Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good scientific hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

It is vague and open to multiple interpretations.

Question 2

When designing an experiment, which variable should be manipulated to test its effect on the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Independent variable

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the role of genetic diversity in overall biodiversity?

Accepted Answer

Genetic diversity increases the ability of populations to adapt to changing environments.

Question 4

During meiosis, what is the correct sequence of events for chromosome movement?

Accepted Answer

Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate, homologous chromosomes separate, sister chromatids separate.

Question 5

Which of the following is a disadvantage of sexual reproduction compared to asexual reproduction?

Accepted Answer

Sexual reproduction requires more energy and time to find a mate.

Question 6

In pea plants, tall (T) is dominant over short (t). If a heterozygous tall plant ($$Tt) is $$crossed with a homozygous short plant ($$tt$$), what is the expected ratio of tall to short offspring?

Accepted Answer

1 tall : 1 short

Question 7

In guinea pigs, black fur (B) is dominant over white fur (b). What is the probability that two heterozygous black-furred guinea pigs ($$Bb) $$will produce a white-furred offspring?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{1}{4}$$

Question 8

In horses, the gene for brown coat color (B) is dominant over chestnut coat color (b). If two heterozygous brown horses ($$Bb) $$are crossed, what is the expected phenotype ratio of their offspring?

Accepted Answer

3 brown : 1 chestnut

Question 9

In guinea pigs, short fur (S) is dominant over long fur (s). If a heterozygous short-furred guinea pig ($$Ss) is $$crossed with a brown-furred guinea pig ($$Bb$$), what are the possible phenotypes of their offspring?

Accepted Answer

Short brown, short chestnut, long brown, long chestnut

Question 10

If two dihybrid pea plants ($$YyRr) $$are crossed, what is the expected phenotype ratio of their offspring? Assume independent assortment.

Accepted Answer

9:3:3:1

Question 11

Which of the following best describes incomplete dominance?

Accepted Answer

The heterozygote expresses a phenotype intermediate between the two homozygotes.

Question 12

Which scenario best illustrates Mendelian inheritance?

Accepted Answer

A cross between two heterozygous pea plants resulting in a 3:1 ratio of dominant to recessive phenotypes.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of epistasis?

Accepted Answer

One gene masks the expression of another gene at a different locus.

Question 14

How does pleiotropy differ from polygenic inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Pleiotropy occurs when one gene affects multiple traits, while polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes affecting a single trait.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why traits governed by quantitative inheritance, such as height or skin color, often exhibit a bell curve distribution in a population?

Accepted Answer

Multiple genes contribute additively to the trait, resulting in continuous variation.

Question 16

Which equation would you use to predict the probability of two independent events both occurring?

Accepted Answer

$$P(A 	ext{ and } B) = P(A) 	imes P(B)$$

Question 17

A cross between two plants with genotypes $$AaBb$$ and $$aabb is $$performed. What is the expected proportion of offspring with genotype $$AaBb$$?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{1}{4}$$

Question 18

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates gene-environment interaction?

Accepted Answer

Identical twins raised in different environments show differences in height.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of codominance?

Accepted Answer

A person with AB blood type expresses both A and B antigens equally.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the law of independent assortment?

Accepted Answer

Alleles of different genes are distributed independently of one another during gamete formation.

Genetics and Scientific Method: Study Notes for General Biology

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards