Genetic Variation and Information

Category: Genetic Variation and Information

In this unit, we start off with DNA and RNA as the genetic molecules from unit 1, this time  identifying differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA, and chromosome structure. Extending from GCSE, we look at protein synthesis and the process of  transcription. This is the use of RNA polymerase to make complementary pre-mRNA from a coding section of DNA. The pre-mRNA contains introns, which are then spliced out to form the shorter mRNA. Translation then occurs in the ribosome. Here, we meet a new clover shaped polynucleotide : transfer RNA. tRNA  has  anticodons on the bottom loop, complementary to the codons on the mRNA, and specific amino acids on the top. The ribosome has space for 3 tRNA.s to dock, and join together the amino acids to form a polypeptide.

Genetic variation can occur due to mutation or meiosis. A few simple mutations to the base sequence of DNA are discussed here ( there are more in Unit 8), along with independent segregation and ‘crossing over’ of chromatids in the first phases of meiosis. This genetic variation is then applied to Natural Selection. Students need to be able to differentiate between directional and stabilising selection.

Phylogenetic classification uses evolutionary origins as a way of grouping organisms into a hierarchy. The different organisms can be grouped by biochemical similarity . The most obvious of this is the sequence of DNA, which is obviously linked to the primary structure of key proteins.

In this unit, students are also expected to develop maths skills , including calculation of means and standard deviation, and understanding what standard deviation represents.  Although, standard deviation will not be need to be calculated in the AQA exam.

199

Genes and Chromosomes

1 / 25

True or False : The sex chromosomes ( X and Y) are an homologous pair?

2 / 25

Eukaryotic DNA is stored, wrapped around which type of protein?

3 / 25

How would you describe the shape of prokaryotic chromosome, when compared to a eukaryotic chromosome?

4 / 25

Which type of DNA is not circular?

5 / 25

Describe how prokaryotic DNA is stored

6 / 25

What is a gene?

7 / 25

Which of the following is not coded for by a gene?

8 / 25

Which word does NOT describe the genetic code?

 

9 / 25

Which of the following carries the code for the order of amino acids?

10 / 25

What do we call a section of DNA which does not carry a code for a functional RNA or amino acid?

11 / 25

What is the position of gene on a chromosome called?

12 / 25

What is an allele?

13 / 25

What is the genome of a cell?

14 / 25

What is the proteome of a cell?

15 / 25

How many chromosomes do most human cells contain?

16 / 25

What is an 'homologous chromosome'?

17 / 25

What is a 'sister chromatid' or 'sister chromosome'?

18 / 25

In an homologous pair of chromosomes, would alleles be...

19 / 25

In an homologous pair of chromosomes...

 

20 / 25

True or False : The sex chromosomes ( X and Y) are not an homologous pair?

21 / 25

On this diagram, what does A represent?

22 / 25

On this diagram, what does B represent?

23 / 25

On this diagram, what does C represent?

24 / 25

On this diagram, what does D represent?

25 / 25

What do H and h represent?

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216

Protein Synthesis

1 / 30

DNA is read in sets of three bases called what?

2 / 30

What word describes the fact there is more than one set of three bases for each amino acid?

3 / 30

True or False : The same three bases of DNA (or RNA) code for the same amino acid in every organism ever discovered.

4 / 30

What does RNA stand for?

 

5 / 30

What is a difference between RNA and DNA?

6 / 30

Which is the true statement about DNA compared to RNA?

7 / 30

The genetic code on RNA is read in a set of three bases called a...

8 / 30

What does the 'm' stand for in mRNA?

9 / 30

What is transcription?

10 / 30

Which enzyme is used in transcription?

11 / 30

Which bonds are broken by the enzyme used in transcription?

12 / 30

Where does the enzyme used in transcription bind?

13 / 30

During Transcription, the two DNA strands are separated. What attracts free floating RNA nucleotides to the exposed bases?

14 / 30

Which term describes the specific attraction of bases?

15 / 30

What is the base-pairing pattern in DNA to RNA?

16 / 30

What bond is formed between the free RNA bases, once they have formed complementary base pairs?

17 / 30

What molecule is made in eukaryotic transcription?

18 / 30

What molecule is made in prokaryotic transcription?

19 / 30

What stops the RNA polymerase?

20 / 30

In eukaryotes, the pre-mRNA is modified by removing what?

21 / 30

What is the name of the modification of pre-mRNA in eukaryotes?

22 / 30

Where does modification of pre-mRNA occur?

23 / 30

What is translation?

24 / 30

Where does translation take place?

25 / 30

In translation, a molecule called tRNA carries a three letter code. What are they called ?

26 / 30

What molecule does the tRNA carry?

27 / 30

How many tRNA molecules can fit into a ribosome at any time?

28 / 30

As the mRNA is fed through the ribosome, complementary base pairing between the mRNA and tRNA mean that amino acids are lined up in a specific order. What level of protein structure is established here ?

29 / 30

What type of bond forms between the amino acids?

30 / 30

What molecule is formed at the end of translation?

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177

Meiosis

1 / 24

What word describes cells which contain pairs of chromosomes?

2 / 24

What word do we use to describe the pairs of chromosomes?

3 / 24

What word describes cells which contain single chromosomes?

4 / 24

On this diagram, what does A represent?

5 / 24

On this diagram, what does B represent?

6 / 24

On this diagram, what does C represent?

7 / 24

On this diagram, what does D represent?

8 / 24

Before meiosis starts, the primary spermatocyte or oocyte replicates its chromosomes and organelles. What is this phase called?

9 / 24

There are now two identical copies of each chromosome, held together by the centromere. Which term best describes these identical copies?

10 / 24

How many chromatids are present in a human cell at the start of meiosis?

11 / 24

As there are now 4 chromatids in each homologous pair, they are sometimes called what?

12 / 24

Which number represents prophase 1 of meiosis?

13 / 24

Which number represents metaphase 1 of meiosis?

14 / 24

How does metaphase 1, differ from metaphase 2 in meiosis?

15 / 24

Is Anaphase 2 more similar to Anaphase 1, or Anaphase in mitosis?

16 / 24

What is the order of events from the diagram for Meiosis division 2?

17 / 24

How is variation introduced during prophase 1?

18 / 24

During recombination ( crossing over), genetic material can be swapped between which two structures?

19 / 24

How does recombination increase variation?

20 / 24

During Metaphase 1, the homologous pairs can line up with either the paternal chromosome above, or the maternal chromosome above. What is this phenomenon called?

21 / 24

How many different combinations of maternal / paternal chromosomes are there if there are 23 pairs?

22 / 24

What is the main cause of variation between siblings?

23 / 24

A sheep cheek cell which is not dividing has 54 chromosomes, how many chromatids will be present during Meiotic Prophase 1 in the testes?

24 / 24

The goat cardiomyocyte has 30 pairs of chromosomes. How many chromatids will be present in each cell formed at the end of meiosis Telophase 2?

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101

Mutation and Genetic Diversity

1 / 21

What is a gene mutation?

2 / 21

What type of mutation is this ? ACCTGG becomes ACGTGG

3 / 21

What type of mutation is this ? ACCTGG becomes ACCTTGG

4 / 21

What type of mutation is this ? ACCTGG becomes ACTGG

5 / 21

Which of the following gene mutations will have the least dramatic effect on the polypeptide produced?

6 / 21

Some gene mutations will have no effect at all on the polypeptide, why not?

7 / 21

Two of the above mutations will always cause a non functional protein. Why?

8 / 21

Which of the following is a mutagenic agent?

9 / 21

Which of the following can be a mutagenic agent?

10 / 21

Which of the following is true about all mutagenic agents?

11 / 21

Which of the following is the result of a chromosome mutation?

12 / 21

In Biology, what does genetic diversity represent in a population?

 

13 / 21

Which of the following will reduce genetic diversity in a population?

14 / 21

What happens to the number of different alleles during a genetic bottleneck?

15 / 21

Which is an example of a Genetic Bottleneck?

16 / 21

After a genetic bottleneck, what is true about the alleles of the survivors?

17 / 21

True or false - The Founder Effect is a type of genetic bottle neck?

18 / 21

True or false : The Founder Effect is a type of genetic drift?

19 / 21

Tristan De Cunha is an island populated by a small number of Britons in the early 1800's. What is this an example of ?

20 / 21

Why do the modern day population of Tristan De Cunha has a much higher than average incidence of the genetic disorder Retinitis Pigmentosa?

21 / 21

The Amish in America are a closed community, which only reproduce with-in their own population. They are descended from 200 Swiss who migrated there. They have a much higher proportion of alleles which cause genetic disorders, rarely seen in the rest of the population. What is this an example of?

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59

Natural Selection

1 / 19

How do new alleles occur in a population?

2 / 19

What do we mean by 'Evolution' in biological terms?

3 / 19

What does 'Differential Reproductive Success' mean?

4 / 19

Why do most mutations cause a decrease in reproductive success?

5 / 19

A mutation in a population of bed bugs in New York City caused the bedbugs to have a thicker, waxier exoskeleton. Why will the allele for thicker , waxier exoskeleton in bed bugs increase in the population?

6 / 19

Stray dogs in the Moscow Subway have learnt to beg for food, and are able to identify humans most likely to feed them. What type of adaptation is this ?

7 / 19

The Western Corn Rootworm has developed resistance to a protein pesticide found in transgenic crops. The protein no longer damages the digestive tract of the insect.

8 / 19

Babiana Ringens is a South African plant, which flowers on the ground. They are pollinated by birds, so to attract them they have evolved a sturdy stalk with no leaves or flowers which acts as a bird perch.

9 / 19

Around 10,000 years ago, humans developed the ability to make lactase in adulthood, and so were able to digest diary products.

10 / 19

What type of selection is shown on this graph?

11 / 19

Which of the following is an example of directional selection?

12 / 19

What type of selection is shown on the graph?

13 / 19

What type of selection is resistance to antibiotics by bacteria?

14 / 19

Which of the following has contributed to the development of antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria?

15 / 19

What caused the antibiotic resistance in the first place?

16 / 19

The development of antibiotic resistance is an example of what type of selection?

17 / 19

How do Microbiologists test for bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics?

18 / 19

True or false : The most effective antibiotic for E Coli O121 will also be the most effective antibiotic for EColi K1.

19 / 19

What technique is required when culturing bacteria?

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