Genetics
Section 1: Basic Concepts (Choose 5-7)
1. Define and differentiate between genotype and phenotype. Provide an
example.
2. Explain the concepts of homozygous and heterozygous. How do these relate
to dominant and recessive alleles?
3. What are alleles? How do they contribute to genetic variation?
4. Describe the process of meiosis. How does it contribute to genetic diversity?
5. What is the difference between mitosis and meiosis? What are the purposes
of each?
6. Explain the concept of independent assortment. How does it relate to
genetic crosses?
7. What is crossing over (recombination)? How does it contribute to genetic
variation?
8. What is the central dogma of molecular biology? Briefly explain the
processes of replication, transcription, and translation.
9. What is the role of DNA in heredity? How does the structure of DNA relate to
its function?
Section 2: Mendelian Genetics (Choose 3-5)
1. Explain Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment. How do
these laws explain patterns of inheritance?
2. A plant with red flowers (dominant) is crossed with a plant with white
flowers (recessive). All the offspring have red flowers. What are the
genotypes of the parents and offspring? If two of the red-flowered offspring
are crossed, what are the expected genotypes and phenotypes of the next
generation?
3. What is a test cross? Why is it used?
