Middle School Life Science : Genetics and Heredity
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Middle School Life Science
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Example Questions
Example Question #2 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
Which of these processes is most important for genetic variation?
cellular respiration
mitosis
meiosis
asexual reproduction
meiosis
The answer is meiosis because that is where "crossover" and recombination of DNA take place in sexual reproduction, increasing genetic variation of offspring.
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #3 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
According to this diagram, what will increase genetic variation most?
cell division
crossing over
DNA replication
no crossing over
crossing over
The answer is "crossing over" because it will produce 4 genetically different offspring.
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #4 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
Imagine there are 3 populations of snow hares. Snow hares have different colored fur ranging from white to brown. White snow hares can hide from predators more easily in the snow, and light brown snow hares can hide more easily in the grass and brush when the snow melts. Which of these populations of snow hares is most likely to survive this a winter with constantly changing weather and unpredictable snow?
Population 1: All the snow hares are completely white
Population 2: Most of the snow hares are completely white, but some of them have brown splotches.
Population 3: There are many snow hares of all different colors from completely white to completely brown.
population 1
not enough information
population 2
population 3
population 3
The answer is population 3 because it has the most genetic variation.
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #5 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
Why is genetic variation important to a population?
The environment doesn't change so there is no need for genetic variation.
It helps keep individuals looking different enough to tell each other apart.
It keeps a population the same despite constantly changing environments.
It allows a population to adapt in response to changing environments.
It allows a population to adapt in response to changing environments.
The answer is "it allows a population to adapt in response to changing environments."
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #6 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
Which genetic process is LEAST likely to add a variety of new traits to an individual?
genetic engineering
deletion of DNA
accurate replication
crossover and recombination
accurate replication
The answer is "accurate replication."
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #7 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
A population of ferns is exposed to the same amount of a toxic chemical and only a few of the mushrooms survive. What is the best explanation for the resistance of some of the mushrooms to the chemical's effects?
immunity was transferred from the chemical
developed in response to the chemical being applied
the presence of mutations in individual mushrooms
resistance was passed down from the top of the food chain
the presence of mutations in individual mushrooms
The answer is "the presence of mutations in individual mushrooms."
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #8 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
One explanation for the variety of species on Earth today is:
Each ecological niche changes in response to the organisms that live within it.
Genetic variation allows new species to develop and adapt to ecological niches
The environment was unchanging in Earth's early history, setting the stage for evolution.
Individuals in a population can change their bodies to meet their needs in an ever changing environment.
Genetic variation allows new species to develop and adapt to ecological niches
The answer is "Genetic variation allows new species to develop and adapt to ecological niches."
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #9 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
Which situation represents traits that are inheritable?
A random mutation causes the immediate death of an amoeba.
A sea turtle is hit by a motor boat. It survives, but damage is done to the shell.
A puppy sees its mother chase its tail. So it does the same thing.
A hamster has a gene which codes for long fur. Its offspring has long fur.
A hamster has a gene which codes for long fur. Its offspring has long fur.
The answer is "a dog has a gene which codes for long fur. Its offspring has long fur."
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
Example Question #10 : Explain How Genetic Variation Increases Chances Of Survival
The LEAST genetic variation would be found in which of the following populations?
microbes that reproduce asexually by budding
salamanders that occupy many different ecological niches
a population of fungi that just survived a disease
birds that reproduce on an island isolated from other habitats
microbes that reproduce asexually by budding
The answer is "Microbes that reproduce asexually by budding" because asexual reproduction produces genetic clones.
A genetically diverse population of individuals is more likely to survive than a population of individuals with similar genetic makeup. Variation allows some individuals within a population to adapt to the changing environment and natural selection allows the expression of those beneficial traits to persist. For example, if a population of organisms has the same genetic makeup, it is far less likely to survive disease, drought, or predation than one with genetic variation.
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