Mutations & DNA
What causes a mutation?
Chemical changes in DNA
How many parents are needed for cloning?
One
What tool is used to predict the outcomes of genetic crosses?
Punnett square
Define natural selection.
A process where traits that help organisms survive and reproduce become more common over time
Define invasive species.
A non-native species that spreads and causes harm to the environment or native species.
What controls the production of proteins in an individual?
DNA
What would the genotype of a clone be compared to its parent?
100% identical
In sexual reproduction, how much genetic info comes from each parent?
50% from each parent
Why do siblings from the same parents have different traits?
They inherit a different combination of genes.
What is the greenhouse effect?
The trapping of heat in Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases.
What is the result when a protein is changed due to a mutation?
A new trait may appear
How many parents are needed for selective breeding?
Two
Parent 1: RR, Parent 2: rr – what are the offspring genotypes?
All offspring are Rr
In a cold climate, which fur color would help animals survive better, and why?
White fur helps them blend in and avoid predators.
Name one major greenhouse gas.
Carbon dioxide
Define mutation using scientific vocabulary.
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence that may affect how a gene functions.
Name one similarity and one difference between cloning and selective breeding.
Both pass on traits, but cloning produces identical offspring while selective breeding produces varied offspring.
What does a heterozygous genotype look like?
One dominant and one recessive allele (e.g., Rr)
How does natural selection lead to a change in traits in a population over time?
Advantageous traits become more common as individuals with those traits survive and reproduce.
What impact can the European Starling have on native birds?
It competes for food and nesting space, reducing native bird populations.
Explain how a mutation can lead to a new trait in an organism.
A mutation can change the structure of a protein, which can alter how a trait is expressed in the organism.
Why might a farmer choose selective breeding over cloning?
To combine desirable traits from two parents and increase genetic diversity.
If two Rr parents mate, what’s the probability of getting an rr offspring?
25%
Use the lizard leg length example to explain natural selection in action.
Lizards with longer legs escape predators more easily, survive longer, and pass on the trait to offspring.
Describe how human activity contributes to global warming.
Burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, which trap heat and raise Earth’s temperature.