Biology

Question 1

What is variation?

Answer 1

Variation is the presence of differences between living things of the same species.

Question 2

Examples of genetic variation

Answer 2

Eye colour, hand size, blood group, height

Question 3

Examples of mixed variation

Answer 3

Weight, sporting skills, IQ, Hair and skin colour (to an extent)

Question 4

Examples of environmental variation

Answer 4

Tattoos, accents, scars and broken limbs

Question 5

Where are genes found?

Answer 5

Organisms -> Cells -> Nucleus -> DNA-> Chromosomes -> Genes

Question 6

What are inside nucleuses?

Answer 6

Chromosomes

Question 7

What is the full name of DNA?

Answer 7

The full name of DNA is Deoxyribonucleic acid and it is a molecule that is made of two chains that coil around each other to form hat is known as a double helix

Question 8

How many chromosomes are there in egg and sperm cells respectively?

Answer 8

23

Question 9

What is it called when the gametes fuse together?

Answer 9

A zygote, zygotes have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs)

Question 10

What are matching variants of the matching alleles called?

Answer 10

Homozygous alleles

Question 11

What are different variants of matching alleles called?

Answer 11

Heterozygous alles

Question 12

What are phenotypes?

Answer 12

The physical expression of the alleles (the human characteristics)

Question 13

What are genotypes?

Answer 13

The allele pair for each characteristic

Question 14

What are the pros of selective breeding

Answer 14

Selective breeding allows for higher profit, selective breeding allows the encouragement of plant and animal characteristics that are more beneficial to farmers.

Question 15

What is the sequence of selective breeding for a pair of dogs?

Answer 15

The two dogs are selected with the ability to run fast, these two dogs breed together, the fastest of the offspring are bred with another fast dog, the process is repeated over several generations, eventually racing dogs like greyhounds are produced.

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of selective breeding?

Answer 16

It takes a long time and these racing dogs have a higher chance than normal of developing genetic disorders due to the fact they have all been inbred from an original pool of dogs (a small gene pool)

Question 17

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 17

It is a technique to change the genetic information of a cell. In genetic engineering, genes from the chromosomes of humans and other organisms can be ‘cut out’ using enzymes and transferred to cells of other organisms.

Question 18

Pros to genetic engineering

Answer 18

Genetic engineering allows of plants or animals to be modified so their maturity can occur at a quicker pace. Engineering can allow this maturity to occur outside of the normal growth conditions that are favorable without genetic changes as well. Genetic modification can help to create resistance to common forms of organism death. Pest resistance can be included into the genetic profiles of plants so they can mature as a crop without any further additives. Animals can have their genetic profiles modified to reduce the risks of common health concerns that may affect the breed or species. This creates the potential for an extended lifespan for each organism.

Question 19

Cons to genetic engineering

Answer 19

Nobody is sure whether genetically engineering living humans will have dangerous side effects as it has not been properly tested on living humans. There is concern as to whether transplanted genes may get out into the natural environment, for example, the herbicide resistance gene may be picked up by weeds, creating a new ‘superweed’ variety. This will create new plants that could play a part in breaking down ecosystems.

Question 20

How do you create genetically modified insulin?

Answer 20

First of all in the production of human Insulin you must gather one bacterium and one human cell. Then, the plasmid and human DNA is cut with restriction enzymes, then, plasmid is reintroduced into bacterium. This new engineered bacteria multiplies and multiplies producing Insulin. This Insulin is separated and purified to produce human Insulin. Finally, Insulin is injected into the patient (Insulin is used to treat people that suffer from Diabetes).

Question 21

Name two cloning techniques frequently used by scientists?

Answer 21

Cell cloning - Scientists clone human cells in the laboratory and use them for research in diseases

Tissue culture - New skin and cartilage can be grown in a sterile environment; this technique is used to grow new skin for burns victims