#1
Which of the following is a source of genetic variation?
Meiosis
ExplanationMeiosis generates genetic diversity through recombination.
#2
What is the primary function of the enzyme DNA polymerase during DNA replication?
Synthesizing new DNA strands
ExplanationDNA polymerase adds nucleotides to create new DNA strands during replication.
#3
What is the term for a change in a single nucleotide of DNA?
Point mutation
ExplanationPoint mutation involves the alteration of a single nucleotide base.
#4
In a population, what does the term 'gene flow' refer to?
Movement of individuals between populations
ExplanationGene flow is the transfer of genetic material between populations.
#5
Which mechanism contributes to genetic variation by swapping segments of chromatids during meiosis?
Genetic recombination
ExplanationGenetic recombination creates new combinations of alleles.
#6
In population genetics, what does the term 'founder effect' refer to?
Establishment of a new population by a small number of individuals
ExplanationFounder effect occurs when a small group establishes a new population, affecting allele frequencies.
#7
Which type of mutation results in the addition or deletion of nucleotides, shifting the reading frame of a gene?
Frameshift mutation
ExplanationFrameshift mutation alters the reading frame, potentially leading to nonfunctional proteins.
#8
In the context of genetics, what does the term 'allele frequency' represent?
The proportion of a specific allele in a population
ExplanationAllele frequency indicates how common a particular allele is within a population.
#9
Which type of selection favors individuals with an intermediate phenotype and acts against extremes?
Stabilizing selection
ExplanationStabilizing selection maintains the status quo, favoring intermediate phenotypes.
#10
Which genetic distribution pattern is characterized by phenotypes at both extremes being favored over intermediate phenotypes?
Disruptive selection
ExplanationDisruptive selection leads to divergence of phenotypes, favoring extremes.
#11
What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium used to study in population genetics?
Allele frequencies
ExplanationThe Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium analyzes allele frequencies in populations.
#12
What is the term for a heritable change in gene function that does not involve a change in the DNA sequence?
Epigenetic modification
ExplanationEpigenetic modification alters gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.
#13
Which statistical measure assesses the proportion of the total phenotypic variance in a trait that is due to genetic factors?
Heritability
ExplanationHeritability measures the genetic contribution to phenotypic variance.
#14
What is the primary role of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in genetic research and modification?
Genome editing
ExplanationCRISPR-Cas9 is used for precise genome editing.
#15
What is the role of the p53 gene in the regulation of the cell cycle?
Induces apoptosis
Explanationp53 triggers programmed cell death (apoptosis) in response to DNA damage.
#16
Which evolutionary force is responsible for the random changes in allele frequencies within a population over time?
Genetic drift
ExplanationGenetic drift causes random fluctuations in allele frequencies due to chance events.