DNA and Genetics Quiz

Study Notes

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the full name of DNA
DNA's function is to store genetic information
DNA's structure is a double helix, twisted ladder shape with rungs (base pairs) and uprights (sugar-phosphate backbone)
DNA is located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells and in the cytoplasm of prokaryotic cells
Complementary base pairing is the process where adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C)
Genes are the units of heredity that carry information from one generation to the next
DNA, chromosomes, and genes are related: genes are sections of DNA that code for proteins, and multiple genes are found on a chromosome

Mitosis is the process of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells
DNA must be replicated before cell division to ensure each new cell receives a complete copy of DNA
Single-stranded DNA is a single chain of nucleotides, while double-stranded DNA is two complementary strands
The stages of mitosis are: interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase
The outcome of mitosis is two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell

Meiosis is the process of cell division that results in four unique daughter cells (gametes) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell
Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes that carry the same genes in the same order
Human cells have 46 chromosomes, and human sex cells (gametes) have 23 chromosomes
The stages of meiosis are: interphase, prophase I, metaphase I, anaphase I, telophase I, prophase II, metaphase II, anaphase II, and telophase II
The outcome of meiosis is four unique daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell
Meiosis is important for genetic variation and increasing genetic diversity

Dominant traits are expressed when one copy of the allele is present, while recessive traits are expressed when two copies of the allele are present
Alleles are different forms of a gene, and genotypes are the genetic makeup of an individual
Heterozygous individuals have two different alleles, while homozygous individuals have two copies of the same allele
Phenotypes are the physical expressions of genotypes
Dominant alleles are represented by a capital letter, while recessive alleles are represented by a lowercase letter

Punnett squares are used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a genetic cross
The probability of each genotype and phenotype can be calculated using Punnett squares
Carriers are heterozygous individuals who carry a recessive allele but do not express the recessive trait

Autosomes are non-sex chromosomes, while sex chromosomes are X and Y chromosomes
Sex-linked inheritance occurs when a gene is located on a sex chromosome
Sex-linked genes have different alleles represented by superscripts (e.g., X^R and X^r)
Punnett squares can be used to predict the genotype and phenotype of offspring in sex-linked inheritance
Female parents' genotypes affect the genotype and phenotype of male offspring in sex-linked inheritance

Pedigrees are family trees that show the inheritance of autosomal and sex-linked traits
By analyzing pedigrees, the genotype and phenotype of individuals can be predicted