Traits and Reproduction Review

Use the information and your knowledge of science to answer the question. 

Squirrels in different areas can have a range of fur colors including gray, brown, and black. For a number of years, the majority of squirrels in North America have had a gray fur color. Scientists have recently observed an increase in squirrels with black fur color from 0–5 percent of the squirrel population to as much as 25 percent of the squirrel population in some areas.

 Which statement best describes how squirrels with gray fur color and squirrels with black fur color have adapted to these areas in recent years?

• Squirrels with gray fur color have adapted traits that are better suited for these areas than the traits in squirrels with black fur color.

• Squirrels with black fur color have adapted traits that are better suited for these areas than the traits in squirrels with gray fur color.

• 
  Squirrels with gray fur color and squirrels with black fur color have adapted equally to living in these areas.

• Squirrels with gray fur color and squirrels with black fur color both have adapted traits that are less suited to living in these areas.

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Two goldfish have different parents. One fish has a split tail and the other does not. 

Why do the goldfish have tails with different shapes?

• Each goldfish has a different tail shape because offspring from different parents will have different tail shapes.

• Each goldfish has a different tail shape because they have different versions of the gene for tail shape that connect together to make different tail shapes.

• The goldfish have different versions of the gene for tail shape. The genes are split inside one goldfish’s tail but not inside the other’s.

• The goldfish have different versions of the gene for tail shape, which instruct for different proteins that connect in different ways to make different tail shapes.

  
  

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The shape of a protein molecule directly determines its_____________.

• 
  movements through the cytoplasm

• functions inside and outside of cells

• roles in building water molecules

• circulation throughout the body

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Which of the following do proteins with several connectors create?

• high silk flexibility

• medium silk flexibility

• low silk flexibility

• no silk flexibility

Shar Peis

Chinese Shar Peis are dogs that are selectively bred by humans specifically for their wrinkly fur coat, small triangular ears, and broad muzzle. These traits are recessive and must be brought out by breeding similar dogs with the desired traits. Dominant Shar Peis are becoming less desirable, as the rare traits become more in demand.
Part A: Which statement best describes how humans select for wrinkly skin in Chinese Shar Peis? 

• By mating a very wrinkly female and non-wrinkly male so they have the best chance of passing on the gene for wrinkly skin. 

• By mating a wrinkly female and wrinkly male so they have the best chance of passing on the gene for wrinkly skin.

• 
  By inserting a gene for wrinkly skin into every Shar Pei puppy. 

• By mutating the DNA of one Shar Pei, hoping they will pass on the mutated trait to their offspring.

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What causes a variation in traits?

• 
  Two exact copies of the same protein molecule

  
  

• A variation in protein molecules within an individual’s cells.

• Having the same connections among protein molecules.

• 
  A variation in cells within an individual’s protein molecule.

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There are two junco birds that each have different proteins in their cells for beak pointiness. They have different parents. 

What can you say about the birds' beak pointiness?

• They will have the same beak pointiness because even with different proteins for beak pointiness, the proteins can connect in the same way.

• They will have different beak pointiness since offspring from different parents will have different beak pointiness.

• They will have different beak pointiness since their proteins for beak pointiness are different so the proteins will connect in different ways.

• 
  They will have the same beak pointiness since all junco birds have the same beak pointiness.

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The body cells of scorpions have proteins that connect together. In one scorpion, the structure of the proteins in the body cells changed, but the amount of that type of protein in the cell stayed the same. 

What happened to the function of that type of protein?

• The changed protein connects differently, but its function doesn’t change.

• The changed protein connects differently, so its function changes.

• The changed protein connects in the same way, but its function changes.

• 
  The amount of that type of protein stayed the same, so its function doesn’t change.

A group of scientists is trying to bring mammoths back by modifying elephant chromosomes.  The new animals would have a mixture of elephant and mammoth genes.  

What will be the effect of the new genes?

• The new genes will produce different proteins.

• 
  The new genes will prevent gene replication.

• The new genes will require gene therapy.

• The new genes will not have alleles.

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Which sequence lists the hereditary material found inside cells from the smallest to the largest unit?

• Chromosome, gene, nucleus

• gene, nucleus, chromosome

• gene, chromosome, nucleus