Introduction to Genetics
Matching
Key advances and evolution of the science of genetics: for questions 1-8, match
the scientist’s name to the proposed theory and experimental findings.
1. Matthias Jacob Schleiden (b) a. Theory of evolution through
selection
2. Theodor Schwann (b) b. Cell theory
3. Charles Darwin (a) c. Observation of chromosome
division and mitosis
4. Walther Flemming (c) d. Germ-plasm theory
5. August Weismann (d) e. Experiments with plants on the
principles of heredity
6. Gregor Mendel (e) f. Experiments with fruit flies on
transmission genetics
7. Walter Sutton (f) g. Discovery of DNA structure
8. James Watson and Francis Crick (g)
For questions 9-16, match the research focus to the subdiscipline of genetics
in which that phenomenon is primarily studied.
, 9. Evolution (c) a. Transmission genetics
10. Chemical nature of a gene (b) b. Molecular genetics
11. Gene expression regulation (b) c. Population genetics
12. Arrangement of genes on
chromosomes (a)
13. Gene mapping (a)
14. Differences in allele frequencies
in wet and dry environments (c)
15. Differences in gene function in wet
and dry environments (b)
16. Transcription and translation (b)
True/False
1. Humans first applied genetics to the domestication of plants (wheat, peas,
etc.) and animals (dogs, goats, etc.) between approximately 10,000 and
12,000 years ago. (T)
2. The theory of pangenesis states that the inheritance of acquired
characteristics during one’s lifetime cannot be passed on to offspring. (F)
3. Many human traits, such as skin and hair color, exhibit blending
inheritance, in which genetic information is mixed and is not separated in
future generations. (F)
4. Bacteria and viruses can be used to study genes and inheritance, even
though they are structurally and metabolically different from animal and
plant cells. (T)
, 5. Individuals carrying the albino gene(s) have an increased skin cancer risk
and poor eyesight. (T)
6. Charles Darwin accurately described the laws of inheritance in his
landmark book On the Origin of Species. (F)
1. Albinism requires a mutation in all of the four genes that control the synthesis and
storage of melanin in the skin tissue. (F)
2. Most phenotypes or traits, such as hair color, are determined solely by
the information provided by a single gene. (F)
3. Evolution cannot occur without genetic changes in populations. (T)
Multiple Choice
4. Genetics contribute to advances in:
a. agriculture.
a. pharmaceuticals.
b. medicine.
c. modern biology.
*e. All of the above.
5. Genetic information can be carried in which of the following biomolecules?
a. proteins
b. DNA and not RNA
c. RNA and not DNA
*d. Either DNA or RNA
6. Which of the following species is considered a genetic model organism?
, a. The plant, Linaria vulgaris
b. The deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus
*c. The worm, Caenorhabditis elegans
d. The frog, Hyla chrysoscelis
e. The chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes
7. The three-dimensional structure of DNA was first deciphered based on the
work of:
a. James Watson.
b. Francis Crick.
c. Maurice Wilkins.
d. Rosalind Franklin.
*e. All of the above.
8. The form of albinism found in the Hopis is most likely due to a defect in the
_____ gene located in chromosome 15.
a. APC
b. BRCA1
*c. OCA
d. GPR143
9. Which of the following scientists contributed significantly to the
foundations of molecular genetics?
*a. James Watson
b. Thomas Hunt Morgan
c. John B. S. Haldane
d. Charles Darwin
10. The contribution Charles Darwin made to genetics was to
a. demonstrate the connection between Mendel’s principles of
inheritance and evolution.
*b. propose that evolution occurs by natural selection.
c. develop the theory of evolution, based on earlier theories of
population genetics.
d. connect the fields of evolution and molecular genetics.