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Genetics Unit Review Worksheet

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Genetics Unit Review Worksheet

Help a wildlife genetics team interpret inheritance data. Use the information in each question; assume simple Mendelian inheritance where stated. Show working for crosses and explain scientific reasoning.

From DNA to inherited traits

A wildlife team is studying a fictional fur-colour gene in small mammals.

1.Explain how DNA, genes and chromosomes are related. Include where chromosomes are usually found in an animal cell.

2.In the fur-colour study, B and b are alternative versions of one gene. What is the term for an alternative version of a gene?

Allele
Chromosome
Phenotype
Gamete

3.A body cell of a mammal has 40 chromosomes. State how many chromosomes are in a typical gamete, and name the cell division that produces gametes.

Predicting inheritance

For these questions, B (dark fur) is dominant to b (light fur). Treat the gene as a single-gene trait.

4.Two heterozygous mammals are crossed: Bb × Bb. Complete the Punnett square, then state the expected genotype ratio and the probability of light fur.

5.A mammal has genotype Bb. Identify its genotype category (homozygous or heterozygous) and phenotype.

6.A researcher crosses a homozygous dark-furred mammal (BB) with a light-furred mammal (bb). Give the genotype and phenotype expected for every offspring.

Reading family evidence

In this family, a rare condition is caused by a recessive allele, d. Affected individuals are dd; D is the unaffected allele.

Parent 1: unaffected, Dd

Parent 2: unaffected, Dd

Child: affected, dd

7.Use the family evidence above. Explain why two unaffected parents can have an affected child, and identify each parent's genotype category.

8.Which statement about an unaffected child of two Dd parents is correct?

The child must be DD.
The child could be DD or Dd.
The child must be dd.
The child cannot carry allele d.

Cell division and variation

Connect inheritance patterns to the processes that form new cells.

9.Compare mitosis and meiosis: state the number and chromosome-set type of cells produced by each, and give one role of each process.

10.Explain one way meiosis can create genetic variation among gametes.

Genetics in society

Genetic information can help people make decisions, but it also raises questions about privacy and fairness.

11.An Australian health service offers voluntary testing for a gene variant linked to a higher chance of a disease. Describe one possible benefit and one ethical concern of offering the test.

12.A conservation team selects captive-bred animals with a useful inherited trait. Give one potential benefit and one risk of selective breeding for conservation.