UH BIOL 3301 EXAM 1 (CHP. 2-3) WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
genetics - ANSWER-the study of heredity; the branch of biology that deals with heredity
and variation.
gene - ANSWER-a unit of heredity that may influence the outcome of a trait in an
organism. At the molecular level, a gene is a segment of DNA that contains the
information to make a functional product, either RNA or a polypeptide.
traits - ANSWER-characteristics of an organism; also specific properties of a character,
such as tall and dwarf pea plants.
nucleic acid - ANSWER-RNA or DNA. A macromolecule that is composed of repeating
nucleotide units.
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) - ANSWER-the genetic material. It is a double-stranded
structure, with each strand composed of repeating units of deoxyribonucleotides.
genetic code - ANSWER-the correspondence between a codon (i.e., a sequence of
three bases in an mRNA molecule) and the functional role that the codon plays during
translation. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid or the end of translation.
chromosome - ANSWER-the structures within living cells that contain the genetic
material. physically located within the nucleus. contain long segments of DNA, which is
the genetic material, and proteins, which are bound to the DNA and provide it with an
organized structure.
karyotype - ANSWER-a photographic representation of all the chromosomes within a
cell. It reveals how many chromosomes are found within an actively dividing somatic
cell.
gene expression - ANSWER-the process by which the information within a gene is
accessed, first to synthesize RNA and polypeptides, and eventually to affect the
phenotype of the organism.
allele - ANSWER-an alternative form of a specific gene.
genetic variation - ANSWER-genetic differences among members of the same species
or among different species.
morph - ANSWER-a form or phenotype in a population. For example, red eyes and
white eyes are different eye color morphs.
, gene mutation - ANSWER-a mutation that affects only a single gene.
phenylketonuria (PKU) - ANSWER-phenylketonuria (PKU)
a human genetic disease arising from a defect in phenylalanine hydroxylase.
diploid - ANSWER-an organism or cell that contains two sets of chromosomes.
homologs - ANSWER-structures that are similar to each other due to descent from a
common ancestor. (one of the chromosomes in a pair of chromosomes) (Genes when
they are descended from a common gene.)
somatic cell - ANSWER-any cell of the body except for gametes and germ-line cells that
give rise to gametes.
gamete - ANSWER-a reproductive cell (usually haploid) that can unite with another
reproductive cell to create a zygote. Sperm and egg cells
haploid - ANSWER-refers to a cell that contains half the genetic material found in
somatic cells. contains a single set of chromosomes.
genetic cross - ANSWER-the breeding of two selected individuals and the analysis of
their offspring in an attempt to understand how traits are passed from parent to
offspring.
loss-of-function mutation - ANSWER-a change in a genetic sequence that creates a
loss-of-function allele.
loss-of-function allele - ANSWER-an allele of a gene that encodes an RNA or protein
that is nonfunctional or compromised in function.
cross - ANSWER-a breeding between two distinct individuals. An analysis of their
offspring may be conducted to understand how traits are passed from parent to
offspring.
hybridization - ANSWER-(1) the breeding of two organisms of the same species with
different characteristics; (2) the phenomenon in which two single-stranded DNA
molecules from different sources bind to form a hybrid molecule.
hybrid - ANSWER-(1) an offspring obtained from a hybridization experiment; (2) a cell
produced from a cell fusion experiment in which the two separate nuclei have fused to
make a single nucleus.
sperm cell - ANSWER-a male gamete. are small and usually travel relatively far
distances to reach the female gamete.
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
genetics - ANSWER-the study of heredity; the branch of biology that deals with heredity
and variation.
gene - ANSWER-a unit of heredity that may influence the outcome of a trait in an
organism. At the molecular level, a gene is a segment of DNA that contains the
information to make a functional product, either RNA or a polypeptide.
traits - ANSWER-characteristics of an organism; also specific properties of a character,
such as tall and dwarf pea plants.
nucleic acid - ANSWER-RNA or DNA. A macromolecule that is composed of repeating
nucleotide units.
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) - ANSWER-the genetic material. It is a double-stranded
structure, with each strand composed of repeating units of deoxyribonucleotides.
genetic code - ANSWER-the correspondence between a codon (i.e., a sequence of
three bases in an mRNA molecule) and the functional role that the codon plays during
translation. Each codon specifies a particular amino acid or the end of translation.
chromosome - ANSWER-the structures within living cells that contain the genetic
material. physically located within the nucleus. contain long segments of DNA, which is
the genetic material, and proteins, which are bound to the DNA and provide it with an
organized structure.
karyotype - ANSWER-a photographic representation of all the chromosomes within a
cell. It reveals how many chromosomes are found within an actively dividing somatic
cell.
gene expression - ANSWER-the process by which the information within a gene is
accessed, first to synthesize RNA and polypeptides, and eventually to affect the
phenotype of the organism.
allele - ANSWER-an alternative form of a specific gene.
genetic variation - ANSWER-genetic differences among members of the same species
or among different species.
morph - ANSWER-a form or phenotype in a population. For example, red eyes and
white eyes are different eye color morphs.
, gene mutation - ANSWER-a mutation that affects only a single gene.
phenylketonuria (PKU) - ANSWER-phenylketonuria (PKU)
a human genetic disease arising from a defect in phenylalanine hydroxylase.
diploid - ANSWER-an organism or cell that contains two sets of chromosomes.
homologs - ANSWER-structures that are similar to each other due to descent from a
common ancestor. (one of the chromosomes in a pair of chromosomes) (Genes when
they are descended from a common gene.)
somatic cell - ANSWER-any cell of the body except for gametes and germ-line cells that
give rise to gametes.
gamete - ANSWER-a reproductive cell (usually haploid) that can unite with another
reproductive cell to create a zygote. Sperm and egg cells
haploid - ANSWER-refers to a cell that contains half the genetic material found in
somatic cells. contains a single set of chromosomes.
genetic cross - ANSWER-the breeding of two selected individuals and the analysis of
their offspring in an attempt to understand how traits are passed from parent to
offspring.
loss-of-function mutation - ANSWER-a change in a genetic sequence that creates a
loss-of-function allele.
loss-of-function allele - ANSWER-an allele of a gene that encodes an RNA or protein
that is nonfunctional or compromised in function.
cross - ANSWER-a breeding between two distinct individuals. An analysis of their
offspring may be conducted to understand how traits are passed from parent to
offspring.
hybridization - ANSWER-(1) the breeding of two organisms of the same species with
different characteristics; (2) the phenomenon in which two single-stranded DNA
molecules from different sources bind to form a hybrid molecule.
hybrid - ANSWER-(1) an offspring obtained from a hybridization experiment; (2) a cell
produced from a cell fusion experiment in which the two separate nuclei have fused to
make a single nucleus.
sperm cell - ANSWER-a male gamete. are small and usually travel relatively far
distances to reach the female gamete.
