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Icse Notes of Chem Class 10

The document discusses basic genetics concepts including heredity, traits, alleles, genotypes and phenotypes. It provides examples and questions to test understanding with answers. Key topics covered are Mendel's principles of inheritance, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, dominant and recessive genes, and sex determination.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
39 views18 pages

Icse Notes of Chem Class 10

The document discusses basic genetics concepts including heredity, traits, alleles, genotypes and phenotypes. It provides examples and questions to test understanding with answers. Key topics covered are Mendel's principles of inheritance, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, dominant and recessive genes, and sex determination.

Uploaded by

sachiduth
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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Chapter 3

Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals

Progress Check 1
Question 1
Mention if the following statements are true or false:
(i) Genetics and heredity are the same thing.
(ii) "Like begets like", this applies only to animals.
(iii) The entire human population shows variations.
Answer
(i) False
Corrected statement — Genetics and heredity are related but not the same thing. (Heredity means
the transmission of genetically based characteristics from parents to offspring whereas Genetics is the
study of heredity.)
(ii) False
Corrected statement — "Like begets like", this applies to all organisms.
(iii) True
Question 2
Which of the following in humans are established genetic traits? (Tick-mark the correct ones) in the
box provided.
(i) Capacity to be a good cricketer
(ii) Curly hair
(iii) Left-handedness
(iv) Quality of voice
(v) Red-green colour blindness
Answer
Following are the established genetic traits in humans:
 Curly hair
 Left-handedness
 Red-green colour blindness

1 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Progress Check 2
Question 1
Mention the following:
(i) Total number of pairs of chromosomes in each body cell in humans ............... .
(ii) Number of pairs of autosomes in one cell of humans ............... .
Answer
(i) 23
(ii) 22
Question 2
A certain couple got only four daughters in a row and no son. Does it mean that the husband does not
produce Y-bearing sperms? Explain.
Answer
No, it does not mean that the husband does not produce Y-bearing sperms. During conception, half of
the sperm released are X-bearing and the other half are Y-bearing. In this case, only the X-bearing
sperm fertilized the wife's eggs in each instance. This can happen due to random chance, as the
probability of having a male or female child is approximately 50% for each pregnancy.
Progress Check 3
Question 1
Write the basic unit of heredity ?
Answer
Gene is the basic unt of heredity.
Question 2
Define the following terms :-
(i) Allele
(ii) Dominant gene
(iii) Genotype
(iv) Phenotype
(v) Recessive gene
Answer
(i) Alternative forms of a gene, occupying the same position on homologous chromosomes and
depicting different forms of the same character are called alleles.
(ii) The gene which can super-rule or mask the effect of its allele is called Dominant gene.
(iii) The set of genes present in the cells of an organism is called its genotype.

2 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


(iv) The observable characteristics which are genetically controlled are called as phenotype.
(v) The form of allele which remains submissive in presence of dominant form and expresses only in
homozygous condition is called recessive gene.
Question 3
Mention the number of paired homozygous chromosomes in
(i) Human female
(ii) Human male
Answer
(i) 23
(ii) 22
Reason — The term used in the above question should be "homologous". All the 23 pairs of
chromosomes in female are homologous while in male only 22 pairs are homologous because one pair
(sex chromosomes-XY) is different in size and gene sequence.
Question 4
Can there be a heterozygous recessive? Explain.
Answer
No, there can never be a heterozygous recessive. In case of a heterozygous condition, there is one
dominant gene and one recessive gene. The character of dominant gene will be expressed as it will
mask the expression of recessive gene. Therefore, the recessive gene will always express in
homozygous condition and there cannot be a heterozygous recessive.
Question 5
List any four traits in humans which you can easily study just by observing and making family charts.
Answer
Eye colour (Brown/Blue), Hand (Left/Right Handedness), Earlobe (Free/Attached) and Cheeks
(Dimpled/Normal).
Progress Check 4
Question 1
Who discovered for the first time the basic principles of genetics?
Answer
Gregor John Mendel
Question 2
Give the common and scientific names of the organism on which Gregor Mendel had worked.

3 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Answer
Common name — Garden pea
Scientific name — Pisum sativum
Question 3
Distinguish between the following pairs:
(i) Monohybrid and Dihybrid cross
(ii) Genotype and Phenotype
(iii) Character and Trait
(iv) Dominant and Recessive Allele
(v) Autosomes and Sex chromosomes
Answer
(i) Difference between Monohybrid and Dihybrid cross:

Monohybrid Cross Dihybrid cross

Single feature is taken into consideration Two features are taken into consideration.

Phenotypic ratio in second generation is 3:1 Phenotypic ratio in second generation is 9:3:3:1

Genotypic ratio is 1:2:1 Genotypic ratio obtained is very complex

(ii) Difference between Genotype and Phenotype:

Genotype Phenotype

Set of genes present in any organism is Characters expressed or physical appearance of


known as its genotype. characters is called phenotype.

Can be determined by genotyping


Can be determined by observation.
method.

It is formed by expressed and


It consists of only expressed genes.
unexpressed genes.

(iii) Difference between Character and Trait:

Character Trait

Any inheritable feature of an


The alternative forms of a character are called traits.
organism is a character.

4 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Character Trait

For example, flower colour is a For example, within the character of flower colour, specific
character. traits will be red, blue, or white flower colour.

(iv) Difference between Dominant and Recessive Allele:

Dominant Allele Recessive Allele

The gene that expresses itself The gene that remains unexpressed in presence
phenotypically. of dominant allele.

Expresses in homozygous as well as


Expresses only in homozygous condition.
heterozygous condition.

Represented by capital letters. Represented by small letters.

(v) Difference between Autosomes and Sex chromosomes:

Autosomes Sex chromosomes

Autosomes are chromosomes that determine the Sex chromosomes determine the sex of
general body features. an organism.

Humans have 22 pairs of autosomes. Humans have 1 pair sex chromosomes.

Question 4
Write two characters of pea pod with their alternative traits.
Answer
Two characters of pea pod with their alternative traits are :

S.
Character Alternative trait
No.

1. Pod colour Green and Yellow

2. Pod shape Inflated and Constricted

5 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Multiple Choice Type
Question 1
Which one of the following is the phenotypic monohybrid ratio in F2 generation?
1. 3 : 1
2. 1 : 2 : 1
3. 2 : 2
4. 1 : 3
Answer
3:1
Reason — The phenotypic monohybrid ratio in F2 generation is 3:1 because 3 of the offsprings have
dominant allele and one is homozygous recessive.
Question 2
If a pure tall plant is crossed with a pure dwarf plant, then offspring will be
1. all tall
2. all dwarf
3. 3 tall 1 dwarf
4. 50% tall 50% dwarf
Answer
all tall
Reason — Tallness is a dominant character which will be expressed in heterozygous condition.
Question 3
The 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 dihybrid ratio is due to
1. segregation
2. crossing over
3. independent assortment
4. homologous pairing
Answer
independent assortment
Reason — The 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 dihybrid ratio is due to independent assortment as the allele of one
character is independent of other.
Question 4
A plant with green pods and smooth seeds with genotype Ggss will give rise to the following gametes:

6 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


1. Gg and Ss
2. Gs and ss
3. Gs and gs
4. Gg and gs
Answer
Gs and gs
Reason — Only two types of gametes are possible i.e. Gs and gs, as gene 's' is in homozygous
condition. This is in accordance to the law of independent assortment.

Question 5
The disease colour blindness is a :
1. Recessive X-linked disease
2. Dominant Y-linked disease
3. Recessive Y-linked disease
4. Dominant X-linked disease
Answer
Recessive X-linked disease
Reason — The disease colour blindness is due to recessive gene that occurs on the X-chromosome.
Question 6
The physical expression of a character is called :
1. Genotype
2. Alleles
3. Phenotype
4. Traits
Answer
Phenotype
Reason — Phenotype are the observable characteristics that are genetically controlled.

7 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Question 7
Purity of gametes is linked to :
1. Law of dominance
2. Law of independent assortment
3. Law of segregation
4. Law of limiting factor
Answer
Law of segregation
Reason — Two alleles of a character are independent and separate during formation of gametes. They
do not mix with each other or lose their identity.
Question 8
The phenotypic dihybrid ratio of F2 generation is
1. 9:3:1:1
2. 9:1:3:1
3. 9:1:3:3
4. 9:3:3:1
Answer
9:3:3:1
Reason — The phenotypic dihybrid ratio of F2 generation is 9:3:3:1 due to the law of independent
assortment.
Question 9
In the human male, a sperm contains autosomes and :
1. X and Y chromosomes
2. Only X chromosome
3. X or Y chromosome
4. Only Y chromosome
Answer
X or Y chromosome
Reason — In the human male, a sperm contains autosomes and either an X chromosome or a Y
chromosome.

8 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Question 10
If the mother is normal and the father is haemophilic, then their two daughters will be :
1. Normal
2. Haemophilic
3. Carrier
4. None
Answer
Carrier
Reason — since mother is normal, one of the X chromosome in daughters will be normal. Hence they
will be carrier due to X chromosome received from father.
Very Short Answer Type
Question 1
Match the terms in column I with their explanations in column II.

Column I Column II
(Term) (Explanation)

a. Genetics (i) Chromosomes similar in size and shape

b. Autosomes (ii) The alternative forms of a gene

c. Recessive gene (iii) Study of laws of inheritance of characters

d. Allele (iv) A gene that can express only when in a similar pair

e. Homologous chromosomes (v) Chromosomes other than the pair of sex chromosomes

Answer

Column I Column II
(Term) (Explanation)

a. Genetics (iii) Study of laws of inheritance of characters

b. Autosomes (v) Chromosomes other than the pair of sex chromosomes

c. Recessive gene (iv) A gene that can express only when in a similar pair

d. Allele (ii) The alternative forms of a gene

9 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Column I Column II
(Term) (Explanation)

e. Homologous chromosomes (i) Chromosomes similar in size and shape

Question 2
Name any two genetic diseases in humans.
Answer
Colour blindness and Haemophilia are two genetic diseases in humans.
Question 3
Which one of the following genotypes is homozygous dominant and which one homozygous recessive
in regard to tongue rolling:
Rr, rr, RR?
Answer
Homozygous recessive – rr
Homozygous dominant - RR
Short Answer Type
Question 1
Rewrite the correct form of the statement by changing the first or the last word only:
(a) Duplicated chromosomes remain attached at a point termed as centrosome.
(b) The full complement of DNA of an organism is termed as genetics.
(c) The inheritable feature of an organism is termed as heredity.
(d) Terminal flower position is a dominant trait of pea flower.
(e) Alternative forms of a gene are called traits.
Answer
(a) Duplicated chromosomes remain attached at a point termed as centromere.
(b) The full complement of DNA of an organism is termed as Genome.
(c) The inheritable feature of an organism is termed as character.
(d) Axillary flower position is a dominant trait of pea flower.
(e) Alternative forms of a gene are called Allele.
Question 2
Among lion, tiger and domestic cat, all the three have the same number of 38 chromosomes, yet they
have different appearances. How do you account for such differences?

10 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Answer
All species have a fixed number of chromosomes. However, the characteristics of species including
physical appearance, body functions, behavior, etc. are not simply the outcome of chromosome
number, but these are the result of the units called genes which the chromosomes carry. The lion and
the cat have the same number of chromosomes (38). Yet one is distinct from the other in body size,
appearance, colour, behavior, etc. All such characteristics of an organism are the result of the genes
located on the chromosomes.
Question 3
List any three features of garden pea with their dominant and recessive traits.
Answer

Character Dominant trait Recessive trait

Flower Colour Purple White

Seed Colour Yellow Green

Seed Shape Round Wrinkled

Pod Shape Inflated Constricted

Flower Position Axial Terminal

Question 4
Explain why generally only the male child suffers from colour blindness and not the female?
Answer
Colour blindness is caused due to recessive genes, which occur on the ‘x’ chromosomes. Males have
only one X chromosome. If there is recessive gene present on X chromosome, then the male will
suffer from colour-blindness. Females have two X chromosomes. It is highly impossible that both the
X chromosomes carry abnormal gene. Hence, if one gene is abnormal and since it is recessive, its
expression will be masked by the normal gene present on the other X chromosome. Due to this
reason, females are unlikely to suffer from colour-blindness.
Descriptive Type
Question 1
Define the following terms:
(a) Pedigree chart
(b) Variations
(c) Mutation

11 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Answer
(a) Pedigree chart — A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance or
phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next. In the
pedigree chart, males are shown by squares and females by circles.
(b) Variations — The small differences among the individuals of the same species are called
variations.
(c) Mutation — Mutation is a sudden change in one or more genes, or in the number or in the
structure of chromosomes. Mutation alters the hereditary material of an organism's cells and results in
a change in certain characters or traits for example :
1. Sickle cell anaemia
2. Radioactive radiations
Question 2
State the three Mendel's laws of inheritance.
Answer
Mendel's law of inheritance are as follows —
1. Law of Dominance — Out of a pair of contrasting characters present together, only one is
able to express itself while the other remains suppressed. The one that expresses is
the dominant character and the one that is unexpressed is the recessive one.
2. Law of Segregation (also called the law of purity of gametes) — The two members of a pair
of factors separate during the formation of gametes. They do not blend but segregate or
separate into different gametes. The gametes combine together by random fusion at the time
of zygote formation.
3. Law of Independent Assortment — When there are two pairs of contrasting characters, the
distribution of the members of one pair into the gametes is independent of the distribution of
the other pair.
Question 3
Does the sex of the child depend on the father or is it just a matter of chance? Discuss.
Answer
The sex of the child depends upon the kind of sperm that fertilises the egg. The egg contains only one
X chromosome, but half of the sperms released into the genital tract of the female during coitus are X-
bearing and the remaining half are Y-bearing. It is simply a matter of chance as to which category of
sperm fuses with the ovum:
 If the egg (X) is fused by X-bearing sperm, the resulting combination is XX i.e. female
constitution and the child produced is a female (Daughter).
 If the egg (X) is fused by Y-bearing sperm, the resulting combination is XY i.e. male
constitution and the child produced is a male (Son).

12 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Question 4
Distinguish between the following pairs:
(a) Karyotype and Karyokinesis
(b) Autosomes and Sex chromosomes
(c) Homozygous and Heterozygous chromosomes
Answer
(a) Difference between karyotype and karyokinesis —

Karyotype Karyokinesis

The complete set of chromosomes in the cells of an The division of the nucleus during mitosis is
organism is its karyotype. called karyokinesis.

(b) Difference between autosomes and sex chromosomes

Autosomes Sex chromosomes

They determine the somatic traits. They determine the sex of an organism.

They are numbered as 1 to 22. They are recognized by the letters XO, XY, ZO, ZW.

They show Mendelian inheritance. They do not show Mendelian inheritance.

Human show 22 pairs of autosomes. Humans show only 1 pair of sex chromosome.

(c) Difference between homozygous and heterozygous chromosomes

13 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Homozygous chromosomes Heterozygous chromosomes

It has two same copies of the same allele It contains two different copies of alleles
coding for a particular trait. coding for a particular trait.

Structured / Application / Skill Type


Question 1
In a certain species of animals, black fur (B) is dominant over brown fur (b). Predict the genotype and
phenotype of the offspring, when both parents are 'Bb' or have heterozygous black fur.
Answer

B b

B BB Bb

b Bb bb

In the question it is given that B refers to black fur and b refers to brown fur. So the genotype and
phenotype of the offspring will be:
Genotype — 1 (Homozygous Black Fur) : 2 (Heterozygous Black Fur) : 1 (Homozygous Brown Fur)
Phenotype — 3 (Black Fur): 1 (Brown Fur)
Question 2
Two pairs (A and B) of rabbits were crossed as given below:

(a) Can you tell which coat colour (black or white) is dominant?
(b) Is the coat colour sex-linked?

14 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


Answer
(a) Black
(b) No
Question 3
Make a Punnett square and find out the genotypic and phenotypic ratios of F1 and F2 generations in
the progeny of a genetic cross between:
(a) A pure tall (TT) pea plant with a pure dwarf (tt) pea plant.
(b) Red flower variety of pea (RR) with white flower variety of pea (rr).
Answer
(a) A pure tall (TT) pea plant with a pure dwarf (tt) pea plant:

F2 Generation:

Gametes T t

T TT Tt

t Tt tt

Genotype - 1 (Homozygous tall) : 2 (Heterozygous tall) : 1 (Homozygous dwarf)


Phenotype - 3 (Tall) : 1 (Dwarf)
(b) Red flower variety of pea (RR) with white flower variety of pea (rr):

15 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


F2 Generation:

Gametes R r

R RR Rr

r Rr rr

Genotype — 1 (Homozygous red) : 2 (Heterozygous red) : 1 (Homozygous white)


Phenotype — 3 (Red) : 1 (White)
Question 4
Mendel crossed a homozygous pea plant having round seeds (RR) with a homozygous pea plant
having wrinkled seeds (rr). He got different results. On the basis of it, answer the following questions:

(a) Which character of seed is studied in the experiment?


(b) Which of the above two traits is dominant ?
(c) Write the phenotype and genotype of F1 offspring.
(d) Mention and state the Mendel’s law shown in the above cross.
(e) Make a Punnett square for F2 generation when two plants of F1 offspring are crossed with each
other.
(f) Write the phenotypic ratio of F2 progeny.
(g) What will be the genotypic ratio of F2 offsprings ?
16 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals
(h) What are the two traits of seed colour ? Also mention which is dominant and recessive ?
(i) Write the scientific name of garden pea.
(j) Write two main features of pea plant due to which Mendel had selected it for his hybridisation
studies.
Answer
(a) Shape of seed
(b) Round seed shape is dominant.
(c) Phenotype — Round seed
Genotype — Rr
(d) Law of dominance, which states that out of a pair of contrasting characters present together, only
one is able to express itself while the other remains suppressed.
(e)

Gamete R r

R RR Rr

r Rr rr

(f) Phenotypic ratio — 3:1


(g) Genotypic ratio — 1:2:1
(h) The two traits of seed colour are:
1. Yellow (dominant)
2. Green (recessive)
(i) Pisum sativum
(j) The two main features due to which Mendel selected pea plants are :
1. Many varieties were available in alternative forms of a character.
2. The life span of pea plants is short and many generations can be obtained and studied in less
time.
Question 5
A homozygous plant having round (R) and yellow (Y) seed is crossed with another homozygous plant
having wrinkled (r) and green (y) seeds. Answer the following questions:
(a) Give the genotype of the F1 generation.
(b) Mention the phenotype of the F1 offsprings.
(c) Give the possible combinations of gametes that can be obtained from F1 hybrids.

17 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals


(d) Give the dihybrid phenotypic ratio and the phenotype of the offsprings of the F2 generation when
two plants of F1 generation are crossed.
(e) Name and state the law which explains the dihybrid phenotypic ratio.
Answer
(a) Genotype : RrYy
(b) All Round and yellow seeds
(c) RY, Ry, rY, ry
(d) 9:3:3:1
(e) Law of Independent Assortment, which states that the distribution of the alleles of one character
into the gametes is independent of the distribution of the alleles of the other character.

18 | Genetics — Some Basic Fundamentals

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