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Unit 6 Genetics & Natural Selection

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 13mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Which part of DNA structure is responsible for the variation we see within and among organisms?

a)

the arrangement of the sugar molecules

b)

the arrangement of the nitrogen bases

c)

the arrangement of the phosphate molecules

d)

the arrangement of the deoxyribose molecules

2.

Which of the following is an example of a trait inherited from parents?

a)

lung cancer

b)

attached earlobes

c)

preference for spicy food

d)

short hair

3.

Describe the relationship between genes, chromosomes, and DNA.

a)

DNA is made up of pieces of chromosomes that contain genes

b)

Chromosomes are regions on a gene made of DNA

c)

Genes are sections of DNA located within chromosomes

d)

DNA is made up of chromosomes found on genes

4.

In order for a gene mutation to be passed down to offspring, in what type of cell must it occur?

a)

It must occur in a muscle cell

b)

It must occur in a blood cell

c)

It must occur in a uterine cell

d)

It must occur in a gamete

5.

Amino Acids are joined together in cells to make:

a)

Carbohydrates

b)

Proteins

c)

Phosphoric Acids

d)

Fatty Acids

6.

Genes are located in which part of a cell?

a)

the nucleus

b)

the cytoplasm

c)

the cell membrane

d)

the ribosomes

7.

What is a gene?

a)

It is the combined effect of all of the DNA that a person has

b)

It is a mutation in DNA that causes diseases

c)

It is a trait, like the shape of our earlobes

d)

It is a unit of DNA that is responsible for making one protein

8.

When the diversity of a population increases, the likelihood of survival increases because

a)

The animals reproduce more than a less diverse population

b)

Not as many animals die of natural causes

c)

More animals are likely to survive a variety of potentially harmful situations

d)

The variety of traits causes all beneficial mutations

9.

Dark peppered moths increased in numbers during the industrial revolution because

a)

The pollution caused the moths to become dirty

b)

The pollution caused the moths to mutate and become dark

c)

The birds could no longer see the light moths in the darker forests

d)

The birds could no longer see the dark moths in the dark forests

10.

How is fitness defined when it comes to "survival of the fittest?"

a)

the ability of an organism to survive in most environments

b)

the ability of an organism to survive in its own environment

c)

the strongest and fastest organisms in an environment

d)

the most diverse populations of organisms in an environment

11.

If you build a model of DNA, which rule should you follow:

a)

Adenine pairs with thymine, and guanine pairs with cytosine

b)

Adenine pairs with guanine, and cytosine pairs with thymine

c)

Adenine pairs with cytosine, and thymine pairs with guanine

d)

Adenine pairs with either guanine, cytosine or thymine

12.

Over many generations, mutations have occurred to the harmless California king snake that have caused it to resemble the poisonous western coral snake. Analyze the impact of this mutation on the organism.

a)

The mutation is most likely beneficial

b)

The mutation is most likely harmful

c)

The mutation is most likely neutral

d)

The mutation is not passed down from parent to offspring

13.

Which of the following objects could be used to model the structure of a DNA molecule?

a)

a snowflake

b)

a ladder

c)

a cube

d)

a branching tree

14.

What is the genetic contribution of parents to offspring?

a)

Both parents give all their genetic information to their offspring

b)

Each parent gives half of their genetic information to their offspring

c)

Female parents donate all their genetic information, and male parents donate half

d)

The parents genetic contributions are random, with unpredictable amounts from each parent

15.

A mutation occurs that results in one protein's amino acid being substituted by a different amino acid. What part of a DNA molecule was affected by this mutation?

a)

A nitrogen base pair

b)

A sugar molecule

c)

A phosphate molecule

d)

A sugar molecule, phosphate molecule, and nitrogen base pair

16.

Which of the following statements are correct?

a)

Genes alone determine the characteristics of organisms

b)

Organisms have the same characteristics as their parents

c)

A combination of genes and environment determine the characteristics of organisms

d)

Environment alone determines the characteristics of organisms

17.

What determines the order in which amino acids are assembled into proteins?

a)

the order of genes on a chromosome

b)

the arrangement of chromosomes in a cell

c)

the order of the three nitrogen bases in an RNA codon

d)

the number of nitrogen bases in the DNA molecule

18.

Why do we have chromosomes instead a one long linear strand of DNA?

a)

it is easier to transcribe the DNA in a chromosome

b)

it would take up too much room

c)

the RNA cannot be formed in a long line

d)

the strand would get tangled

19.

Odors that repel, spines, poisonous chemicals, and thorns are all considered...

a)

adaptations that enhance survival

b)

traits that oppose natural selection

c)

characteristics associated to fossils

d)

only physical appearances

20.

Certain antibiotics are no longer effective against the bacteria that they are used to kill. How could this be explained?

a)

The number of bacteria is now greater than what the antibiotic can kill

b)

The antibiotic has become weaker over time

c)

Bacteria that were resistant to the antibiotic survived to reproduce

d)

Changes in the environment made antibiotics ineffective

21.

A walking stick is an insect that looks like a twig. How does this adaptation help the walking stick to survive?

a)

It is small so it needs to eat less food

b)

It is able to stay cooler

c)

It usable to run after prey faster in the trees

d)

Its appearance makes it difficult fro predators to see it

22.

DNA consists of:

a)

two backbones made of alternating sugar and nitrogen base molecules, with phosphate molecules joining both backbones

b)

a single backbone made of alternating sugar and nitrogen bases, with phosphate molecules branching off the sugar molecules

c)

a single backbone made of alternating sugar and phosphate molecules, with nitrogen bases branching off the sugar molecule

d)

two backbones of alternating sugar and phosphate molecules, with nitrogen bases connecting both backbones

23.

Scientists change the genes of a tomato plant to produce a protein that is a natural pesticide. Justify why this is classified as a positive mutation.

a)

This demonstrates that scientists are able to manipulate an organism's genes

b)

The plant will develop a symbiotic relationship with insects

c)

The plant will be resistant to insects, increasing its chances of survival

d)

This may cause a decrease in the genetic diversity of the tomato plant

24.

Which is not a lifestyle choice?

a)

genetics

b)

drugs

c)

alcohol

d)

tobacco

25.

The front leg of a cat, the front flipper of a dolphin and the wing of a bat have the same structure and order of bones. These structures do not look alike and are not used in the same way, but the bones are similar. What could scientists say about the cat, bat and dolphin based on this evidence?

a)

They may share a common ancestor

b)

They all live in an aquatic environment

c)

They have completely different ancestors

d)

They all have the ability to fly