16.

Heredity and Variation

​ ) Complete the following sentences by choosing the
1
appropriate words from the brackets.
(Inheritance, sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction,
chromosomes, DNA, RNA, gene)

a. Hereditary characters are transferred from parents to offspring by

gene​, hence they are said to be 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 ​chromosome​.

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) Refer text book page no- 185 ( Mendel’s experiment of the
monohybrid cross). Kindly write the phenotypic and Genotypic ratio
after the table.
Phenotypic ratio​ - Tall : Dwarf - 3 : 1
Genotypic ratio ​ - TT : Tt : tt - 1:2:1
b. Explain Mendel’s dihybrid ratio with the help of any one cross.
Ans) Refer text book page no- 187 ( Mendel’s experiment of the
dihybrid cross). Kindly write the phenotypic and Genotypic ratio after
the table.
Phenotypic ratio​ -
Round-Yellow : Wrinkled-Yellow:Round-Green:Wrinkled-Green
9:3:3:1
Genotypic ratio ​-
RRYY:RRYy:RRyy:RrYY:RrYy:Rryy:rrYY:rrYy:rryy
1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1
c. Distinguish between monohybrid and dihybrid cross.

Monohybrid cross Dihybrid cross

1) The cross in which only one The cross in which only two pairs of contrasting
pair of contrasting characters is characters are involved is known as dihybrid cross.
involved is known as
monohybrid cross.
2) A single pair of genes is 2) Two pairs of genes are involved.
involved.

3) F1 plants of monohybrid 3) F1 plants of dihybrid cross produce four types of

cross produce two types of gametes.
gametes.

4) Example- a cross between a 4) Example - a cross between a tall plant having red
tall and dwarf plant. flowers and a dwarf plant having white flowers.
d. Is it right to avoid living with a person suffering from a genetic
disorder?
Ans) 1) No, it is not right to avoid living with a person suffering from a
genetic disorder.
2)Genetic disorders are not communicable diseases that would be
transmitted to people who come in contact with people with genetic
disorders.
3) Genetic disorders are caused by changes in DNA sequences which
can only be passed from one generation to another under specific
circumstances. Rather, we should support and accept people with
such disorders, so that they can live a normal life.

Q3) Answers the following questions in your own words.

a. What is meant by ‘chromosome’. Explain its types.
Ans) The structure in the nucleus of cells that carries the hereditary
characteristics is called the chromosomes.
Types of chromosomes: Refer text book page no 181
b. Describe the structure of the DNA molecule.
Ans) Refer textbook page no 181 and 182
c. Express your opinion about the use of DNA
fingerprinting.
Ans) i) DNA fingerprinting is the technique in which the
sequence of the genes in the DNA of the person is
identified.
ii) Just like your fingerprints, your DNA fingerprint is
something that you are born with. It is unique to you.
iii) DNA fingerprint is very useful in forensic science.
iv) This technique is used to identify the lineage and to
identify criminals because it is unique to every person.
d. Explain the structure, function and types of RNA.
Ans) Refer textbook page no 183

e. Why is it necessary for people to have their blood

examined before marriage?
Ans) It is necessary for people to have their blood
examined before marriage because the genetic disorders
are transmitted only by reproduction. If a carrier/sufferer of
a genetic disorder marries a person who is also a carrier/
sufferer of the disorder, then there are chances that
disorder will be passed onto the offspring. In order to
prevent this transmission, people should get their blood
examined before marriage to know if they are a carrier of
any genetic disorder.
Write a brief note on each.
a. Down syndrome
Ans) Refer textbook page 189( write in points)

b. Monogenic disorders
Ans) Refer text book page no 190 (write in points)
c. Sickle cell anaemia: symptoms and treatment.
Ans) Sickle-cell anaemia is a hereditary disease caused
due to mutation in a single gene. It is a monogenic
disorder.
Refer textbook page 190

A person suffering from sickle-cell anaemia should take a

tablet of folic acid daily.
Q5) How are the items in groups A, B and C
inter-related ?
A B C
Leber
hereditary optic Mitochondrial This disorder
neuropathy disorder arises during
development
of zygote.

Diabetes Polygenic
disorder Effect on
blood-glucose
level

Monogenic Pale skin,white

Albinism disorder hairs

45+X Women are sterile

Turner
syndrome

44+XXY Men are sterile

Klinefelter
syndrome

Q6) Filling the blanks based on the given relationship.

ANSWER:
a. 44+X:Turner syndrome: :44+XXY:- ​Klinefelter syndrome
b. 3:1 Monohybrid: : 9:3:3:1 : ​Dihybrid cross
c. Women : Turner syndrome : : Men : ​Klinefelter
syndrome.
Q7) Complete the tree diagram below based on types of
hereditary disorders.