Genetic Information, Variation and Relationships between Organisms

Question 1

Define the term mutagenic agent.

Answer 1

A factor that increases the rate of mutations;

Question 2

Genetic variation within a species is increased during meiosis by crossing
over and the independent segregation of homologous chromosomes.
Apart from mutation, explain one other way genetic variation within a
species is increased.

Answer 2

Produces new allele combinations
OR
Produces new maternal and paternal chromosome combinations;

Question 3

What’s the similarities and differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells DNA ?

Answer 3

SIM
- the nucleotide structure is the same
- adjacent nucleotides are joined by phosphodiester bonds
DIFF
-Eukaryotic DNA is longer and linear whereas prokaryotic DNA is circular and short

Question 4

What is a gene ?

Answer 4

A sequence of DNA base that codes for an amino acid sequence of a polypeptide or a functional RNA

Question 5

What is locus ?

Answer 5

A fixed position a gene occupies on a DNA molecules

Question 6

What’s the definition of universal ?

Answer 6

when the same triplet code for the same amino acid

Question 7

what is the definition of non overlapping ?

Answer 7

The base is only coded for one triplet

Question 8

What’s the definition of degenerate ?

Answer 8

When an amino acid can be coded by more than one base triplet