Principles of Inheritance and Variation MCQ

Principles of Inheritance and Variation MCQ. Test your understanding of Class 12 Inheritance & Variation with MCQs on Mendel’s work, gene linkage, sex linkage, mutation & genetic diseases.

Principles of Inheritance and Variation MCQ – Mock Online Test

Question 1: What is the term for the process by which characters are passed on from parent to progeny?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Inheritance. It is the basis of heredity.

Question 2: Which of the following is NOT a contrasting trait in pea plants that Mendel studied?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Smooth/wrinkled seeds. While Mendel did study seed shape, he focused on round/wrinkled, not smooth/wrinkled.

Question 3: What type of plants did Mendel use in his hybridization experiments?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Pea plants. They were ideal due to their distinct traits and ease of controlled pollination.

Question 4: What is the term for the degree to which progeny differ from their parents?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Variation. It contributes to the diversity within a species.

Question 5: Why did Mendel select pea plants for his experiments?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above. These characteristics made pea plants suitable for genetic studies.

Question 6: What is a true-breeding line?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. A line that shows stable trait inheritance for several generations. This is achieved through continuous self-pollination.

Question 7: Which of the following did Mendel NOT introduce to the field of biology?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Microscopic observation of chromosomes. Chromosome studies came after Mendel’s work.

Question 8: What is the difference between inheritance and variation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Inheritance is the passing of traits, while variation is the differences in those traits.

Question 9: Why are contrasting traits important in genetic studies?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. They make it easier to observe patterns of inheritance.

Question 10: How did Mendel ensure that his pea plants were true-breeding?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. He allowed them to self-pollinate for several generations.

Question 11: What is the significance of Mendel’s work?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. He discovered the basic principles of inheritance.

Question 12: What is the expected phenotypic ratio in the F2 generation of a monohybrid cross?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. 3:1 This ratio represents the dominant to recessive phenotype.

Question 13: What is the purpose of a test cross?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. To determine the genotype of an individual with a dominant phenotype.

Question 14: Which of the following is an example of a recessive trait in humans?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. Cystic fibrosis. This genetic disorder is only expressed when an individual inherits two recessive alleles.

Question 15: What is the law of segregation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Alleles of a gene separate from each other during gamete formation.

Question 16: What is a monohybrid cross?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. A cross between two individuals that differ in one character.

Question 17: What is the F1 generation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. The first generation of offspring from a cross.

Question 18: What is the F2 generation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The second generation of offspring from a cross.

Question 19: What is a dominant trait?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. The trait that is expressed in the F1 generation.

Question 20: What is a recessive trait?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The trait that is not expressed in the F1 generation but may reappear in the F2 generation.

Question 21: What are genes?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The units of inheritance, containing information to express a particular trait.

Question 22: What are alleles?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Different forms of the same gene, responsible for contrasting traits.

Question 23: What is a genotype?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. The genetic makeup of an organism.

Question 24: What is a phenotype?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The observable characteristics of an organism.

Question 25: What does it mean for an organism to be homozygous?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Having two identical alleles for a gene.

Question 26: What does it mean for an organism to be heterozygous?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Having two different alleles for a gene.

Question 27: What is the purpose of a Punnett square?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. To visualize the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a cross.

Question 28: What is a test cross used for?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. To determine the genotype of an individual with a dominant phenotype.

Question 29: What is the law of dominance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. One allele always dominates the other.

Question 30: In a monohybrid cross between a homozygous dominant (TT) and a homozygous recessive (tt) individual, what is the expected genotype of the F1 offspring?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. All Tt. The offspring inherit one ‘T’ allele from the dominant parent and one ‘t’ allele from the recessive parent.

Question 31: In a monohybrid cross, if the F1 generation exhibits only the dominant trait, what does this indicate about the parents?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. One parent was homozygous dominant, and the other was homozygous recessive.

Question 32: In a monohybrid cross, if the F2 generation exhibits a 3:1 ratio of dominant to recessive phenotypes, what does this indicate about the F1 generation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. The F1 generation was heterozygous.

Question 33: What is the expected phenotypic ratio in the F2 generation of a monohybrid cross where incomplete dominance is observed?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. 1:2:1. This ratio reflects the blending of traits seen in incomplete dominance.

Question 34: What is an example of a trait that exhibits incomplete dominance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Flower color in snapdragons. A cross between red and white snapdragons produces pink offspring.

Question 35: What is co-dominance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. When both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed.

Question 36: What is an example of a trait that exhibits co-dominance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Human blood type. The AB blood type is a result of both A and B alleles being expressed.

Question 37: What is the difference between incomplete dominance and co-dominance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. In incomplete dominance, the heterozygote has a blended phenotype; in co-dominance, both alleles are distinctly expressed.

Question 38: What is the purpose of a test cross?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. To determine the genotype of an individual with a dominant phenotype.

Question 39: In a test cross, an individual with a dominant phenotype is crossed with which of the following?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. A homozygous recessive individual.

Question 40: If the offspring of a test cross all exhibit the dominant phenotype, what does this indicate about the genotype of the unknown parent?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. It is homozygous dominant.

Question 41: If the offspring of a test cross exhibit a 1:1 ratio of dominant to recessive phenotypes, what does this indicate about the genotype of the unknown parent?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. It is heterozygous.

Question 42: What is the role of meiosis in the law of segregation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Meiosis separates homologous chromosomes, which carry the alleles, into different gametes.

Question 43: How does the law of segregation contribute to genetic variation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. It ensures that each gamete receives a random combination of alleles.

Question 44: What is the relationship between genes and alleles?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Alleles are different forms of genes.

Question 45: How do dominant and recessive alleles interact in a heterozygous individual?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. The dominant allele is expressed, while the recessive allele is masked.

Question 46: How can a recessive trait be expressed?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Only in a homozygous recessive individual.

Question 47: What is a dihybrid cross?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. A cross between two individuals that differ in two characters.

Question 48: What is the law of independent assortment?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. The segregation of one pair of characters is independent of the other pair.

Question 49: What is the expected phenotypic ratio in the F2 generation of a dihybrid cross?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. 9:3:3:1. This ratio reflects the independent assortment of two different traits.

Question 50: In a dihybrid cross, what does the law of independent assortment imply about the inheritance of two different traits?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The inheritance of one trait does not influence the inheritance of the other trait.

Question 51: What is the chromosomal theory of inheritance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Genes are located on chromosomes.

Question 52: How does the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis support Mendel’s laws?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Chromosomes segregate independently during meiosis, just like alleles.

Question 53: What is linkage?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. The physical association of genes on a chromosome.

Question 54: What is recombination?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. The generation of non-parental gene combinations.

Question 55: How does linkage affect the inheritance of genes?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Linked genes are more likely to be inherited together.

Question 56: How does recombination affect the inheritance of genes?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Recombination increases the number of non-parental gene combinations.

Question 57: What is a linkage map?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. A map showing the physical location of genes on a chromosome.

Question 58: How are linkage maps constructed?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. By analyzing the frequency of recombination between genes.

Question 59: What is the significance of linkage maps?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 60: What is the relationship between linkage and recombination?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Linkage decreases the frequency of recombination.

Question 61: What are polygenic traits?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Traits controlled by three or Mmore genes.

Question 62: What is the additive effect in polygenic inheritance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Each allele contributes equally to the phenotype.

Question 63: How does the environment influence polygenic traits?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The environment can affect the expression of polygenic traits.

Question 64: What is an example of a polygenic trait in humans?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Skin color. Human skin color is influenced by multiple genes and the environment.

Question 65: What is the difference between polygenic inheritance and Mendelian inheritance?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. Both A and C.

Question 66: What is pleiotropy?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. When one gene affects multiple traits.

Question 67: What is a pleiotropic gene?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. A gene that affects multiple traits.

Question 68: How does a pleiotropic gene affect multiple traits?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. By coding for a protein that is involved in multiple metabolic pathways.

Question 69: What is an example of a pleiotropic gene in humans?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. The gene that causes phenylketonuria. This gene affects mental development, hair color, and skin pigmentation.

Question 70: What is the significance of pleiotropy?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 71: What are sex chromosomes?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Chromosomes that determine the sex of an organism.

Question 72: What are autosomes?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Chromosomes that are the same in both sexes.

Question 73: What is the XO type of sex determination?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Females have two X chromosomes, males have one.

Question 74: What is the XY type of sex determination?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Females have two X chromosomes, males have one X and one Y.

Question 75: What is the ZW type of sex determination?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Females have one Z and one W chromosome, males have two Z chromosomes.

Question 76: What type of sex determination is found in humans?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. XY type.

Question 77: What type of sex determination is found in honey bees?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. Haplodiploid system.

Question 78: In humans, which parent determines the sex of the offspring?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. The father. The sex of the offspring depends on whether the sperm carries an X or a Y chromosome.

Question 79: In honey bees, how are males produced?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. From unfertilized eggs.

Question 80: What is the difference between male heterogamety and female heterogamety?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. Both A and B.

Question 81: What is a mutation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. The alteration of DNA sequences.

Question 82: What are chromosomal aberrations?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 83: What is a point mutation?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. A change in a single base pair of DNA.

Question 84: What is a mutagen?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. An agent that induces mutations.

Question 85: What is an example of a mutagen?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 86: What is the significance of mutations?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 87: What is the difference between a mutation and a chromosomal aberration?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. A mutation is a change in a single base pair of DNA; a chromosomal aberration is a change in the number or structure of chromosomes.

Question 88: What is pedigree analysis?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Analyzing the inheritance patterns of traits in a family over generations.

Question 89: What are Mendelian disorders?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. Disorders caused by alteration or mutation in a single gene.

Question 90: What are examples of Mendelian disorders?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 91: What are chromosomal disorders?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. Disorders caused by absence, excess, or abnormal arrangement of one or more chromosomes.

Question 92: What are examples of chromosomal disorders?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Question 93: What is the difference between Mendelian disorders and chromosomal disorders?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. Mendelian disorders are caused by mutations in a single gene; chromosomal disorders are caused by abnormalities in the number or structure of chromosomes.

Question 94: What is haemophilia?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. A genetic disorder that affects blood clotting.

Question 95: What is cystic fibrosis?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. A genetic disorder that affects the lungs.

Question 96: What is sickle-cell anaemia?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. A genetic disorder that affects the shape of red blood cells.

Question 97: What is Down’s syndrome?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: A. A chromosomal disorder caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21.

Question 98: What is Turner’s syndrome?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: B. A chromosomal disorder caused by a missing X chromosome.

Question 99: What is Klinefelter’s syndrome?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: C. A chromosomal disorder caused by an extra X chromosome.

Question 100: What is the significance of genetic disorders?

Show Explanation

Correct Answer: D. All of the above.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top