HEREDITY

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. Mendel conducted his famous 6. Which of the following represents
breeding experiments by working on the characteristic of a pleiotropic
(a) Drosophila (b) Pisum sativum gene?
(c) Escherichia coli (d) all of these. 2. (a) Controls sexual characters.
The main reason for Mendel’s success (b) Present only in prokaryotes.
in discovering the principles of (c) Controls one character in
inheritance was (a) he considered association with the other.
each character separately (d) Control more than one
(b) he was lucky not to character.
encounter with linkage 7. A segment of DNA providing
problem information for a protein is called
(c) the plant was pure (a) nucleus (b) chromosomes (c)
breeding (d) all of these. trait (d) gene.
3. Why were pea plants more 8. Recessive mutations
suitable than dogs for Mendel’s are expressed (a) always since
experiments ? it is a mutation
(a) There were no pedigree records (b) in heterozygous condition
of dogs. (c) neither in homozygous nor in
(b) Pea plants can be self-fertilised. heterozygous condition
(c) All pea plants have only two (d) in homozygous condition. 9. The
chromosomes. reason why some mutations,
(d) Dogs have many genetic traits. which are harmful, do not get
eliminated from gene pool is
4. An allele is said to be
that
dominant if (a) they are recessive and carried
(a) it is expressed in both by heterozygous individuals
homozygous and heterozygous (b) they are dominant and show up
conditions more frequently
(b) it is expressed only in second (c) genetic drift occur because of a
generation small population
(c) it is expressed only in (d) they have future survival value.
heterozygous condition (d) it is
10. In Drosophila, red eye character
expressed only in homozygous
is dominant over white eye
condition. 5. In a dihybrid cross
character. When a homozygous red-
four phenotypes form in the eyed individual is crossed with a
ratio of 9 : 3 : 3 : 1, because of homozygous white-eyed individual,
(a) dominance of one phenotype in and individuals of F1 generation are
each pair of contrasting traits intercrossed, 12 individuals are
(b) independent assortment of the produced. White-eyed individuals of
genes of contrasting traits these will be
(c) crossing over of genes (a) three (b) six (c) nine
(d) mixed effect of dominance and (d) twelve.
independent assortment.
11. A true breeding tall and smooth-
seeded pea plant was crossed with a P
true breeding dwarf and wrinkled-
seeded plant. All the F1 plants were
tall and demonstrate (a) principle of F1
assortment of characters
(b) that recombination of
characters appears in F2
F2 generation 3 : 1 Ratio
(c) that P tall plants were
(i) It is a monohybrid cross.
heterozygous
(ii) Red flower colour trait is
(d) that tallness was dominant over
dominant over white flower
dwarfness.
colour trait.
12. Two variants found in human (iii) Both the traits red flower
population are shown in the given colour and white flower colour
figure. Identify them and select the were inherited in F1 plants, but
correct option. only red flower trait was
expressed.
(a) (ii) and (iii) (b) Only (i)
(c) Only (ii) (d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
15. Mendel performed a cross
between two garden pea plants; one
(A)
with round and green seed and the
(i) This is an inherited
other with yellow and wrinkled seed
character.
as shown below.
(ii) This is acquired during
lifetime. (iii) This is a non-
genetic trait.
(a) (ii) and (iii) (b) Only (i) (c) (i) and
(iii) (d) Only (ii) 13. Identify P, Q, R
and S in the case of normal human
from given flow chart and select the
correct option.
Male Female

Gametes : P × Q

Zygote : R S

Daughter Son
P Q R S
(a) XX XY XY XX
(b) XY XX XX XY
(c) XXX XY XYY XXX
(d) XO XX XX XO
14. Refer to the given figure and
select the correct statement(s)
regarding it.
Red White
 17. A plant bearing purple flowers
(RR) was cross pollinated with a
plant bearing white flowers (rr).
P RR yy rr YY would be the ratio of the
What
(round, green
) (wrinkled, yellow
)
plants bearing white flowers and
purple flowers respectively in F2
generation when the F1 progeny were
Gametes Ry r Y pollinated?
self
(a) 1 : 3 (b) 3 : 1
F1 F1 (c) 1 : 1 (d) 2 : 1
Rr Yy
18. What will be the percentage of
(round, yellow
)
purple stemmed plants in the F2
generation, when the F1 generation
resulted due to cross breeding of
F1 green
F1 stemmed (GG) tomato plants
with purple stemmed (gg) tomato
plants, are self pollinated?
F2 315 round, yellow (a) 10% (b) 25%
(c) 75% (d) 50%
108 round, green
19. In human beings, the statistical
probability of having a male child is
101 wrinkled, yellow (a) 25% (b) 50%
(c) 75% (d) 60%.
32 wrinkled, green
20. Segregation of alleles takes place
Select the correct match(es) during
regarding it. (a) meiosis (b) cleavage
Cross Progeny
(c) fertilisation (d) crossing over.
(i) RRYY RRYY – Round, yellow
21. The genotypic ratio in F2
(Round, (Round, yellow) yellow) only
generation of monohybrid cross will
(ii) RrYy × RrYy – Round,
be yellow
(Round, (Round, and
(a)Round,
1:2:1 (b) 3 : 1
yellow) yellow) green only
(c) 1 : 1 (d) 1 : 2.
(iii) rryy × rryy – Wrinkled,
22. Mendel studied seven
(Wrinkled, (Wrinkled, green only
contrasting characters for his
green) green) breeding experiment with Pisum
(iv) RRYY × rryy sativum.
– Round, green
(Round, (Wrinkled, Which
only of the following characters did
yellow) green) he not use?
(a) (i) and (iii) (b) (ii) and (a)
(iv)Pod colour (b) Pod shape
(c) (ii) and (iii) (d) (i) and (iv) 16. (c) Leaf shape (d) Plant height
The information source for making 23. Mutation is a
proteins in the cell is the (a) change that causes evolution
(a) chromosome (b) DNA when inherited
(c) enzyme (d) nucleus.
(b) change which affects the and t, respectively. Upon crossing
parents only but never inherited one tall and one dwarf plant, total
(c) change which affects the 250 plants were obtained, out of
which 124 displayed tall phenotype
offspring of F2 generation only and rest were dwarf. Thus, the
(d) factor responsible for plant genotype of the parent plants were
growth.
(a) TT × TT (b) TT ×
24. Allele that cannot express itself
in presence of another is (c) Tt × Tt (d) Tt × tt.
(a) codominant (b) dominant
29. The percentage of yr gamete
(c) recessive produced by
(d) complementary.
YyRr parent will be
25. XX-XO type of sex
(a) 25% (b) 50%
determination and XX-XY type of
sex determination are the examples (c) 75% (d) 12.5%.
of 30. If a genotype consists of
(a) male different types of alleles, it is called
heterogamety (a) homozygous (b) heterozygous
(b) female (c) monoallelic (d) uniallelic.
heterogamety
(c) male homogamety
(d) both (b) and (c). 26.
Select the incorrect
statement.
(a) In male grasshoppers, 50% of
sperms have no sex
chromosome.
(b) Female fruitfly is
heterogametic.
(c) Human male produces two
types of sperms 50% having X
chromosome and 50% having Y
chromosomes.
(d) In turtle, sex determination is
regulated by environmental
factors.
27. Some of the dominant traits
studied by Mendel were
(a) round seed shape, green seed
colour and axial flower position
(b) terminal flower position, green
pod colour and inflated pod
shape
(c) violet flower colour, green pod
colour and round seed shape
(d) wrinkled seed shape, yellow pod
colour and axial flower position.
28. In plant, tall phenotype is
dominant over dwarf phenotype,
and the alleles are designated as T
 Case Based MCQs

Case 1 : Read the following and answer the for the normal condition. The inheritance of following questions
from 31 to 35. certain genetic traits for two or more generations Refer to the schematic representation of the
is represented in a pedigree or family tree. albinism that is an inherited condition caused Study the given
pedigree chart and answer the by recessive allele (a). ‘A’ is the dominant allele following questions.
Generation 1

Generation 2 X Y

Generation 3

— Normal female — Albino female

— Normal male — Albino male

31. Which of the following (c) Aa, Aa (d) AA, AA
could be the genotypes of X and Y? Case II : Read the following and
X Y answer the following questions from
(a) AA AA 36 to 40. Refer to the given table
(b) AA Aa regarding results of F2 generation of
(c) Aa Aa Mendelian cross.
(d) aa aa Plants with round and yellow coloured 315
32. Which of the following seeds (P)
could be the genotype of generation -
Plants with round and green 108
1 male and female?
coloured seeds (Q)
Male Female
(a) AA aa Plants with wrinkled and yellow 101
(b) aa AA coloured seeds (R)
(c) Aa aa (d) AA AA Plants with wrinkled and green 32
33. If X married an albino female, coloured seeds (S)
then what is the probability that 36. Which of the following would be
their children would be albino? the phenotype of F1 generation
(a) 0 (b) 0.125 (c) regarding given data of F2
0.25 (d) 0.5
generation?
34. If Y married a normal
(a) Plants with round and yellow
homozygous male, then what is the
coloured seeds. (b) Plants with
probability that their children would
round and green coloured seeds.
be albino?
(c) Plants with wrinkled and yellow
(a) 0 (b) 0.125 (c)
coloured seeds.
0.25 (d) 0.5
(d) Plants with wrinkled and green
35. Which of the following could be coloured seeds.
the genotype of offsprings produced
37. Which of the following would be
by cross of X and Y?
the genotype of parental generation
(a) AA, Aa, aa (b) aa, aa
 regarding given result of F2 (c) All plants with wrinkled and
generation? green coloured seeds.
(a) YYRR and yyrr (d) and
(b) YYRR Both (a) and (b)
YYRR 39. Which of the following will result
when plant YyRr is self-pollinated?
(c) YYRR and YyRr (d) YyRr and
(a) 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratio of phenotypes
YyRr
only (b) 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratio of
38. If plant with wrinkled and green
genotypes only
coloured seeds (S) is crossed with
(c) 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 ratio of phenotypes
plant having wrinkled and yellow
coloured seeds (R), what will be the only (d) 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 ratio of
probable phenotype of offsprings? phenotypes and genotypes 40. The
(a) All plants with wrinkled and percentage of yR gamete produced
yellow coloured seeds.
by
(b) 50% plants with wrinkled and
yellow coloured seeds and 50% YyRR parent will be
plants with wrinkled and green (a) 25% (b) 50%
coloured seeds. (c) 75% (d) 12.5%
41. Assertion : Mendel Reason : Dominance occurs only in
successfully postulated laws of heterozygous state.
heredity. 46. Assertion : The traits that
Reason : He recorded and analysed are obtained from parents are
results of breeding experiments inherited traits.
quantitatively.
Reason : These traits were
42. Assertion : The principle of developed in the parents during
segregation given by Mendel is the their lifetime.
principle of purity of gametes.
47. Assertion : If blood group of
Reason : Gametes are pure for a
both mother and father is ‘O’ then the
character and do not mix up.
blood group of children will also be
43. Assertion : Test cross is a O.
back cross. Reason : In test cross, Reason : Blood group in humans is
individual is crossed with recessive determined by many alleles of a
parent. gene viz. IA, IB, IO.
44. Assertion : Pure lines are 48. Assertion : In grasshoppers,
called true breeds. females are heterogametic and
Reason : True breeds are used for

Assertion & Reasoning Based MCQs

For question numbers 41-50, a statement of assertion followed by a statement of reason is given. Choose the
correct answer out of the following choices.
(a) Both assertion and reason are true, and reason is correct explanation of the
assertion.
(b) Both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of
the assertion. (c) Assertion is true, but reason is false.
(d) Assertion is false, but reason is true.
cross breeding. males are homogametic.
Reason : In grasshoppers, male has
45. Assertion : In a monohybrid
only one sex chromosome (XO)
cross, offspring of F1 generation
whereas the female has sex
express dominant character.
chromosomes (XX).
 49. Assertion : If mother is 5. Name one trait which is
homozygous for black hair and inherited and one trait which is
father has red hair then their child acquired.
can inherit black hair.
6. All the variations in a
Reason : Gene for black hair is
species do not have equal chances of
recessive to gene for red hair in
survival. Why?
humans.
7. Sex chromosomes of human
50. Assertion : A child which males are dissimilar. Justify.
has inherited X chromosome from 8. Why is the progeny always
father will develop into a girl child. tall when a tall pea plant is crossed
Reason : Girl child inherits X with a short pea plant? 9. How many
chromosome from father and Y pairs of allelic characters did

SUBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS Very Short

Answer Type Questions (VSA)
1. Name two human traits that show variations. 3. Give an example where sex determination
2. What is a gene? is regulated by environmental factors.
4. How do genes control traits?
chromosome from mother. Mendel study in pea plant?

10. What do you mean by a true

breeding plant?
11. Differentiate between inherited plants with only purple flowers.
and acquired traits. On selfing, the plants produced
470 plants with purple flowers
12. Why do all the gametes formed and 160 with white flowers.
in human females have an X Explain the genetic mechanism
chromosome? accounting for the above
13. An individual inherits different results. 17. In which generation
does the segregation of allelic
traits from his parents. On what
phenotype takes place?
basis classification of traits as
dominant and recessive is done? 18. The gene for red hair is recessive
14. Which type of organisms will to the gene for black hair. What will
have more variations – sexually be the hair colour of a child if he
or asexually reproducing inherits a gene for red colour from
organisms? Justify. his mother and a gene for black hair

Short Answer Type Questions (SA-I)

from his father? Express with the help

15. “The chromosome number of the
of flow chart. 19. Differentiate
sexually reproducing parents
between genotype and phenotype.
and their offspring is the same.”
Justify this statement.
16. Crossing of a pea plant with
purple flower and pea plant
with white flowers, produces 50
20. Explain the law of purity of
gametes.

Short Answer Type Questions (SA-II)

21. “It is a matter of chance whether a (a) RRYY x

couple will have a male or a RRYY Round,
female child.” Justify this ...........................
Round, yellow
statement by drawing a flow yellow
chart. 22. The genotype of green
stemmed tomato plants is (b) RrYy x RrYy
denoted as GG and that of Round, Round, ...........................
purple stemmed tomato plants yellow yellow
as gg. When these two are 28. After self-pollination in pea
crossed : plants with round, yellow seeds,
(i) What colour of stem would you following types of seeds were
expect in their F1 progeny ? obtained by Mendel:
(ii) Give the percentage of purple- Seeds Number
stemmed plants if F1 plants are Round, yellow 630
self pollinated.
Round, green 216
(iii) In what ratio would you find
Wrinkled, yellow 202
the genotypes GG and Gg in the
Wrinkled, green 64
F2 progeny? 23. How do germ
Analyse the result and describe the
cells make a single set of genes mechanism of inheritance which
from two normal copies of genes? explains these results. 29. A man
having blood group O marries a
24. “Different species use very
woman having blood group B and
different strategies for determining
the sex of their new born.” Justify they have a daughter. What will be
this statement. the blood group of the daughter?

25. How do proteins control the 30. Explain with an example,

expression of characters? Explain it how genes control the
by taking an example of tallness in characteristics (or traits).
plants as a characteristic. 31. (a) State one advantage of
26. Give reasons for the variation to a species.
appearance of new combinations of (b) What are sex chromosomes? How
many sex chromosomes are there
characters in the F2 progeny. 27. In
in humans? Name them.
the following crosses write the
characteristics of the progeny. 32. Explain in brief how Mendel
Cross Progenyinterpreted his results to show
that the traits may be dominant
or recessive.
33. Explain determination of sex (i) State the colour of flower you
among human beings, with the would expect in their F1
help of a diagram. generation plants.
34. A blue colour flower plant (ii) What must be the percentage of
denoted by BB is cross-bred white flower plants in F2
with that of white colour flower generation if flowers of F1
plant denoted by bb. plants are self-pollinated?
(iii) State the expected ratio of the homozygous recessive. Crossing of
genotypes BB and Bb in the F 2 these two plants can also give rise to
progeny. plants with full yellow pod. Plants
35. Write the basic features of with constricted green pod are also
mechanism of inheritance. How do produced.
Mendel’s experiment show that traits (i) What conclusion could Mendel
are inherited independently? 36. Plant draw from this observation?
with full green pod is said to be (ii) Work out a cross upto F2
homozygous dominant. Plant with generation for such type.
constricted yellow pod is said to be
1. (b) : Mendel conducted his character and expressed with
famous breeding experiments by wrinkled seeds. Same is the case with
working on garden pea, Pisum green colour. 5.Thus, it shows
sativum. independent assortment of
2. (d) : Before Mendel, several characters.
scientists performed breeding 6. (d) : A condition in which a
experiments to study inheritance, but single gene influences more than one
they could not succeed. Reasons for trait is known as pleiotropy and such a
Mendel’s success were all the gene is called pleiotropic gene.

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS (b) : In Mendel’s dihybrid cross, with yellow round
mentioned factors. Besides these, 7. (d) : A segment of DNA
most important reason for Mendel’s providing information for a protein is
success was that he kept definite called gene. Gene stores information
numerical records which helped him in the form of nucleotide sequence
to deduce ratios of different and acts as unit of inheritance.
progenies.
8. (d) : Recessive mutations can
3. (b) : Dogs are unisexual. A express only in homozygous condition
female can produce progeny only as in heterozygous condition presence
after fertilisation by a male. It will of dominant normal gene will mask
always result in new combination of their expression.
genes and purity of individuals will not
9. (a) : Some recessive
be maintained which is essential for
mutations which are harmful do not
inheritance studies. While in pea plant
get eliminated from gene pool as they
self fertilisation occurs mostly and it
are carried by heterozygous
has shorter life cycle as compared to
individuals and they do not express in
dogs.
heterozygotes. The individuals with
4. (a) : An allele is said to be such harmful genotype cannot be
dominant if it is expressed in both affected by natural selection (because
homozygous and heterozygous of its phenotype) and will survive
conditions. It is generally represented successfully and act as carriers of
by capital alphabets. these mutations to future
and green wrinkled seeds, 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 generations.
ratio was obtained showing four 10. (a) : It is a monohybrid cross.
phenotypes. Yellow colour was Monohybrid cross produces progeny
originally present with round seeds of F2 generation in ratio 3 : 1, where 1
but in F2 generation, it was assorted is the ratio of recessive progeny.
independently of round seed
Herein, the number of recessive white
eyed individuals can be found by: Gametes : R R r r
Total number according to ratio = 3 + Rr Rr
1=4 F1 Generation :
Rr Rr
Total number of individuals produced Selfing
actually Gametes : R r
r R
= 12
Number of white eyed individuals F2 Generation : RR Rr
Rr rr
= × 12 = 3 Thus, the ratio of white flower plants
11. (d) : When a true breed tall to purple flower plants is 1:3.
and smooth seeded pea plant crossed 18. (b) : When F1 generation of a
with a true breed dwarf and wrinkled cross between green stemmed
seeded plant, all plants were tall and tomato plants and purple stemmed
smooth seeded in F1. It demonstrates tomato plants were self-pollinated
that tallness and seed smoothness then the F2 progeny can be obtained
was dominant over dwarfness and as follows:
wrinkled seed. F1 plants were Parents : GG ×
genotypically hybrids but gg (Green
stemmed) (Purple
phenotypically dominant character stemmed)
was expressed. Gametes : G
12. (b) : The lowest part of the
ear, called the earlobe, is closely g
attached to the side of the head in
F1 generation: (green Ggstemmed)
some of us, and not in others. Free
and attached earlobes are two Selfing : Gg ×
variants found in human populations. Gg
It is a type of inherited character. Gametes :
G g G g
13. (b) 14. (d)
15. (a) : In the cross between
RRYY (round, yellow) and RRYY F2 generation: GG Gg
(round, yellow), the offsprings would Gg gg
be RRYY (round, yellow) and in the
cross between rryy (wrinkled, green) Thus, the percentage of purple
and rryy (wrinkled, green) the stemmed plants in the F2 generation is
offsprings would be rryy (wrinkled, 25%.
green). 19. (b) : Human female (XX)
16. (b) : DNA is the information produces all gametes (ova) with X-
source for making proteins in the cell. chromosomes, while human male (XY)
17. (a) : A cross between plant produces 50% gametes (sperms) with
with purple colour flower and plant X-chromosome while 50% gametes
with white flower produces three with Y-chromosome. If sperm having
purple flower plants and one white X chromosome fertilises the ovum
flower plant in F2 generation as shown with X chromosome then a female
below: child is produced, otherwise a male
child is produced.
Parents : RR × rr
 Parents : XX () X Y( ) example of male heterogamety. In
both, females are homogametic and
produce X type of gametes in both the
Gametes : X Ovum X Ycases and have XX genotype.
Sperm
26. (b) : Male fruitfly is
heterogametic whereas female fruitfly
Progenies : XX () XY ( ) is homogametic.
20. (a) : Segregation of alleles 27. (c) : Characters studied by
takes place during meiosis. Meiosis is Mendel are as follows:
a reductional division in which a Trait studied Dominant Recessive
chromosome number is reduced to 1. Plant height Tall (T) Dwarf (t)
half, so the alleles present on
2. Flower Axial (A) Terminal (a)
homologous chromosome segregate. position
21. (a) : The genotypic ratio in F2 3. Flower colour Violet (V) or White (v) or (w)
generation of monohybrid cross will (W)
4. Pod shape Full or Inflated Constricted (i) or
be 1(pure, dominant) : 2(hybrid,
(I) or (C) (c)
dominant) : 1 (pure, recessive).
5. Pod colour Green (G) or Yellow (g) or (y)
22. (c) : Mendel did not use leaf (Y)
shape character. He used seven 6. Seed shape Round (R) or Wrinkled (r) or
characters which were pod colour, (W) (w)
pod shape, seed shape, seed colour, 7. Seed colour Yellow (Y) or Green (y) or (g)
flower colour, flower position and (G)
stem height. 28. (d)
29. (a) : Gametes produced by
23. (a) : Mutations are sudden
YyRr parent would be 25% YR, 25%
inheritable changes in DNA of the cell. yR, 25% Yr and 25% yr.
They occur naturally and are usually 30. (b) : Factors representing the
recessive. alternate or same form of a character
are called alleles. In heterozygous
They can also be induced. Mutations
individuals or hybrids, a character is
create inheritable variations which
represented by two contrasting
cause evolution.
alleles. Out of the two contrasting
24. (c) : According to Mendel’s alleles, only one is able to express its
observations, in a hybrid only one of effect in the individual. It is called
the alleles is expressed. The allele that dominant allele. The other allele
cannot express itself in presence of which does not show its effect in the
the other allele (dominant allele) is heterozygous individual is called
called recessive allele. recessive allele, e.g., in case of hybrid
25. (a) : In XX-XO type and XX-XY tall pea plants (Tt). ‘T’ is dominant
type of sex determining mechanisms, allele whereas ‘t’ is recessive allele.
males produce two different types of 31. (c) : X and Y parents must
gametes, either with or without X- have ‘a’ allele (recessive) that is
chromosome (XO type), or some respective for albinism, the genotype
gametes with X-chromosome and of both X and Y individuals would be
some with Y-chromosome (XY type). Aa and Aa as they are normal and 3rd
Such type of sex determination generation, normal and albino male
mechanism is designated to be the and female is formed in 3 : 1 ratio.
32. (b) : Albinism is caused by the 39. (a) : When plant YyRr is self
recessive allele. The children of pollinated, 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratio of
generation-1, male and female all are phenotypes will be observed. This can
normal (Aa). So, in generation-1, the be explained as follows:
genotype of female must be AA as she Parents : YyRr YyRr
is normal and genotype of male is aa Progenies :
as he is albino male. YR Yr
yr
33. (d) : Albinism is caused by the
recessive allele and father of X is
YR YellowYYRR YellowYYRr
albino male so, the genotype of X is
Aa and genotype of albino female is YellowYyRR
aa. So, the probability that their YellowYyRr round
children would be albino is 50%.
round round round
34. (a) : If Y married a normal
Yr YellowYYRr YellowYYrr
homozygous male then there will be YellowYyRr YellowYyrr
zero probability for this children to be
round Wrinkled round
albino. This can be explained as
follows. Wrinkled yR YellowYyRR

YellowYyRr Green yyRR

Parents : AA × Aa
GreenyyRr round round round round

Gametes : A A a yr YellowYyRr YellowYyrr

Progeny : AA Aa GreenyyRr Greenyyrr

(Normal) (Normal) round Wrinkled

round Wrinkled
35. (a) 36. (a)
37. (a) : The parental generation Phenotypic ratio = 9 yellow and round
for the given F2 generation will be : 3 yellow and wrinkled : 3 green and
homozygous round and yellow (YYRR) round : 1 green and wrinkled.
and homozygous wrinkled and green 40. (b) : Gametes produced by
(yyrr). YyRR parent would be 50% YR and
38. (d) : Plant with wrinkled and 50% yR.
green coloured seeds (S) (genotype 41. (a) : Earlier workers did same
rryy) is crossed with plant with crosses but lack of numerical records
wrinkled and yellow coloured seeds resulted in their failures.
(R) (genotype rrYY or rrYr). If plant
42. (a) : According to principle of
with wrinkled and green coloured
segregation (first law of Mendel), the
seeds (rryy) is crossed with plant
two factors of a character which
having wrinkled and yellow coloured
remain together in an individual do
seeds of genotype rrYY then all plants
not get mixed up but keep their
produced with wrinkled and yellow
identity distinct and separate at the
coloured seeds whereas if plant with
time of gametogenesis. Gametes carry
wrinkled and green coloured seeds
a single factor or allele for a trait. The
(rryy) is crossed with plant having
two Mendelian factors present in the
wrinkled and yellow coloured seeds
F1 plants segregate during gamete
that has genotype rrYy then 50%
formation. The principle of
plants with wrinkled and yellow
segregation is called the principle of
coloured seeds and 50% plants with
purity of gametes because
wrinkled and green coloured seeds
segregation of the two Mendelian
are produced.
factors of a trait results in gametes
receiving only one factor out of a pair.
As a result gametes are always pure and IO. IA and IB are dominant to IO
for a character. but codominant to each other. Blood
43. (b) : Back cross is a cross group A is indicated by genotype IAIA
which is performed between hybrid
and one of its parents. In test cross, or IAIO, Blood group B → IBIB or IBIO,
the individual is crossed with Blood group AB → IAIB and blood
recessive parent. It is called a test
cross, because it is used to test group
whether an individual is homozygous O → IOIO
or heterozygous (hybrid). Refer the
When
given crosses.
IOIO ×
IO IO
The

Here, (i) is monohybrid cross. (ii) and gametes

(iii) are back cross but (iii) is also a test :
cross.
O × O
44. (b) : Pure line is a strain of I I
genetically true breeding individuals. O O
F1 : I I
Members of pure line are
Blood group O
homozygous for one or more
characters. In homozygous form both 48. (d) : In grasshoppers, the
the factors express the same effect. male has only one sex chromosome
They are used for cross breeding in (XO) whereas the female has two sex
order to get the desired improvement chromosomes (XX) i.e., homogametic.
in crops. This type of sex determination
45. (c) : Monohybrid cross is a mechanism is called XX–XO
cross between two organisms of a mechanism.
species considering a single pair of 49. (c) : Gene for black hair
alleles or factors of a character. colour is dominant to gene for red
Dominant character express itself hair colour in humans. Mother has
whether present in homozygous or black hair and can be represented by
heterozygous state. In F1 generation, (BB) whereas father can be
progenies are heterozygous represented by (bb).
dominant.
(i) Parents : BB × bb
46. (c) : Acquired traits are non-
genetic changes and are not
transferred to future generations Gametes : B b
while inherited traits are controlled by
specific genes and are passed on from Progeny : Bb
one generation to another. Any Heterozygous black So,
alteration in the DNA (genes) will be
the child will be heterozygous for
passed on, through germ cells, to the
progeny resulting in variations in black hair colour.
them. 50. (c) : Father produces two types of
47. (b) : The blood group system sperms, one with X and one with Y
in humans is determined by a gene chromosome whereas mother
produces all egg with X chromosome.
which has 3 different alleles viz. IA, IB
Zygote that inherits X chromosome
from father has XX chromosomes and seven pairs of allelic characters in pea
develops into baby girl whereas plant.
zygote which inherits Y chromosome 10. A true breeding plant is the
from father has XY chromosomes and one that when self-fertilised,
develops into baby boy. produces offspring with the same
traits. They will be either homozygous
SUBJECTIVE TYPE dominant or homozygous recessive.
QUESTIONS 11. Differences between
1. Colour of eyes and shape of inherited and acquired traits are as
external ears. follows :
2. Gene is the unit of S. No. Inherited traits Acquired traits
inheritance. It is a segment of the (i) These are obtained These are developed
chromosome which controls from the parents. during the life of an
hereditary characteristics. individual.
3. In garden lizards, sex of the
(ii) These are genetic These are somatic
organism is determined by
variations. variations.
environmental factor such as
temperature. (iii) These develop due These develop due to
to crossing over use and disuse of
4. Genes carry information for
the the production of proteins which, phenomenon and organs and direct
on the other hand, control the various mutations. effect of environment.
body characteristics. (iv) These are passed on These are lost with the
5. Inherited trait – Eye colour from one generation death of the individual.
in humans to the other.
Acquired traits – Reduction in body 12. Genotype of human female is
weight of an 44 + XX. Human female is
animals due to homogametic. During meiosis, at the
starvation. time of gamete formation, only one X
6. All the variations do not have chromosome enters in each gamete.
equal chances of survival in the Hence, all female gametes have
environment in which they live. genotype (22 + X).
Depending on the nature of 13. A trait which is able to
variations, different individuals would express itself both in homozygous as
have different kinds of advantages. well as heterozygous conditions is
The organisms which are most called a dominant trait, e.g., tallness is
adapted to the environment will a dominant trait in pea plant. A trait
survive. which expresses itself only in
7. Human males have XY sex homozygous condition, but remains
chromosomes, where X chromosome suppressed in heterozygous condition
is morphologically distinct from Y is called recessive trait,
chromosome. Y chromosome is e.g., dwarfness is the recessive trait in
smaller than X chromosome. Hence, a pea plant.
they are dissimilar or heteromorphic. 14. Sexually reproducing
8. When a tall pea plant is organisms will show more variations
crossed with a short pea plant, the as genetic material is exchanged
resultant progeny is always tall between homologous pair of
because tallness is a dominant trait chromosomes during crossing over.
while shortness is a recessive trait. However, during asexual
Hence, dominant trait expresses itself reproduction, mutations are the only
in the progeny. 9. Mendel studied means of variations during DNA
replication which are not very
common and thus may lead to very Progeny : Bb (if child
little variation. inherit black
Black colour colour gene
15. Gametes formation involves from his father)
meiosis or reduction division. The
gamete mother cell is diploid (2n), 19. Differences between
i.e., it has two sets of chromosomes. genotype and phenotype are as
This single diploid cell divides by follows :
meiosis to form 4 haploid (n) daughter Characters Genotype Phenotype
cells. Each daughter cell becomes a
gamete, either male or female. Each 1. Definition Genotype is the It is the
gamete possesses single set of gene expression of a
chromosomes. Fusion of these complement of character, e.g.
gametes results in the formation of a an organism, i.e. tall plant.
zygote having a double set of TT or Tt for a tall
chromosomes i.e., diploid (2n) (one plant.
set of paternal and the other set 2. Change Genotype remain Phenotype may
maternal). Thus the number of unchanged. change under
chromosomes in parents and
the effect of
offsprings of a particular species
environment.
remains constant.
3. Observation It cannot be Phenotype can
16. In this breeding experiment,
studied directly. be observed
ratio of purple to white flowers is
approximately 3 : 1 in F2 generation. It can be directly.
So the ratio is according to Mendelian ascertained
monohybrid cross. The cross further from ancestry or
explains the following facts: by studying
progeny
(i) F1 is represented only by
obtained by
dominant trait, i.e., purple flowered
mating.
plants.
4. Similarity Organisms with Organisms with
(ii) Both the traits, i.e., purple different different
and white flower colour show genotypes may phenotypes are
segregation and thus appear in F2 have similar usually with
generation.
phenotypes, different
17. In F1 generation both alleles e.g. tallness genotypes.
come together in hybrid but only with TT or Tt
dominant character is expressed. In F2 genotypes.
20. Principle of purity of gametes
generation, on selfing of F1 hybrids,
is also known as principle or law of
these alleles segregate. As a result, segregation. According to this law, the
dominant (pure and hybrid) and two unit factors of a character which
recessive (pure) phenotypes are remains together in an individual do
not get mixed up and keep their
segregated.
distinct identity. They separate during
18. The hair colour of child will be gamete formation so that each
black. This can be illustrated as gamete receives only one factor or
follows: gene for each character and is always
pure.
Parents : bb × × BB/Bb
Red colour Black colour 21. Sex is determined at the time
Gametes : b B / b B of fertilisation when male and female
gametes fuse to form zygote. Male
produces two types of gametes, i.e., When male and female gametes fuse
having X or Y chromosome and female during fertilisation, paired condition is
produces one type of gametes all restored.
containing X chromosomes. If a sperm 24. In some animals,
(male gamete) carrying X environmental factors such as
chromosome fertilises an egg or ovum association with families, egg size and
(female gamete) carrying X incubation temperature determine
chromosome, then the offspring will the sex of the individuals. For
be a girl (female). This is because the example, in lizards the temperature at
offspring will have XX combination of which fertilised eggs are kept,
sex chromosomes. determines whether the developing
If a sperm (male gamete) carrying Y animal in fertilised egg is male or
chromosome fertilises an egg or ovum female. In some animals, like snail,
(female gamete) which has X individual can change sex. However,
chromosome, then the offspring will in some animals, sex of individuals
be a boy (male). This is because the determined genetically by specific
offspring will have XY combination of chromosomes. For example in
sex chromosomes. humans, if a child inherits X-
Therefore, there is 50% chance of a chromosome from the father, will be
male child and 50% chance of a a girl and one who inherits a Y-
female child. chromosome from the father will be a
Male Female
boy.
25. Plants have hormones that
Gametes X Y X trigger growth. Plant height can
can
depend on the amount of a particular
XX plant hormone. The amount of the
XY
Girl plant hormone produced will depend
Boy
on the efficiency of the process for
22. (i) In F1 progeny all tomato making it. An enzyme (chemically
protein molecules) that is important
plants will be green stemmed with
for this process, if works efficiently, a
genotype Gg. lot of hormone will be produced, and
(ii) 25% of plants will be purple the plant will be tall. If the gene for
that enzyme has an alteration that
stemmed in F2 generation which are
makes the enzyme less efficient, the
produced due to self pollination of F1 amount of hormone will be less, and
plants. the plant will be short. Thus, enzymes
which are protein in nature control
(iii) In F2 progeny ratio of GG to the expression of characters.
Gg will be 1 : 2 and will be green 26. A breeding experiment
stemmed. dealing with two characters at the
23. There is a pair of genes for a same time is called a dihybrid cross. In
particular trait. The genes controlling such a cross only one parental
a particular trait separate from each combination appears in F1 generation.
other during gamete formation. However, in F2 generation raised by
Germs cells make a single set of genes self pollination, four combinations of
from two normal copies by a process traits appear. These include two
called meiosis or reduction division. parental types and two new
Hence gamete is always pure as far as combinations. A typical dihybrid cross
contrasting characters are considered in pea plant is depicted as follows :
and will possess only one gene set. Parents RRYY
 × Parents RrYy
Round, yellow (Round, yellow) (Round,
Wrinkled, green yellow)
seeds seeds F1 generation
Gametes RY Ry rY ry
Gametes RY RY ry ryRY RRYY RRYy RrYY RrYy
F generation1 RrYy
Round Round Round Round
× yellow yellow yellow yellow
Round, yellow (self Ry RRYy RRyy RrYy Rryy
Round, yellow Round Round Round Round
yellow green yellow green
seeds pollination)
rY RrYY RrYy rrYY rrYy
seeds
Round Round Wrinkled Wrinkled
Gametes
yellow yellow yellow yellow
RY Ry rY ry RY Ry rY ry ry RrYy Rryy rrYy rryy
Round Round Wrinkled Wrinkled
F2 generation :
yellow green yellow green
Plant with Plant with Plant with The progeny produced will posses
round and round and wrinkled and round yellow, round green, wrinkled
yellow green yellow yellow, and wrinkled green seeds in
seeds seeds seeds the ratio of
9 : 3 : 3 : 9 : 3 : 3 : 1.
New combination of characters 28. In Mendel’s dihybrid
appear in F2 generation because the cross, with yellow
inheritance of factors controlling a round and green
particular trait in an organism are wrinkled seeds 9 : 3 :
independent of each other. This is 3 : 1 ratio was
called law of independent assortment. obtained showing
At the time of reproduction, two pairs four phenotypes.
of factors of each of the two traits in a Yellow colour was
dihybrid cross segregate originally present with
independently during gamete round seeds but in F2
formation and randomly form generation it was
combinations in F2 generation. assorted
27. (a) When two plants with round independently of
yellow seeds are crossed, the progeny round seed character
produced will also possess round and expressed with
yellow seeds. wrinkled seeds. Same
Parents RRYY is the case with green
× colour. Thus, it shows
(Round, yellow) independent
yellow) assortment of
Gametes RYRY characters.
29. (i)

ii × I Bi
Progeny RRYY
(Round, i IB i
yellow)(b) When plants heterozygous
for round seed shape and yellow seed I Bi
colour are crossed following ii
progenies will be produced : Blood group B Blood group O or
(ii) the sex of the individual. All other
chromosomes are termed autosomes.
ii
In human beings, there are 46
× chromosomes. Of these, one pair is of
sex chromosomes which are of two
IBIB i types – X chromosome and Y
IB chromosome.
(i) A male individual contains
I Bi
one X chromosome and one Y
chromosome i.e., XY.
Blood group B
(ii) A female contains two X
The blood group of the daughter be
chromosomes i.e., XX.
either B or O depending upon the
blood group of mother. The sex of the child is determined at
the time of fertilisation when male
30. The genes control the
and female gametes fuse to form
characteristics by making a specific
zygote. It can be shown as follows:
protein. Genes are the segment of
DNA that contains information to
form RNA which ultimately forms
protein. Each gene contains two
alleles and this instruct the cell to
make protein for expression of traits.
For example, if the plant has genes for
violet flower, then it will make protein
which will give violet colour to
flowers.
31. (a) Variation increases the
chance of the species survival in a
changing environment.
34. (i) : The colour of the flower in F1
(b) A sex chromosome is a type of
chromosome that participates in sex generation will be blue with Bb
determination. Humans have two sex genotype.
chromosomes, X and Y. (ii) If the flowers of F1 generations are
32. When Mendel crossed two self pollinated, then the percentage of
pea plants with a pair of contrasting
characters only one character white flowers in F2 generation must
appeared in all the members of F 1 be 25%. (iii) The expected ratio of the
progeny, the other was not expressed. genotypes BB and Bb in the F2
On selfing F1, the hidden characters progeny is 1 : 2.
reappeared in just 25% of the The above results could be depicted
offsprings and the other 75% shared by the given cross:
the characters expressed in F1. Parental Blue colour White
colour generation: flower plant
Mendel concluded that the character
×
which expresses itself in F1 and in 75% flower plant
of the individuals of F2 is dominating (BB)
while the other is recessive. Gametes :
B B b b
33. Diploid organisms like human
beings have separate sexes. In
organisms, where sex is determined F1 generation : Bb
genetically, a pair of chromosomes All blue plants obtained
called sex chromosomes determines
 Blue colour 36. (i) The plants obtained on crossing
Blue colour
flower plant × flower plant
the given plants can have different
Bb (Selfing) Bb combination as gametic fusion can
Gametes : B b B b
take place in any manner (both
parental combination and
F2 generation : BB Bb Bb bbrecombination) are possible, which
Blue proved that both the traits of the two
1 : 2 : 1
Pure Hybrid characters
Pure are assorted
Blue Blue White independently, and hence, plants with
different kind of pods are produced.
35. The basic features of mechanism
(ii)
of inheritance are as follows: Full green pod Constricted yellow pod
(i) Characters are controlled by genes Parents : FFGG
× ffgg
and each gene controls one
character. Gametes : FG fg
(ii) Chromosomes are gene carrier F generation : FfGg (Full green pod)
1
and genes are basic unit of
Selfing
heredity.
(iii) One form of gene may be F2 generation
dominant on other, i.e., genes are FG Fg fG fg
allelic in nature. FG FFGG FFGg FfGG FfGg
(iv) The two forms of alleles separate Full green pod Full green pod Full green Full green
at the time of gamete formation, pod pod
i.e., they do not mix with each Fg FFGg FFgg FfGg Ffgg
other. Full green pod Full yellow pod Full green Full yellow pod
pod
(v) Two allelic forms of a gene are
brought together in zygote. fG FfGG FfGg ffGG ffGg
Full green pod Full green pod Constricted Constricted
Traits are inherited independently can green pod green pod
be explained by dihybrid cross. A cross
fg FfGg Ffgg ffGg ffgg
is made between a pure round yellow Full green pod Full yellow pod Constricted Constricted
seeded pea plant (RRYY) with wrinkled green pod yellow pod
green seeded pea plant (rryy). Yellow
Full green : Full yellow :
colour is dominant over green and
Constricted : Constricted
rounded seed shape over wrinkled green yellow
seed shape. F1 plants are all round Phenotypic : pod pod
and yellow seeded. F1 plants are self pod pod ratio
breed and produce F2 generation. F2 9 : 3 : 3 :
generation has four types of plants: 1
rounded yellow, rounded green,
wrinkled yellow and wrinkled green in
the ratio of 9:3:3:1 respectively.
Each of the characters if considered
separately shows a ratio of 3:1 as
found in monohybrid cross. The F 2
ratio of 9:3:3:1 shows two types of
recombinants, wrinkled yellow and
rounded green. They can be produced
only if the alleles of the two different
characters are free to recombine, i.e.,
separate and combine independent to
each other.