Principle of Inheritance and Variation

1) How many pairs of contrasting traits were studied by

Mendel in pea plant?

a) 6

b) 7

c) 8

d) 10
 Discussion

● Mendel selected seven characters.

● Each character had a pair of contrasting traits.

Seed shape Seed colour Pod shape Pod colour

Round Yellow Inflated Green

(Full)

Wrinkled Green Constricted Yellow

 Discussion

Flower Stem height

Flower position
colour

Violet Axial flowers Tall

Terminal Dwarf
White
flowers
1) How many pairs of contrasting traits were studied by
Mendel in pea plant?

a) 6

b) 7

c) 8

d) 10
2) In hybridisation experiments conducted by Mendel, what is
the correct sequence of steps he followed?

i) Bagging ii) Pollination

iii) Emasculation iv) Rebagging
v) Selection of parents vi) Collection of seeds

a) I, III, IV, II, VI, V c) V, III, I, II, IV, VI

b) II, III, V, IV, VI, I d) I, II, III, VI, V, IV

 Discussion
The correct sequence of steps Mendel followed include:

Selection of parents

Emasculation

Bagging

Cross-pollination

Rebagging

Collection of seeds
 Discussion

Selection of parents with the desired character.

Emasculation - removal of anthers from a bisexual

flower which was selected as a female parent to
prevent self-pollination.

Bagging - covering the emasculated flowers with a

bag to prevent contamination with unwanted pollen.

Cross-pollination - transfer of desired pollen to the

stigma of emasculated flower.
 Discussion
Rebagging - again covering the emasculated
flowers to avoid contamination.

Collection of seeds.

Polythene bag

Tag
2) In hybridisation experiments conducted by Mendel, what
is the correct sequence of steps he followed?

i) Bagging ii) Pollination

iii) Emasculation iv) Rebagging
v) Selection of parents vi) Collection of seeds

a) I, III, IV, II, VI, V c) V, III, I, II, IV, VI

I, III, IV, II, VI, V V, III, I, II, IV, VI

b) II, III, V, IV, VI, I c) I, II, III, VI, V, IV

3) Mendel proposed which of the following terms for
hereditary units?

a) Factor

b) Allele

c) Gene

d) Chromosome
 Discussion

● Based on the hybridisation experiments

conducted by Mendel, he proposed that
something is being passed on from one
generation to the next unchanged via
gametes. He called them ‘factors’.
 Discussion

● Factors are currently called genes and alleles

are alternative forms of a gene

Genes are units of inheritance and they contain

information required to express a particular trait
3) Mendel proposed which of the following terms for
hereditary units?

a) Factor

b) Allele

c) Gene

d) Chromosome
4) 1 : 1 phenotypic ratio is obtained in the offspring when
__________ for the character considered in the cross.

a) both the parents carry dissimilar alleles

one parent carries both the dominant alleles and the

b) other parent carries both the recessive alleles

one parent carries both the dominant alleles and

c)
the other parent carries dissimilar alleles

one parent carries both the recessive alleles and

d)
the other parent carries dissimilar alleles
 Discussion
1 : 1 phenotypic ratio is obtained in the offspring when one parent
carries both the recessive alleles and the other parent carries
dissimilar alleles for the character considered in the cross.

Parents: Tt X tt
Hybrid tall Pure dwarf

Gametes: T t t t

Progeny: Tt tt
Tt tt
Tall Dwarf
4) 1 : 1 phenotypic ratio is obtained in the offspring when
__________ for the character considered in the cross.

a) both the parents carry dissimilar alleles

one parent carries both the dominant alleles and the

b)
other parent carries both the recessive alleles

one parent carries both the dominant alleles and

c)
the other parent carries dissimilar alleles

one parent carries both the recessive alleles and

d)
the other parent carries dissimilar alleles
5) The allele which gets expressed in both homozygous and
heterozygous condition is known as the ____________ allele.

a) recessive

b) dominant

c) dependent

d) independent
 Discussion

Allele

Dominant allele Recessive allele

Expressed both in homozygous Expressed only in

and heterozygous condition homozygous condition

OR
5) The allele which gets expressed in both homozygous and
heterozygous condition is known as the ____________ allele.

a) recessive

b) dominant

c) dependent

d) independent
6) How can you find out the genotype of a pea plant that
produces violet flowers?

By crossing it with a true breeding plant

a)
for violet flowers

By crossing it with a plant showing dominant

b) phenotype for flower colour

By crossing it with a plant showing recessive

c)
phenotype for flower colour

d) By performing a reciprocal cross

 Discussion

● Test cross: Organism showing a dominant

phenotype for a particular character is crossed with
the plant showing recessive phenotype for the
same character.

● Hence, the plant producing violet flowers (WW,

Ww) is crossed with a plant producing white
flowers (ww) to find out the genotype of violet
flowered plant.
 Discussion
Test Cross

X
Homozygous
Homozygous
recessive parent
dominant parent
Violet (WW) White (ww)

F1 generation:

Violet (Ww) Violet (Ww) Violet (Ww) Violet (Ww)

Genotype is homozygous dominant (WW).

To find out the genotype, whether it is heterozygous dominant

(Ww) or homozygous dominant (WW), a test cross is conducted.
 Discussion
Test Cross

X
Heterozygous Homozygous
dominant parent recessive parent

Violet (Ww) White (ww)

F1 generation:

Violet Violet White (ww) White (ww)

(Ww) (Ww)

Genotype is heterozygous dominant (Ww).

To find out the genotype, whether it is heterozygous dominant

(Ww) or homozygous dominant (WW), a test cross is conducted.
6) How can you find out the genotype of a pea plant that
produces violet flowers?
By crossing it with a true breeding
a) plant for violet flowers

By crossing it with a plant showing

b) dominant phenotype for flower colour

By crossing it with a plant showing

c) recessive phenotype for flower colour

d) By performing a reciprocal cross

7) A pea plant producing round seeds is crossed with another
pea plant producing wrinkled seeds. In the F1 generation, 50% of
the offspring produced wrinkled seeds. Predict the genotype of
the parents.

a) RR X rr

b) Rr X Rr

c) RR X Rr

d) Rr X rr
 Discussion

Consider the cross, Rr ✖ rr, 50% of the offspring will be having round seeds
while 50% of the offspring will be having wrinkled seeds.

r r
Phenotype of F1 generation
50% of F1 generation has
R Rr Rr round seeds and rest will
have wrinkled seeds

r r r r r
7) A pea plant producing round seeds is crossed with another
pea plant producing wrinkled seeds. In the F1 generation, 50% of
the offspring produced wrinkled seeds. Predict the genotype of
the parents.

a) RR X rr

b) Rr X Rr

c) RR X Rr

d) Rr X rr
8) The total number of progenies obtained through the
dihybrid cross of Mendel is 1280 in F₂ generation. How many of
these are recombinants?

a) 240

b) 360

c) 480

d) 720
 Discussion
Dihybrid Cross
Dominant
X
Parents: YYRR yyrr
Recessive

Gametes: YR YR yr yr

F₁ generation: YyRr X YyRr

Gametes: YR Yr yR yr YR Yr yR yr
 Discussion
YR Yr yR yr

YR
Yellow, Yellow, Green, Green,
YYRR YYRr YyRR YyRr round wrinkled round wrinkled
9 : 3 : 3 : 1
Yr Phenotypic ratio in F2 generation
YYRr YYrr YyRr Yyrr

yR
YyRR YyRr yyRR yyRr

yr

YyRr Yyrr yyRr yyrr

Dihybrid cross
 Discussion

In Mendel's dihybrid cross, the phenotypic ratio in F₂ generation is 9:3:3:1.

In this ratio, out of 16 progenies,
• 10 progenies (9+1) show parental type
• 6 progenies (3+3) show recombinant type

Therefore, the required number of recombinants

out of 1280 progenies
= 6/16 × 1280 = 480
8) The total number of progenies obtained through the
dihybrid cross of Mendel is 1280 in F₂ generation. How many of
these are recombinants?

a) 240

b) 360

c) 480

d) 720
9) Which one of the following genotypes can form only two
different types of gametes?

a) AaBbccDd

b) AaBbccDDEe

c) AABbCCddEE

d) AaBbCcDDEe
 Discussion

• Formula to calculate how many different types of

gametes can be formed is = 2n where, n is the
number of heterozygous allele pairs.

• The AABbCCddEE genotype has one heterozygous

gene pair of Bb.

• Hence, it will form 2 types of gametes, ABCdE and

AbCdE.
 Discussion

AABbCCddEE produces only 2 types of gametes as shown

below:
AABbCCddEE

ABCdE and AbCdE

• AaBbccDd forms 23 = 8 kinds of gametes.

• AaBbccDDEe forms 23 = 8 kinds of gametes.
• AaBbCcDDEe forms 24 = 16 kinds of gametes.
9) Which one of the following genotypes can form only two
different types of gametes?

a) AaBbccDd

b) AaBbccDDEe

c) AABbCCddEE

d) AaBbCcDDEe
10) How many of the following statements are correct?
Statement I: Recombination of genes is directly
proportional to the strength of linkage.
Statement II: More the distance between the two genes
on a chromosome, less the strength of linkage.
Statement III: Recombination frequency is directly
proportional to the distance between the genes present
on a chromosome.

a) Three c) Two

b) Four d) One
 Discussion

● If genes are placed very close to each other on the same

chromosome, chances of crossing over is very low. This
lowers the chances of recombination. Hence, the
strength of linkage would be more.

1
Recombination
Linkage
 Discussion

● If the distance between genes on the same chromosome

is more, chances of crossing over between them is high.
This increases the chances of recombination. Hence, the
strength of linkage would be less.

Strength 1
of linkage Distance between the genes
10) How many of the following statements are correct?
Statement I: Recombination of genes is directly
proportional to the strength of linkage.
Statement II: More the distance between the two genes
on a chromosome, less the strength of linkage.
Statement III: Recombination frequency is directly
proportional to the distance between the genes present
on a chromosome.

a) Three c) Two
b)

b)
d) Four d) One
11) The phenotypic and genotypic ratios of the F₂ generation are
similar in which of the following cases?

Incomplete dominance in
a) snapdragon

b) Mendelian monohybrid cross

c) Mendelian dihybrid cross

d) All of the above

 Discussion

Incomplete
dominance in
snapdragon

Parents: Red (RR) White (rr)

Gametes: R r

Pink (Rr)
F₁ generation:
 Discussion

Selfing of F₁ Phenotypic ratio - Red : Pink : White

generation: Genotypic ratio - RR : Rr : rr
1 : 2 : 1
Pink (Rr) Pink (Rr)

Gametes: R r

RR Rr
R
(Red) (Pink)
F₂ generation:
Rr rr
r (Pink) (White)
11) The phenotypic and genotypic ratios of the F₂ generation are
similar in which of the following cases?

Incomplete dominance in
a) snapdragon

b) Mendelian monohybrid cross

c) Mendelian dihybrid cross

d) All of the above

12) If a man with blood group A marries a woman with blood group
O, the possible blood groups of their children would be:

a) A only

b) A and O

c) O only

d) A, AB and O
 Discussion
Possibility 1:
A X
A(IAIA) x O(ii)
P generation: O
A(IAIA) O(ii)

Gametes:
IA i

F₁ generation: A A(IAi)
 Discussion
Possibility 2:
A X
A(IAi) x O(ii)
P generation: O
A(IAi) O(ii)

Gametes:
IA i i

F₁ generation:
A O

A(IAi) O(ii)
12) If a man with blood group A marries a woman with blood group
O, the possible blood groups of their children would be:

a) A only

b) A and O

c) O only

d) A, AB and O
13) How many types of gametes can be produced by a diploid
organism that is heterozygous for 4 loci?

a) 4 b) 8

c) 16 d) 32
 Discussion

The number of different types of gametes produced

by a diploid organism can be calculated by formula 2n,
○ Where n is the number of heterozygous loci.
● In the given case, the organism is heterozygous
for 4 loci.
○ Is heterozygous for 4 pairs of alleles.
● Hence the number of different types of gametes
produced by the organism would be 24 = 16.
13) How many types of gametes can be produced by a diploid
organism that is heterozygous for 4 loci?

a)
d) 4 b) 8

c) 16 d) 32
14) According to the chromosomal theory of inheritance, the
behaviour of ____(A)____ was parallel to the behaviour of
__(B)_____.

a) A-chromosomes, B-genes

b) A-genes, B-proteins

c) A-chromosomes, B-proteins

d) A-genes, B-cell organelles

 Discussion

Chromosomal theory of inheritance

Behaviour of chromosomes was parallel to the

behaviour of genes in the following ways:
● Both chromosomes and genes occur in pairs
● Both chromosomes and genes segregate at the
time of gamete formation such that only one
member of each pair is transmitted to a gamete
14) According to the chromosomal theory of inheritance, the
behaviour of ____(A)____ was parallel to the behaviour of
__(B)_____.

a) A-chromosomes, B-genes
A-chromosomes, B-genes

b) A-genes, B-proteins

c) A-chromosomes, B-proteins

d) A-genes, B-cell organelles

15) Which among the following is an incorrect statement?

a) A polygenic character is controlled by multiple genes

Numerous intermediate phenotypes are found in

b)
between the two extremes in polygenic inheritance

c) In humans, height and skin colour are polygenic traits

Polygenic inheritance is controlled by multiple alleles of a

d)
single gene
 Discussion

Quantitative or polygenic inheritance

● The inheritance pattern when the complete

expression of a trait is controlled by two or
more genes in which the dominant allele of
each gene contributes only a fraction of the
trait.
● Total phenotypic expression = sum total or
cumulative effect of all dominant alleles of the
respective genes (polygenes).
 Discussion
Quantitative or polygenic inheritance

● There are several intermediate phenotypes

between the two extremes.
● For example: In humans, height, skin colour, eye
colour, and hair colour are polygenic traits.
15) Which among the following is an incorrect statement?

a) A polygenic character is controlled by multiple genes

b) Numerous
Both
Both
Both intermediate
bband
b and
and cc c phenotypes are found in between the
two extremes in polygenic inheritance

c) In humans, height and skin colour are polygenic traits

Polygenic inheritance is controlled by multiple alleles

d)
of a single gene
16) Point mutation may occur due to

a) alteration in DNA sequence

b) change in a single base pair of DNA

c) deletion of a segment of DNA

d) gain of a segment in DNA

 Discussion
Point mutation:
● Caused by change in a single base pair of DNA
● Such a change can be caused due to:
○ Replacement of a nucleotide with another one.
○ Addition or deletion of a single nucleotide pair.

For example - Sickle-cell

anaemia: Caused due to the
substitution of a thymine by
adenine in the β globin gene.
Sickle red blood cells,
blocking the blood flow
16) Point mutation may occur due to

a) alteration in DNA sequence

b) change in a single base pair of DNA

c) deletion of a segment of DNA

d) gain of a segment in DNA

17) If a colour-blind man marries the daughter (who is a carrier
with colour blind gene) of a colour-blind father, then the next
generation will be:

None of their daughters will be

a) colour blind

b) All the sons will be colour blind

c) All the daughters will be colour blind

d) Half of their sons will be colour blind

 Discussion
Carrier mother x Affected father

Carrier mother with Affected father with

colour blind gene colour blind gene

XX XY

XX XY XX XY
Affected daughter Affected son Carrier daughter Unaffected son
with colour with colour with colour without colour
blind gene blind gene blind gene blind gene
 Discussion

• Out of all the sons, 50% will be colour-blind.

XC Y
Genotype
Affected daughter: XCXC
XC X C X C X C Y Affected son: XCY
Carrier daughter: XCX
Normal son: XY

X XC X XY
17) If a colour-blind man marries the daughter (who is a carrier
with colour blind gene) of a colour-blind father, then the next
generation will be:

None of their daughters will be

a) colour blind

b) All the sons will be colour blind

c) All the daughters will be colour blind

d) Half of their sons will be colour blind

18) Haemophilia is rare in women because:

a) It is a recessive autosomal disorder

b) Women are homozygous

c) They have only one X chromosome

d) They are more resistive to this

 Discussion

Haemophilia is a sex-linked recessive trait. The trait is associated

with the X chromosomes

Fibrin

Platelets
Blood clotting
Clotting ingredients
factors

Blood cells
 Discussion
Affected mother x Unaffected father

Mother with Father without

haemophilia haemophilia

XX XY

XX XX XY XY

Carrier daughters with Affected sons with

haemophilia gene haemophilia gene
18) Haemophilia is rare in women because:

a) It is a recessive autosomal disorder

b) Women are homozygous

c) They have only one X chromosome

d) They are more resistive to this

19) Which of the following features characterize chromosomal
disorders?

They are caused by mutations in single

a)
nucleotides

Their transmission to subsequent generations

b)
follows Mendelian principles

They are caused due to abnormal copies of

c)
chromosomes

d) They are caused by mutations in single gene

 Discussion

Genetic disorders

Mendelian Chromosomal
disorders disorders
Caused due to mutation in Caused due to the presence
the single gene. of an extra copy or absence of
one or few chromosomes
19) Which of the following features characterize chromosomal
disorders?

a) They are caused by mutations in single

nucleotides

b) Their transmission to subsequent generations

follows Mendelian principles

They are caused due to abnormal copies of

c)
chromosomes

d) They are caused by mutations in single gene

 20) Identify the mismatched pairs:

Column I Column II
i Haemophilia Sex-linked recessive

ii Down's syndrome Trisomy 21

iii Turner's syndrome Trisomy of sex chromosome
iv Klinefelter's syndrome Monosomy of sex chromosome

a) i, iii b) ii, iv

c) i, ii d) iii, iv
 Discussion

Haemophilia
Sex-linked recessive genetic disorder (X-linked) which
is characterised by impaired blood clotting.
 Discussion
Aneuploidy

Hypoploidy Hyperploidy
Removal of Addition of
chromosome(s) chromosome(s)
No: of No: of
Type of Type of
chromosome chromosome
hypoploidy hyperploidy
removed added

Monosomy Trisomy
-1 +1
(2n – 1) (2n + 1)

Nullisomy Tetrasomy
-2 +2
(2n – 2) (2n + 2)
 Discussion

Down’s syndrome
● Trisomy of 21st chromosome
● Occurs both in female and male

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

or
17 18 19 20 21 22 XX XY
 Discussion
Turner’s syndrome
● Removal of one X chromosome from the sex chromosome
● Occurs in female
● Chromosome composition: 44A+XO

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 1 1 1
0 1 2

1 1 1 1 1 1
3 4 5 6 7 8

1 20 2 22 XO
9 1
 Discussion
Klinefelter’s syndrome
● Extra X chromosome in sex chromosome
● Occurs only in male
● Chromosomal composition: 44A+XXY

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6

1 1 1 20 2 22
7 8 9 1
 20) Identify the mismatched pairs:

Column I Column II
i Haemophilia Sex-linked recessive

ii Down's syndrome Trisomy 21

iii Turner's syndrome Trisomy of sex chromosome
iv Klinefelter's syndrome Monosomy of sex chromosome

a) i, iii b)
d) ii, iv

c) i, ii d) iii, iv
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