SBI3C1: Genetics Test Review
Part 1: Meiosis
1. Define the following terms:
 Diploid
 Haploid
 Gametes
 Zygote
 Synapsis
 Meoisis
 Mitosis
 Chromosome
 Ploidy levels
 Somatic cells
 Gene
 Alleles
 Autosome
 Euploidy
 Aneuploidy
 Non-disjunction
 Sexual reproduction
 Homologous chromosomes
2. Describe sexual reproduction. How does it differ from the asexual reproduction of bacteria?
3. What is the difference between Meiosis I and Meiosis II?
4. Draw and explain what is happening in each stage of Meiosis I and Meiosis II.
5. What are the 3 functions of meiosis?
6. What is genetic variation? What two events help genetic variation occur?
7. Describe random assortment. When does it occur?
8. Describe crossing over. When does it occur?
9. How is genetic variation increased by fertilization?
10. Describe the process of non-disjunction, using a diagram. What is another name for non-disjunction?
11. What is the difference between an insertion/deletion, inversion, and translocation?
12. What is a karyotype? How are they organized? Why do we use them?
Part 2: Mendelian Genetics, Dominance & Punnett Squares
1. Define the following terms:
 Homozygous
 Heterozygous
 Dominant
 Recessive
 Genotype
 Phenotype
 Monohybrid cross
 Punnett Square
2. Describe the genetics conventions you need to keep in mind when completing Punnett Square problems.
3. What are the 3 genotypic possibilities?
4. Who is Gregor Mendel?
5. Why were pea plants utilized in early genetics studies?
6. What are the steps for solving Punnett Squares?
7. What is the difference between complete and incomplete dominance?
8. What are the sex chromosomes? What are the combinations for a male? Female?
9. Why are sex-linked traits associated with the X chromosome and not the Y?
10. Complete dominance problems:
a. A heterozygous, smooth pea pod, plant is crossed with a wrinkled pea pod plant. There are two alleles for pea pod,
smooth and wrinkled. Use S for the alleles. Predict the offspring from this cross.
b. In humans, acondroplasia “dwarfism” (D) is dominant over normal (d). A homozygous dominant person dies before
the age of one. A heterozygous person is dwarfed. A homozygous recessive individual is normal. A heterozygous
dwarf man marries a dwarf heterozygous woman. Predict the possibilities from this cross.
c. In humans, free earlobes (F) is dominant over attached earlobes (f). If one parent is homozygous dominant for free
earlobes, while the other has attached earlobes can they produce any children with attached earlobes?
d. In humans widow’s peak (W) is dominant over straight hairline (w). A heterozygous man for this trait marries a
woman who is also heterozygous. Predict the offspring for this pairing.
11. Sex-linked problems:
a. Hemophilia is a sex-linked trait. A person with hemophilia is lacking certain proteins that are necessary for normal
blood clotting. Hemophilia is caused by a recessive allele so use “N” for normal and “n” for hemophilia. Since
hemophilia is sex-linked, remember a woman will have two alleles (NN or Nn or nn) but a man will have only one
allele (N or n). A woman who is heterozygous (a carrier) for hemophilia marries a normal man. Predict the outcome
of this pairing.
b. Can a colour blind female have a son that has normal vision? Color blindness is caused by a sex-linked recessive allele.
*use N = normal vision and n = color blind
Part 3: Biotechnology
1. Define the following terms:
 Biotechnology
 Genetic engineering
 Cloning
 Transgenic organism
 Selective breeding  Human genome project
 Genome
 Reproductive technology
2. Provide examples of when you would use selective breeding in agriculture. Be specific – provide the crop and the
improvement that has been bred.
3. How do humans benefit from the use microorganisms in biotechnology?
4. What are the aims of reproductive technologies?
5. Why would you want to create a transgenic organism? How is one created?
6. What is recombinant DNA?
7. Outline the 4 steps for creating recombinant DNA.
8. What are some advantages and uses of genetic engineering?
9. Describe the process of cloning and how nuclear transfer allows it to happen.
10. What is the human genome project? What might it lead to in the future?
11. List three ways in which biotechnology impacts your life
12. List some benefits obtained from genetically modifying plants.
13. What is the name of the agency responsible for regulating the development and testing of genetically modified
foods in Canada?
14. What is Bt toxin? Why have people engineered corn to carry the Bt toxin genes?
15. What might a scientist examine to determine if a person is a carrier for a genetic disorder?
16. The phrase “in vitro” means “in glass”. Why is in vitro fertilization a suitable name for the technique?
17. How has genetic engineering increased genetic variation in some species?
18. What are some concerns related to safety of genetically modified foods?
19. Describe a way in which a GMO could be used to reduce chemical pollution of the environment?
20. What are some potential concerns about releasing transgenic species into the environment?
21. The frog in the photo was genetically engineered to be transparent. How might a transparent frog be useful in
biology, especially to biology students?
22. Suggest why someone may choose not to learn if she or he carries an allele associated with a serious disease.
23. Some concerned consumers believe that the public has the right to know whether or not foods contain genetically
modified ingredients. Some European countries demand that all food labels include this information. Canada does
not, however. Should Canada adopt laws that require food producers and packagers to identify genetically modified
ingredients on food labels? Explain, using at least two points to support your opinion.