Chapter 11 - Genetics (11.1 - 11.2)

Question 1

Why did Gregor Mendel use pea plants to perform his experiments?

Answer 1

He used pea plants because he was able to carry out his experiments in one or two growing seasons. With humans, it would have taken decades or centuries. Additionally, peas grew quickly and produce lots of offspring.

Question 2

What is segregation?

Answer 2

It is the principle stating that during the production of gametes the two copies of each hereditary factor segregate so that offspring acquire one factor from each parent.

Question 3

What is a phenotype?

Answer 3

A phenotype is the physical characteristics of an organism.

Question 4

What is a genotype?

Answer 4

A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism.

Question 5

What does homozygous mean?

Answer 5

Homozygous means having two alleles for a particular gene. (Example - TT is homozygous dominant and tt is homozygous recessive)

Question 6

What does heterozygous mean?

Answer 6

Heterozygous, otherwise known as hyrbid, means having two different alleles for a particular gene. (Example - Tt)

Question 7

What is independent assortment?

Answer 7

Independent assortment is a principal that states genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes.

Question 8

What is the principal of dominance?

Answer 8

The principal of dominance states that some alleles are dominant and others are recessive.

Question 9

How did Gregor Mendel cross pollinate?

Answer 9

Gregor Mendel cut of the male parts of the pea plants and sprinkled the pollen from one plant onto the female parts of another.

Question 10

What did the reappearance of shortness traits controlled by the recessive alleles in the F2 generation indicate?

Answer 10

The reappearance indicated that the alleles for shortness from the F1 generation had separated from the alleles for tallness during the formation of gametes.

Question 11

How many genes control feather color in a parakeet that can be green, blue, yellow, or white?

Answer 11

In a parakeet that can be green, blue, yellow, or white, two genes control feather color.

Question 12

What are genetics?

Answer 12

It is the scientific study of heredity, the delivery of characteristics from parent to offspring.

Question 13

What is fertilization?

Answer 13

Fertilization is a process during sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to make a new cell. In peas, this new cell develops into a tiny embryo encased within a seed.

Question 14

What is a trait?

Answer 14

A trait is a specific characteristic of an individual, such as seed color or plant height, and may vary from one individual to another.

Question 15

When are recessive alleles represented?

Answer 15

They are represented only when a dominant allele is not present. Dominant alleles are always represented if one is present.

Question 16

How many alleles combinations can be found with a genotype of BbSS?

Answer 16

2 alleles combinations can be found.

Question 17

What are alleles?

Answer 17

Alleles are different forms of a gene.

Question 18

What is probability?

Answer 18

Probability is the likelihood that an event will happen.

Question 19

What are gametes?

Answer 19

Gametes are sex cells that can join with other sex cells of the opposite sex to form zygotes.

Question 20

What are punnet squares?

Answer 20

Punnet squares use mathematical probability to help predict genotype and phenotype combinations.

Question 21

What is cross-pollination?

Answer 21

Cross-pollination is the process of producing a plant with 2 parents. The original pair of plants is referred to as the P, or parental generation. Their offspring is called the F1, or first filial generation.

Question 22

Who used a fruit fly as a model organism in his genetic experiments?

Answer 22

Thomas Hunt Morgan used a fruit fly as a model organism in his genetic experiments.