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
♂♀XH​YXh​XH​

haemophilia is X-linked recessive (allele h). A carrier mother, XHXh, has children with an unaffected father, XHY. The mother's gametes run down the side. Click the cell for an unaffected son.

♀ XHXh♂ XHY
  1. 1Xh × XH
  2. 2Xh × Y
  3. 3XH × XH
  4. 4XH × Y
2.GeneticsHard
♂ AaBb♀ AaBbaBABabAbABabAbaB

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

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 cell junction seals neighbouring epithelial cells together and stops fluid leaking between them?

  1. ATight junction
  2. BHemidesmosome
  3. CDesmosome
  4. DGap junction
4.Cell biologyHard

In Tay–Sachs disease, a ganglioside builds up in nerve cells because of a missing enzyme. In which organelle does the build-up occur?

  1. ASmooth ER
  2. BLysosome
  3. CMitochondrion
  4. DPeroxisome

3Solutions

1.Genetics

Answer: XH × Y

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.

Fill the square

XhXH, XhY, XHXH, XHY

Find the cell

XH × Y = XHY

Answer

Cell XH × Y → XHY
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: A · Tight junction

Why this is the answer

Tight junctions join membranes of adjacent cells closely, blocking the paracellular route, for example in the gut lining and the blood–brain barrier.

Answer

A · Tight junction
4.Cell biology

Answer: B · Lysosome

Why this is the answer

Tay–Sachs is a lysosomal storage disease. Lack of hexosaminidase A means GM2 ganglioside cannot be broken down and accumulates in neuronal lysosomes.

Answer

B · Lysosome

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