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Quizzes > Science > Biology

Genetic Terminology Trivia: Test Your Knowledge!

Ready to master terminology in genetics? Jump in and ace the quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style DNA helix and quiz icons on dark blue background for free genetic terminology quiz.

Ready to decode complex concepts like Mendelian inheritance and chromosomal structure? Our Master Genetic Terminology quiz is designed for students, educators, and science enthusiasts to sharpen their understanding of key genetic terminology. By diving into terminology in genetics, you'll reinforce your grasp of genetics terms and explore critical DNA terminology in a fun, interactive format. Whether you're revising for your genetics final exam or simply want to challenge yourself, this engaging genetics quiz and thought-provoking genetics questions will put your skills to the test. Ready to prove you've mastered genetics terminology? Take the quiz now!

What is a gene?
A segment of DNA that codes for a functional product
A protein that catalyzes DNA replication
A structure that packages DNA within the nucleus
A type of sugar found in the DNA backbone
Genes are segments of DNA that serve as templates for RNA or proteins, determining heritable traits. They are the fundamental units of heredity located on chromosomes and include both coding and non-coding regions. Genes are transcribed into RNA and often translated into proteins, influencing cellular functions and organismal development. For more information see https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Gene.
What term describes one of two or more variant forms of a gene at a particular locus?
Allele
Chromatid
Exon
Ribosome
Alleles refer to variant DNA sequences of the same gene at a given locus that can produce different traits, such as eye color. They can be dominant or recessive and exist in diploid organisms as pairs. The combination of alleles determines the genotype and influences the phenotype. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK21905/.
What is the term for the observable characteristics of an organism resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment?
Phenotype
Genotype
Karyotype
Proteome
The phenotype comprises an organism’s physical traits and behaviors resulting from gene expression and environmental influences. It contrasts with the genotype, which refers to the genetic makeup. Phenotypic variation is key to natural selection and evolution. More details at https://www.khanacademy.org.
Which term refers to the specific physical location of a gene on a chromosome?
Locus
Centromere
Telomere
Allele
A locus is a precise chromosomal position where a gene resides, which can be identified by banding patterns. It differs from structural features like centromeres or telomeres. Knowing loci is essential in mapping genetic traits. More at https://www.yourgenome.org.
What structure carries genetic information in the form of DNA in eukaryotic cells?
Chromosome
Ribosome
Mitochondrion
Lysosome
Chromosomes are DNA-protein complexes that organize and compact genetic material within the nucleus. Each eukaryotic species has a characteristic number of chromosomes. They ensure accurate DNA replication and segregation during cell division. See https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Chromosome.
What term describes a pair of chromosomes with the same genes but possibly different alleles, one inherited from each parent?
Homologous chromosomes
Sister chromatids
Nondisjunction
Centrosomes
Homologous chromosomes are chromosome pairs that share gene loci but might carry different alleles inherited from each parent. They align during meiosis I to exchange genetic material via recombination. This pairing is crucial for sexual reproduction and genetic diversity. More at https://www.britannica.com/science/homologous-chromosome.
Which allele type expresses its trait in the heterozygous state by masking the effect of the other allele?
Dominant allele
Recessive allele
Codominant allele
Epistatic allele
A dominant allele produces the phenotype even when only one copy is present in the genotype, masking a recessive allele. Mendelian inheritance often involves dominant-recessive relationships. Phenotypic ratios reveal dominance patterns in crosses. See https://www.khanacademy.org/science/biology/classical-genetics.
Which allele type only expresses its trait when in the homozygous state?
Recessive allele
Dominant allele
Incomplete allele
Null allele
Recessive alleles require two copies to manifest the phenotype because a dominant allele in heterozygotes masks their effect. In classic Mendel peas, the recessive allele for white flowers only appears when homozygous. Knowing allele interactions aids in understanding inheritance. Learn more at https://www.genetics.org/content/102/2/1.
What term describes an organism with two different alleles for a particular gene?
Heterozygous
Homozygous
Hemizygous
Polygenic
Heterozygous organisms carry two different alleles at a locus, which can result in dominant-recessive or codominant interactions. This genetic constitution affects trait variation and inheritance patterns. It contrasts with homozygous, where alleles are identical. More at https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Heterozygous.
What term refers to having two identical alleles for a gene?
Homozygous
Heterozygous
Monohybrid
Dominant
Homozygous individuals have the same allele on both homologous chromosomes at a locus, leading to uniform expression of that allele’s trait. This state simplifies predictions of offspring genotypes in breeding. It’s important in pure breeding lines. Read more at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22048/.
What genetic interaction results in both alleles being fully expressed in the phenotype?
Codominance
Incomplete dominance
Epistasis
Pleiotropy
In codominance, two different alleles of a gene in a heterozygote are both fully expressed, such as in AB blood type, where A and B antigens appear equally. This differs from incomplete dominance, which results in intermediate phenotypes. Understanding codominance explains multiple allele traits. More at https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-classical-genetics.
What phenomenon produces an intermediate phenotype when heterozygous for two alleles?
Incomplete dominance
Codominance
Dominance
Penetrance
In incomplete dominance, the heterozygote’s phenotype is a blend of the two homozygote phenotypes, such as pink flowers from red and white parents. Neither allele is completely dominant, leading to intermediate expression. This pattern provides insights into allele interactions. Learn more at https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/incomplete-dominance-and-codominance-593/.
Which term describes a trait controlled by multiple genes?
Polygenic trait
Monogenic trait
Pleiotropic trait
Epistatic trait
Polygenic traits are governed by two or more genes, each adding to the phenotype, resulting in continuous variation like human height or skin color. Such traits show normal distribution in populations. They contrast with monogenic traits controlled by a single gene. For details see https://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/PPS2/htmts/polygen.html.
What term describes a single gene influencing multiple, seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits?
Pleiotropy
Epistasis
Polygenic
Codominance
Pleiotropy occurs when one gene affects multiple traits, as with the sickle cell gene influencing red cell shape and malaria resistance. It illustrates the complex effects of gene products on various biological systems. Studying pleiotropy helps in understanding genetic diseases. More at https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-pleiotropy.
Which genetic interaction occurs when one gene’s product masks the effect of another gene?
Epistasis
Codominance
Linkage
Segregation
Epistasis is an interaction where an allele at one locus modifies or masks the expression of alleles at another locus, such as coat color in Labrador retrievers. It complicates Mendelian ratios in crosses. Recognizing epistasis is essential for genetic mapping. Read more at https://www.nature.com/scitable/definition/epistasis-epistatic-interaction-157/.
What term describes the tendency of genes located close together on the same chromosome to be inherited together?
Genetic linkage
Independent assortment
Penetrance
Recombination
Genetic linkage refers to the non-random inheritance of genes near each other on a chromosome, reducing recombination frequency between them. Linked genes violate Mendel’s law of independent assortment. Mapping studies use linkage data to locate genes. More at https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Linkage.
What measure reflects the percentage of gametes that are recombinant due to crossing over between two loci?
Recombination frequency
Mutation rate
Linkage disequilibrium
Allelic exclusion
Recombination frequency is calculated as the number of recombinant progeny divided by the total, multiplied by 100, reflecting genetic distance in map units. It guides linkage mapping. Frequencies below 50% indicate linkage. Details at https://www.britannica.com/science/recombination-genetics.
Which process causes random changes in allele frequencies in small populations?
Genetic drift
Natural selection
Gene flow
Mutation
Genetic drift describes stochastic fluctuations of allele frequencies, especially in small populations, leading to allele fixation or loss independent of fitness. Bottleneck and founder effects are examples. It’s a key evolutionary mechanism. More at https://www.evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/article/evo_30.
What is the movement of alleles into or out of a population due to migration of individuals?
Gene flow
Genetic drift
Selection
Assortative mating
Gene flow, or migration, introduces new alleles into a population or removes them, counteracting genetic drift and divergence. It maintains genetic connectivity among populations. Understanding gene flow informs conservation genetics. See https://www.fws.gov/pollinatoratlas/pdf/GeneFlow.pdf.
What is the proportion of individuals with a specific genotype that actually express the expected phenotype?
Penetrance
Expressivity
Heritability
Pleiotropy
Penetrance is the fraction of individuals with a certain genotype who display the associated phenotype, which can be complete (100%) or incomplete (<100%). It’s influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Penetrance differences are key in genetic counseling. More at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4394906/.
What term refers to the degree or range of phenotypic expression of a genotype?
Expressivity
Penetrance
Dominance
Epistasis
Expressivity describes how variably a genotype is expressed in phenotype intensity among individuals with the same genotype. For example, NF1 gene mutations result in variable severity of symptoms. It complements penetrance in genetic analysis. Details at https://www.yourgenome.org/facts/what-is-expressivity-in-genetics.
Which effect involves reduced genetic diversity when a small group establishes a new population?
Founder effect
Bottleneck effect
Genetic hitchhiking
Gene flow
The founder effect occurs when a few individuals colonize a new area, carrying only a subset of the original population’s alleles, leading to reduced diversity. It can cause rapid genetic differentiation and is a form of genetic drift. More at https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/founder-effect.
What is polyploidy?
The condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes
A mutation causing a single nucleotide change
Transfer of genes between species
Expression of multiple phenotypes by one gene
Polyploidy refers to organisms with three or more sets of chromosomes, common in plants like wheat. It arises through genome duplication or hybridization and can lead to speciation. Polyploidy affects gene dosage and evolutionary adaptability. Learn more at https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/polyploidy-what-is-it-14313028/.
What term describes a set of alleles at multiple loci on a single chromosome that are inherited together?
Haplotype
Genotype
Phenotype
Karyotype
A haplotype is a combination of alleles or sequence variants at adjacent loci on a chromosome segment inherited as a block due to linkage. Haplotypes are used in disease studies and population genetics. They simplify genetic association analyses. More at https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Haplotype.
How does a transition mutation differ from a transversion mutation?
A transition substitutes a purine for a purine or pyrimidine for pyrimidine, while a transversion substitutes a purine for pyrimidine or vice versa
A transition is a frameshift, while a transversion is a point mutation
A transition occurs only in RNA, while a transversion occurs in DNA
A transition changes amino acid properties, while a transversion does not
Transitions swap similar nucleotide types (A?G, C?T), whereas transversions swap different types (A/C, A/T, G/C, G/T). Transitions are more frequent due to chemical similarities and DNA repair biases. Understanding these mutations is vital in molecular genetics and disease studies. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26910/.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Genetic Terminology -

    Grasp the definitions of key genetic terminology to form a solid basis for exploring genetics concepts.

  2. Differentiate Terminology in Genetics -

    Distinguish between terms like genotype, phenotype, and allele to clarify their roles within genetic studies.

  3. Apply DNA Terminology -

    Use DNA terminology accurately when describing molecular processes such as replication, transcription, and translation.

  4. Analyze Genetics Terms in Context -

    Evaluate quiz scenarios to reinforce practical understanding of genetics terms in real-world applications.

  5. Assess Vocabulary Mastery -

    Identify strengths and areas for improvement in genetics terminology to guide further study and skill development.

Cheat Sheet

  1. DNA vs. RNA Essentials -

    Understanding the basic building blocks of genetic terminology starts with recognizing that DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) forms a stable double helix with A - T and C - G base pairs, while RNA (ribonucleic acid) is single-stranded and swaps T for U (uracil). Remember "DNA: Double, Tames A" as a quick mnemonic for the double helix and base pairing (Source: Nature, 1953; NCBI).

  2. Central Dogma Simplified -

    The central dogma - DNA → RNA → Protein - captures how genetic information flows during transcription and translation. Use the acronym "TRIP" (Transcription, RNA processing, Initiation, Protein synthesis) to keep steps in order and solidify your genetics terminology knowledge (Source: Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell).

  3. Genotype vs. Phenotype vs. Allele -

    An allele is a variant form of a gene, the genotype is the specific allele combination (e.g., Aa or AA), and the phenotype is the observable trait (like blue eyes). Visualize "GP-A" (Genotype precedes Phenotype via Alleles) to anchor these key genetics terms (Source: Khan Academy Genetics).

  4. Punnett Square Practice -

    Monohybrid Punnett squares predict offspring ratios by arranging parental alleles across rows and columns; a cross of Aa × Aa yields a 1:2:1 genotype ratio (AA:Aa:aa). Practice sketching squares for different crosses to reinforce your grasp of terminology in genetics and inheritance patterns (Source: University of Arizona School of Plant Sciences).

  5. Types of Mutations -

    Point mutations swap a single base, frameshifts insert/delete bases and alter reading frames, while missense/nonsense mutations change amino acids or introduce stops. Use "PFFM" (Point, Frameshift, Finish early, Missense) to recall the four major mutation types in genetics terminology (Source: Genetics Society of America).

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