LS.7.2.1 Genetics and Heredity Questions

Which statement about genes is NOT true?

• All copies of every gene are always identical.

• Each gene has a specific place on a chromosome.

• Traits are passed from parent to offspring through genes.

• A gene contains information about specific characteristics and traits.

Which statement best explains how a child grew up to have blond hair?

• The child inherited genes with instructions for blond hair from both parents.

• The gene for hair color in the child was influenced by the environment at birth.

• The child received one set of genes from the father's side that coded for blond hair.

• The gene for blond hair in the child is more common than that of any other hair color.

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NGSS.HS-LS3-1

The pictures show a polar bear, an arctic hare, and an arctic fox. Why do all of these animals have white fur?

• White fur helps animals survive in an arctic environment, so animals with white fur are more likely to pass on their genetic traits than other animals.

• White fur helps animals survive in an arctic environment, so animals will lighten their fur color as the seasons get colder from autumn to winter.

• All animals that live in an arctic environment are part of the same overall kingdom, and all members of that kingdom must have white fur.

• All animals that live in an arctic environment are part of the same overall species, and all members of that species must have white fur.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following explains a difference between genes and chromosomes?

• Chromosomes are made of genetic material, and genes are made of only proteins.

• Genes determine a person’s specific traits, and chromosomes hold the genes.

• Genes are found in the nucleus, and chromosomes are found in the cell wall.

• Chromosomes determine a person’s traits, and genes hold the chromosomes.

The puppies in the photograph below are from the same litter. Their inherited traits, such as fur color, are coded onto molecules of:

• DNA in genes in the chloroplasts of their cells.

• DNA in genes in the nuclei of their cells.

• DNA in genes in the vacuoles of their cells.

• DNA in genes in the enzymes of their cells.

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which statement best describes the origin of inherited traits?

• An organism's inherited traits are determined by genetic material stored in the chromosomes, and they are passed from parent to offspring.

• An organism's inherited traits are based on genetic information stored in the cytoplasm, and they are passed from parent to offspring.

• An organism's inherited traits are determined by chemicals in the brain, and they adapt to changes over time.

• An organism's inherited traits are based on their environment, and they adapt to changes over time.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following best describes genes?

• polymers of peptides used to make proteins

• sequences in DNA that code for traits

• pieces of RNA that produce carbohydrates

• collections of nucleic acids that generate energy

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

The picture below shows an insect population before and after a pesticide is added. Which of the following best explains why more of the pesticide-resistant insects were present in the next generation?

• Because of heredity, insects with genes for pesticide resistance passed it on to the following generation.

• Because of the environment, parents taught their offspring to be pesticide resistant in order to survive.

• Because of heredity, the insects learned to avoid pesticide on plant leaves in order to survive.

• Because of pesticides in plants, insects in the next generation developed a tolerance for pesticides in their digestive tracts.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A scientist collects data on the height of parents and their children. He uses families that live in the same environment, eat the same diet, and have the same health histories. He finds that the tall parents usually have tall children, and the short parents usually have short children. What is the main factor responsible for the scientist's findings?

• A. Heredity, because genes pass from one generation to the next

• B. Diet, because food is the only factor that affects height

• C. Health history, because illness stops a person from growing

• D. Environment, because air quality is the main factor that affects height

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A pea plant that produces green pods is crossed with a pea plant that produces yellow pods, and the offspring all produce green pods. Which of the following explains how this occurred?

• A. The characteristics of the pea plants' offspring are produced by the passage of genetic information through the soil.

• B. The characteristics of the pea plants' offspring are produced by the passage of genetic instructions from parents to offspring.

• C. The characteristics of the pea plants' offspring are produced by environmental conditions, such as the amount of sunlight and available water.

• D. The characteristics of the pea plants' offspring are produced by chance and are not influenced by the characteristics of the parent plants.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-2