Biology: Genetics and Cell Biology: cram pack

Formula sheets, the key method steps for every topic and 4 practice problems, with full solutions at the back.

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1Formulas and methods

Genetics

Monohybrid cross (Aa × Aa)
genotypes 1 : 2 : 1, phenotypes 3 : 1
Dihybrid cross
phenotypes 9 : 3 : 3 : 1
Hardy–Weinberg
p + q = 1, p² + 2pq + q² = 1
Independent genes
multiply the probabilities

2Practice problems

1.GeneticsMedium
AaBb ♀AaBb ♂ABAbaBabABAbaBab????????????????

Tall (A) is dominant over short (a), and round seeds (B) over wrinkled (b). The genes are on different chromosomes. For the cross AaBb × AaBb, what is the probability P that an offspring is short, wrinkled seeds?

AaBb × AaBb
P =
2.GeneticsHard
♂ AaBb♀ AaBbAbaBABababAbaBAB

Two AaBb parents are crossed. Gene A gives yellow seeds (dominant) or green seeds; gene B gives tall plants (dominant) or short plants. Click the one cell for an offspring that is shows green seeds and is homozygous for tall plants.

AaBb × AaBb
  1. 1ab × Ab
  2. 2ab × aB
  3. 3ab × AB
  4. 4ab × ab
  5. 5Ab × Ab
  6. 6Ab × aB
  7. 7Ab × AB
  8. 8Ab × ab
  9. 9aB × Ab
  10. 10aB × aB
  11. 11aB × AB
  12. 12aB × ab
  13. 13AB × Ab
  14. 14AB × aB
  15. 15AB × AB
  16. 16AB × ab
3.Cell biologyMedium

Which motor protein generally carries cargo along microtubules towards the minus end, near the cell centre?

  1. AKinesin
  2. BMyosin
  3. CDynein
  4. DActin
4.Cell biologyHard

Which checkpoint ensures all chromosomes are attached to the spindle before anaphase begins?

  1. AThe G2/M checkpoint
  2. BThe spindle assembly (metaphase) checkpoint
  3. CThe G1/S checkpoint
  4. DThe S-phase checkpoint

3Solutions

1.Genetics

Answer: P = 0.0625

Mendelian genetics: each parent passes on one allele of each gene, chosen at random. A Punnett square lists every combination of gametes, each equally likely. A dominant allele (capital letter) shows whenever it is present; a recessive one only in the homozygous form. Genes on different chromosomes are inherited independently, so their probabilities multiply.

Each gene on its own

P(short) = 0.25
P(wrinkled seeds) = 0.25

Multiply

P = 0.25·0.25 = 0.0625

Answer

P = 0.0625
2.Genetics

Answer: aB × aB

Punnett square: one parent's gametes run along the top, the other's down the side. Each cell joins the gamete above it with the gamete beside it, and every cell is equally likely. A recessive trait only shows when both alleles are recessive; for an X-linked trait, sons get their only X from the mother.

Genotype asked for

aaBB

Gametes

A homozygous genotype needs the same gamete from both parents, so only one cell in the 16 fits.

aB × aB = aaBB

Answer

Cell aB × aB → aaBB
3.Cell biology

Answer: C · Dynein

Why this is the answer

Kinesins mostly move towards the plus end (out to the periphery) and dyneins towards the minus end (towards the centrosome). Myosin moves along actin.

Answer

C · Dynein
4.Cell biology

Answer: B · The spindle assembly (metaphase) checkpoint

Why this is the answer

The spindle checkpoint delays anaphase until every kinetochore is attached, preventing unequal chromosome distribution.

Answer

B · The spindle assembly (metaphase) checkpoint

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