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
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.
1Formulas and methods
2Practice problems
1.GeneticsMedium
red-green colour blindness is X-linked recessive (allele b). A carrier mother, XBXb, has children with an unaffected father, XBY. The mother's gametes run down the side. Click the cell for a carrier daughter.
♀ XBXb♂ XBY
- 1XB × Y
- 2XB × XB
- 3Xb × Y
- 4Xb × XB
2.GeneticsHard
A recessive condition affects 9% of a population in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. What fraction f of the population are carriers (heterozygous)?
q² = 0.09
f =
3.Cell biologyMedium
Which enzyme makes the second messenger cyclic AMP when activated by a Gs protein?
- APhosphodiesterase
- BPhospholipase C
- CProtein kinase A
- DAdenylyl cyclase
4.Cell biologyHard
Why does colchicine arrest dividing cells in mitosis?
- AIt breaks down actin filaments, so cytokinesis cannot happen
- BIt stops DNA replication in S phase
- CIt stops tubulin polymerising, so the spindle cannot form
- DIt destroys the nuclear envelope permanently
3Solutions
1.Genetics
Answer: Xb × XB
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
XBY, XBXB, XbY, XbXB
Find the cell
Xb × XB = XbXB
Answer
Cell Xb × XB → XbXB
2.Genetics
Answer: f = 0.42
Hardy–Weinberg: in a large, randomly mating population with no selection, the allele frequencies p (dominant) and q (recessive), p + q = 1, give genotype frequencies p², 2pq and q².
Allele frequencies
q = √0.09 = 0.3
p = 1 − 0.3 = 0.7
Carriers
2pq = 2·0.7·0.3 = 0.42
Answer
f = 0.42
3.Cell biology
Answer: D · Adenylyl cyclase
Why this is the answer
Activated Gs stimulates adenylyl cyclase to convert ATP into cAMP. cAMP activates protein kinase A, and phosphodiesterase breaks cAMP down.
Answer
D · Adenylyl cyclase
4.Cell biology
Answer: C · It stops tubulin polymerising, so the spindle cannot form
Why this is the answer
Colchicine binds tubulin and prevents microtubule assembly. Without a working spindle, chromosomes cannot attach properly and the spindle checkpoint holds cells in metaphase.
Answer
C · It stops tubulin polymerising, so the spindle cannot form
ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/biology