Understanding Inheritance in Biology
What is Inheritance?
Inheritance is the process by which genetic information is passed from parents to
offspring.
Genes, which are made up of DNA, are the basic units of inheritance.
Types of Inheritance
Dominant inheritance means only one copy of a gene is needed for a trait to be expressed.
Recessive inheritance requires two copies of a gene for the trait to be expressed.
Codominance occurs when both alleles in a gene pair are fully expressed.
Genetic Variation
Genetic variation is the diversity in gene frequencies within a population.
Mutations, gene flow, and sexual reproduction contribute to genetic variation.
Mendelian Inheritance
Gregor Mendel discovered the fundamental laws of inheritance through pea plant
experiments.
Mendel's laws include the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment.
Modern Genetics
Modern genetics involves the study of DNA, genes, and chromosomes.
Techniques like DNA sequencing and genetic engineering have advanced our
understanding of inheritance.
Questions
Q1 _________ is the physical expression of a genotype.
Q2 _____ are segments of DNA that determine specific traits.
Q3 Gregor ______ is known as the father of genetics.
Q4 What is the process by which organisms pass on traits to their offspring?
Mutation
Inheritance
Evolution
Adaptation
Q5 What is the term for the observable characteristics of an organism?
Genotype
Allele
Trait
Phenotype
Q6 What structure carries genes in living organisms?
Nucleus
Chromosome
Ribosome
Cell membrane
Q7 _________ alleles only show their effect if two copies are present.
Q8 What is the term for a change in the DNA sequence?
Mutation
Adaptation
Evolution
Inheritance
Q9 What is the basic unit of inheritance in living organisms?
Cell
Chromosome
Gene
Nucleus
Q10 What is the term for the process by which genetic information is copied and passed to the
next generation?
Replication
Translation
Mutation
Transcription
Q11 What is the term for a version of a gene that can mask the presence of another version?
Codominant allele
Incomplete dominant allele
Dominant allele
Recessive allele
Q12 Mendel's laws include the Law of ___________ and the Law of Independent Assortment.
Q13 Which type of allele is expressed even if only one copy is present?
Recessive
Dominant
Codominant
Incomplete dominant
