STAAR Biology Genetics

DNA is considered a universal genetic code. Which statements are true of the genetic code? Pick THREE correct sentences.

• The order of nucleotide sequences of the genetic code is the same for all living organisms.

• The components that make up the genetic code are common among all living organisms.

• Proteins are assembled from a four letter codon that specifies what amino acids are needed.

• The genetic code uses the four nucleotide bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine.

• Amino acid sequences on the genetic code can be determined by the arrangement of the codons.

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

Delray has dimples and his wife does not. Delray has a homozygous dominant genotype for dimples, and his wife has a homozygous recessive genotype for no dimples.

If Delray and his wife decide to have children, then which Punnett square correctly shows the probability of them having a child with dimples?

• 
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• 
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NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Sickle-cell anemia is caused by the homozygous recessive genotype. People with sickle-cell anemia have the genotype aa. People without sickle-cell anemia have either the genotype AA or Aa. A woman with the genotype AA has a child with a man with the genotype aa. What is the probability, as a percentage, that their child will have sickle cell anemia? _______________

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NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

NGSS.HS-LS3-3

A sequence of DNA undergoes the following change:

TAC ACA CAA ACG GGG → TAC ACA GGA ACG GGG

This mutation will cause the amino acid​ (a)   to be replaced by .​ ​ (b)  

• Valine

• Proline

• Cysteine

• Threonine

• Glutamine

• Glycine

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

What is the term for a change in the DNA sequence?

• Mutation

• Meiosis

• Mitosis

• Recombination

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NGSS.HS-LS3-2

In genetics, what is the term used for the physical appearance of an organism's trait?

• Genotype

• Phenotype

• Allele

• Homozygous

Which statement best explains the color and texture change of the leaves?

• Plants shrink when they do not get sunlight

• Plants can grow without sunlight.

• Environmental conditions do not alter a plant's characteristics.

• Environmental conditions influence the expression of genetic traits

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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An illustration of how a particular DNA mutation will most likely affect the polypeptide produced is shown. What type of mutation is illustrated?

• insertion

• translocation

• substitution

• deletion

Answer explanation

The original strand has a GTA coding for His. The mutated strand has a GGA which codes for Pro instead. The T got switched for a G, so this is a substitution.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Eukaryotic cells have ​ (a)   and DNA in the ​ (b)   . Prokaryotic cells have ​ (c)   and DNA in the ​ (d)   .

• membrane-bound nuclei or organelles

• nucleus

• NO membrane-bound nuclei or organelles

• cytoplasm

Snowshoe hares change coat color during the year. In the summer, when there is no snow on the ground, their coat is brown. In the winter when there is snow, their coat is white. Which describes the genetic basis for seasonal changes in coat color?

• The snow causes mutations in the genes

• The genes are regulated by hormone signals that are altered by changes in the environment

• Sunlight causes cancer cells to develop

• The genes are deleted during the summer

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NGSS.HS-LS4-2

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