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Genetics Terms Quiz

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Instructions: Unravel the vocabulary of genetics, from DNA and heredity to genetic engineering and the building blocks of life.

  1. 1.

    What is 'DNA'?

    A
    A type of protein in the blood
    B
    A chemical found only in plants
    C
    Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic instructions for life
    D
    A hormone that controls growth
  2. 2.

    What is a 'gene'?

    A
    A type of enzyme
    B
    A chromosome pair
    C
    A segment of DNA that contains instructions for making a specific protein
    D
    A type of cell
  3. 3.

    What does 'dominant' mean in genetics?

    A
    A trait caused by the environment
    B
    A trait that is expressed when at least one copy of the allele is present
    C
    A trait found only in males
    D
    A trait that skips generations
  4. 4.

    What is a 'recessive' trait?

    A
    A trait caused by diet
    B
    A trait that is only expressed when two copies of the allele are present
    C
    A trait that disappears over time
    D
    A trait that always appears
  5. 5.

    What is 'heredity'?

    A
    The passing of traits from parents to offspring
    B
    The classification of species
    C
    The study of fossils
    D
    The aging process of cells
  6. 6.

    What does 'genotype' refer to?

    A
    The number of chromosomes
    B
    The age of an organism
    C
    The physical appearance of an organism
    D
    The genetic makeup of an organism
  7. 7.

    What is a 'phenotype'?

    A
    A type of gene mutation
    B
    The DNA sequence of an organism
    C
    The reproductive cells of an organism
    D
    The observable physical characteristics of an organism
  8. 8.

    What is 'meiosis'?

    A
    The repair of damaged DNA
    B
    The growth of new tissue
    C
    A type of cell division that produces sex cells with half the normal number of chromosomes
    D
    Cell division that produces identical cells
  9. 9.

    What is an 'allele'?

    A
    One of two or more versions of a gene
    B
    A complete chromosome
    C
    A type of RNA
    D
    A protein produced by DNA
  10. 10.

    What does 'heterozygous' mean?

    A
    Having extra chromosomes
    B
    Having two different alleles for a particular gene
    C
    Having two identical alleles for a trait
    D
    Having no alleles for a gene
  11. 11.

    What is 'RNA'?

    A
    A chemical in the blood
    B
    A type of protein
    C
    A mineral found in bones
    D
    Ribonucleic acid, a molecule essential for coding, decoding, and expression of genes
  12. 12.

    What is 'cloning' in genetics?

    A
    Mixing DNA from different species
    B
    Testing for genetic diseases
    C
    Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism or DNA sequence
    D
    Destroying unwanted genes
  13. 13.

    What is a 'Punnett square' used for?

    A
    Measuring the size of genes
    B
    Counting chromosomes under a microscope
    C
    Predicting the probability of offspring inheriting particular traits
    D
    Drawing the shape of DNA
  14. 14.

    What does 'CRISPR' refer to in modern genetics?

    A
    A revolutionary gene-editing technology
    B
    A genetic testing company
    C
    A type of genetic disease
    D
    A method of cloning animals
  15. 15.

    What is 'epigenetics'?

    A
    The study of gene size
    B
    The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence
    C
    The study of extinct genes
    D
    The study of genetic diseases

Answer Key

Question 1
C. Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that carries genetic instructions for life
Question 2
C. A segment of DNA that contains instructions for making a specific protein
Question 3
B. A trait that is expressed when at least one copy of the allele is present
Question 4
B. A trait that is only expressed when two copies of the allele are present
Question 5
A. The passing of traits from parents to offspring
Question 6
D. The genetic makeup of an organism
Question 7
D. The observable physical characteristics of an organism
Question 8
C. A type of cell division that produces sex cells with half the normal number of chromosomes
Question 9
A. One of two or more versions of a gene
Question 10
B. Having two different alleles for a particular gene
Question 11
D. Ribonucleic acid, a molecule essential for coding, decoding, and expression of genes
Question 12
C. Creating a genetically identical copy of an organism or DNA sequence
Question 13
C. Predicting the probability of offspring inheriting particular traits
Question 14
A. A revolutionary gene-editing technology
Question 15
B. The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve changes to the DNA sequence

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