Edexcel IGCSE Biology (b) Inheritance Question Bank
Practise inheritance questions on DNA, genes, chromosomes, alleles, protein synthesis and genetic diagrams using tables, sequences and ratios.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2019
- Course
- Biology 4BI1
Practise inheritance questions on DNA, genes, chromosomes, alleles, protein synthesis and genetic diagrams using tables, sequences and ratios.
Inheritance involves genomes, genes and alleles.
State what is meant by the term genome.
• all DNA of an organism / complete set
of genes / all of genetic material of an
organism / eq
allow.......in
a diploid cell
Explain the difference between a gene and an allele.
An explanation which makes reference to
- a gene is a section of DNA that codes for a specific protein / polypeptide / eq
- allele is an alternative form / version of a gene / eq
In horses, black hair is caused by a dominant allele, B . The recessive allele, b, codes for brown hair.
A heterozygous black-haired male horse breeds with a heterozygous black-haired female horse.
Draw a genetic diagram to show the genotypes of the parents, the gametes they can produce and the genotypes and ratio of phenotypes of their possible offspring.
An answer that includes:
(Parents) Bb
Bb
(Gametes) B or b
( B or b )
(Offspring) BB
2 Bb
bb
(Phenotype ratio) 3 Black: 1 brown 75% Black: 25\% brown or phenotypes in correct numbers evident
allow any symbols allow different letters
By x By BY x BY
not 4 alleles eg not By bY
ignore X and Y
allow parent genotypes, gametes and offspring genotypes and ratio from Punnett square
allow ECF allow correct offspring genotypes from incorrect parents 1 max
Calculate the probability that the first offspring will be male and have black hair.
probability =
calculation method not marking points
0.75×0.5=0.375 or 37.5(%) or 3/8(2)
Full marks for correct answer
If answer incorrect allow one mark for
0.5 or 50(\%) or 21 or 0.75 or 43 or 75(\%)
In horses, eye colour is also controlled by a single gene with two alleles.
The dominant allele causes brown eyes and the recessive allele codes for blue eyes.
A farmer has a male horse with brown eyes.
Explain how the farmer could determine the genotype of this male horse.
An explanation that includes three of the following
- cross with blue eyed female/ homozygous recessive female / eq
- if any offspring blue eyed then male is Bb / heterozygous / eq
- (if offspring brown eyed) repeat cross to obtain more foals/ eq
- if all offspring are brown / if never have blue eyed offspring / then male is BB/ homozygous / eq
allow one mark for:
Look at parents of male horse If one parent is blue eyed (bb) then Male horse is Bb / heterozygous
An Amoeba is a microscopic single-celled organism that lives in pond water.
The diagram shows an Amoeba with some structures labelled.

Which structure contains chromosomes?
P
Q
R
S
D
The sequence of bases on one strand of a section of DNA is
TAC CGT AAT TAT
Which of these is the complementary sequence of DNA on the other strand of the double helix?
ATG GCA TTA ATA
AUG GCA UUA AUA
CGT TAC GGC CGC
CGU UAC GGC CGC
A
Which of these is the correct summary of the processes occurring during protein synthesis?

The only correct answer is A DNA, transcription, RNA, translation, protein
B is incorrect because translation is in the wrong place
C is incorrect because RNA is in the wrong place
D is incorrect because RNA is in the wrong place
The table shows different mRNA codons for some amino acids.

UUU-AUG-UGU is one combination of codons that codes for the sequence of amino acids W-X-Y.
Give the number of other combinations that code for the same amino acid sequence.
number of other combinations =……
∙3
Explain why most genetic mutations have no effect on the phenotype of an organism.
Use the information in the table and your own knowledge in your answer.
An explanation that makes reference to three of the following points:
Accept (amino acid W has two codes / (amino acid) Y has two codes / eq
Accept same polypeptide
1. some sequences / codons / different
codes / different bases / may code for same amino acid /eq
2. (same amino acid so) no change in protein / no change in enzyme / protein has same function / eq
3. may not affect bonding / (3D) shape / active site of enzyme / still binds to substrate / eq
4. mutation / allele / gene, may be recessive / not expressed / eq
5. non-coding DNA / eq
State one way that the incidence of mutations can be increased.
(ionising) radiation / UV light / tar / tobacco / mutagen / carcinogen / gamma rays / X-rays / radioactivity /
eq
Do not accept infra-red radiation
Accept smoking
Accept other correct mutagens