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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Education

Test Your Knowledge with Basic Genetics Quiz

Explore Key DNA Concepts and Inheritance Patterns

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art illustrating a basic genetics quiz theme

Ready to explore the fundamentals of genes and DNA? Joanna Weib invites you to dive into this engaging Basic Genetics Quiz, perfect for students and educators seeking a concise genetics review. Take the Genetics Knowledge Assessment Quiz for an extra challenge or explore other Basic Science Knowledge Quiz topics to broaden your skills. This interactive quiz covers inheritance patterns, gene structure, and mutation effects in 15 multiple-choice questions. Easily customise and refine your own quizzes in our quizzes editor to match any learning goal.

Easy
What is the shape of the DNA molecule?
Triple helix
Circular loop
Double helix
Single helix
DNA in cells forms a double helix structure with two strands wound around each other. This helical shape is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between complementary bases.
Which base pairs with adenine in DNA?
Thymine
Uracil
Cytosine
Guanine
In DNA, adenine (A) pairs specifically with thymine (T) via two hydrogen bonds. Uracil is found in RNA, not DNA.
What is a gene?
An energy storage unit
A segment of DNA that codes for a functional product
A protein molecule
A cell organelle
Genes are sequences of DNA that provide instructions for making RNA or proteins, which carry out cellular functions. They are not proteins or organelles themselves.
What term describes an organism's physical appearance?
Allele
Genotype
Phenotype
Chromosome
Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics of an organism, such as height or eye color. Genotype is the underlying genetic makeup.
How is a recessive allele expressed?
Only in males
Never expressed
Only when two copies are present
Always when present
Recessive alleles require two copies (homozygous recessive) to be expressed in the phenotype. A single dominant allele will mask a recessive one.
Medium
What is the probability of homozygous recessive offspring from a cross Aa × Aa?
25%
75%
100%
50%
A Punnett square for Aa × Aa yields genotypes AA, Aa, Aa, aa. Only one of the four (aa) is homozygous recessive, or 25%.
Crossing TT (tall) with tt (short) pea plants produces what phenotypic ratio?
1:1 tall to short
3:1 tall to short
100% short
100% tall
TT × tt yields all Tt offspring, which express the dominant tall phenotype, so 100% are tall.
In a cross of Aa × aa, what is the expected phenotypic ratio?
1:1
3:1
2:1
1:3
Aa × aa produces two types: Aa (dominant phenotype) and aa (recessive) in equal numbers, giving a 1:1 phenotypic ratio.
Which type of mutation does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein?
Missense mutation
Nonsense mutation
Frameshift mutation
Silent mutation
Silent mutations alter a codon without changing the amino acid due to redundancy in the genetic code. Other mutation types do change the sequence.
What is the primary function of a gene?
Encode information to make proteins or RNA
Form cell membranes
Store cellular energy
Transport oxygen
Genes carry the instructions for synthesizing RNA and proteins, which perform structural and functional roles in cells.
If two heterozygous purple-flowered pea plants (Pp) are crossed, what percentage of offspring will have purple flowers?
100%
25%
50%
75%
A Pp × Pp Punnett square yields PP, Pp, Pp, pp. Three of four have the purple phenotype, so 75%.
Which nucleotide is found in RNA but not in DNA?
Uracil
Adenine
Thymine
Cytosine
RNA uses uracil instead of thymine, which is exclusive to DNA. Adenine, cytosine, and guanine occur in both.
What genotype represents a homozygous recessive individual?
AA
aa
Aa
aA
A homozygous recessive genotype has two copies of the recessive allele (aa). AA is homozygous dominant; Aa is heterozygous.
What is the genotype ratio from a Bb × Bb monohybrid cross?
2:1:1
1:2:1 (BB:Bb:bb)
1:1
3:1
A Bb × Bb cross yields BB, Bb, Bb, and bb - one homozygous dominant, two heterozygous, one homozygous recessive, or 1:2:1.
What term describes different versions of the same gene?
Chromosomes
Alleles
Proteins
Exons
Alleles are alternative forms of a gene at a particular locus. Exons are coding DNA segments, not gene variants.
Hard
In a dihybrid cross AaBb × AaBb with independent assortment, what phenotypic ratio is expected?
3:1
9:3:3:1
1:2:1
1:1
Independent assortment of two heterozygous gene pairs yields a 9:3:3:1 ratio for the four phenotypic classes.
What effect does a frameshift mutation have on a protein?
No change in amino acid sequence
Changes the reading frame, altering all downstream amino acids
Converts an amino acid codon to a stop codon only
Removes one amino acid without other changes
Insertions or deletions shift the codon reading frame, typically changing every subsequent amino acid and often truncating the protein.
How can a beneficial mutation affect genetic diversity in a population?
Eliminate all variation
Introduce a new allele, increasing diversity
Prevent reproduction
Uniformly express recessive traits
Beneficial mutations create novel alleles that can be acted on by natural selection, thereby increasing genetic variation in the gene pool.
In an autosomal recessive pedigree, two unaffected parents have an affected child. What are the parents' genotypes?
Both homozygous dominant
Both affected
One homozygous dominant, one carrier
Both carriers
Unaffected parents with an affected child must each carry one recessive allele (be carriers) to pass them on and produce a homozygous recessive offspring.
What cross is used to determine if an organism displaying a dominant trait is homozygous or heterozygous?
Cross with another heterozygote
Backcross to dominant
Test cross with homozygous recessive
Self-cross
A test cross with a homozygous recessive individual reveals the unknown genotype by the phenotypes of the offspring.
0
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the structure and function of DNA and genes.
  2. Apply Punnett square techniques to predict inheritance patterns.
  3. Analyse dominant and recessive trait probabilities in offspring.
  4. Distinguish between genotype and phenotype in genetic scenarios.
  5. Evaluate the impact of mutations on genetic diversity.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Double Helix DNA Structure - Imagine DNA as a twisted ladder, with A pairing with T and C pairing with G like perfect puzzle pieces. This iconic shape is crucial for copying genetic information during replication and for keeping your cells functioning smoothly. Dive into the molecular magic here: The Structure and Function of DNA - Molecular Biology of the Cell
  2. Punnett Squares - Use these simple grids to predict the chances of your offspring inheriting traits like hair color or pea plant height. Punnett squares turn complex genetic shuffles into neat, visual calculations so you can play genetic fortune-teller. Check out more examples here: Punnett square - Wikipedia
  3. Dominant vs Recessive Traits - Spot the genetic shout-outs: dominant alleles show up loud and clear, while recessive ones tiptoe in only if no dominant partner is present. Grasping this helps you forecast whether a trait will make its grand entrance or stay backstage. Learn the genetic drama here: Dominance (genetics) - Wikipedia
  4. Genotype vs Phenotype - Think of genotype as the secret recipe of genes, and phenotype as the delicious cake you see, feel, and taste. While your DNA sets the blueprint, environmental sprinkles can add flavor to the final outcome. Unpack the ingredients: Genotype - Wikipedia
  5. Mutations and Genetic Diversity - Mutations are the surprise plot twists in your DNA script, sometimes causing new traits and fueling evolution's creativity. They roll the genetic dice, offering fresh variation for natural selection to act upon. Explore the world of mutations: Mutation - Wikipedia
  6. Homozygosity vs Heterozygosity - When alleles are identical, you're homozygous; when they differ, you're heterozygous - like having matching socks versus a wild mix. This genetic pairing game shapes how traits show up in the next generation. Get the full scoop: Zygosity - Wikipedia
  7. Law of Segregation - Mendel's rule says allele pairs part ways during gamete formation, so each sperm or egg carries just one allele from each gene pair. When fertilization happens, these solo alleles team up and decide the offspring's traits. Dive into the segregation saga: Law of segregation - Wikipedia
  8. Law of Independent Assortment - Genes for different traits sort themselves independently into gametes, creating endless combinations and explains why siblings can look so different. It's like shuffling multiple decks of cards at once for the ultimate genetic card trick. Learn all about it: Law of independent assortment - Wikipedia
  9. Sex-Linked Traits - Traits on the X and Y chromosomes can show funky inheritance patterns, like color blindness being more common in guys. Since males have one X, recessive traits there don't have a backup, making them big stars. Explore sex linkage mysteries: Sex linkage - Wikipedia
  10. Polygenic Inheritance - When many genes chip in to paint a single trait, you get a spectrum of possibilities, like human height or skin color. Each gene adds its own brushstroke, resulting in a beautiful gradient of outcomes. Discover more here: Polygenic inheritance - Wikipedia
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