Principles of Inheritance and Variation NEET Questions
The “Principles of Inheritance and Variation” are fundamental concepts in genetics that explain how traits are passed from one generation to the next and how genetic diversity arises. Mendel’s laws of inheritance—namely, the Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment—form the basis of these principles.
The Law of Segregation states that each organism carries two alleles for a trait, one inherited from each parent and these alleles segregate independently during gamete formation. The Law of Independent Assortment explains how different traits are passed independently of one another from parents to offspring, resulting in genetic variation.
Variation, the differences in traits among individuals within a population, is important for evolution and adaptation. It arises from mutations, genetic recombination during meiosis, and environmental influences. These variations provide the raw material for natural selection. Together, the principles of inheritance and variation explain both the predictability of trait transmission and the genetic diversity that drives evolution.
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Principles of Inheritance and Variation NEET Questions
The “Principles of Inheritance and Variation” are important in the NEET syllabus as they form the foundation for understanding genetic mechanisms that govern the transmission of traits from one generation to the next. These principles, rooted in Mendelian genetics, help students grasp key concepts like dominant and recessive traits, laws of segregation and independent assortment, which are vital for understanding more complex topics in biology such as evolution, genetic disorders and biotechnology.
Principles of Inheritance and Variation NEET Questions
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FAQs
- What are the basic principles of inheritance according to Mendel?
Answer. Mendel’s principles of inheritance include the Law of Dominance, Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment. The Law of Dominance states that in a pair of alleles, one is dominant and the other is recessive. The Law of Segregation explains that during gamete formation, allele pairs separate, so each gamete carries only one allele for each gene. The Law of Independent Assortment states that genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes.
- What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?
Answer. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism or the combination of alleles present. Phenotype is the physical expression or characteristics of that genotype, influenced by both genetics and environment.
- What is the significance of the Punnett Square in genetics?
Answer. The Punnett Square is a tool used to predict the probability of certain genotypes and phenotypes resulting from a cross between two organisms. It helps visualize how alleles from the parents combine in offspring.
- What is a test cross and why is it performed?
Answer. A test cross involves breeding an individual with an unknown genotype (but displaying the dominant phenotype) with a homozygous recessive individual. It is used to determine whether the unknown genotype is homozygous dominant or heterozygous.
- Can you explain the concept of linkage and recombination?
Answer. Linkage refers to genes that are located close together on the same chromosome and tend to be inherited together. Recombination (or crossing over) occurs during meiosis when homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, which can break the linkage and produce new allele combinations.
- What is the significance of sex-linked inheritance?
Answer. Sex-linked inheritance involves genes located on the sex chromosomes (X or Y). Traits associated with these genes often show different patterns of inheritance in males and females. For example, X-linked recessive traits, like hemophilia, are more common in males because they have only one X chromosome.
- How do mutations contribute to genetic variation?
Answer. Mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that can create new alleles. They contribute to genetic variation by introducing new traits into a population, which can be acted upon by natural selection.
