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PORTAGE LEARNING BIOD 210 – GENETICS
MODULES 1–7 & FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW
Table of Contents
1. Foundations of Genetics: History, Cell Theory, and Basic Concepts
2. Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance Patterns
3. The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance and Cytogenetics
4. Molecular Genetics: DNA Structure, Replication, and Repair
5. Gene Expression, Regulation, and Mutation
6. Bacterial and Viral Genetics
7. Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, and Cancer Genetics
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Question 1: Who proposed the theory of epigenesis, which correctly hypothesized that a
fertilized human egg undergoes specific developmental events leading to the formation of a
human?
A) William Harvey
B) Matthias Schleiden
C) Theodor Schwann
D) Gregor Mendel
Correct Answer: A) William Harvey
William Harvey proposed epigenesis, the concept that a fertilized egg undergoes specific
developmental events that eventually lead to the formation of a human. This contrasted with
preformation, which held that a fertilized egg contained a tiny, fully developed adult (the
homunculus). Epigenesis is now known to be correct.
Question 2: What is the term for the concept that a fertilized egg contained a tiny version of a
completely developed adult?
A) Epigenesis
B) Preformation
C) Cell theory
D) Natural selection
Correct Answer: B) Preformation
Preformation was the historical concept that a fertilized egg contained a tiny, fully formed adult
called a homunculus. This theory was eventually disproven in favor of epigenesis. Preformation
was proposed by early microscopists who thought they saw miniature humans in sperm or eggs.
Question 3: Who proposed the cell theory, stating that all living organisms are composed of
organized structures called cells and that these cells are derived from identical precursor cells?
A) William Harvey
B) Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
C) Gregor Mendel
D) Charles Darwin
Correct Answer: B) Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann proposed the cell theory in 1838–1839. The theory
states that all living organisms are composed of cells, and that cells arise from pre-existing cells.
This was a foundational concept for modern biology and genetics.
Question 4: What is the study of heredity, first coined in the early 1900s?
A) Genetics
B) Genomics
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C) Proteomics
D) Cytology
Correct Answer: A) Genetics
Genetics is the study of heredity and the understanding of genes and how they contribute to the
passing of traits from parents to offspring. The term was first coined by William Bateson in 1905.
It encompasses classical genetics, molecular genetics, and population genetics.
Question 5: What is the chromosomal theory of inheritance?
A) The theory that genes are located on chromosomes and that chromosomes segregate during
meiosis
B) The theory that genes are located in the cytoplasm
C) The theory that genes are proteins
D) The theory that genes are located in the nucleus but not on chromosomes
Correct Answer: A) The theory that genes are located on chromosomes and that
chromosomes segregate during meiosis
The chromosomal theory of inheritance states that genes are located on chromosomes and that
the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis (segregation and independent assortment) explains
Mendelian inheritance patterns. This theory was developed by Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri
in the early 1900s.
Question 6: What are alleles?
A) Variations of a given gene
B) Proteins
C) Chromosomes
D) Cells
Correct Answer: A) Variations of a given gene
Alleles are simply variations of a given gene. For example, a gene for flower color may have a
purple allele and a white allele. Diploid organisms inherit two alleles for each gene, one from
each parent.
Question 7: What is a genotype?
A) The two alleles inherited for a particular gene
B) The physical expression of a trait
C) The number of chromosomes in a cell
D) The location of a gene on a chromosome
Correct Answer: A) The two alleles inherited for a particular gene
A genotype consists of the two alleles inherited for a particular gene, such as DD, dd, or Dd. The
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genotype determines the potential for a trait, while the phenotype is the observable expression of
that trait.
Question 8: What is a phenotype?
A) The physical expression of a trait
B) The two alleles inherited for a particular gene
C) The number of chromosomes in a cell
D) The location of a gene on a chromosome
Correct Answer: A) The physical expression of a trait
The phenotype is the observable physical expression of a trait, such as flower color or blood
type. It results from the interaction between the genotype and the environment. The genotype is
the underlying genetic makeup.
Question 9: If an individual has two identical alleles for a given trait (DD or dd), they are:
A) Homozygous
B) Heterozygous
C) Hemizygous
D) Hybrid
Correct Answer: A) Homozygous
An individual is homozygous for a trait if they have two identical alleles, such as DD
(homozygous dominant) or dd (homozygous recessive). If they have two different alleles (Dd),
they are heterozygous.
Question 10: When an individual has two different alleles for a given trait, they are classified as:
A) Heterozygous
B) Homozygous
C) Hemizygous
D) Purebred
Correct Answer: A) Heterozygous
An individual is heterozygous for a trait if they have two different alleles, such as Dd. In
complete dominance, the dominant allele determines the phenotype. In incomplete dominance or
codominance, both alleles contribute to the phenotype.
Question 11: A simple way to visualize monohybrid genetic crosses is by using a:
A) Punnett square
B) Pedigree chart
C) Karyotype
D) Gel electrophoresis
PORTAGE LEARNING BIOD 210 – GENETICS
MODULES 1–7 & FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE |
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 | PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | EXAM REVIEW
Table of Contents
1. Foundations of Genetics: History, Cell Theory, and Basic Concepts
2. Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance Patterns
3. The Chromosomal Basis of Inheritance and Cytogenetics
4. Molecular Genetics: DNA Structure, Replication, and Repair
5. Gene Expression, Regulation, and Mutation
6. Bacterial and Viral Genetics
7. Population Genetics, Evolutionary Genetics, and Cancer Genetics
, Page |2
Question 1: Who proposed the theory of epigenesis, which correctly hypothesized that a
fertilized human egg undergoes specific developmental events leading to the formation of a
human?
A) William Harvey
B) Matthias Schleiden
C) Theodor Schwann
D) Gregor Mendel
Correct Answer: A) William Harvey
William Harvey proposed epigenesis, the concept that a fertilized egg undergoes specific
developmental events that eventually lead to the formation of a human. This contrasted with
preformation, which held that a fertilized egg contained a tiny, fully developed adult (the
homunculus). Epigenesis is now known to be correct.
Question 2: What is the term for the concept that a fertilized egg contained a tiny version of a
completely developed adult?
A) Epigenesis
B) Preformation
C) Cell theory
D) Natural selection
Correct Answer: B) Preformation
Preformation was the historical concept that a fertilized egg contained a tiny, fully formed adult
called a homunculus. This theory was eventually disproven in favor of epigenesis. Preformation
was proposed by early microscopists who thought they saw miniature humans in sperm or eggs.
Question 3: Who proposed the cell theory, stating that all living organisms are composed of
organized structures called cells and that these cells are derived from identical precursor cells?
A) William Harvey
B) Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
C) Gregor Mendel
D) Charles Darwin
Correct Answer: B) Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann proposed the cell theory in 1838–1839. The theory
states that all living organisms are composed of cells, and that cells arise from pre-existing cells.
This was a foundational concept for modern biology and genetics.
Question 4: What is the study of heredity, first coined in the early 1900s?
A) Genetics
B) Genomics
, Page |3
C) Proteomics
D) Cytology
Correct Answer: A) Genetics
Genetics is the study of heredity and the understanding of genes and how they contribute to the
passing of traits from parents to offspring. The term was first coined by William Bateson in 1905.
It encompasses classical genetics, molecular genetics, and population genetics.
Question 5: What is the chromosomal theory of inheritance?
A) The theory that genes are located on chromosomes and that chromosomes segregate during
meiosis
B) The theory that genes are located in the cytoplasm
C) The theory that genes are proteins
D) The theory that genes are located in the nucleus but not on chromosomes
Correct Answer: A) The theory that genes are located on chromosomes and that
chromosomes segregate during meiosis
The chromosomal theory of inheritance states that genes are located on chromosomes and that
the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis (segregation and independent assortment) explains
Mendelian inheritance patterns. This theory was developed by Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri
in the early 1900s.
Question 6: What are alleles?
A) Variations of a given gene
B) Proteins
C) Chromosomes
D) Cells
Correct Answer: A) Variations of a given gene
Alleles are simply variations of a given gene. For example, a gene for flower color may have a
purple allele and a white allele. Diploid organisms inherit two alleles for each gene, one from
each parent.
Question 7: What is a genotype?
A) The two alleles inherited for a particular gene
B) The physical expression of a trait
C) The number of chromosomes in a cell
D) The location of a gene on a chromosome
Correct Answer: A) The two alleles inherited for a particular gene
A genotype consists of the two alleles inherited for a particular gene, such as DD, dd, or Dd. The
, Page |4
genotype determines the potential for a trait, while the phenotype is the observable expression of
that trait.
Question 8: What is a phenotype?
A) The physical expression of a trait
B) The two alleles inherited for a particular gene
C) The number of chromosomes in a cell
D) The location of a gene on a chromosome
Correct Answer: A) The physical expression of a trait
The phenotype is the observable physical expression of a trait, such as flower color or blood
type. It results from the interaction between the genotype and the environment. The genotype is
the underlying genetic makeup.
Question 9: If an individual has two identical alleles for a given trait (DD or dd), they are:
A) Homozygous
B) Heterozygous
C) Hemizygous
D) Hybrid
Correct Answer: A) Homozygous
An individual is homozygous for a trait if they have two identical alleles, such as DD
(homozygous dominant) or dd (homozygous recessive). If they have two different alleles (Dd),
they are heterozygous.
Question 10: When an individual has two different alleles for a given trait, they are classified as:
A) Heterozygous
B) Homozygous
C) Hemizygous
D) Purebred
Correct Answer: A) Heterozygous
An individual is heterozygous for a trait if they have two different alleles, such as Dd. In
complete dominance, the dominant allele determines the phenotype. In incomplete dominance or
codominance, both alleles contribute to the phenotype.
Question 11: A simple way to visualize monohybrid genetic crosses is by using a:
A) Punnett square
B) Pedigree chart
C) Karyotype
D) Gel electrophoresis
