Unit 3: Reproduction And Inheritance
Mitosis and Meiosis
1. Cell division can be by meiosis or by mitosis.
a) Where are cells dividing by meiosis
found in a human? [1]
b) Which part of a flowering plant is usually used to demonstrate cells dividing by
mitosis? [1]
c) The table lists
features comparing
the processes of
meiosis and mitosis
in human cells.
Complete the table
by giving the missing
information. [6]
2. A species of grass has a diploid chromosome number of 12.
Which row in the table shows the
number of chromosomes in the
nucleus of a pollen grain, and in
the nucleus of a root cell, of this
grass? [1]
Protein Synthesis (Transcription and Translation)
1.
[1]
(ii) Write down the complementary mRNA code for this sequence of bases [2]
(iii) A student reads that DNA codons are non-overlapping. Suggest what is meant by
the term non-overlapping. You should refer to the sequence of bases in your answer.
[2]
(b) Describe what happens in the translation stage of protein synthesis. [4]
(c) State what is meant by the genome of an organism. [1]
2. Describe the differences between the structure of DNA and the structure of RNA. [3]
3. Describe the differences between the processes of transcription and translation. [5]
4.
[1]
5.
[1]
Mutations
1. What is a mutation? State one way that the incidence of mutations can be increased.
[2]
Punnet Square (Genetic Diagrams), Pedigrees, and Variation
1. Cell division can cause variation in offspring.
Describe other causes of variation in offspring [3]
2. (i) State the name of the type of genetic control where many genes control one
phenotype. [1]
3. Fur colour in rats is controlled by a gene with two alleles. One allele codes for black
fur colour. The other allele codes for agouti fur colour. Several female rats with agouti
coloured fur are mated with several male rats with black coloured fur. All of the offspring
have agouti coloured fur.
(a) (i) Explain which allele is dominant [2]
(b) A male and female rat from these offspring are then mated together in a second
cross. Some of the offspring of this second cross have agouti coloured fur and some
have black coloured fur.
Draw a genetic diagram to show this second cross. Include the genotypes of the
parents, the gametes they produce, and the genotypes and the phenotypes of the
offspring. [4]
(c) Calculate the probability of any one offspring from this second cross being male with
agouti coloured fur. [2]
4.
(c) (i) In a group of cattle, there are cattle with white-, red-, and roan- coloured hair. Height of
cattle is also a genetically controlled characteristic. In the same group, there is a greater
variation of heights compared with hair colour.
Explain why there is a greater variation in height of the cattle than there is in hair colour. [2]
(ii) Describe how a farmer could use selective breeding to increase the height of cattle. [2]
5. Some characteristics are determined only by the genes, and some are determined by a
combination of the genes and the environment. [2]
Give an example of each type of characteristic in humans.
a) determined only by the genes
.............................................................................................................................................
determined by the genes and the environment
.............................................................................................................................................
6. Alkaptonuria is an inherited condition caused by the presence of recessive alleles.
(a) State what is meant by a recessive allele. [1]
(b) Alkaptonuria is first diagnosed in children when it is noticed that they produce very
dark urine that turns black when exposed to air. A woman and a man do not have
alkaptonuria. They have a child who has the condition. The woman and the man are
expecting a second child.
(i) Draw a genetic diagram to show the genotypes of the woman and the man, the
gametes they produce and the possible phenotypes and genotypes of the second child.
[4]
(ii) Calculate the probability that the second child is male and does not have the
condition. [1]
7. Pedigree analysis can be used to find out if characteristics are controlled by dominant
or recessive alleles. The diagram below shows a family pedigree for albinism.
Explain, using information in the pedigree, whether albinism is controlled by a recessive
allele or a dominant allele. [3]
8. Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic condition that results in the formation of abnormal red
blood cells. Sickle cell anaemia is controlled by a gene with two alleles. The allele (N)
produces normal red blood cells and the allele (n) produces abnormal red blood cells.
Two parents who are both heterozygous plan to have children.
Use a genetic diagram to show the parent genotypes, the gametes produced and all the
possible genotypes and phenotypes of their offspring. [3]
Parent genotypes
Gametes
Offspring genotypes
Offspring phenotypes