6: Inheritance, Variation and Evolution

Question 1

Adult cell cloning:

Answer 1

A type of cloning that forms an embryo from an adult body cell.

Question 2

Allele:

Answer 2

A version of a gene.

Question 3

Amino acids:

Answer 3

Small molecules from which proteins are assembled.

Question 4

Archaea:

Answer 4

Primitive bacteria existing in extreme environments.

Question 5

Asexual reproduction:

Answer 5

A form of reproduction involving a single parent. Creates genetically identical offspring.

Question 6

Binomial system:

Answer 6

The universal system of naming organisms using their genus and species.

Question 7

Charles Darwin:

Answer 7

The scientist who developed the theory of evolution by natural selection.

Question 8

Chromosome:

Answer 8

A long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic information in the form of genes.

Question 9

Classification:

Answer 9

The organisation of organisms into groups based on their characteristics and structure.

Question 10

Coding DNA:

Answer 10

A sequence of DNA that codes for the production of a protein.

Question 11

Complementary:

Answer 11

Describes how the chemical bases in DNA pair up with each other.
A pairs with T and C pairs with G.

Question 12

Cuttings:

Answer 12

The simplest method of cloning plants. A branch is cut from a parent plant and replanted in compost after removing the lower leaves.

Question 13

Cystic fibrosis:

Answer 13

A cellular membrane disorder resulting from the presence of a recessive allele.

Question 14

DNA:

Answer 14

A double-stranded polymer wound to form a double helix. Carries the genetic code.

Question 15

Dominant:

Answer 15

Describes an allele that is always expressed. Represented by a capital letter.

Question 16

Embryo screening:

Answer 16

A procedure used to determine the presence of faulty genes in an embryo produced by IVF. A few embryonic cells are removed and screened for defective alleles.

Question 17

Embryo transplants:

Answer 17

The simplest method of animal cloning. Cells are removed from a developing embryo, split apart and grown in culture, before being transplanted into host mothers.

Question 18

Evolution:

Answer 18

The gradual change in the inherited traits within a population over time. Occurs due to natural selection.

Question 19

Evolutionary tree:

Answer 19

A diagram which illustrates the evolutionary relationships between organisms.

Question 20

Extinction:

Answer 20

The death of all members of a species.

Question 21

Family tree:

Answer 21

A chart used to show the inheritance of a condition in a family.

Question 22

Fertilisation:

Answer 22

The fusion of the nucleus of male and female gametes. Restores the full chromosome number.

Question 23

Fossil:

Answer 23

The remains of dead organisms found in rocks which are millions of years old.

Question 24

Gametes:

Answer 24

Sex cells (sperm and egg cells) with half the usual number of chromosomes.

Question 25

Gene:

Answer 25

A section of DNA that codes for a specific sequence of amino acids which undergo polymerisation to form a protein.

Question 26

Genetic engineering:

Answer 26

The modification of the genome of an organism by the insertion of a desired gene from another organism, enabling the formation of organisms with beneficial characteristics.

Question 27

Genome:

Answer 27

The complete genetic material of an organism.

Question 28

Genotype:

Answer 28

An organism’s genetic composition. Describes all alleles.

Question 29

GM crops:

Answer 29

Crops that have had their genomes modified by the insertion of a desired gene from another organism.

Question 30

Heterozygous:

Answer 30

When someone has two different alleles of a gene e.g. Ff.

Question 31

Homozygous:

Answer 31

When someone has two identical alleles of a gene e.g. ff.

Question 32

Inbreeding:

Answer 32

The formation of offspring from the breeding of closely related individuals.

Question 33

Linnaean system:

Answer 33

The classification of organisms into kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species, as developed by Carl Linnaeus.

Question 34

Meiosis:

Answer 34

A form of cell division that produces gametes, non-identical cells with half the usual number of chromosomes.

Question 35

Mitosis:

Answer 35

A form of cell division that produces two genetically identical daughter cells (with a full set of chromosomes) from one parent cell.

Question 36

MRSA:

Answer 36

A type of bacteria that is resistant to the antibiotic, methicillin.

Question 37

Mutation:

Answer 37

A random change in DNA which may result in genetic variants.

Question 38

Natural selection:

Answer 38

The process by which the frequency of advantageous traits passed on in genes gradually increases in a population over time.

Question 39

Non-coding DNA:

Answer 39

DNA which does not code for a protein but instead controls gene expression.

Question 40

Nucleotide:

Answer 40

The monomers of DNA consisting of a common sugar, a phosphate group and one of four chemical bases (A, T, C, G) attached to the sugar.

Question 41

Phenotype:

Answer 41

An organism’s observable characteristics. Due to interactions of the genotype and the environment.

Question 42

Polydactyly:

Answer 42

A condition where an individual is born with extra fingers or toes due to the presence of a dominant allele.

Question 43

Protein synthesis:

Answer 43

The formation of a protein from a gene.

Question 44

Punnett square:

Answer 44

A grid used to predict the potential outcomes of a genetic cross.

Question 45

Recessive:

Answer 45

Describes an allele that is only expressed in the absence of a dominant allele. Represented by a small letter.

Question 46

Ribosomes:

Answer 46

Sub-cellular structures where protein synthesis takes place.

Question 47

Selective breeding:

Answer 47

The process by which humans artificially select organisms with desirable characteristics and breed them to produce offspring with desirable phenotypes.

Question 48

Sex chromosomes:

Answer 48

A pair of chromosomes responsible for the determination of gender. XY in males. XX in females

Question 49

Sexual reproduction:

Answer 49

A form of reproduction involving the fusion of male and female gametes. Creates genetic variation.

Question 50

Speciation:

Answer 50

The formation of new species in the course of evolution, often due to the evolution of two isolated populations.

Question 51

Species:

Answer 51

A group of similar organisms that are able to breed with one another to produce fertile offspring.

Question 52

Three-domain system:

Answer 52

A method of classification in which organisms are categorised into three groups; Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota. Developed by Carl Woese.

Question 53

Tissue culture:

Answer 53

A method of growing living tissue or cells in a suitable medium to produce clone plants.

Question 54

Variation:

Answer 54

The differences between individuals due to genes, the environment or a combination of both.

Question 55

Vector:

Answer 55

A carrier used to transfer a gene from one organism to another.

Question 56

What are the 3 groups of the three-domain system:

Answer 56

Archaea, Bacteria and Eukaryota

Question 57

What is the Linnaean system classified into:

Answer 57

Kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus and species