Grade 12 Biology Exam Questions
with Correct Answers
CLONES - ANSWERSgenetically identical organisms derived from a single genetic
source
POLYGENIC TRAITS - ANSWERStraits such as skin color, height which are controlled
by many (poly) genes
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION - ANSWERSmode of reproduction where offspring arise
from a single parent and inherits the genes of that parent only (2n → 2n)
TELOMERES - ANSWERSthe protective caps at the end of chromosomes
SEX-LINKED TRAITS - ANSWERStraits that are carried on the X chromosome
GAMETES - ANSWERSreproductive cells (i.e. egg and sperm) formed during meiosis
(2n → n)
GENES - ANSWERScontrols the traits in an organism
CARRIERS - ANSWERSthey can pass a gene for a recessive disorder; they are
heterozygous for a recessive disorder; they have one dominant allele
PYRIMIDINES - ANSWERSnitrogen bases in DNA; include thymine and cytosine
ALLELES - ANSWERSan alternative form of a single gene passed from generation to
generation
ZYGOTE - ANSWERSpart of sexual reproduction; result of the union of egg and sperm
(2n)
PURINES - ANSWERSnitrogen bases in DNA; include adenine and guanine
CROSS POLLINATION - ANSWERSprocess Mendel used to pollinate flowers of short
plants with pollen from tall plants (when pollen is delivered to a flower from a different
plant)
, FERTILIZATION - ANSWERSthe process by which haploid gametes combine → result
is the formation of a zygote
CROSSING OVER - ANSWERSexchange of genetic material between homologous
chromosomes → results in genetic recombination (occurs in meiosis during prophase I)
DIHYBRID - ANSWERSindividual differing in two traits (i.e. BbEe)
MUTAGEN - ANSWERSphysical/chemical agent that can change genetic material (i.e.
asbestos, UV light from the sun)
GEL ELECTROPHORESIS - ANSWERSan electric current is used to separate DNA
fragments according to the size of the fragments
HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES - ANSWERSa pair of chromosomes of the same
kind (i.e. sex chromosomes)
SOMATIC CELLS - ANSWERSbody cells; contain 46 chromosomes (2n - diploid)
RECOMBINANT DNA - ANSWERSmade by inserting a segment of DNA from one
organism into a chromosome of another
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION - ANSWERSwhen genetic material of two organisms
combine (egg and sperm) to create a new organism; process that starts with meiosis
that ensures that organisms will have the same diploid number of chromosomes as its
parents when fertilization is successful; sometimes referred to as reduction division
MULTIPLE ALLELES - ANSWERSseries of 3 or more alleles that can code for a trait
(i.e. human blood groups)
GENETICS - ANSWERSstudy of how traits are inherited through the interactions of
alleles
GENE THERAPY - ANSWERStreating genetic disorders by inserting normal alleles into
cells
THEORY - ANSWERSseries of statements that can explain multiple hypotheses;
provides explanations and predictions that can be tested
HAPLOID - ANSWERScell with one of each kind of chromosome (sex cells) → n
DIPLOID - ANSWERStwo of each kind of chromosome (somatic cells ) → 2n•
MENDEL'S LAW OF INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT - ANSWERSIn meiosis, the way
in which a chromosome pair separates does not affect the way other pairs separate
with Correct Answers
CLONES - ANSWERSgenetically identical organisms derived from a single genetic
source
POLYGENIC TRAITS - ANSWERStraits such as skin color, height which are controlled
by many (poly) genes
ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION - ANSWERSmode of reproduction where offspring arise
from a single parent and inherits the genes of that parent only (2n → 2n)
TELOMERES - ANSWERSthe protective caps at the end of chromosomes
SEX-LINKED TRAITS - ANSWERStraits that are carried on the X chromosome
GAMETES - ANSWERSreproductive cells (i.e. egg and sperm) formed during meiosis
(2n → n)
GENES - ANSWERScontrols the traits in an organism
CARRIERS - ANSWERSthey can pass a gene for a recessive disorder; they are
heterozygous for a recessive disorder; they have one dominant allele
PYRIMIDINES - ANSWERSnitrogen bases in DNA; include thymine and cytosine
ALLELES - ANSWERSan alternative form of a single gene passed from generation to
generation
ZYGOTE - ANSWERSpart of sexual reproduction; result of the union of egg and sperm
(2n)
PURINES - ANSWERSnitrogen bases in DNA; include adenine and guanine
CROSS POLLINATION - ANSWERSprocess Mendel used to pollinate flowers of short
plants with pollen from tall plants (when pollen is delivered to a flower from a different
plant)
, FERTILIZATION - ANSWERSthe process by which haploid gametes combine → result
is the formation of a zygote
CROSSING OVER - ANSWERSexchange of genetic material between homologous
chromosomes → results in genetic recombination (occurs in meiosis during prophase I)
DIHYBRID - ANSWERSindividual differing in two traits (i.e. BbEe)
MUTAGEN - ANSWERSphysical/chemical agent that can change genetic material (i.e.
asbestos, UV light from the sun)
GEL ELECTROPHORESIS - ANSWERSan electric current is used to separate DNA
fragments according to the size of the fragments
HOMOLOGOUS CHROMOSOMES - ANSWERSa pair of chromosomes of the same
kind (i.e. sex chromosomes)
SOMATIC CELLS - ANSWERSbody cells; contain 46 chromosomes (2n - diploid)
RECOMBINANT DNA - ANSWERSmade by inserting a segment of DNA from one
organism into a chromosome of another
SEXUAL REPRODUCTION - ANSWERSwhen genetic material of two organisms
combine (egg and sperm) to create a new organism; process that starts with meiosis
that ensures that organisms will have the same diploid number of chromosomes as its
parents when fertilization is successful; sometimes referred to as reduction division
MULTIPLE ALLELES - ANSWERSseries of 3 or more alleles that can code for a trait
(i.e. human blood groups)
GENETICS - ANSWERSstudy of how traits are inherited through the interactions of
alleles
GENE THERAPY - ANSWERStreating genetic disorders by inserting normal alleles into
cells
THEORY - ANSWERSseries of statements that can explain multiple hypotheses;
provides explanations and predictions that can be tested
HAPLOID - ANSWERScell with one of each kind of chromosome (sex cells) → n
DIPLOID - ANSWERStwo of each kind of chromosome (somatic cells ) → 2n•
MENDEL'S LAW OF INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT - ANSWERSIn meiosis, the way
in which a chromosome pair separates does not affect the way other pairs separate
