Genetics and Heredity Quiz

Study Notes

Heredity refers to the transmission of traits from one generation to the next.
Variation refers to any difference among individuals in a species or groups of organisms of any species.

Trait: a specific characteristic of an individual determined by genes, environmental factors, or a combination of both; can be qualitative or quantitative
Phenotype: an individual’s observable traits determined by both their genetic makeup (genotype) and environmental factors
Genotype: the genetic composition of a cell or organism; refers to the alleles (variant forms of a gene) carried by an organism

Variation encompasses all the differences that exist in a population of the same species.
Variations in plants and animals are crucial for the survival and evolution of a species.

Bananas (Musa sp.) exhibit variation in size, shape, and color of the fruit, with examples like Lakatan, Latundan, Saba, Señorita, Cavendish, and Morado.
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) species demonstrates leaf variations in color and shape—from oval to linear.
Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides) includes cultivars like Mayana, Wizard Jade, Giant Exhibition Rustic Red, Henna, and Chocolate Covered Cherry, showing variations in leaf size, shape, and colour.
Gumamela (Hibiscus sp.) exhibits variation in flower color and size, with examples like Anne Arundel (H.moscheutos), Blue Bird (H.syriacus), and Donna Lynn (H.rosa-sinensis).

Species: a natural grouping of similar plants that can interbreed and reproduce by seed.
Variety: appears naturally within a species, but it has some distinctive trait which sets it apart.
Cultivar: ‘cultivated varieties;’ subspecies classification describing plants varieties produced through artificial selection.

Cone shells (Conus sp.) exhibit variation in species, with examples like Conus generalis, Conus textile, and Conus betulinus, which demonstrate size, shape, and colour differences.