Table of Contents
Essential Genetic Concepts in Biology: Heredity DNA Mendel’s Laws Guide
Core genetics principles for biology: Genes as heredity units, DNA carrying information, Mendelian inheritance rules—not mutation irrelevance or single-gene traits—crucial for General Biology certification exam preparation.
Question
Select the key principles of genetics that are relevant in the study of biology.
A. Genes are the basic unit of heredity.
B. Genetic mutations do not affect an organism’s traits.
C. DNA carries genetic information.
D. Genetic inheritance follows Mendelian principles.
E. All genetic traits are determined by a single gene.
Answer
A. Genes are the basic unit of heredity.
C. DNA carries genetic information.
D. Genetic inheritance follows Mendelian principles.
Explanation
Genes function as the fundamental units of heredity, consisting of specific DNA segments that encode functional products like proteins or regulatory RNAs, transmitting stable traits across generations through replication and precise copying during cell division. DNA serves as the universal molecule carrying genetic information in nearly all organisms, storing heritable instructions in nucleotide sequences that dictate organismal development, function, and adaptation via the central dogma of molecular biology (DNA transcription to RNA translation to proteins). Genetic inheritance adheres to Mendelian principles—such as segregation of alleles during gamete formation, independent assortment of gene pairs, and dominance/recessiveness—providing the foundational framework for predicting trait transmission in diploid organisms, later extended by concepts like linkage and polygenic inheritance. Inaccurate statements include B (mutations alter DNA sequences, impacting traits from benign to pathogenic) and E (most traits result from multiple genes interacting with environment, not single-gene determination).