Genetics and Inheritance Quiz. Genetics is the branch of biology that studies how characteristics are passed from parents to offspring, while inheritance explains the transmission of these traits from one generation to another. Through genes and chromosomes, living organisms inherit physical and biological features that determine their appearance and functions. This quiz tests your understanding of heredity, variation, and genetic principles.
Genetics and Inheritance Quiz
1. Genetics is the study of
A. Environment
B. Heredity and variation
C. Evolution only
D. Ecology
2. The unit of inheritance is called
A. Cell
B. Tissue
C. Gene
D. Organ
3. Genes are located on the
A. Ribosomes
B. Mitochondria
C. Chromosomes
D. Cytoplasm
4. The father of genetics is
A. Charles Darwin
B. Gregor Mendel
C. Louis Pasteur
D. Watson
5. A trait that appears in the first generation is called
A. Recessive
B. Dominant
C. Hidden
D. Weak
Genetics and Inheritance Quiz
6. A trait that is hidden in the presence of another is
A. Dominant
B. Recessive
C. Strong
D. Active
7. The physical appearance of an organism is called its
A. Genotype
B. Phenotype
C. Allele
D. Chromosome
8. The genetic makeup of an organism is its
A. Phenotype
B. Environment
C. Genotype
D. Trait
9. Alternative forms of a gene are called
A. Chromosomes
B. Alleles
C. Cells
D. Proteins
10. A homozygous organism has
A. Different alleles
B. No genes
C. Identical alleles
D. Weak genes
Genetics and Inheritance Quiz
11. A heterozygous organism has
A. Identical alleles
B. Different alleles
C. No chromosomes
D. Extra genes
12. A cross involving one pair of contrasting traits is called
A. Dihybrid cross
B. Monohybrid cross
C. Back cross
D. Test cross
13. Mendel’s first law is the law of
A. Dominance
B. Segregation
C. Independent assortment
D. Mutation
14. The law of segregation states that
A. Genes mix permanently
B. Alleles separate during gamete formation
C. Traits disappear
D. All offspring are identical
15. A Punnett square is used to
A. Measure height
B. Predict genetic crosses
C. Study cells
D. Count chromosomes
16. A dihybrid cross involves
A. One trait
B. Two traits
C. Three traits
D. Four traits
17. Sex chromosomes in humans are
A. XX only
B. XY only
C. XX and XY
D. YY
18. The normal number of chromosomes in humans is
A. 23
B. 32
C. 46
D. 64
19. Albinism is an example of a
A. Dominant trait
B. Recessive trait
C. Sex-linked trait
D. Acquired trait
20. A sudden change in genes is called
A. Variation
B. Adaptation
C. Mutation
D. Selection
Genetics and Inheritance Quiz
21. Traits controlled by many genes are called
A. Simple traits
B. Polygenic traits
C. Recessive traits
D. Dominant traits
22. The inheritance of blood groups is an example of
A. Simple dominance
B. Co-dominance
C. Recessiveness
D. Mutation
23. The process by which gametes are formed is
A. Mitosis
B. Meiosis
C. Fertilization
D. Replication
24. A test cross is used to determine
A. Age of organism
B. Genotype of a dominant individual
C. Phenotype only
D. Number of chromosomes
25. Variation in offspring is important because it
A. Causes disease
B. Leads to extinction
C. Helps in survival and evolution
D. Prevents reproduction
Answers and detailed explanations for the Genetics and Inheritance Quiz:
1. B — Heredity and variation
Genetics is the branch of biology that studies how traits are passed from parents to offspring and how differences occur among individuals of the same species. It explains why children resemble their parents but are not exactly the same.
2. C — Gene
A gene is the basic unit of inheritance found on chromosomes. It carries instructions that determine specific traits such as eye color, height, and blood group.
3. C — Chromosomes
Genes are arranged in a linear order on chromosomes, which are thread-like structures found in the nucleus. Chromosomes ensure proper transmission of genetic information during cell division.
4. B — Gregor Mendel
Gregor Mendel is called the father of genetics because his experiments on pea plants revealed basic laws of inheritance. His work explained how traits are transmitted from one generation to another.
5. B — Dominant
A dominant trait is one that expresses itself in the presence of another contrasting trait. It appears in the first generation when crossed with a recessive trait.
6. B — Recessive
A recessive trait is hidden when a dominant allele is present. It only appears when both alleles in an organism are recessive.
7. B — Phenotype
Phenotype refers to the observable physical and biological characteristics of an organism, such as height, skin color, or flower color, influenced by genes and environment.
8. C — Genotype
Genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism. It represents the combination of alleles responsible for specific traits, even if they are not visibly expressed.
9. B — Alleles
Alleles are different forms of the same gene found at the same position on homologous chromosomes. They control variations in the same trait.
10. C — Identical alleles
A homozygous organism has two identical alleles for a particular trait, either both dominant or both recessive, which results in uniform expression.
11. B — Different alleles
A heterozygous organism possesses two different alleles for a trait, usually one dominant and one recessive, leading to expression of the dominant trait.
12. B — Monohybrid cross
A monohybrid cross involves only one pair of contrasting traits, such as tall versus short plants, and helps in studying single trait inheritance.
13. B — Segregation
Mendel’s law of segregation states that pairs of alleles separate during gamete formation, so each gamete receives only one allele of each pair.
14. B — Alleles separate during gamete formation
This law explains that inheritance occurs through separate units called alleles, which do not blend but remain distinct during reproduction.
15. B — Predict genetic crosses
A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring resulting from a genetic cross.
16. B — Two traits
A dihybrid cross studies the inheritance of two different traits simultaneously, helping to understand independent assortment of genes.
17. C — XX and XY
In humans, females have XX sex chromosomes while males have XY. These chromosomes determine the sex of an individual.
18. C — 46
Humans normally have 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs. One set comes from the father and the other from the mother.
19. B — Recessive trait
Albinism is caused by a recessive gene that prevents normal pigment production. It appears only when both parents carry the recessive allele.
20. C — Mutation
A mutation is a sudden change in genetic material that can create new traits. While many mutations are harmful, some can be beneficial and contribute to evolution.
21. B — Polygenic traits
Polygenic traits are controlled by many genes working together, such as height, skin color, and intelligence, leading to continuous variation.
22. B — Co-dominance
In human blood groups, both A and B alleles are expressed equally in AB individuals. This is an example of co-dominance, where neither allele is dominant.
23. B — Meiosis
Meiosis is the type of cell division that produces gametes with half the normal number of chromosomes, ensuring genetic stability after fertilization.
24. B — Genotype of a dominant individual
A test cross is used to determine whether a dominant-looking organism is homozygous or heterozygous by crossing it with a recessive individual.
25. C — Helps in survival and evolution
Variation provides differences among individuals, allowing some to survive better in changing environments. This promotes adaptation, natural selection, and evolution.
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