Test yourself

This form is designed to probe just how well you understand some of the basic terms used in genetics. It assumes some professional studies in genetics but don't be put off. If you are a High School student I am just as interested in how well the concepts are taught to you. I am hoping that it will show a change in usage over the last 20 years.

Thank you for participating

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Part 1- prose

1. An allele which undergoes a mutation is best described as

2. A gene for trypsin which is duplicated and occurs at a new position on a chromosome should be called

3. A gene is best described as

4. A chromosome is best described as

5. A chromatid is best described as

Part 2 - Multiple choice

6. Crossover occurs on human chromosomes at a frequency of

one chromosome in a thousand

one chromosome in a hundred

one chromosome in ten

several times on each chromosome

7. A chromosome is different from a chromatid because

a chromatid is a term used for a transitory stage in meiosis

chromosomes are made up of two chromatids

two chromatids form a chromosome during meiosis but a single chromatid becomes a chromosome at completion of meiosis

8. The location of a crossover occurs

at random

always at the same place

may occur at several specific points but does not occur at others

9. A new allele arises

when a gene undergoes a mutation

when an allele undergoes a mutation

when a gene or allele undergoes a mutation

10. A gene which occurs twice on a chromosome (the second occurrence undergoing a base substitution) at it's new location should be called

a second gene (i.e. alpha trypsin²)

a new allele

a new gene

a gene derived from the original

11. An allele which undergoes a deletion in the last few base pairs, (minor alteration to terminal amino acids specified) is best described as

an entirely new allele

a new gene

an allele derived from a (name) allele

12. The triplet code which is read to specify the mRNA is located

on one strand of the double helix

on both strands of the double helix (alternating)

both sides of the double helix (each side identical)

usually one but overlapping strands of DNA may contain different genes

Part 3 - weightings

13. An allele is primarily defined by

function

location

the sequence of bases

14. A gene is primarily defined by

the sequence of bases

position on the chromosome

function

15. The basic unit of inheritance is the

chromosome

gene

allele

Part 4 - new concept?

16. If you were to meet the phrase "derivative allele" in a textbook, what would you understand it to mean?

Section 5 - about yourself

Can you indicate your level of study

Would you describe your formal study of genetics as

If you would like some feedback on your submitted from please include your e-mail address Your privacy will be respected. It is hoped that the collated results will be published on this site later this year.

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