Chapter 01
Overview of Genetics

Multiple Choice Questions
 
1. The basic unit of heredity is the ___________. 
A. individual
B. gene
C. macromolecule
D. trait
E. None of the answers are correct

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
2. A variation of a gene is called a(n) _______. 
A. species
B. morph
C. genome
D. allele
E. proteome

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

3. Which of the following acts to accelerate chemical reactions in a cell? 
A. Nucleic acids
B. Lipids
C. Carbohydrates
D. Enzymes
E. None of the answers are correct

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
4.  The building blocks of DNA are the _____________.  
A.  amino acids 
B.  carbohydrates 
C.  enzymes 
D.  nucleotides 
E.  lipids 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Describe the biochemical composition of cells.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
5.  The structure of a cell that contains the genetic information is called a ___________.  
A.  nucleotide 
B.  genetic code 
C.  chromosome 
D.  nucleic acids 
E.  None of the answers are correct 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

6. If a carbohydrate is going to be broken down for energy, which of the following molecules would be directly involved in the breakdown? 
A. Catabolic enzymes
B. Nucleotides
C. Anabolic enzymes
D. Lipids
E. Chromosomes

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
7.  RNA is formed by the process of _____________.  
A.  transcription 
B.  translation 
C.  both transcription and translation 
D.  None of the answers are correct 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Outline how DNA stores the information to make proteins.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
8.  A characteristic that an organism displays is called __________.  
A.  a gene 
B.  a chromosome 
C.  DNA 
D.  gene expression 
E.  a trait 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

9.  If a geneticist is studying the prevalence of a trait in a species, they are at the _________ level of study.  
A.  population 
B.  organismal 
C.  cellular 
D.  molecular 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
10.  The study of the processes of transcription and translation is at the _____ level of biological organization.  
A.  population 
B.  organismal 
C.  cellular 
D.  molecular 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
11.  Variation at the molecular level of a gene is called a(n) _________.  
A.  nucleotide 
B.  chromosome 
C.  allele 
D.  trait 
E.  None of the answers are correct 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

12. Genetic variation is ultimately based upon which of the following? 
A. Morphological differences
B. Small variations in nucleotide sequence of the DNA
C. Carbohydrate content of the cell
D. Translation

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Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Define genetic variation.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
13.  A species that contains two copies of each chromosome is called _______.  
A.  a genetic mutation 
B.  a morph 
C.  haploid 
D.  diploid 
E.  alleles 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
14.  A cell that makes up the body structure of an organism and is diploid is _______.  
A.  a gamete 
B.  a somatic cell 
C.  an allele 
D.  rare 
E.  a sperm cell 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

15.  In many organisms, one set of chromosomes comes from the maternal parent, while the other set comes from the paternal parent. Similar chromosomes in these sets are said to be _________.  
A.  morphs 
B.  alleles 
C.  haploid 
D.  homologs 
E.  physiological traits 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
16.  In humans, gametes are different than other cells of the body in that they are _________.  
A.  diploid 
B.  haploid 
C.  genetic mutations 
D.  morphs 
E.  None of the answers are correct 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.04 Describe how genes are transmitted in sexually reproducing species.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
17. Which of the following is correct regarding natural selection? 
A. It is based on competition for resources
B. Beneficial traits are passed on to the next generation
C. It enables a species to become better adapted to its environment
D. It may drastically change a species over time
E. All of the answers are correct

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.05 Outline the process of evolution.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits

18. _______ is the use of a gene sequence to synthesize a functional protein. 
A. Loss-of-function mutation
B. Gene expression
C. The human genome project
D. Proteonomics
E. None of these

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Outline how DNA stores the information to make proteins.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
19. The differences in inherited traits among individuals in a population are called _______. 
A. species variation
B.  
genetic mutations

C. genetic variation
D. natural selection
E. None of these

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.02 Define genetic variation.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits
 
20. Three populations of an organism, each with drastically different external markings, but still members of the same species, would be called _______. 
A. homologs
B. mutants
C. communities
D. alleles
E. morphs

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

21. Which one of the following is NOT one of the general classes of macromolecules that are necessary for cellular function? 
A. Nucleic acids
B. Proteins
C. Ions
D. Carbohydrates
E. Lipids

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.01 Describe the biochemical composition of cells.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
22. The changes in the genetic makeup of a population over time is called _______. 
A. homologous recombination
B. model organisms studies
C. genetic crosses
D. biological evolution
E. hypothesis testing

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits

True / False Questions
 
23. Change in a population over time is called biological evolution. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits

24. Genetics is the branch of the biological sciences that deals with both heredity and variation. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
25.  Science may be conducted using a process called the scientific method.  
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Fields of Genetics
 
26. Gene expression involves the process of transcription and translation. 
TRUE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Outline how DNA stores the information to make proteins.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
27. Sexual reproduction decreases the genetic variation of a species. 
FALSE

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
General LO: Identify and define terms.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits

Multiple Choice Questions

28. Which of the following studies the effects of loss-of-function mutations? 
A. Population genetics
B. Transmission genetics
C. Molecular genetics

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Compare and contrast the three major fields of genetics: transmission, molecular, and population genetics.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Fields of Genetics
 
29. Which of the following uses a genetic cross to determine patterns of inheritance? 
A. Population genetics
B. Transmission genetics
C. Molecular genetics

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Compare and contrast the three major fields of genetics: transmission, molecular, and population genetics.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Fields of Genetics
 
30. Which of the following studies the relationship between genetic variation and the environment? 
A. Population genetics
B. Transmission genetics
C. Molecular genetics

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Compare and contrast the three major fields of genetics: transmission, molecular, and population genetics.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Fields of Genetics

31.  Which of the following began with the work of Gregor Mendel in the 19th century?  
A.  Population genetics 
B.  Transmission genetics 
C.  Molecular genetics 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
General LO: Understand the historical significance and relationships of the theories of genetics.
 
32. Which of the following studies how the forces of nature have influenced the spread of traits? 
A. Population genetics
B. Transmission genetics
C. Molecular genetics

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.03.01 Compare and contrast the three major fields of genetics: transmission, molecular, and population genetics.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Fields of Genetics
 
33. _______ influence the physical appearance of an organism. 
A. Morphological traits
B. Physiological traits
C. Behavioral traits

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.02.03 Discuss the relationship between genes and traits.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits

34. DNA stores the information needed for the synthesis of cellular _______. 
A. proteins
B. carbohydrates
C. lipids

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.01.03 Outline how DNA stores the information to make proteins.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes
 
35. Both genes and the _______ influence the traits of an organism. 
A. genome
B. environment
C. population

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.02.01 Explain how the expression of genes leads to an organism’s traits.
Section: 01.02
Topic: The Relationship between Genes and Traits
 
36.  The class of macromolecules that are primarily responsible for catabolic and anabolic activities in a cell are the.  
A.  nucleic acids 
B.  proteins 
C.  lipids 
D.  carbohydrates 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 1. Remember
Learning Outcome: 01.01.02 Explain how proteins are largely responsible for cell structure and function.
Section: 01.01
Topic: The Molecular Expression of Genes

37.  What is the difference between hypothesis testing and discovery-based research?  
A.  Hypothesis can be validated or invalidated while discovery-based research relies more on collection and analysis of data without a hypothesis 
B.  Discovery-based science can be validated or invalidated while hypothesis based research relies more on collection and analysis of data 
C.  There is only one type of experimental approach, both terms describe the same approach. 
D.  Hypothesis-based research results in believable science while discovery-based research results in unreliable conclusions. 

Accessibility: Keyboard Navigation
Bloom's Level: 2. Understand
Learning Outcome: 01.03.02 Discuss how genetics is an experimental science.
Section: 01.03
Topic: Fields of Genetics