Kit Library / Science / Genetics and Breeding
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💡 Key Idea
Genes pass traits; breeding controls them.
Genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms. Breeding is the controlled reproduction of organisms (here, fish) to produce offspring with desired traits. Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.
↳ Genetics explains inheritance; breeding applies it to produce desired traits.
📖 Definition
Same species, different features.
Variation refers to differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species, arising from genetic and/or environmental causes. A trait (or character) is an observable feature or characteristic of an organism.
↳ Variation is the raw material for selection; traits are the features we observe.
⚖️ Comparison
What you see vs what genes say.
↳ Phenotype = genotype + environment; genotype is the underlying genetic makeup.
📖 Definition
The complete genetic instruction set.
The genome is the complete set of genetic material (DNA) present in an organism. It includes all genes and non-coding regions.
↳ Genome = entire DNA content of an organism.
📖 Definition
Units of heredity and their carriers.
A gene is the basic unit of heredity; a segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait and occupies a specific location (locus) on a chromosome. A chromosome is a thread-like structure of DNA and associated proteins (histones) found in the nucleus, carrying genes in linear order.
↳ Genes are DNA segments; chromosomes are the organized structures that carry them.
📖 Definition
Two nucleic acids with distinct roles.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries genetic information, composed of two strands forming a double helix, built from nucleotides (A, T, G, C). RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is a nucleic acid involved in decoding and expressing genetic information (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA).
↳ DNA stores genetic information; RNA helps express it.
📖 Definition
Building block of DNA and RNA.
A nucleotide is the building block of DNA/RNA, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
↳ Nucleotides are the monomers that make up nucleic acids.
📖 Definition
Location and variant forms of a gene.
Locus (plural: loci) is the specific physical location of a gene on a chromosome. An allele is one of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same locus.
↳ Locus is the address; alleles are the different versions of a gene at that address.
📖 Definition
Matching chromosomes from each parent.
Homologous chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes (one from each parent) that are similar in size, shape, and gene content.
↳ Homologous chromosomes carry the same genes but may have different alleles.
⚖️ Comparison
Two sets vs one set of chromosomes.
↳ Body cells are diploid (2n); gametes are haploid (n).
📖 Definition
Chromosome portrait of a species.
A karyotype is the number, size, and shape of chromosomes characteristic of a species, usually displayed as an ordered image.
↳ Karyotype reveals the chromosomal makeup of a species.
📖 Definition
Parts of a duplicated chromosome.
A chromatid is one of the two identical strands of a duplicated chromosome, joined at the centromere. The centromere is the constricted region that holds sister chromatids together and attaches to spindle fibers during cell division.
↳ Sister chromatids are joined at the centromere until cell division separates them.
⚖️ Comparison
Growth vs gamete production.
↳ Mitosis makes identical diploid cells; meiosis makes diverse haploid gametes.
This topic covers foundational terms in genetics and breeding, including heredity, variation, genes, chromosomes, DNA, RNA, and cell division. It explains how traits are passed from parents to offspring and how breeding…
Full explanation, worked examples & memory tricks in the app
All 54 questions, laddered from warm-up to topper-level, each with its answer and the reasoning behind it.
Q1. Which term is defined as the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms?
BeginnerA · Genetics
Genetics is the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.
Q2. What is the controlled reproduction of organisms to produce offspring with desired traits called?
BeginnerC · Breeding
Breeding is the controlled reproduction of organisms to produce offspring with desired traits.
Q3. The passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes is known as:
BeginnerA · Heredity
Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.
Q4. Differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species are called:
BeginnerB · Variation
Variation refers to differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species, arising from genetic and/or environmental causes.
Q5. An observable feature or characteristic of an organism, such as body color or growth rate, is called a:
BeginnerB · Trait
A trait or character is an observable feature or characteristic of an organism, such as body color, growth rate, fin shape, or disease resistance.
Q6. The complete set of genetic material (DNA) present in an organism is called its:
BeginnerC · Genome
Genome is the complete set of genetic material (DNA) present in an organism.
Q7. Which of the following is the basic unit of heredity?
BeginnerA · Gene
A gene is the basic unit of heredity; a segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein or trait and occupies a specific location (locus) on a chromosome.
Q8. A thread-like structure of DNA and associated proteins found in the nucleus, carrying genes in linear order, is a:
BeginnerD · Chromosome
A chromosome is a thread-like structure of DNA and associated proteins (histones) found in the nucleus, carrying genes in linear order.
Q9. The molecule that carries genetic information, composed of two strands forming a double helix, is:
BeginnerA · DNA
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the molecule that carries genetic information, composed of two strands forming a double helix.
Q10. The building block of DNA/RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base, is a:
BeginnerB · Nucleotide
A nucleotide is the building block of DNA/RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.
Q11. RNA is a nucleic acid involved in decoding and expressing genetic information.
BeginnerA · True
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) is a nucleic acid involved in decoding and expressing genetic information (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA).
Q12. What is the term for the observable physical characteristics of an organism?
BeginnerC · Phenotype
The correct option is 'Phenotype' because it refers to the observable traits of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Q13. What is the basic unit of heredity that can be passed from parent to offspring?
BeginnerD · Gene
The correct option is 'Gene' because it is the fundamental unit of heredity responsible for the transmission of traits from parents to offspring.
Q14. What term describes the genetic makeup of an organism at a specific locus?
BeginnerD · Genotype
The correct option is 'Genotype' because it refers to the specific genetic constitution of an organism at one or more loci.
Q15. Which term refers to the differences in traits among individuals of the same species?
BeginnerC · Variation
The correct option is 'Variation' as it describes the differences in characteristics among individuals within a species.
Q16. What is the term for the complete set of genetic material present in an organism?
BeginnerB · Genome
The correct option is 'Genome' because it encompasses the entire set of genetic material (DNA) in an organism.
Q17. What is the term for the process of controlled reproduction to produce offspring with desired traits?
BeginnerD · Breeding
The correct option is 'Breeding' as it refers to the intentional reproduction of organisms to achieve specific desired traits.
Q18. What do we call the structures that carry genes in linear order?
BeginnerB · Chromosomes
The correct option is 'Chromosomes' because they are thread-like structures that contain DNA and associated proteins, carrying genes.
Q19. Which term is used to describe a cell or organism with two complete sets of chromosomes?
BeginnerB · Diploid
The correct option is 'Diploid' as it refers to cells or organisms that have two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.
Q20. What is the term for one of two or more alternative forms of a gene?
BeginnerA · Allele
The correct option is 'Allele' because it refers to the different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.
Q21. What do we call the branch of biology that studies genes, heredity, and variation?
BeginnerC · Genetics
The correct option is 'Genetics' as it is the field of biology focused on the study of genes, heredity, and variation in living organisms.
Q22. What is the term for the differences in traits among individuals of the same species?
BeginnerD · Variation
Variation refers to the differences in traits among individuals of the same species.
Q23. What is the basic unit of heredity that can be passed from parent to offspring?
BeginnerA · Gene
A gene is the basic unit of heredity that can be passed from parent to offspring.
Q24. What is the term for the observable physical characteristics of an organism?
BeginnerC · Phenotype
Phenotype refers to the observable physical characteristics of an organism.
Q25. What do we call the complete set of genetic material present in an organism?
BeginnerC · Genome
The complete set of genetic material present in an organism is called its genome.
Q26. What is the term for the process of controlled reproduction to produce offspring with desired traits?
BeginnerB · Selective Breeding
Selective breeding is the process of controlled reproduction to produce offspring with desired traits.
Q27. What is the term for the genetic makeup of an organism at a specific locus?
BeginnerA · Genotype
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism at a specific locus.
Q28. What is the term for a pair of chromosomes that are similar in size, shape, and gene content?
BeginnerD · Homologous Chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes that are similar in size, shape, and gene content.
Q29. What do we call the thread-like structures of DNA and associated proteins found in the nucleus?
BeginnerC · Chromosomes
Chromosomes are the thread-like structures of DNA and associated proteins found in the nucleus.
Q30. Which term refers to the process of cell division that produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells?
BeginnerA · Mitosis
Mitosis is the process of cell division that produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells.
Q31. What is the term for the differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species?
BeginnerD · Variation
Variation refers to the differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species.
Q32. What is the term for the genetic material that carries information from one generation to the next?
BeginnerC · DNA
DNA is the molecule that carries genetic information, composed of two strands forming a double helix.
Q33. What is the term for the observable traits or characteristics of an organism?
BeginnerB · Phenotype
Phenotype refers to the observable physical characteristics of an organism.
Q34. Which term describes the genetic constitution of an organism at one or more loci?
BeginnerA · Genotype
Genotype refers to the genetic constitution (allele combination) of an organism at one or more loci.
Q35. What is the basic unit of heredity that can be passed from parent to offspring?
BeginnerA · Gene
A gene is the basic unit of heredity that can be passed from parent to offspring.
Q36. What do we call the process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring?
BeginnerB · Heredity
Heredity is the process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring.
Q37. What is the term for the structures that carry genes in a linear order?
BeginnerC · Chromosomes
Chromosomes are the structures that carry genes in linear order.
Q38. Which term is used to describe a cell or organism with a single complete set of chromosomes?
BeginnerB · Haploid
A haploid cell or organism has a single complete set of chromosomes, as in gametes.
Q39. What is the term for the process of cell division that produces four genetically distinct haploid gametes?
BeginnerB · Meiosis
Meiosis is the process of cell division that produces four genetically distinct haploid gametes.
Q40. What is the constricted region of a chromosome that holds sister chromatids together?
BeginnerC · Centromere
The centromere is the constricted region of a chromosome that holds sister chromatids together.
Q41. Which term refers to the differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species?
BeginnerC · Variation
Variation refers to the differences in characteristics among individuals of the same species.
Q42. The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment, is called:
IntermediateD · Phenotype
Phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Q43. The genetic constitution (allele combination) of an organism at one or more loci is called its:
IntermediateB · Genotype
Genotype is the genetic constitution (allele combination) of an organism at one or more loci.
Q44. The specific physical location of a gene on a chromosome is called its:
IntermediateB · Locus
Locus (plural: loci) is the specific physical location of a gene on a chromosome.
Q45. One of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same locus is called a(n):
IntermediateD · Allele
An allele is one of two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same locus.
Q46. A pair of chromosomes (one from each parent) that are similar in size, shape, and gene content are called:
IntermediateA · Homologous chromosomes
Homologous chromosomes are a pair of chromosomes (one from each parent) that are similar in size, shape, and gene content.
Q47. A cell or organism having two complete sets of chromosomes (one from each parent) is said to be:
IntermediateD · Diploid (2n)
Diploid (2n) refers to a cell or organism having two complete sets of chromosomes (one from each parent), as in normal body cells.
Q48. A cell or organism having a single complete set of chromosomes, as in gametes, is said to be:
IntermediateD · Haploid (n)
Haploid (n) refers to a cell or organism having a single complete set of chromosomes, as in gametes (sperm/egg).
Q49. The number, size, and shape of chromosomes characteristic of a species, usually displayed as an ordered image, is called a:
IntermediateC · Karyotype
Karyotype is the number, size, and shape of chromosomes characteristic of a species, usually displayed as an ordered image.
Q50. One of the two identical strands of a duplicated chromosome, joined at the centromere, is a:
IntermediateA · Chromatid
A chromatid is one of the two identical strands of a duplicated chromosome, joined at the centromere.
Q51. The constricted region of a chromosome that holds sister chromatids together and attaches to spindle fibers during cell division is the:
IntermediateC · Centromere
The centromere is the constricted region of a chromosome that holds sister chromatids together and attaches to spindle fibers during cell division.
Q52. Which type of cell division produces two genetically identical diploid daughter cells and is used for growth and repair?
IntermediateB · Mitosis
Mitosis is cell division producing two genetically identical diploid daughter cells, used for growth and repair.
Q53. Which type of cell division produces four genetically distinct haploid gametes from a diploid parent cell?
IntermediateD · Meiosis
Meiosis is a reduction division producing four genetically distinct haploid gametes from a diploid parent cell.
Q54. Most fish body cells are haploid.
IntermediateB · False
Most fish body cells are diploid (2n); gametes (sperm/egg) are haploid (n).
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