Genetics and Heredity

Curtis and Ashley have a pair of apple trees in their backyard that reproduce sexually. What is true about the seeds of the apples from these trees?

• They are 100% genetically different from the parent apple trees.

• They are genetically identical to the parent apple trees.

• They have genetic traits from both the parent apple trees.

• They are seedless.

Answer explanation

The offspring of David and Elida have genetic traits from both parents.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Brown eyes are dominant to blue eyes. Both of Tara's parents have brown eyes, but Tara has blue eyes. What is the BEST explanation for why Tara has blue eyes?

• Both Tara's parents carry a gene for blue eyes

• Everybody has blue eyes

• The sky is blue

• Alex has green eyes

Answer explanation

Nayelis has blue eyes because both of her parents carry a gene for blue eyes, which is a recessive trait.

Ashley and Paul observed a pair of robins building a nest outside their classroom window. They were fascinated to see that all living organisms, like the robins, create new life through a process called ________.

• Replication

• Growth

• Expiration

• Reproduction

Answer explanation

The bird creates new life through the process of reproduction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Paul observes that a puppy in his neighborhood has a coat color that is a mix of black and white, which is the result of a black-coated dog and a white-coated dog breeding. This is an example of incomplete dominance, which means_____________.

• One allele has more influence than the other

• Each allele has its own degree of influence

• No influence

• Salads

Answer explanation

Incomplete dominance means each allele has its own degree of influence.

While studying the genetic makeup of pea plants for their biology project, Alex and Curtis learned about a term that describes a set of instructions for an inherited trait. What is this term called?

• Alleles

• Genes

• Chromosomes

• Proteins

Answer explanation

Genes are a set of instructions for an inherited trait in biology.

During a biology class, Curtis and Rosa learned from their teacher, Chris, that Gregor Mendel discovered that recessive traits (rr) appear in the second generation of pea plants in his garden.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

Gregor Mendel discovered that recessive traits (rr) appear in the second generation of pea plants. This is TRUE.

Tara and Luis are observing an onion root tip under the microscope in their biology class. They notice a cell undergoing mitosis, transitioning from a 2 cell stage to a 4 cell stage. Describe the Mitosis process (what do you see)?

• Zygote to Cell stage; Cell Stage to Cell Stage

  CELL DIVIDES

• Blastocyte

  Inner Cell Mass

Answer explanation

The statement is true because Mitosis occurs between 2 cell stage and 4 cell stage.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

NGSS.MS-LS1-1

David and Chris are working on a school project about genetics in agriculture. They want to breed a flock of chickens that are known for their exceptionally large beaks. To achieve this trait in their flock, they should select chickens with large beaks and breed them exclusively with each other.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Answer explanation

To breed chickens with exceptionally large beaks, Ashly and Miguel should select chickens with large beaks and breed them exclusively with each other. This ensures the trait is passed on to future generations. Therefore, the correct answer is TRUE.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

During a science project, Ansley observed a house fly and noted it has 12 body chromosomes. Meanwhile, Curtis was reviewing his biology notes and remembered that a human skin cell has 46 chromosomes. Which of the following correctly represents the number of chromosomes in each of these species?

• House fly 12, humans 46

• House fly, 6, Humans 46

• Both 46

• House fly 6, Humans 23

Answer explanation

The correct number of chromosomes in a house fly is 12, while humans have 46 chromosomes.

In a biology project on pea plants, Tara and Chris discovered that the genotypes for pure breeding plants are

• HH, Hh, hh

• Hh

• HH, hh

• HH

Answer explanation

The genotypes for pure breeding plants are HH and hh, which are the correct choices.