3. In a pedigree chart, a half-shaded circle would be a carrier who is female.

Explanation

A half-shaded circle in a pedigree chart represents a female carrier. A carrier is an individual who carries a genetic mutation or trait but does not exhibit any symptoms or characteristics of it. In the context of the pedigree chart, a half-shaded circle indicates that the female individual carries a specific genetic mutation or trait, which can be passed on to her offspring. This is an accurate representation of how pedigree charts are typically used to track genetic traits and inheritance patterns in families.

Submit
4. What are the possible genotypes of the children in this Punnett square (Bb X bb)?

Explanation

The possible genotypes of the children in this Punnett square are Bb and bb. , it means that at least one of the parents must have the genotype bb. The other possible genotype for the children is Bb, which means that the other parent has the genotype Bb. None of the children can have BB.

Submit
5. In this pedigree chart with four shaded circles, how many females have the trait?

Explanation

The correct answer is 4 because in the given pedigree chart, there are four females who have the trait.

Submit
6. An organism that has 2 different alleles for a trait is described as,

Explanation

An organism that has 2 different alleles for a trait is described as heterozygous. Heterozygous means that the organism has two different versions of a gene, or alleles, for a particular trait. In this case, the organism has one dominant allele and one recessive allele for the trait. This can result in a combination of traits or characteristics that are different from either of the individual alleles.

Submit
7. An organism's physical appearance is known as its

Explanation

An organism's physical appearance is known as its phenotype. This includes observable traits such as hair color, eye color, and height. Phenotype is determined by a combination of genetic factors (genotype) and environmental influences. Heredity refers to the passing of traits from parents to offspring, while genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism.

Submit
8. If you cross a white flower (pp) with a purple flower (PP) what are the possible genotypes of the offspring?

Explanation

When you cross a white flower (pp) with a purple flower (PP), the possible genotypes of the offspring are all Pp. This is because the purple flower (PP) is dominant over the white flower (pp), so all the offspring will inherit one dominant purple allele (P) from the purple flower parent and one recessive white allele (p) from the white flower parent. Therefore, all the offspring will have the genotype Pp, which means they will have the purple flower phenotype.

Submit
9. In a pedigree chart what do the half-filled squares represent?

Explanation

Half-filled squares in a pedigree chart represent males who are carriers of the trait. Carriers are individuals who possess a copy of the gene for a certain trait but do not express it themselves. In this case, the trait is likely a recessive trait that requires two copies of the gene to be expressed. Males only have one copy of the gene on their X chromosome, so if they possess the gene, they are considered carriers.

Submit
10. A carrier is a person who has

Explanation

A carrier is a person who carries a recessive allele for a trait but does not express it because they also have a dominant allele for the same trait. This means that carriers can pass on the recessive allele to their offspring, even though they themselves do not show any symptoms or characteristics associated with that allele.

Submit
11. Humans have a total of _____ chromosomes in their body cells.

Explanation

Humans have a total of 46 chromosomes in their body cells. Chromosomes are thread-like structures that contain DNA, the genetic material that carries the instructions for the development and functioning of the human body. Each chromosome is made up of DNA tightly coiled around proteins. Humans typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes, with one set inherited from each parent. These chromosomes carry the genes that determine various traits and characteristics of an individual, such as hair color, eye color, and height. The total number of chromosomes in human body cells is 46, with 23 coming from the mother and 23 from the father.

Submit
12. Probability is

Explanation

The correct answer is "the chance that an event will occur." Probability is a measure of the likelihood or chance that a specific event will happen. It is often expressed as a ratio or a fraction, such as 3:1, to indicate the relative likelihood of the event occurring compared to not occurring.

Submit
13. In a pedigree, a blank square or circle indicates that the person

Explanation

A blank square or circle in a pedigree indicates that the person does not have a certain trait. This means that the person is not affected by the trait being studied or i a carrier of the trait.

Submit
14. If you cross 2 rabbits that have the genotype Bb, how many possible genotypes can be found in the offspring?

Explanation

When you cross two rabbits with the genotype Bb, each rabbit can pass on either the B or the b allele to their offspring. Therefore, there are three possible genotypes that can be found in the offspring: BB, Bb, and bb.

Submit
15. Humans have a total of ____ chromosomes in their reproductive cells.

Explanation

Humans have a total of 23 chromosomes in their reproductive cells. This is because reproductive cells, also known as gametes, are haploid cells that contain half the number of chromosomes compared to other cells in the body. Humans have 46 chromosomes in their somatic cells, but during the process of meiosis, the number is reduced to 23 in the gametes. This is important for sexual reproduction, as when the gametes combine during fertilization, the resulting zygote will have the correct number of chromosomes for normal development.

Submit
16. Humans produce reproductive cells through a process called?

Explanation

Humans produce reproductive cells through a process called meiosis. Meiosis is a type of cell division that results in the formation of gametes, such as sperm and eggs. Unlike mitosis, which produces genetically identical cells, meiosis involves two rounds of division and leads to the production of cells with half the number of chromosomes. This reduction in chromosome number is necessary for sexual reproduction and ensures that offspring receive a unique combination of genes from their parents. Transformation is not the correct answer as it refers to the uptake and incorporation of foreign DNA into a cell.

Submit
17. If you cross 2 heterozygous parents (using the letter 'A') what is the percentage the children will end up having a dominant trait?

Explanation

When crossing two heterozygous parents (Aa x Aa), there is a 25% chance that the child will inherit two recessive alleles (aa) and display a recessive trait. However, there is a 75% chance that the child will inherit at least one dominant allele (A) and display a dominant trait. Therefore, the percentage of children that will end up having a dominant trait is 75%.

Submit
18. Which of Mendel's Laws states that each trait is inherited independently of the other?

Explanation

The Law of Independent Assortment states that each trait is inherited independently of each other. This means that the inheritance of one trait does not affect the inheritance of another trait. In other words, the genes for different traits segregate independently during the formation of gametes, leading to a random assortment of traits in offspring. This law was proposed by Gregor Mendel based on his experiments with pea plants, where he observed the inheritance patterns of different traits.

Submit
19. What is an example of a heterozygous genotype?

Explanation

A heterozygous genotype refers to an individual having two different alleles for a specific gene. In the given options, only "Aa" fits this definition as it represents a genotype where one allele is dominant (A) and the other is recessive (a). This combination of alleles results in a heterozygous genotype, making "Aa" the correct answer.

Submit
20. What is an example of a homozygous recessive genotype?

Explanation

The correct answer is "bb" because a homozygous recessive genotype means that both alleles for a specific trait are the same and recessive. In this case, the lowercase "b" represents the recessive allele, so having two lowercase "b" alleles (bb) indicates a homozygous recessive genotype.

Submit
View My Results
Stephen Reinbold |PhD (Biological Sciences) |
Biology Instructor
Stephen Reinbold has a PhD in Biological Sciences and a strong passion for teaching. He taught various subjects including General Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Genetics, and Anatomy & Physiology at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, Missouri, for nearly thirty years. He focused on scientific methodology and student research projects. Now retired, he works part-time as an editor and engages in online activities.

Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Jul 16, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jul 16, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team

    Expert Reviewed by
    Stephen Reinbold
  • Dec 01, 2015
    Quiz Created by
    Nlaxton
Cancel
  • All
    All (20)
  • Unanswered
    Unanswered ()
  • Answered
    Answered ()
Alleles can be dominant or ____________.
In a pedigree chart, a square is represented by a female.
In a pedigree chart, a half-shaded circle would be a carrier who is...
What are the possible genotypes of the children in this Punnett square...
In this pedigree chart with four shaded circles, how many females have...
An organism that has 2 different alleles for a trait is described as,
An organism's physical appearance is known as its
If you cross a white flower (pp) with a purple flower (PP) what...
In a pedigree chart what do the half-filled squares represent?
A carrier is a person who has
Humans have a total of _____ chromosomes in their body cells.
Probability is
In a pedigree, a blank square or circle indicates that the person
If you cross 2 rabbits that have the genotype Bb, how many possible...
Humans have a total of ____ chromosomes in their reproductive cells.
Humans produce reproductive cells through a process called?
If you cross 2 heterozygous parents (using the letter 'A')...
Which of Mendel's Laws states that each trait is inherited...
What is an example of a heterozygous genotype?
What is an example of a homozygous recessive genotype?
Alert!

Advertisement