Class 12 Biology: Principles of Inheritance and
Variation
Extended 2, 3 and 5 Mark Questions with Answers
2 Mark Questions and Answers
1. Define allele.
Ans: Alternative forms of the same gene are called alleles.
2. What is genotype?
Ans: The genetic constitution of an organism.
3. What is phenotype?
Ans: The observable characteristics of an organism.
4. State Mendel's Law of Dominance.
Ans: One allele is dominant and expresses itself in a heterozygote.
5. What is a test cross?
Ans: A cross with a homozygous recessive parent to determine genotype.
6. What are multiple alleles?
Ans: More than two alternative forms of a gene in a population.
7. What is mutation?
Ans: A sudden heritable change in genetic material.
8. What are homologous chromosomes?
Ans: Chromosomes similar in size, shape and gene arrangement.
9. What is codominance?
Ans: Both alleles express equally in a heterozygous condition.
10. Differentiate genotype and phenotype.
Ans: Genotype is genetic makeup; phenotype is outward appearance.
3 Mark Questions and Answers
1. Explain ABO blood group inheritance.
Ans: ABO blood groups are controlled by IA, IB and i. IA and IB are codominant and both dominate
over i.
2. Explain Mendel's Law of Segregation.
Ans: Alleles occur in pairs and separate during gamete formation. Each gamete receives one allele.
3. Describe a monohybrid cross.
Ans: A cross involving one pair of contrasting traits. F2 ratio is 3:1.
4. What is pedigree analysis?
Ans: Study of inheritance patterns through family trees.
5. Explain linkage and recombination.
Ans: Linked genes tend to be inherited together. Recombination produces new gene combinations.
6. What is incomplete dominance? Give an example.
Ans: Neither allele is completely dominant. Example: Snapdragon flowers.
7. What is sex determination in humans?
Ans: Females are XX and males are XY. Male gametes determine the sex of offspring.
8. What are chromosomal disorders?
Ans: Disorders caused by abnormal chromosome number or structure, e.g., Down syndrome.
5 Mark Questions and Answers
1. Explain Mendel's monohybrid cross.
Ans: Mendel crossed TT (tall) with tt (dwarf). F1 plants were all tall (Tt). Selfing produced F2 with 3
tall : 1 dwarf phenotypic ratio and 1:2:1 genotypic ratio.
2. Explain Mendel's dihybrid cross.
Ans: Mendel crossed plants differing in two traits. F2 generation showed a 9:3:3:1 ratio, proving
independent assortment.
3. Explain the chromosomal theory of inheritance.
Ans: Genes are located on chromosomes. Chromosomes occur in pairs, segregate during meiosis
and reunite at fertilization.
4. Describe Down syndrome.
Ans: Down syndrome is caused by trisomy 21. Affected individuals have 47 chromosomes and
characteristic physical and developmental features.
5. Explain ABO blood group inheritance in detail.
Ans: Three alleles IA, IB and i control blood groups. IA and IB are codominant while i is recessive.
This produces A, B, AB and O blood groups.
6. Write a note on Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome.
Ans: Turner syndrome is 45,X. Klinefelter syndrome is 47,XXY. Both are sex chromosome
abnormalities.
7. Explain sex determination in humans with a diagram.
Ans: Humans follow the XX-XY mechanism. Females produce X gametes while males produce X
and Y gametes. Fertilization determines sex.