Genetics Quizzes: Test Your Knowledge of Heredity and DNA

Question 1

During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair and exchange genetic material through a process known as:

Accepted Answer

Crossing over

Answer

Independent assortment

Answer

Segregation

Answer

Mutation

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT one of Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Law of Co-dominance

Answer

Law of Segregation

Answer

Law of Independent Assortment

Answer

Law of Dominance

Question 3

Which technique is commonly used in laboratories to make multiple copies of specific DNA sequences?

Accepted Answer

PCR

Answer

Electrophoresis

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

Southern blotting

Question 4

The process by which the genetic code in DNA is used to create proteins is called:

Accepted Answer

Translation

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Replication

Answer

Mutation

Question 5

A genetic disorder caused by a mutation in a single gene is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Mendelian disorder

Answer

Chromosomal disorder

Answer

Polygenic disorder

Answer

Multifactorial disorder

Question 6

In a heterozygous genotype, which allele is dominant?

Accepted Answer

Dominant allele

Answer

Recessive allele

Answer

Carrier allele

Answer

Co-dominant allele

Question 7

What term describes the various forms of a gene?

Accepted Answer

Alleles

Answer

Phenotype

Answer

Genotype

Answer

Traits

Question 8

Which process leads to the formation of new genetic combinations?

Accepted Answer

Meiosis

Answer

Mitosis

Answer

Translation

Answer

Replication

Question 9

Given the DNA strand ACGTTC, determine the complementary strand.

Accepted Answer

TCGAAG

Answer

UGAAGC

Answer

TGCAAG

Answer

GACUUC

Question 10

Which technology enables scientists to alter the DNA of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Genetic engineering

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Selective breeding

Answer

Cloning

Question 11

What is the fundamental role of the genetic code?

Accepted Answer

Storing and transmitting biological information

Answer

Regulating cell metabolism

Answer

Generating energy

Answer

Repairing damaged cells

Question 12

Who is known as the 'Father of Genetics' for his pioneering work on pea plants?

Accepted Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Francis Crick

Question 13

Which of the following represents the fundamental unit of heredity, responsible for passing down traits?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Allele

Answer

Phenotype

Answer

Genotype

Question 14

If both parents carry one dominant allele and one recessive allele for a particular trait (heterozygous), what is the probability of their offspring inheriting the recessive trait?

Accepted Answer

25%

Answer

0%

Answer

50%

Answer

100%

Question 15

What is the fundamental unit of inheritance that carries genetic information?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Cell

Answer

Molecule

Question 16

Which structure accurately represents the shape of a DNA molecule?

Accepted Answer

Double helix

Answer

Triple helix

Answer

Linear

Answer

Circular

Question 17

Who is widely recognized as the 'Father of Genetics' for his foundational work on inheritance?

Accepted Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Rosalind Franklin

Question 18

Which process is responsible for the creation of new genetic material?

Accepted Answer

Replication

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Recombination

Answer

Translation

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT a nitrogenous base found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Answer

Adenine

Answer

Thymine

Answer

Guanine

Question 20

In cells, ribosomes are primarily responsible for which essential function?

Accepted Answer

Protein synthesis

Answer

DNA synthesis

Answer

RNA synthesis

Answer

Lipid synthesis

Question 21

Which of the following traits represents a dominant allele in genetics?

Accepted Answer

Brown eyes

Answer

Blue eyes

Answer

Recessive allele

Answer

Heterozygous allele

Question 22

What is the primary goal of genetic engineering techniques?

Accepted Answer

To alter an organism's genetic material

Answer

To create new organisms from scratch

Answer

To cure diseases

Answer

To enhance crop yields

Question 23

Which type of molecule carries the genetic code that ribosomes use to assemble proteins?

Accepted Answer

RNA

Answer

DNA

Answer

Protein

Answer

Amino acid

Question 24

How does genetic diversity contribute to the process of natural selection and evolution?

Accepted Answer

Genetic diversity provides a wider range of traits, increasing the likelihood of individuals possessing adaptations suited to changing environmental conditions, thus enhancing the chances of survival and reproductive success.

Answer

Genetic diversity prevents genetic diseases.

Answer

Genetic diversity ensures that all individuals in a population are identical.

Question 25

CRISPR-Cas9 is a genetic engineering technique that allows scientists to make precise changes to an organism's DNA. How does CRISPR-Cas9 achieve this?

Accepted Answer

CRISPR-Cas9 identifies and cuts specific DNA sequences, enabling scientists to repair or replace damaged or mutated sections.

Answer

CRISPR-Cas9 inserts new genetic material into an organism's genome, altering or enhancing its traits.

Answer

CRISPR-Cas9 amplifies specific regions of DNA, increasing the production of certain proteins.

Answer

CRISPR-Cas9 sequences the entire genome of an organism, providing a complete blueprint of its genetic makeup.

Question 26

Genetic testing has ethical implications. Which of these is a potential ethical concern?

Accepted Answer

Genetic testing could lead to discrimination against people with certain genetic predispositions.

Answer

Genetic testing might lead to better healthcare by providing personalized treatment plans.

Answer

Genetic testing can provide valuable information about potential health issues in unborn children.

Question 27

Which of the following is the fundamental unit of heredity, carrying the instructions for traits?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Allele

Answer

DNA

Question 28

Who is widely recognized as the pioneer in the field of genetics?

Accepted Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Francis Crick

Question 29

What term refers to the alternative forms of a gene that determine variations in traits?

Accepted Answer

Alleles

Answer

Phenotypes

Answer

Genotypes

Answer

Traits

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a nitrogenous base found in the DNA molecule?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Answer

Adenine

Answer

Guanine

Answer

Thymine

Question 31

What is the process by which DNA makes an identical copy of itself?

Accepted Answer

Replication

Answer

Gene expression

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Question 32

Which genetic disorder is caused by a mutation in a single gene, affecting blood clotting?

Accepted Answer

Hemophilia

Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Sickle cell anemia

Question 33

What is the term for the process by which genetic information is passed down from parents to offspring?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance

Answer

Replication

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Translation

Question 34

What is the fundamental unit of heredity, passed down from parents to offspring?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Cell

Answer

Organ

Question 35

Who is credited as the 'Father of Genetics' for his pioneering work on pea plants?

Accepted Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

Charles Darwin

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Francis Crick

Question 36

Which genotype represents an individual that has different alleles for a particular trait?

Accepted Answer

Aa

Answer

AA

Answer

aa

Answer

aA

Question 37

What term describes the observable characteristics of an individual resulting from their genotype?

Accepted Answer

Phenotype

Answer

Genotype

Answer

Allele

Answer

Locus

Question 38

In a Punnett square, where are the alleles contributed by each parent represented?

Accepted Answer

Horizontal and vertical axes

Answer

Diagonal and horizontal axes

Answer

Vertical and diagonal axes

Answer

Horizontal and diagonal axes

Question 39

Which allele type masks the expression of its recessive counterpart?

Accepted Answer

Dominant allele

Answer

Recessive allele

Answer

Codominant allele

Answer

Incomplete dominant allele

Question 40

What is the common feature of genetic testing applications such as diagnosing diseases, determining paternity, and solving crimes?

Accepted Answer

DNA analysis

Answer

Conclusive results

Answer

Blood sample requirement

Answer

Medical setting exclusivity

Question 41

What is the primary role of genetic counselors in helping people with genetic conditions?

Accepted Answer

Explaining genetic test results

Answer

Providing emotional support

Answer

Prescribing medications

Answer

Performing genetic tests

Question 42

How do environmental factors influence gene expression?

Accepted Answer

Activate or deactivate specific genes, altering trait expression.

Answer

Change the DNA sequence of genes, causing permanent genetic alterations.

Answer

Have no impact on gene expression or trait development.

Answer

Only affect traits determined by dominant alleles.

Question 43

What is the fundamental unit of heredity?

Accepted Answer

Gene

Answer

Chromosome

Answer

Cell

Answer

Nucleotide

Question 44

What is the term for the observable characteristics of an organism?

Accepted Answer

Phenotype

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genotype

Answer

Allele

Question 45

Who is known as the 'Father of Genetics'?

Accepted Answer

Gregor Mendel

Answer

James Watson

Answer

Rosalind Franklin

Answer

Charles Darwin

Question 46

What is the name of the process by which DNA makes a copy of itself?

Accepted Answer

Replication

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Transcription

Answer

Translation

Question 47

Which nitrogenous base is not found in DNA?

Accepted Answer

Uracil

Answer

Adenine

Answer

Guanine

Answer

Cytosine

Question 48

What determines the sequence of amino acids in a protein?

Accepted Answer

Codons

Answer

Exons

Answer

Introns

Question 49

What does genetic engineering involve?

Accepted Answer

Changing the genetic makeup of organisms

Answer

Studying chromosomes

Answer

Analyzing pedigrees

Answer

Cloning organisms

Question 50

Which ethical concern is not associated with genetic engineering?

Accepted Answer

Improving human health

Answer

Genetic discrimination

Answer

Environmental impact

Answer

Eugenics

Question 51

What is the effect of a dominant allele?

Accepted Answer

It will always be expressed in the phenotype

Answer

It will not affect the phenotype

Answer

It will only be expressed if homozygous

Answer

It will be masked by a recessive allele

Question 52

In a heterozygous individual, what is the allele that is not expressed called?

Accepted Answer

Recessive allele

Answer

Dominant allele

Answer

Codominant allele

Answer

Wild-type allele