10 Questions
What is the result of a mutation in a coding region of a gene?
The polypeptide produced may not work, may work less well or may work differently, and may give the individual a survival advantage.
What is the advantage of sexual reproduction in terms of genetic variation?
The DNA from each parent is shuffled, and the resulting offspring contains a new combination of genetic information, half from each parent.
What is the main difference between asexually and sexually reproducing species in terms of genetic variation?
Asexually reproducing species have much less genetic variation in the population, as offspring inherit all the genetic information from their one parent.
What is the result of independent assortment during meiosis?
New combinations of phenotypes in the offspring, which increases variation in the population.
What is the role of fertilisation in shuffling alleles?
Fertilisation shuffles the DNA from each parent, resulting in a new combination of genetic information in the offspring.
What is a dihybrid genotype?
A genotype that describes the alleles of two gene loci together.
What happens to homologous chromosomes during metaphase I in meiosis?
They line up randomly, shuffling the paternal and maternal chromosomes, increasing variation among the offspring.
What is the result of a mutation that gives an individual a survival advantage?
The changed gene is a new allele.
How does meiosis contribute to genetic variation in a population?
Meiosis increases genetic variation through the independent assortment of non-homologous chromosomes and the shuffling of paternal and maternal chromosomes.
What is the role of alleles in the genetic variation of a population?
Alleles are alternate forms of a gene, and their variation is a key driver of genetic variation in a population.
Study Notes
Mutations and New Alleles
- Mutation in a coding region of a gene can alter polypeptide production, affecting individual survival or fitness.
- A changed gene resulting from mutation is a new allele.
- New alleles can provide a survival advantage to an individual.
Fertilisation and Shuffling Alleles
- Fertilisation is the process where a sperm combines with an egg cell, contributing half the DNA to a zygote.
- Sexual reproduction allows for shuffling of DNA from each parent, resulting in new combinations of genetic information in offspring.
- Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, results in offspring inheriting all genetic information from one parent, leading to limited genetic variation.
Independent Assortment
- Independent assortment of non-homologous chromosomes during meiosis leads to new phenotype combinations in offspring, increasing population variation.
- Random alignment of homologous chromosomes at metaphase I in meiosis further shuffles paternal and maternal chromosomes.
Crossing Over
- Crossing over during meiosis allows recombination of alleles on the same chromosome.
- This process increases variation among offspring by recombining linked genes, which are genes located on the same chromosome.
- Linked genes tend to be inherited together, but crossing over enables their separation and recombination.
Understand the role of mutations in creating new alleles and how fertilization shuffles alleles. Learn how mutations can affect gene function and influence an individual's survival. Quiz yourself on the basics of genetics!
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