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.

New problemsBack to the course

In the print window, choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy on your device.

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 tall plants (dominant) or short plants; gene B gives purple flowers (dominant) or white flowers. Click the one cell for an offspring that is shows both short plants and white flowers.

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

A point mutation changes a codon for an amino acid into a stop codon. What type of mutation is this?

  1. AMissense mutation
  2. BSilent mutation
  3. CNonsense mutation
  4. DFrameshift mutation
4.Cell biologyHard

Okazaki fragments are formed on:

  1. AThe leading strand
  2. BmRNA during translation
  3. CtRNA during transcription
  4. DThe lagging strand during DNA replication

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 · Nonsense mutation

Why this is the answer

A nonsense mutation creates a premature stop codon, giving a shortened protein that usually does not work.

Answer

C · Nonsense mutation
4.Cell biology

Answer: D · The lagging strand during DNA replication

Why this is the answer

The lagging strand is synthesised discontinuously in short fragments away from the fork, then joined by ligase.

Answer

D · The lagging strand during DNA replication

ExamProblems · examproblems.com/courses/biology