Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the MOST accurate description of the function of genes?
What is the MOST accurate description of the function of genes?
- They act as structural components within cells.
- They provide the biological ‘software’ programming the development of the body. (correct)
- They regulate the body's immune responses to external threats.
- They facilitate the metabolism of nutrients.
During meiosis, what process leads to the vast diversity of possible genetic combinations in offspring?
During meiosis, what process leads to the vast diversity of possible genetic combinations in offspring?
- Each gamete receives a random assortment of chromosomes from the parental pairs. (correct)
- The chromosomes duplicate themselves to ensure genetic variety.
- Each gamete selectively mutates certain genes to increase genetic diversity.
- The chromosomes align in a specific order in each gamete to maximize variety.
Monozygotic twins share nearly identical genetic makeup. What is the primary reason for any differences observed in their development?
Monozygotic twins share nearly identical genetic makeup. What is the primary reason for any differences observed in their development?
- Random shuffling of genes during early embryonic development.
- Epigenetic modifications influenced by differing environmental exposures. (correct)
- Variations in genetic mutation rates that occur post-zygote formation.
- Unequal distribution of nutrients and resources in the womb.
How does the genetic similarity of dizygotic twins compare to that of other siblings?
How does the genetic similarity of dizygotic twins compare to that of other siblings?
In humans, what is the crucial difference in chromosome composition that determines whether an individual will be male?
In humans, what is the crucial difference in chromosome composition that determines whether an individual will be male?
Which parent ultimately determines the sex of the offspring in humans?
Which parent ultimately determines the sex of the offspring in humans?
What outcomes might society face if sex selection becomes a routine practice?
What outcomes might society face if sex selection becomes a routine practice?
In Mendel's experiments with pea plants, what happens when a plant with a dominant trait is cross-bred with a plant with a recessive trait?
In Mendel's experiments with pea plants, what happens when a plant with a dominant trait is cross-bred with a plant with a recessive trait?
How do genotype and phenotype differ in genetics?
How do genotype and phenotype differ in genetics?
If an individual is heterozygous for a particular trait, what does this indicate about their alleles?
If an individual is heterozygous for a particular trait, what does this indicate about their alleles?
What is the role of mitosis in the development of an individual from a zygote?
What is the role of mitosis in the development of an individual from a zygote?
Why are older women more likely to have multiple births?
Why are older women more likely to have multiple births?
What is the direct role of DNA in the function of genes?
What is the direct role of DNA in the function of genes?
Why do mothers of multiple children need to be particularly concerned about prenatal care?
Why do mothers of multiple children need to be particularly concerned about prenatal care?
Considering that each parent provides 23 chromosomes to their offspring, what accounts for the vast diversity of human beings?
Considering that each parent provides 23 chromosomes to their offspring, what accounts for the vast diversity of human beings?
How does the understanding of dominant and recessive traits help in predicting genetic outcomes in offspring?
How does the understanding of dominant and recessive traits help in predicting genetic outcomes in offspring?
If a child receives a dominant allele for brown eyes (B) and a recessive allele for blue eyes (b), what eye color will the child express, according to basic genetic principles?
If a child receives a dominant allele for brown eyes (B) and a recessive allele for blue eyes (b), what eye color will the child express, according to basic genetic principles?
What defines alleles in the context of genetics, and how do they influence traits such as hair or eye color?
What defines alleles in the context of genetics, and how do they influence traits such as hair or eye color?
If a couple uses fertility drugs to improve their chances of conceiving, how does this affect their likelihood of having multiple births, such as dizygotic twins?
If a couple uses fertility drugs to improve their chances of conceiving, how does this affect their likelihood of having multiple births, such as dizygotic twins?
What process describes the transformations that particular genes undergo, contributing to the variability of the genetic brew during gamete formation?
What process describes the transformations that particular genes undergo, contributing to the variability of the genetic brew during gamete formation?
After a sperm fertilizes an ovum, what term is used to describe the newly formed single cell?
After a sperm fertilizes an ovum, what term is used to describe the newly formed single cell?
Which statement best describes the information contained within gametes (sperm and ova)?
Which statement best describes the information contained within gametes (sperm and ova)?
What is the molecular structure of genes?
What is the molecular structure of genes?
How are genes organized within a cell?
How are genes organized within a cell?
In which type of cells would you find only 23 chromosomes, instead of the usual 46?
In which type of cells would you find only 23 chromosomes, instead of the usual 46?
What is the significance of the 23rd pair of chromosomes in humans?
What is the significance of the 23rd pair of chromosomes in humans?
How does sperm that carries an X chromosome differ from sperm that carries a Y chromosome?
How does sperm that carries an X chromosome differ from sperm that carries a Y chromosome?
Techniques are being developed to allow parents to increase the chances of specifying the sex of their child. Ethically, what is a potential unintended consequence?
Techniques are being developed to allow parents to increase the chances of specifying the sex of their child. Ethically, what is a potential unintended consequence?
In the context of genetics, what does the term 'dominant trait' refer to?
In the context of genetics, what does the term 'dominant trait' refer to?
What is a 'recessive trait' in genetics?
What is a 'recessive trait' in genetics?
How does being homozygous for a trait affect its expression?
How does being homozygous for a trait affect its expression?
Why do racial, ethnic, and national differences exist in the rate of multiple births?
Why do racial, ethnic, and national differences exist in the rate of multiple births?
Considering the number of possible genetic mixtures provided by heredity, how likely are you to encounter a genetic duplicate of yourself?
Considering the number of possible genetic mixtures provided by heredity, how likely are you to encounter a genetic duplicate of yourself?
For couples in the United States, what trend has impacted the prevalence of multiple births over the last few decades?
For couples in the United States, what trend has impacted the prevalence of multiple births over the last few decades?
Flashcards
Gametes
Gametes
Male and female reproductive cells; contain genetic information.
Zygote
Zygote
A single cell formed by the fusion of sperm and ovum.
Genes
Genes
Basic units of genetic information containing blueprints for development.
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
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Chromosomes
Chromosomes
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Mitosis
Mitosis
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Meiosis
Meiosis
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Monozygotic Twins
Monozygotic Twins
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Dizygotic Twins
Dizygotic Twins
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Sex Chromosomes
Sex Chromosomes
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Dominant Trait
Dominant Trait
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Recessive Trait
Recessive Trait
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Genotype
Genotype
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Phenotype
Phenotype
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Alleles
Alleles
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Homozygous
Homozygous
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Heterozygous
Heterozygous
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Study Notes
- A single cell results from a sperm penetrating an ovum.
- Gametes contain substantial genetic information.
- The fusion of sperm and ovum creates a zygote about an hour post-entry.
- Over 2 billion chemically coded messages from both parents provide instructions to create a whole person.
- Genes, composed of DNA, are the software programming development.
- Humans have roughly 25,000 genes.
- Genes are located on 46 chromosomes organized in 23 pairs.
- Sex cells contain half the number of chromosomes, with each parent contributing one chromosome per pair.
- Mitosis is the replication of cells, therefore most cells contain the same 46 chromosomes as the zygote.
- Specific genes dictate the roles of cells and bodily functions.
- Diversity comes from cell division in gametes through meiosis
- During meiosis each gamete gets one chromosome making up each of the 23 pairs
- Because each of the 23 pairs are contributed with each member of the pair, this results in some 8 million possible combinations
- Random Transformations of Genes add to this variability to create trillions of possible genetic combinations
Multiple Births
- Multiple births in humans get more attention and occur less than 3% of pregnancies.
- Monozygotic twins come from a single zygote, and are genetically identical.
- Dizygotic twins come from two separate ova fertilized by two separate sperm, and are no more genetically similar than siblings.
- Triplets can be monozygotic, dizygotic, or trizygotic.
- Fertility drugs increases the chance of multiple births.
- Older women are more likely to have multiple births than younger women.
- African American couples have a higher chance of dizygotic births compared to white American couples.
- Mothers with multiple children are at higher risk of premature delivery and birth complications.
Determining Sex of Child
- The 23rd chromosome pair determines sex.
- Females have two X chromosomes (XX).
- Males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY).
- An ovum always carries an X chromosome, while a sperm can carry either X or Y.
- If the sperm contributes an X, the child is female (XX).
- If the sperm contributes a Y, the child is male (XY).
- The father's sperm determines the sex of the child.
- New techniques involving lasers and DNA measurement can help parents select the sex.
- Sex selection raises ethical questions due to potential sex discrimination.
Genetics - Mixing and Matching Traits
- Gregor Mendel discovered the concept of dominant and recessive traits in the mid-1800s.
- Mendel cross-pollinated pea plants with yellow and green seeds, resulting in all yellow seeds in the first generation.
- Breeding the yellow-seeded plants resulted in a 3:1 ratio of yellow to green seeds.
- Dominant traits are expressed, while recessive traits are present but not displayed.
- Genotype: Genetic information present in an organism.
- Phenotype: Observable trait that is actually seen.
- Alleles: Pairs of genes for traits that may have alternate forms (hair or eye color).
- Homozygous: Child receives similar genes from each parent.
- Heterozygous: Child receives different forms of the gene from each parent; the dominant trait is expressed.
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Description
Explore the basics of genetics, including DNA, genes, and chromosomes. Learn about the processes of mitosis and meiosis and how they contribute to genetic diversity. Understand how traits are inherited from parents to offspring.
