Understanding Inheritance and Evolution

The lecture explores the role of DNA and biochemistry in protein creation and inheritance, focusing on Gregor Mendel's work on plant hybridization. It explains Mendel's discovery of genes as discrete units, the principles of segregation, and the distinction between dominant and recessive alleles. The lecture contrasts Mendelian and polygenic traits, discusses the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory, and outlines various mechanisms of evolution, including mutation, gene flow, and genetic drift.

What was the main issue with the blending theory of inheritance in relation to Darwin's theory?

• It indicated that traits would dilute and disappear over time.

• It proposed that all traits were equally dominant.

• It suggested traits would become more pronounced over generations.

• It implied that rare traits would become more common.

What did Mendel discover about the nature of traits?

• Traits are determined by discrete units called genes.

• Traits are influenced by environmental factors only.

• Traits are determined by continuous material.

• Traits are always inherited in pairs.

In Mendel's experiments, what is the term for an organism with two identical alleles at a locus?

• Homozygous

• Heterozygous

• Recessive

• Dominant

How does a heterozygous genotype express its phenotype?

• It expresses both alleles equally.

• It expresses the recessive allele only.

• It expresses the dominant allele only.

• It does not express any allele.

What analogy is used to explain the relationship between genotype and phenotype?

• A library of books

• A set of marbles

• A paint palette

• A mixing bowl

What does the modern synthesis of evolutionary theory integrate?

• Mendelian genetics and DNA only

• Natural selection and Mendelian genetics only

• Mendelian genetics, natural selection, and DNA

• DNA and natural selection only

According to the modern synthesis, what is the first phase of evolution?

• Environmental adaptation

• Natural selection acting on phenotypes

• Redistribution of alleles within a species

• Creation of new species

Which mechanism of evolution is responsible for creating new alleles?

• Gene flow

• Genetic drift

• Mutation

• Recombination

What is the founder's effect?

• A recombination of genes during meiosis

• A mutation that creates new alleles

• A process of allele exchange between populations

• A type of genetic drift in small populations

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of evolution?

• Recombination

• Gene flow

• Natural selection

• Speciation