1. What are chromosomes?
- Answer: Chromosomes are thread-like structures composed of DNA that carry genes, the
fundamental units of inheritance.
2. What defines a gene?
- Answer: A gene is a specific sequence of DNA that encodes information for producing proteins,
thereby determining various traits.
3. What is DNA?
- Answer: DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a long linear molecule found in a cell's nucleus, made up of
nucleotides and arranged in a double helix structure.
4. What occurs during mitosis?
- Answer: Mitosis is a key part of eukaryotic cell division where the nucleus divides, resulting in two
identical daughter cells.
5. What are gametes?
- Answer: Gametes are the reproductive cells, specifically sperm and eggs, involved in sexual
reproduction.
6. What constitutes an egg in animals?
- Answer: An egg refers to the female reproductive structure that includes the ovum or embryo along
with protective and nutrient-rich membranes.
7. What is sperm?
- Answer: Sperm are the male reproductive cells responsible for fertilizing the egg.
8. What is a zygote?
, - Answer: A zygote is the initial cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg; it is the fertilized egg.
9. Describe the process of meiosis.
- Answer: Meiosis is a type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half through the
separation of homologous chromosomes in diploid cells.
10. What is spermatogenesis?
- Answer: Spermatogenesis is the process through which spermatozoa (sperm cells) develop.
11. What does oogenesis refer to?
- Answer: Oogenesis is the process of developing ova (egg cells).
12. What are testes?
- Answer: Testes are the male gonads that produce sperm and secrete male sex hormones.
13. What is the function of ovaries?
- Answer: The ovaries are female reproductive organs responsible for the production of eggs.
14. Define homologous chromosomes.
- Answer: Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that have the
same structure and gene sequence.
15. What does the term diploid mean?
- Answer: Diploid refers to a cell that contains two complete sets of homologous chromosomes.
16. What is meant by haploid?
- Answer: Haploid indicates a cell that contains only one set of chromosomes, and thus, a single set of
genes.
17. What does genetics study?