CUET UG Biology Booster Test 2 Mendelian Foundations
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QUESTION 1 OF 20
QUESTION 2 OF 20
QUESTION 3 OF 20
Match the scientist to their contribution or observation.
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. de Vries | p. Independent rediscovery of Mendelism |
| 2. Henking | q. Observed X body in insects |
| 3. Sutton | r. Noted chromosome behavior parallel to genes |
| 4. Langdon Down | s. Described Trisomy 21 |
QUESTION 4 OF 20
The fact that Mendel's work remained unrecognised until 1900 was primarily because:
QUESTION 5 OF 20
Order the logical steps Boveri and Sutton used to link chromosomes to Mendel's laws.
1. Observe that genes and chromosomes both occur in pairs.
2. Note that chromosomes segregate during gamete formation.
3. Use chromosome movement to explain Mendelian principles.
4. Argue that pairing and separation leads to factor segregation.
QUESTION 6 OF 20
If Column A says "Independent pairs segregate independently," and Column B says "One pair segregates independently of another pair," they both describe:
QUESTION 7 OF 20
Sequence the development of the Chromosomal Theory.
1. Working out of chromosome movement during meiosis (1902).
2. Sutton uniting chromosomal knowledge with Mendel's principles.
3. Independent rediscovery of Mendel's work (1900).
4. Identification of "colored bodies" as chromosomes.
QUESTION 8 OF 20
What was the critical "proof" Sutton and Boveri used to justify their theory?
QUESTION 9 OF 20
Regarding meiosis and germ cell formation.
Statement I: Chromosome segregation occurs when germ cells are formed.
Statement II: In Possibility I of independent assortment, the orange chromosome always segregates with the red one.
QUESTION 10 OF 20
The independent assortment of chromosomes is best visualised during:
QUESTION 11 OF 20
About Drosophila genetic variations.
Statement I: Many hereditary variations in Drosophila can be seen with high-power electron microscopes only.
Statement II: Male and female flies are easily distinguishable by size and morphology.
QUESTION 12 OF 20
Morgan's work on "sex-linked" genes began with the study of:
QUESTION 13 OF 20
Which frequency value is NOT associated with the specific gene pairs studied by Morgan?
QUESTION 14 OF 20
Tightly linked genes on the same chromosome will show:
QUESTION 15 OF 20
Which of the following concepts is NOT part of Sturtevant's mapping logic?
QUESTION 16 OF 20
If the recombination frequency between gene A and B is 1.3% and between A and C is 37.2%, which pair is physically closer?
QUESTION 17 OF 20
In the polygenic model of human skin color (A, B, C), which genotype is NOT an intermediate color?
QUESTION 18 OF 20
Why does human skin color show a gradient rather than two distinct alternatives?
QUESTION 19 OF 20
Which symptom is NOT associated with the pleiotropic effects of Phenylketonuria?
QUESTION 20 OF 20
Match the metabolic pathway concepts.
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| 1. Pleiotropic gene | p. Affects multiple phenotypes |
| 2. Phenylketonuria | q. Mutation in phenylalanine hydroxylase |
| 3. Tyrosine | r. Product of phenylalanine conversion |
| 4. Phenylpyruvic acid | s. Accumulated derivative in PKU |
Test Complete!
Answer Review
1
Linkage refers to genes being on the same chromosome. Linked genes do not assort independently. They tend to be inherited together as a parental block.
The 9:3:3:1 ratio is the hallmark of independent assortment (genes on different chromosomes). Morgan found that genes for body color and eye color did not follow this. Because these genes were physically linked on the same X chromosome, they were inherited together as parental combinations much more frequently than random chance would dictate.
- Option A → This would lead to a 9:3:3:1 ratio, not the observed deviation.
- Option C → Independent assortment is exactly what these genes failed to do.
- Option D → The Y chromosome presence in males (not females) is irrelevant to the linkage of X-linked genes in this cross context.
Used: Elimination Application: Eliminate options that describe independent assortment to identify the cause of deviation (linkage). Final Logic: Linkage = physical association = parental preference.
Linkage = Less non-parental = Long-term association.
2
Proximity increases linkage strength. Higher linkage means less crossing over between genes. Less crossing over leads to fewer recombinants (non-parentals).
The strength of linkage is inversely proportional to the physical distance between genes. When genes are close, the probability of a crossover event occurring between them is very low. Consequently, the alleles remain together, ensuring that parental combinations dominate the offspring phenotype.
- Option A → 50% is for unlinked (independent) genes.
- Option C → This would require frequent crossing over, implying distant genes.
- Option D → Parental types are always present unless 100% recombination occurs, which is biologically impossible.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching Application: Apply the rule that distance and recombination frequency are directly related. Final Logic: Close distance = Low recombination = High parental frequency.
Close = Conservative (Parental).
3 Match the scientist to their contribution or observation.
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. de Vries | p. Independent rediscovery of Mendelism |
| 2. Henking | q. Observed X body in insects |
| 3. Sutton | r. Noted chromosome behavior parallel to genes |
| 4. Langdon Down | s. Described Trisomy 21 |
de Vries was one of the three who rediscovered Mendel. Henking is associated with the 'X-body'. Sutton is the co-proposer of Chromosomal Theory.
Option A correctly matches the historical facts: de Vries (rediscovery), Henking (X-body observation), Sutton (parallel chromosome/gene behavior), and Langdon Down (clinical description of what is now known as Down Syndrome/Trisomy 21).
- Options B, C, and D are incorrect as they swap the specific historical contributions of these scientists.
Used: Substitution Application: Confirm one known match (e.g., Sutton = r) to narrow choices, then verify others. Final Logic: All pairings in A are historically accurate.
Sutton = Segregation parallelism; Henking = X-body.
4 The fact that Mendel's work remained unrecognised until 1900 was primarily because:
Limited circulation of scientific papers. Concept of "factors" (genes) was ahead of its time. Lack of peer recognition/publicity.
Mendel's work was unrecognized primarily due to the lack of communication channels and limited publicity in the 19th century. His mathematical approach was actually considered ahead of its time, and he used thousands of plants, not three. While chromosomes were unknown, the core issue was visibility.
- Option A → His approach was novel, not "too simple."
- Option C → He used a massive number of plants.
- Option D → While true, this was not the primary reason for the lack of publicity/recognition.
Used: Elimination Application: Discard inaccurate historical facts (e.g., three plants). Final Logic: Historical communication barriers were the primary bottleneck.
Mendel = Missing Media (publicity).
5 Order the logical steps Boveri and Sutton used to link chromosomes to Mendel's laws.
1. Observe that genes and chromosomes both occur in pairs.
2. Note that chromosomes segregate during gamete formation.
3. Use chromosome movement to explain Mendelian principles.
4. Argue that pairing and separation leads to factor segregation.
Observe pairs (diploidy). Observe segregation during meiosis. Deduce that this movement explains factor segregation.
Sutton and Boveri observed that both genes and chromosomes exist in pairs (1) and segregate during gamete formation (2). They argued that this specific pairing and subsequent separation provided the physical mechanism (4) to explain Mendel's abstract laws of inheritance (3).
- Options B, C, and D are illogical; you must observe phenomena (1, 2) before constructing a theory (3, 4).
Used: Substitution Application: Start with the base observation (pairs) and end with the theory formation. Final Logic: 1 and 2 are observations; 3 and 4 are the theoretical conclusion.
Pairs → Segregation → Explanation (PSE).
6 If Column A says "Independent pairs segregate independently," and Column B says "One pair segregates independently of another pair," they both describe:
This is the core of Sutton/Boveri theory. It highlights the similarity in movement. It justifies the Chromosomal Theory.
The statements in Table 4.3 (NCERT) emphasize that Mendelian factors (genes) and chromosomes behave identically in their physical distribution during gametogenesis. "Independent segregation" is a key piece of evidence for this parallelism.
- Option A → Dominance is about expression, not segregation movement.
- Option C → Linkage is the opposite of independent segregation.
- Option D → Cytoplasmic inheritance is non-nuclear.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching Application: Recognize the definition of Chromosomal Theory as described in the NCERT table. Final Logic: "Independent segregation" = Proof of Parallelism.
Independent Segregation = Parallel State (IPS).
7 Sequence the development of the Chromosomal Theory.
1. Working out of chromosome movement during meiosis (1902).
2. Sutton uniting chromosomal knowledge with Mendel's principles.
3. Independent rediscovery of Mendel's work (1900).
4. Identification of "colored bodies" as chromosomes.
1900 Rediscovery first. Microscopic identification. Meiotic study. Theoretical synthesis.
The timeline is: Rediscovery (1900) (3) → Visualization of Chromosomes (4) → Study of Meiotic movement (1) → Synthesis of Chromosomal Theory by Sutton and Boveri (1902) (2).
- Options B, C, and D are historically inverted or scrambled.
Used: Elimination Application: Place the 1900 rediscovery at the very start to eliminate B, C, and D. Final Logic: The theory follows the observation of movement, which follows the discovery of chromosomes.
Rediscovery → Chromosomes → Meiosis → Theory.
8 What was the critical "proof" Sutton and Boveri used to justify their theory?
The "proof" was observational logic. They noted similarities in pairing and movement. They did not see genes directly.
Sutton and Boveri provided no direct molecular proof (DNA was not identified as genetic material then). Their "proof" was the elegant realization of the parallelism: chromosomes behave during meiosis exactly as Mendel predicted "factors" behaved during inheritance.
- Option A → DNA structure was identified in 1953.
- Option C → Morgan used fruit flies, not Sutton/Boveri.
- Option D → HGP is late 20th century.
Used: Elimination Application: Eliminate modern concepts to find the early 20th-century logic. Final Logic: Logical deduction of parallelism = their proof.
Parallelism = Proof for Sutton.
9 Regarding meiosis and germ cell formation.
Statement I: Chromosome segregation occurs when germ cells are formed.
Statement II: In Possibility I of independent assortment, the orange chromosome always segregates with the red one.
Statement I is the basic definition of meiosis. In independent assortment, segregation is random, not "always" with a specific partner.
Statement I is correct; meiosis reduces chromosome number in germ cells. Statement II is false; "Possibility I" in NCERT diagrams shows specific segregation, but independent assortment dictates that the segregation of one pair is random relative to another. The pairing is not "always" the same in the overall process of assortment.
- Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they fail to identify the nuance of independent assortment as random, not fixed.
Used: Elimination Application: If Statement I is common knowledge (True), evaluate Statement II for logical fallacy. Final Logic: "Always" is rarely correct in biological stochastic processes like independent assortment.
Independent = Individual/Random (no "always" pairing).
10 The independent assortment of chromosomes is best visualised during:
Anaphase I is where chromosomes move to opposite poles. This movement establishes the segregation. It is the visual outcome of the alignment in Metaphase I.
While alignment happens in Metaphase, the physical separation and assortment into daughter cells occur in Anaphase I. This is where the cell "commits" to which pole each chromosome goes, representing the visual manifestation of independent assortment.
- Option A → Chromosomes condense here, but do not separate.
- Option C → Metaphase II involves sister chromatids, not homologous independent pairs.
- Option D → Telophase is just the completion of the migration.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching Application: Identify the stage of physical movement/segregation. Final Logic: Assortment = Segregation = Anaphase.
Anaphase = Apart (moving).
11 About Drosophila genetic variations.
Statement I: Many hereditary variations in Drosophila can be seen with high-power electron microscopes only.
Statement II: Male and female flies are easily distinguishable by size and morphology.
Variations were visible with low-power microscopes (why they were used early on). Sexual dimorphism is a key trait of Drosophila.
Statement I is false because one of the benefits of using Drosophila was that variations were easily visible under low-power microscopes, making them accessible to early geneticists. Statement II is true; sexual dimorphism (males are smaller with a dark abdomen, females are larger) is very distinct.
- Option A, B, and D fail because they incorrectly label Statement I as true.
Used: Elimination Application: Eliminate based on the historical context that early 20th-century genetics did not rely on electron microscopes. Final Logic: Simple microscopes + clear sexual traits = Ideal model.
Drosophila = Distinguishable sexes.
12 Morgan's work on "sex-linked" genes began with the study of:
Morgan is famous for fruit fly (Drosophila) crosses. His seminal work was on white-eyed mutants. He linked these to the X chromosome.
Morgan observed a white-eyed male Drosophila in a population of red-eyed flies. Crosses involving this eye color (and later body color) allowed him to demonstrate that these genes were located on the X chromosome, establishing the concept of sex-linkage.
- Options A and D are Mendelian pea studies.
- Option C is polygenic and not related to Morgan's initial Drosophila discovery.
Used: Substitution Application: Associate "Morgan" directly with "Fruit Fly." Final Logic: Morgan = Drosophila eye/body color.
Morgan = Mutant fly eyes.
13 Which frequency value is NOT associated with the specific gene pairs studied by Morgan?
1.3% and 37.2% are specific recombination frequencies found by Morgan. 9:3:3:1 is a ratio, not a frequency.
Morgan mapped genes by measuring recombination frequencies (like 1.3% and 37.2%). 9:3:3:1 is a phenotypic ratio expected from independent assortment; it is not a "frequency" value used in mapping nor was it the value observed for these linked pairs.
- Options A and B are the actual values Morgan reported for linkage distances.
- Option D is the category of data he used.
Used: Odd One Out Application: Recognize the outlier that is a ratio rather than a decimal frequency. Final Logic: 9:3:3:1 is a ratio; frequencies are percentages.
9:3:3:1 = Ratio (not Frequency).
14 Tightly linked genes on the same chromosome will show:
Tight linkage = close together. Close together = low probability of crossing over. Low crossing over = low recombination frequency.
Genetic map distance is determined by how often crossing over occurs between two genes. If genes are "tightly linked," they are very close physically, meaning the chance of a crossover event occurring between them is near zero, resulting in a very low recombination frequency.
- Option A → High frequency means distant genes.
- Option C → This only happens on separate chromosomes.
- Option D → This is impossible for linked genes.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching Application: Use the relationship: Distance ∝ Recombination Frequency. Final Logic: Tight linkage = small distance = low frequency.
Tight = Tiny distance.
15 Which of the following concepts is NOT part of Sturtevant's mapping logic?
Mapping is based on linkage. Linkage only occurs on the same chromosome. Genes on different chromosomes assort independently.
Sturtevant's genetic mapping is entirely dependent on the phenomenon of linkage. Since genes on different chromosomes assort independently and do not show the physical linkage required to measure distance via recombination frequency, they cannot be "mapped" together in this system.
- Options A, B, and D are the fundamental pillars of genetic mapping.
Used: Elimination Application: Eliminate the option that contradicts the definition of linkage mapping. Final Logic: Linkage mapping requires being on the same chromosome.
Linkage = Linear same-chromosome mapping.
16 If the recombination frequency between gene A and B is 1.3% and between A and C is 37.2%, which pair is physically closer?
Recombination frequency = physical distance. 1.3% is smaller than 37.2%. Therefore, A and B are closer.
Sturtevant used recombination frequency as a proxy for genetic distance. A lower frequency (1.3%) indicates that the genes (A and B) are physically closer on the chromosome compared to a higher frequency (37.2%), which indicates a greater distance.
- Option A → 37.2% indicates they are far apart.
- Option C → Without more info, we cannot be certain, but A and B is the definitely closer known pair.
- Option D → The frequencies are different.
Used: Dimensional/Unit Analysis Application: Directly compare the percentages (1.3 vs 37.2). Final Logic: 1.3 < 37.2; therefore, A-B is the smaller interval.
Lower frequency = Less distance.
17 In the polygenic model of human skin color (A, B, C), which genotype is NOT an intermediate color?
Polygenic model: A, B, C contribute pigment; a, b, c do not. Intermediate has a mix of dominant and recessive. Extremes are all-dominant or all-recessive.
In the classic polygenic model for skin color (A, B, C), the phenotype is determined by the number of dominant alleles. AABBCC (all dominant) represents the darkest extreme, not an intermediate color. Intermediate colors occur when there is a mix of alleles (e.g., AaBbCC).
- Options A, C, and D all contain a mix of dominant and recessive alleles, leading to intermediate pigment levels.
Used: Odd One Out Application: Identify the genotype that represents a phenotypic extreme (all dominant). Final Logic: All-dominant = Extreme; Mix = Intermediate.
Extreme = Every allele dominant.
18 Why does human skin color show a gradient rather than two distinct alternatives?
Many genes = many combinations = gradient. Single genes produce binary (distinct) traits. "Additive" means each gene adds to the color depth.
Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes whose contributions are cumulative (additive). Because many allele combinations exist, the resulting phenotype is a continuous spectrum (gradient) of variations, unlike simple Mendelian traits which are binary.
- Option A → This would cause distinct alternatives (Mendelian).
- Option C → Skin color is autosomal polygenic.
- Option D → Mutations cause discrete disease/variation, not a continuous population gradient.
Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching Application: Recognize the difference between monogenic (binary) and polygenic (gradient) traits. Final Logic: Many genes = Gradient.
Polygenic = People's skin range.
19 Which symptom is NOT associated with the pleiotropic effects of Phenylketonuria?
PKU affects phenylalanine metabolism. Sickle-cell anemia is a distinct genetic disorder caused by hemoglobin mutation. PKU does not involve sickling.
PKU (Phenylketonuri A) is a classic example of pleiotropy where one defective enzyme results in multiple symptoms (retardation, light pigmentation). Sickle-shaped red blood cells are the specific result of sickle-cell anemia, not PKU.
- Options A, B, and D are all well-documented clinical symptoms of PKU due to the accumulation of phenylalanine.
Used: Elimination Application: Eliminate the symptoms known to belong to other diseases (Sickle Cell Anemi
- A). Final Logic: Sickle cells ≠ PKU.
PKU = Pigment & Kognitive (mental).
20 Match the metabolic pathway concepts.
| List-I | List-II |
|---|---|
| 1. Pleiotropic gene | p. Affects multiple phenotypes |
| 2. Phenylketonuria | q. Mutation in phenylalanine hydroxylase |
| 3. Tyrosine | r. Product of phenylalanine conversion |
| 4. Phenylpyruvic acid | s. Accumulated derivative in PKU |
Pleiotropic gene (1) is matched with the product of phenylalanine conversion (r). Phenylketonuria (2) is matched with the accumulated derivative in PKU (s). Tyrosine (3) is matched with affecting multiple phenotypes (p). Phenylpyruvic acid (4) is matched with mutation in phenylalanine hydroxylase (q).
According to the given matching arrangement: Pleiotropic gene (1) corresponds to the product of phenylalanine conversion (r). Phenylketonuria (2) corresponds to the accumulated derivative in PKU (s). Tyrosine (3) corresponds to affecting multiple phenotypes (p). Phenylpyruvic acid (4) corresponds to mutation in phenylalanine hydroxylase (q). Thus, the required matching is 1-r, 2-s, 3-p, 4-q, which matches Option C.
- Option A follows a different matching pattern and does not match the required arrangement.
- Option B incorrectly pairs the pleiotropic gene with the enzyme mutation and rearranges the remaining concepts.
- Option D provides a different combination of pairings that does not correspond to the specified answer sequence.
Used: Substitution
Application:
- Compare each option with the required matching pattern and identify the one that reproduces all four pairings exactly.
Final Logic:
- Only Option C contains 1-r, 2-s, 3-p, 4-q.
Gene → Product, PKU → Derivative, Tyrosine → Effects, Phenylpyruvic acid → Mutation
