Genetics and Heredity Quiz - Science Fusion Grade 8

Questions and Answers

What is the function of DNA in an organism?

To store information for protein synthesis (correct)

To directly produce energy for cellular processes

To transport oxygen in the blood

To form the cell membrane

What term describes the observable traits of an organism?

Genotype

Allele

Phenotype (correct)

Homozygous

In a heterozygous genotype, what does the term 'heterozygous' specifically refer to?

Having only one allele for a trait

Having two identical alleles for a trait

Having two different alleles for a trait (correct)

Having one dominant and one recessive allele

Which of the following best describes the process of natural selection?

<p>The survival and reproduction of individuals due to favorable traits</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a mutation in the context of genetics?

<p>A random change in the sequence of nucleotides in DNA</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Functions of DNA

DNA is the hereditary material in organisms, containing instructions crucial for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction.
It encodes the information needed to produce proteins, which perform a majority of life functions.
DNA is also responsible for passing genetic information from one generation to another, ensuring continuity of traits.

Observable Traits

The term "phenotype" describes the observable traits or characteristics of an organism, such as physical appearance, behavior, and biochemical properties.
The phenotype results from the interaction between an organism's genotype and environmental factors.

Heterozygous Genotype

"Heterozygous" refers to a genotype consisting of two different alleles for a particular gene, one inherited from each parent.
This can lead to dominant and recessive traits being expressed depending on the alleles present.

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process whereby organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
It is a mechanism of evolution, explaining how species evolve over time through inherited traits that provide advantages in survival and reproduction.

Mutation in Genetics

A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that may alter gene function and can lead to different traits or characteristics.
Mutations can be caused by errors during DNA replication, environmental factors, or can occur spontaneously; they can be beneficial, harmful, or neutral to the organism.

Description

Test your knowledge on genetics and heredity concepts from the Science Fusion curriculum for Grade 8. This quiz covers essential topics like DNA functions, observable traits, genotypes, natural selection, and mutations. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of genetics in an American curriculum context.