Test Bank for
Chapter 1: Introduction to Genetics
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which one of the following pairings between the subdiscipline of genetics and the phenomenon is
incorrect?
a. Evolution—Population genetics
b. Gene regulation—Molecular genetics
c. Allelic frequency alteration—Population genetics
d. Arrangement of genes on chromosome—Transmission genetics
e. Chemical nature of the gene—Transmission genetics
Answer: e
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
2. Which one of the following topic of research belongs to the discipline of transmission genetics?
a. Inheritance pattern of gene alleles
b. Mechanism of DNA Replication
c. Gene expression patterns
d. Evolution
e. Chemical modification of nucleic acids
Answer: a
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
3. The complete genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as its
a. chromosome.
, b. alleles.
c. locus.
d. genome.
e. phenotype.
Answer: d
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
4. Identify a true statement from the descriptions concerning genetics below.
a. The theory of pangenesis states that all living organisms are composed of cells.
b. Bacteria and viruses are not useful in studying genes and inheritance because they are structurally
and metabolically different from eukaryotic cells.
c. Charles Darwin accurately described the laws of inheritance in his landmark book, On the Origin
of Species.
d. Many human traits, such as skin and hair color, are determined by more than a single gene.
e. Evolution can occur without genetic changes in the population.
Answer: d
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
5. Identify a false statement from the descriptions of genetics below.
a. Humans first applied genetics to the domestication of plants and animals between approximately
10,000 and 12,000 years ago.
b. Some viruses use RNA to carry their genetic information.
c. Albinism results from a mutation in the genes that control the synthesis and storage of melanin.
d. All human traits that display blending inheritance are affected by single gene.
e. The process by which genetic information is copied and decoded is similar for all forms of life.
Answer: d
Section: 1.1
, Comprehension Question
6. Which of the following species is considered a model genetic 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
Answer: c
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
7. Which of the following would serve the least well as a model for understanding basic mechanisms of
inheritance?
a. Fruit flies
b. Humans
c. Yeast
d. Mice
e. Zebrafish
Answer: b
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
8. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Each subdiscipline of genetics is very specific as to what is explored and does not overlap with
the other subdisciplines.
, b. All phenotypes or traits are always determined by multiple genes.
c. Albinism rises from the overexpression of the gene that controls the synthesis and storage of
melanin.
d. Humans make excellent model organisms, as a variety of traits are well-defined.
e. None of the statements above are true.
Answer: e
Section: 1.1
Application Question
9. Which of the following statements is correct?
a. All genomes are encoded in DNA only.
b. All genomes are encoded in nucleic acids.
c. All genomes are encoded in proteins only.
d. The genetic instructions are decoded completely differently in each organism.
e. The molecular mechanism suggests life evolved from multiple primordial ancestors.
Answer: b
Section: 1.1
Application Question
10. Which of the following theories of inheritance is currently considered true?
a. Germ-plasm theory
b. Pangenesis
c. Blending inheritance
d. Inheritance of acquired characteristics
e. None of the above is considered true based on new evidence.
Answer: a
Section: 1.2
Comprehension Question
Chapter 1: Introduction to Genetics
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which one of the following pairings between the subdiscipline of genetics and the phenomenon is
incorrect?
a. Evolution—Population genetics
b. Gene regulation—Molecular genetics
c. Allelic frequency alteration—Population genetics
d. Arrangement of genes on chromosome—Transmission genetics
e. Chemical nature of the gene—Transmission genetics
Answer: e
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
2. Which one of the following topic of research belongs to the discipline of transmission genetics?
a. Inheritance pattern of gene alleles
b. Mechanism of DNA Replication
c. Gene expression patterns
d. Evolution
e. Chemical modification of nucleic acids
Answer: a
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
3. The complete genetic makeup of an organism is referred to as its
a. chromosome.
, b. alleles.
c. locus.
d. genome.
e. phenotype.
Answer: d
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
4. Identify a true statement from the descriptions concerning genetics below.
a. The theory of pangenesis states that all living organisms are composed of cells.
b. Bacteria and viruses are not useful in studying genes and inheritance because they are structurally
and metabolically different from eukaryotic cells.
c. Charles Darwin accurately described the laws of inheritance in his landmark book, On the Origin
of Species.
d. Many human traits, such as skin and hair color, are determined by more than a single gene.
e. Evolution can occur without genetic changes in the population.
Answer: d
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
5. Identify a false statement from the descriptions of genetics below.
a. Humans first applied genetics to the domestication of plants and animals between approximately
10,000 and 12,000 years ago.
b. Some viruses use RNA to carry their genetic information.
c. Albinism results from a mutation in the genes that control the synthesis and storage of melanin.
d. All human traits that display blending inheritance are affected by single gene.
e. The process by which genetic information is copied and decoded is similar for all forms of life.
Answer: d
Section: 1.1
, Comprehension Question
6. Which of the following species is considered a model genetic 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
Answer: c
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
7. Which of the following would serve the least well as a model for understanding basic mechanisms of
inheritance?
a. Fruit flies
b. Humans
c. Yeast
d. Mice
e. Zebrafish
Answer: b
Section: 1.1
Comprehension Question
8. Which of the following statements is true?
a. Each subdiscipline of genetics is very specific as to what is explored and does not overlap with
the other subdisciplines.
, b. All phenotypes or traits are always determined by multiple genes.
c. Albinism rises from the overexpression of the gene that controls the synthesis and storage of
melanin.
d. Humans make excellent model organisms, as a variety of traits are well-defined.
e. None of the statements above are true.
Answer: e
Section: 1.1
Application Question
9. Which of the following statements is correct?
a. All genomes are encoded in DNA only.
b. All genomes are encoded in nucleic acids.
c. All genomes are encoded in proteins only.
d. The genetic instructions are decoded completely differently in each organism.
e. The molecular mechanism suggests life evolved from multiple primordial ancestors.
Answer: b
Section: 1.1
Application Question
10. Which of the following theories of inheritance is currently considered true?
a. Germ-plasm theory
b. Pangenesis
c. Blending inheritance
d. Inheritance of acquired characteristics
e. None of the above is considered true based on new evidence.
Answer: a
Section: 1.2
Comprehension Question
