Unit 6 - Mutations & Gene Pools

Question 1

Allele

Answer 1

• Different forms of gene
  
  • Dominant or recessive
  • Recessive allele are only expressed when inherited from both parents
    The combination determines the characteristics of an individual

Question 2

Genotype

Answer 2

• The genetic makeup of an organism involving the alleles

Question 3

Phenotype

Answer 3

• The observable, physical characteristics of an individual resulting from the genotype and the environment
  Differing genotypes = differing phenotypes = differing survival rates

Question 4

Favourable alleles

Answer 4

some mutation can lead to new alleles that provide advantages in specific environments. (differing survival rates between different phenotypes)
- Individuals carrying these favourable alleles are more likely to survive and pass on these alleles to their offspring increasing their frequency in population

Question 5

Unfavourable alleles

Answer 5

some mutations can be detrimental to an organism’s survival and reproduction causing their alleles to be eliminated from the population over generations (natural selection)

Question 6

Neutral alleles

Answer 6

mutation have no effect on an organism’s phenotype.
- They accumulate in a population over time, leading to genetic diversity without affecting the survival rates

Question 7

Mutations

Answer 7

• Changes in a structure or sequence of a gene or chromosome
  
  • **remember: gene in DNA > transcribed into mRNA > affect the protein it codes for BUT not all because many codons code for the same amino acid

Question 8

Gene mutation