Quiz 1 Review
Supplemental Instruction
IowaStateUniversity / Leader: / Matt C.
Course: / Biol/Gen 313
Instructor: / Dr. Rodermel
Date: / 08/27/2017

Introduction: This review sheet will cover material from the first week of lecture in a manner similar to how you will see it on the quiz.

Material

  1. Draw a simple diagram of the Central Dogma.

This is what you’re looking for. The reverse transcription part is unnecessary and replication is sometimes considered optional here – it wouldn’t be counted wrong if you didn’t include it.

  1. List the three tenets of Cell Theory.
  1. All life is made of cells.
  2. The cell is the fundamental (smallest) unit of life.
  3. Cells are made from pre-existing cells; they don’t arise spontaneously. This one specifically conflicts with prior thought on life.
  1. Which branch of genetics is most involved in the following scenarios?

Your three options here are molecular, transmission, and population genetics.

  1. A research group finds that differences in gene products are most responsible for determining antler length in a population of elk. Environmental factors are of lesser importance since they effect the population equally.

This is the toughest one of these, but it’s molecular genetics. This is because the research is explaining how the observed phenotype (antler length) arises (due to a certain variety of gene products – proteins or RNA). Molecular genetics questions are marked by focusing on mechanisms – how something comes to be. It’s the more biochemical side of genetics.

  1. Over the course of many years, researchers follow the changes in antler growth rate among the current years’ foals compared to the previous generation. This work documents the genetic changes between each generation.

Population genetics. The group is observing the changes in the gene pool of the population over time. This means the changing rate-of-occurrence of any of the different gene alleles. Mentioning “generations” was just to throw people off.

  1. Observing an odd correlation, the research group subsequently works to test the hypothesis that antler length and growth-rate are Y-linked traits; meaning that the genotype of male offspring depends on their father’s genotype.

Transmission genetics. This is concerned with how the trait passes from parents to offspring – namely, by Y-linked inheritance. Even though this is a “how” question, it isn’t molecular genetics. A molecular genetics approach to this questions would instead ask, “How is this Y-linked trait sufficient to produce the phenotype observed? How could genes limited to just the Y-chromosome produce such grand changes?” or something similar.

The distinction between these fields gets hazy at times and these three examples are quite difficult to distinguish. The quiz should use more straight-forward scenarios, but if you understand these, then you’ll be set for the quiz.

  1. Assume that the pangenesis model is correct. Prior to mating, a researcher removes the wings of a group of fruit flies. If a male and female fly from this group breed, what do you expect to be the phenotype of their offspring? In what proportion?

It should be 100% wingless flies. This is because – according to the theory – the lack of wings on the parent flies prevents their offspring from receiving information – the gemmules – about wings so the offspring never come to have wings.

This is related to the idea of the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

  1. Is a virus alive? Why or why not?

According to conventional wisdom, a virus is not alive for a few reasons. For an arbitrary reason: viruses aren’t made of cells, so they don’t fall under the definition of life given in cell theory. For a better reason; viruses cannot reproduce under their own power or create biomolecules under their own power – they need energy and machinery from their hosts.

  1. How would Chargaff’s rules change if A actually paired with C and G paired with T?

Chargaff’s rules are normally that [A] = [T] and [G] = [C], where the brackets mean “concentration of.” The hypothetical rules in this scenario would become: [A] = [C] and [G] = [T].

  1. Which of the following bases normally base-pairs with adenine?


Both B. (thymine: T) and E. (uracil: U) will normally pair with adenine: A. Answer A. is adenine, C. is cytosine, D. is guanine, and F. is ribose.

For more information on how to identify the nitrogenous bases, see the sheet I’ve uploaded onto my SI page and onto Blackboard.