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Questions and Answers
What is the combination of alleles found in an organism?
What is responsible for preserving, copying and transmitting information within cells and from generation to generation?
What is the name of the molecule that is used to encode genetic information for all life on Earth?
What is the visible expression of the genotype?
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What is the name of the genetic material of all cellular organisms and most viruses?
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What is the term for the most common or generally accepted standard?
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What is the structure of DNA?
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What is the importance of genetics?
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What is the type of nucleic acid that performs a wide range of functions within cells?
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What is an allele?
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What is the genotype?
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What is the role of a dominant allele?
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What is the role of a recessive allele?
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What did Thomas Hunt Morgan use to study genetics?
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What is an example of genetic variation?
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What is the main concern of genetics?
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What is the nitrogen-containing base found in RNA but not in DNA?
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What is the sugar molecule found in DNA?
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How are the two strands of DNA held together?
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What is the structure of DNA?
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What is the relationship between the number of purines and pyrimidines in DNA?
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What is the function of complementary base pairing in DNA?
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What is the backbone of a nucleic acid strand composed of?
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What is the result of dehydration synthesis reactions in nucleic acid formation?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Genetics
- Genetics is important to individuals, society, and the study of biology
- Genetic variation is the difference in the characteristics of individuals within a species
Alleles and Genotype
- An allele is an alternative form of a gene
- Different alleles can produce differences in the observable features (phenotype) of an organism
- The set of alleles for a given trait carried by an organism is called the genotype
- Thomas Hunt Morgan used the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) to study genetics
Dominant vs. Recessive
- A dominant allele is expressed even if it is paired with a recessive allele
- A recessive allele is only visible when paired with another recessive allele
Chromosomes
- Every gene has its place (locus) on a chromosome
- Genotype is the combination of alleles found in an organism
- Phenotype is the visible expression of the genotype
- Wild-type phenotype is the most common or generally accepted standard
- Mutant alleles are usually recessive
DNA Structure
- DNA is a double helix molecule composed of two strands held together by hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen-containing bases
- The backbone of the DNA strand is composed of alternating sugar-phosphate molecules
- Adenine (purine) makes hydrogen bonds with thymine (pyrimidine)
- Cytosine (pyrimidine) makes hydrogen bonds with guanine (purine)
- The bonding between the nitrogen-containing bases in DNA is referred to as complementary base pairing
Nucleic Acids
- Nucleic acids are polymers of nucleotides
- Two varieties of nucleic acids: DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
- DNA stores genetic information and is responsible for preserving, copying, and transmitting information within cells and from generation to generation
- RNA performs a wide range of functions within cells, including protein synthesis and regulation of gene expression
Structure of a Nucleotide
- Each nucleotide is composed of three parts: a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogen-containing base
- There are five types of nucleotides found in nucleic acids
- DNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, while RNA contains adenine, guanine, cytosine, and uracil
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Description
This quiz introduces the basics of genetics, exploring its importance to individuals, society, and the study of biology.
