Heredity & variation

1. FILL IN THE BLANKS :-

a. Hereditary characters are transferred from parents to offspring by genes. Hence, they are said to
be the structural and functional units of heredity.
b. Organisms produced by asexual reproduction show minor variations.
c. The component which is in the nuclei of cells and carries the hereditary characteristics is called
chromosomes.
d. Chromosomes are mainly made up of DNA.
e. Organisms produced through sexual reproduction show major variations.

2. EXPLAIN THE FOLLOWING :-

a. Explain Mendel’s monohybrid progeny with the help of any one cross.

Ans :- Monohybrid cross involves the crossing of a single pair of alleles with contrasting traits. In this
experiment, in the P1 generation, tall and dwarf plants were used for the cross, which led to the
progeny developed to be all tall. Therefore Mendel called tallness as a dominant character.
In the F1 generation, all the plants are tall as tallness is the dominant character. Dwarf plants were
not obtained, and hence dwarfness is the recessive character.
In the F1 generation, dwarfness is a hidden character. Thus the phenotype of all plants in the F1
generation was tall, but the genotype was of heterozygous types.
When plants of the F1 generation were crossed with each other, two types of phenotypes were
obtained in the F2 generation, that is tall plants and dwarf plants.
In the F2 generation, 3 types of genotypes are obtained, namely dominant tall, recessive dwarf and
homozygous tall.
 b. Explain Mendel’s dihybrid ratio with the help of any one cross.

Ans :-

c. Distinguish between monohybrid and dihybrid cross.

Ans :-

Monohybrid Cross Dihybrid Cross

Crosses involving a single pair of alleles are called
as Monohybrid crosses.
It yields a phenotype ratio of 3:1 in the F2
generation
Genes are not assorted to form new combinations
of characters.
Crosses involving two pairs of alleles are called as
Dihybrid crosses.
It yields a phenotype ratio of 9:3:3:1 in the F2
generation
Genes are assorted to form new combinations of
characters.

d. Is it right to avoid living with a person suffering from a genetic disorder ?

Ans :- Genetic disorders are not infectious diseases. It is only transmitted from the parents to the
offspring. Genetic disorders are generally incurable and hence the infected person has to live with
it forever. People suffering from genetic disorders need help, support and empathy. It is hence
wrong to avoid living with a person suffering from a genetic disorder.
 3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION :-
a. What is meant by “Chromosome” ? Explain its types.

Ans :- Chromosomes : Chromosomes are in definite number in the nucleus of every cell. Each
chromosome is made up of DNA, RNA, and proteins. Genes are carried from one generation to the
next via the chromosomes.

Types of Chromosomes : Based on the position of the centromere, Chromosomes can be of 4 types
as follows …
 b. Describe the structure of a DNA molecule.

Ans :-

The DNA structure was proposed by Watson and Crick in 1953. According to their model, DNA has two
parallel threads of nucleotides, which are called around each other, forming a double helix. Each nucleotide
consists of a Deoxyribose sugar, phosphoric acid and a nitrogen base. The sugar and the phosphate join
alternately with each other on the DNA strand. There are 2 main types of nitrogenous bases … Purines and
Pyrimidines. Adenine and Guanine are Purines, while Cytocine and Thymine are Pyrimidines. Purines and
Pyrimidines are bonded with each other, by hydrogen bonds, in the opposite strands of the double helix
structure, which gives the appearance of the steps of a ladder.

c. Express your opinion about the use of DNA Fingerprinting.

Ans : DNA Fingerprinting is an ultra-modern technique, in which the sequence of genes in the DNA of any
organism can be understood. This technique is used to identify criminals in forensic cases. It is used to
identify unclaimed bodies. It can be used to solve cases of disputed parentage. It can also be used to identify
unknown remains obtained during excavation processes.

d. Explain the structure, function and types of RNA.

Ans :-
 RNA is a nucleic acid found in the nucleus and the cytoplasm. It is made up of a single strand of nucleotides,
that is twisted upon itself. The nucleotides are made up of a Ribose sugar, phosphoric acid and a nitrogen
base. Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Uracil are the 4 types of nitrogenous bases found in RNA.

RNA can be of 3 types based upon their functions …

(i) Messenger RNA or mRNA – It carries the information of coding a particular protein from the genes.
(ii) Ribosomal RNA or rRNA – Its carries out the function of protein synthesis.
(iii) Transfer RNA or tRNA – It transfers amino acids to the ribosomes during the process of protein
synthesis, as per the message of the mRNA.

e. Why is necessary for people to have their blood examined before marriage ?

Ans :- Many people are carriers of genetic disorders, and they may not even be aware of it. If the mother
and the father are both just carriers of any genetic disease, there are high chances that their
offspring can be a victim of the genetic disorder. If the partners perform medical blood
examination before marriage, then their chances of having an abnormal baby can be understood.
Genetic disorders cannot be cured. Performing medical tests can allow the partners also to be
protected from dreadful diseases like AIDS. Taking into consideration all these facts, it is become
evident that people should have their blood examined before marriage.

4. WRITE BRIEF NOTES ON :-

a. Down Syndrome.

Ans :- Down Syndrome is a genetic abnormality. It was the first chromosomal disorder discovered and
described in humans. This disorder is also called as Trisomy 21. The 21st chromosome appears in
triple condition in this disorder. Hence, in a person suffering from Down Syndrome, there are 47
chromosomes. People suffering from Down Syndrome are mentally retarded due to improper
brain growth. Their main symptoms include short height, short-wide neck, flat nose, short fingers,
scanty hair, and single horizontal crease on the palm. They have a short life-span, usually ranging
from 16 to 20 years.
 b. Monogenic disorders.

Ans :- When there is mutation in any single gene into a defective gene, it causes disorders, which are
called as Monogenic disorders. There are about 4000 different types of Monogenic disorders. Due
to abnormal genes, protein synthesis does not take place properly. This can cause abnormal
metabolism, which can even lead to death of individuals at a tender age. Some examples of
Monogenic disorders are Hutchinson’s disease, Sickle cell Anaemia, Cystic fibrosis, Albinism,
Haemophilia, Night blindness, etc..

c. Sickle Cell Anaemia (Symptoms and treatment).

Ans :- Symptoms of Sickle Cell Anaemia -

(1) Swollen hands and legs
(2) Pain in joints
(3) Severe general body aches
(4) Frequent cough and colds
(5) Constant low grade fever
(6) Exhaustion
(7) Pale face
(8) Low haemoglobin content

Treatment of Sickle Cell Anaemia -

(1) Premarital blood checkup should be done of partners to avoid transmission of the disease
to the offspring.
(2) A carrier and a sufferer should never marry. And if they do, they should not have children.
(3) Person suffering from Sickle Cell Anaemia should regularly take tablets containing Folic Acid.
(4) Since Sickle Cell Anaemia is a genetic disorder, there is no complete cure for this disease.

5. HOW ARE THE ITEMS IN GROUPS A, B AND C INTER-RELATED ?

(Match the columns)

A B C
Leber hereditary optic 44 + XXY Pale skin and white hair.
neuropathy
Diabetes 45 + X Men are sterile.
Albinism Mitochondrial disorder Women are sterile.
Turner Syndrome Polygenic disorder This disorder arises during development of
the Zygote.
Klinefelter Syndrome Monogenic disorder Effect of blood-glucose level.
Ans :

A B C
Leber hereditary optic Mitochondrial disorder This disorder arises during development of the
neuropathy Zygote.
Diabetes Polygenic disorder Effect of blood-glucose level.
Albinism Monogenic disorder Pale skin and white hair.
Turner Syndrome 45 + X Women are sterile.
Klinefelter Syndrome 44 + XXY Men are sterile.

6. COMPLETE THE CORRELATION :-

a. 44 + X : Turner Syndrome :: 44 + XXY : Klinefelter Syndrome.
b. 3:1 : Monohybrid :: 9:3:3:1 : Dihybrid
c. Women : Turner Syndrome :: Men : Klinefelter Syndrome.

7. COMPLETE THE TREE DIAGRAM BELOW BASED ON TYPES OF HEREDITARY DISORDERS.

Hereditary
Disorders

Chromosomal Monogenic Mitochondrial Polygenic

Abnormalities Disorders Disorders Disorders

eg. Leber
eg. Albanism,
hereditary optic
Sickle cell Anaemia neuropaths

Abnormality Abnormality
in structure in number eg. Diabetes, BP

Increase in Decrease in
number number

eg. Down
Syndrome, eg. Turner's
Klinefelter Syndrome
Syndrome