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Exploring Genetics and Molecular Biology

Total questions: 17

Worksheet time: 11mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is the purpose of gel electrophoresis in molecular biology?

a)

To increase the size of DNA fragments

b)

To separate DNA fragments based on their size

c)

To create DNA fragments

d)

To visualize proteins only

2.

Phosphates have a negative charge. Which part of the DNA molecule causes it to move towards the positive electrode during gel electrophoresis?

a)

Phosphate backbone

b)

Deoxyribose sugar

c)

Nitrogenous bases

d)

Hydrogen bonds

3.

What is a taster gene?

a)

A gene that determines an individual's preference for sweet tastes

b)

A gene that is responsible for the ability to taste certain bitter compounds

c)

A gene that enhances the taste of salty foods

d)

A gene that suppresses the sense of taste

4.

What is a nontaster allele?

a)

An allele that increases sensitivity to bitter tastes

b)

An allele that has no effect on taste

c)

An allele associated with the inability to taste certain bitter compounds

d)

An allele that makes all foods taste sweet

5.

During gel electrophoresis, why do smaller DNA fragments move faster than larger ones?

a)

Smaller fragments are negatively charged

b)

Smaller fragments are positively charged

c)

Smaller fragments encounter less resistance in the gel matrix

d)

Larger fragments are attracted to the negative electrode

6.

What is the main reason DNA molecules move through the gel during electrophoresis?

a)

Gravity

b)

Magnetic field

c)

Electric current

d)

Thermal convection

7.

What does a pedigree chart show?

a)

The evolutionary history of a species

b)

The life cycle of an organism

c)

The inheritance of a trait through several generations

d)

The genetic diversity within a population

8.

In a pedigree chart, what does a square typically represent?

a)

A female individual

b)

A male individual

c)

A marriage or mating

d)

An offspring

9.

Why are DNA fragments negatively charged, allowing them to move towards the positive electrode during electrophoresis?

a)

Because of the negative charge of the nitrogenous bases

b)

Because of the negative charge of the phosphate groups in the DNA backbone

c)

Because of the negative charge of the deoxyribose sugars

d)

Because DNA is coated with a negative dye

10.
Question Image

Match what the DNA bands stand for with the correct individual(s).

a)

Heterozygous (Tt) taster

1.

Mom, Dad, Brother 1

b)

Homozygous dominant (TT) taster

2.

Grandpa, Brother 2

c)

Homozygous recessive (tt) nontaster

3.

Jillian

11.

Label the the bands correctly.

12.

What does a circle typically represent in a pedigree chart?

a)

A male individual

b)

A female individual

c)

An offspring

d)

A marriage or mating

13.

What is the role of the buffer solution in gel electrophoresis?

a)

To provide a medium for DNA fragments to move

b)

To color the DNA fragments

c)

To break down the DNA fragments

d)

To make the DNA fragments positively charged

14.

What is a supertaster?

a)

An individual with a heightened sensitivity to all tastes

b)

An individual with no sense of taste

c)

An individual who can taste only bitter compounds

d)

An individual who can taste only sweet compounds

15.

What are some uses of DNA fingerprinting?

a)
All of the above
b)
To identify genetic diseases
c)
To analyze the ancestry of a person
d)
To determine blood type
16.

What is the likelihood of a non-taster to have non-taster children if they have children with one heterozygous for taste?

a)
75%
b)
10%
c)
25%
d)
50%
17.

How many generations were in the pedigree chart for Jillian's family?

a)

1

b)

2

c)

3

d)

4