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Lesson 1: The Instruction Manual — Practice Questions

  1. 1. What is the scientific term for the different variations of a single gene that control a specific feature?

    • A. Genomes
    • B. Alleles
    • C. Proteins
    • D. Chromosomes
  2. 2. What is the primary outcome within a population when a gene for a particular feature has multiple versions?

    • A. All individuals will have identical features for that gene.
    • B. The gene will eventually be removed from the population.
    • C. It creates genetic diversity and a variety of traits.
    • D. The gene will stop producing proteins entirely.
  3. 3. Which statement correctly describes the relationship between genes, proteins, and biological diversity?

    • A. Proteins create different gene versions, which leads to diversity.
    • B. Different gene versions code for different proteins, which creates diversity.
    • C. Diversity is the cause of different gene versions and proteins.
    • D. All gene versions code for the exact same protein, and diversity comes from the environment.
  4. 4. In a species of flower, one gene controls petal color. One version of the gene instructs for a red pigment protein, while another version instructs for a yellow pigment protein. This is an example of what genetic principle?

    • A. How all genes produce identical instructions
    • B. The process of cell division
    • C. How different gene versions lead to different traits
    • D. The effect of sunlight on an organism's DNA
  5. 5. How do different gene versions create variation in the traits of an organism?

    • A. By changing the total number of chromosomes an organism has.
    • B. By providing slightly different instructions for building specific proteins.
    • C. By moving to different locations within the cell nucleus.
    • D. By stopping all genetic instructions from being read.
  6. 6. If a scientist identifies two different versions of a protein in a population of fish, what can they infer about the fish's genetic makeup?

    • A. The fish must have different diets.
    • B. The fish have different gene versions for that protein.
    • C. All the fish have identical genes.
    • D. The protein changes its structure based on water pressure.
  7. 7. In humans, a gene for hair texture has two versions. One version codes for a protein that results in straight hair, while the other codes for a protein that results in curly hair. A person with curly hair has which of the following?

    • A. A gene version that provides instructions for the curly hair protein.
    • B. No genes related to hair texture at all.
    • C. The exact same hair-texture genes as a person with straight hair.
    • D. A protein that can change from straight to curly depending on humidity.
  8. 8. What is the direct link between an organism's genetic code and its observable traits?

    • A. Traits directly alter the genetic code.
    • B. Genes instruct for proteins, which produce traits.
    • C. Proteins are converted into genes.
    • D. The environment creates traits regardless of genes.
  9. 9. Two pea plants from the same species show different traits: one has purple flowers and the other has white flowers. At the molecular level, what is the most direct cause of this difference?

    • A. The plants were grown in different soil types.
    • B. One plant has a gene version that codes for a different pigment protein than the other.
    • C. The plant with white flowers is missing all genes for flower color.
    • D. Both plants have identical genes, but one was exposed to more sunlight.
  10. 10. What is the primary function of a gene within a cell's nucleus?

    • A. To provide the raw energy for cellular activities.
    • B. To act as a set of instructions for building a specific protein.
    • C. To form the structural barrier of the cell membrane.
    • D. To directly transport nutrients into the cell.