Inheritance and Variation

EXERCISES [PAGES 68 - 69]

Exercises | Q 1.1 | Page 68

Multiple choice question.
Phenotypic ratio of incomplete dominance in Mirabilis jalapa.
1. 2 : 1 : 1
2. 1 : 2 : 1
3. 3 : 1
4. 2 : 2
Solution: 1 : 2 : 1
Exercises | Q 1.2 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
In a dihybrid cross, F2 generation offsprings show four different phenotypes while the
genotypes are _______.
1. six
2. nine
3. eight
4. sixteen
Solution: In a dihybrid cross, F2 generation offsprings show four different phenotypes
while the genotypes are nine.
Exercises | Q 1.3 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
A cross between an individual with an unknown genotype for a trait with recessive plant
for that trait is _______.
1. back cross
2. reciprocal cross
3. monohybrid cross
4. test cross
Solution: A cross between an individual with an unknown genotype for a trait with a
recessive plant for that trait is test cross.
Exercises | Q 1.4 | Page 68
 Multiple choice question.
When phenotypic and genotypic ratios are the same, then it is an example of _______.
1. incomplete dominance
2. complete dominance
3. multiple alleles
4. cytoplasmic inheritance
Solution: When phenotypic and genotypic ratios are the same, then it is an example
of incomplete dominance.
Exercises | Q 1.5 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
If the centromere is situated near the end of the chromosome, the chromosome is called
______.
1. metacentric
2. acrocentric
3. sub-metacentric
4. telocentric
Solution: If the centromere is situated near the end of the chromosome, the
chromosome is called acrocentric.
Exercises | Q 1.6 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
Chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by _______.
1. Sutton and Boveri
2. Watson and Crick
3. Miller and Urey
4. Oparin and Halden
Solution: Chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by Sutton and Boveri.
Exercises | Q 1.7 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
If the genes are located in a chromosome as p-q-r-s-t, which of the following gene pairs
will have the least probability of being inherited together?
1. p and q
2. r and s
3. s and t
4. p and s
Solution: p and s
Exercises | Q 1.8 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
Find the mismatch pair:
1. Down’s syndrome = 44 + XY
2. Turner’s syndrome = 44 + XO
3. Klinefelter syndrome = 44 + XXY
4. Super female = 44 + XXX
Solution: Down’s syndrome = 44 + XY
Exercises | Q 1.9 | Page 68
Multiple choice question.
A colour-blind man marries a woman, who is homozygous for normal colour vision, the
probability of their son being colour blind is –
1. 0%
2. 25%
3. 50%
4. 100%
Solution: 0%
Exercises | Q 2.1 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
Explain the statement of Test cross is back cross but back cross is not necessarily a
test cross.
Solution:
1. In back cross F1 generation can be crossed with either dominant or recessive parent.
2. But in test cross, F1 generation is crossed with a recessive parent only.
3. Thus, in the back cross, if F1 generation is crossed with a recessive parent it will be a
test cross, but if F1 generation is crossed with a dominant parent it will not be a test
cross. Therefore, the test cross is a back cross but the back cross is not necessarily a
test cross.
Exercises | Q 2.1 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
Explain the statement of Law of dominance is not universal.
 Solution:
1. According to law of dominance, when two homozygous individuals with one or more
sets of contrasting characters are crossed, the alleles (characters) that appear in F 1 are
dominant and those which do not appear in F1 are recessive.
2. In many cases, the dominance is not complete or absent. This can be explained by two
deviations of Mendel’s law of dominance: Incomplete dominance and codominance.
Thus, law of dominance is significant and true, but it is not universally applicable.
Exercises | Q 2.2 | Page 68
Define the following:
test cross.
Solution:
Test cross: The cross between F1 hybrid and its homozygous recessive parent is
called a test cross.
Exercises | Q 2.2 | Page 68
Define the following:
Homozygous
Solution1:
Homozygous - Diploid condition where both the alleles are identical is called
homozygous.
Solution2:
Homozygous (pure): An individual having identical alleles for a particular character is
homozygous for that character. It is pure or true breeding for that trait. e.g. TT, tt.
Exercises | Q 2.2 | Page 68
Define the following:
Heterozygous
Solution1:
Heterozygous - Diploid condition where both the alleles are different is called
heterozygous.
Solution2:
Heterozygous: An individual possessing contrasting (dissimilar) alleles for a particular
trait is called heterozygous. It is a hybrid and does not breed true for that trait. e.g. Tt
Exercises | Q 2.2 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Questions.
Define dihybrid cross
 Solution:
A cross between parents differing in two heritable traits is called a dihybrid cross.
OR
A cross between two pure (homozygous) parents in which the inheritance pattern of two
pairs of contrasting characters is considered simultaneously is called a dihybrid cross.

Exercises | Q 2.3 | Page 68

Very Short Answer Question.
What is allosome?
Solution: The chromosomes which are responsible for the determination of sex are
known as Allosomes (sex chromosomes).
Exercises | Q 2.4 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
What is crossing over?
Solution:
1. Crossing over is a process that produces new combinations (recombinations) of genes
by interchanging and exchanging of corresponding segments between non-sister
chromatids of homologous chromosomes.
2. It occurs during pachytene of prophase I of meiosis.
3. The mechanism of crossing over consists of four sequential steps such as synapsis,
tetrad formation, crossing over, and terminalisation.
4. The phenomenon of crossing over is universal and it is necessary for the natural
selection because it increases the chances of variation.
Exercises | Q 2.5 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
Give one example of the autosomal recessive disorder.
Solution:
Autosomal recessive traits Phenyl ketonuria (PKU), Cystic fibrosis, and Sickle cell
anaemia.
Exercises | Q 2.6 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
What are X-linked genes?
Solution:
The genes which are present on the non-homologous region of X-chromosome are
known as X-linked genes.
Exercises | Q 2.7 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
What are holandric traits?
Solution:
The traits that are controlled by genes present only on the Y chromosome are known as
holandric traits.
Exercises | Q 2.8 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
Give an example of a chromosomal disorder caused due to nondisjunction of
autosomes.
Solution:
Down syndrome is an example of a chromosomal disorder caused due to non-
disjunction of autosomes.
Exercises | Q 2.9 | Page 68
Very Short Answer Question.
Give one example of complete sex linkage?
Solution:
Examples of X-linked traits are hemophilia, red-green colour blindness, myopia (near
sightedness), and for Y-linked are hypertrichosis, ichthyosis, etc.
Exercises | Q 3.01 | Page 68
Short Answer Question.
Enlist seven traits of pea plant selected/ studied by Mendel.

Solution:
Following are the seven traits of pea plant selected/studied by Mendel:
Character Contrasting form / traits
Dominant Recessive
1. Height of stem Tall Dwarf

2. Colour of flower Purple White

 3. Position of flower Axial Terminal

4. Pod shape Inflated Constricted

5. Pod colour Green Yellow
6. Seed shape Round Wrinkled
7. Seed colour Yellow Green
(cotyledon)

Exercises | Q 3.02 | Page 68

Short Answer Question.
Why law of segregation is also called the law of purity of gametes?
Solution:
1. A diploid organism contains two factors for each trait in its diploid cells and the factors
segregate during the formation of gametes.
2. The two alleles (contrasting characters) do not mix, alter or dilute each other and the
gametes formed are ‘pure’ for the characters which they carry.
3. A gamete may carry either a dominant or recessive factor but not both.

Hence, this law is also called the law of purity of gametes.

Exercises | Q 3.03 | Page 68

Short Answer Question.
Write a note on pleiotropy.
Solution:
1. When a single gene controls two (or more) different traits it is called pleiotropic gene
and the phenomenon is called pleiotropy or pleiotropism.
2. The phenotypic ratio is 1:2 instead of 3:1 because of the death of recessive
homozygote. The disease, sickle-cell anaemia, is caused by a gene HbS.
3. Normal or healthy gene HbA is dominant. The carriers (heterozygotes HbA /HbS) show
signs of mild anaemia as their RBCs become sickleshaped i.e. half-moon-shaped only
under abnormally low O2 concentration.
4. The homozygotes with recessive gene HbS die of fatal anaemia.
5. Thus, the gene for sickle-cell anaemia is lethal in homozygous condition and produces
sickle cell trait in the heterozygous carrier. Two different expressions are produced by a
single gene.

Exercises | Q 3.04 | Page 68

Short Answer Question.
What are the reasons for Mendel’s success?
Solution:
Following are the reasons for Mendel’s success:
1. His experiments were carefully planned and involved a large sample.
2. He carefully recorded the number of plants of each type and expressed his results as
ratios.
3. In the pea plant, contrasting characters can be easily recognized.
4. The seven different characters in the pea plant were controlled by a single factor each.
5. The factors are located on separate chromosomes and these factors are transmitted
from generation to generation.
Exercises | Q 3.05 | Page 69
Short Answer Question.
“Father is responsible for determination of sex of child and not the mother”. Justify.
Solution:
1. A human male has 44 autosomes + XY sex chromosomes, whereas a female has 44
autosomes + XX sex chromosomes.
2. During gamete formation in male, the diploid germ cells in testis undergo
spermatogenesis to produce two types of haploid sperms, 50% sperms contain 22
autosomes and X chromosome while 50% sperms contain 22 autosomes and Y
chromosome.
3. In females, the diploid germ cells in ovaries undergo oogenesis to produce only one
type of egg. All eggs contain 22 autosomes and the X chromosome.
4. Thus human male is heterogametic and female is homogametic.
5. If a sperm containing X chromosome fertilizes the egg (ovum), the diploid zygote formed
after fertilization grows into a female child.
6. If a sperm containing Y chromosome fertilizes the egg, then diploid zygote formed after
fertilization grows into a male child.
7. The sex of a child depends on the type of sperm fertilizing the egg and hence the father
is responsible for the determination of sex of the child and not the mother
 Exercises | Q 3.06 | Page 69
Short Answer Question.
What is a linkage? How many linkage groups do occur in human being?
Solution:
The tendency of two or more genes presents on the same chromosomes to be inherited
together is known as linkage. The haploid number of chromosomes in humans is 23
therefore there are 23 linkage groups in humans.
Exercises | Q 3.07 | Page 69
Short Answer Question.
Write note on –PKU.
Solution:
1. Phenylketonuria is an inborn metabolic disorder caused due to deficiency of
phenylalanine hydroxylase enzyme.
2. Phenylketonuria is caused due to recessive autosomal genes.
3. When recessive genes are present in homozygous condition, phenylalanine
hydroxylase enzyme is not produced.
4. This enzyme is essential for the conversion of amino acid phenylalanine into tyrosine.
5. Due to the absence of this enzyme, phenylalanine is not converted into tyrosine.
6. Hence, phenylalanine and its derivatives are accumulated in blood and cerebrospinal
fluid (CSF).
7. It affects development of the brain and causes mental retardation.
8. Excess phenylalanine is excreted in urine, hence this disease is called phenylketonuria.
Exercises | Q 3.08 | Page 69
Short Answer Question.
Compare X chromosome and Y chromosome.
Solution:

X Chromosome Y Chromosome
 1. It is metacentric, hence appears X 1. It is acrocentric, hence appears Y shaped
shaped.
2. It is longer than ‘Y’ chromosomes. 2. It is shorter than ‘X’ chromosomes.
3. It contains a large amount of euchromatin 3. It contains large amount of
and a small amount of heterochromatin. heterochromatin and small amount of
euchromatin.
4. It is found in both males and females. 4. It is found only in males.
5. Non-homologous part of X chromosome 5. Non-homologous part of Y chromosome
shows more genes than Y chromosome. contains few genes as compared to X
chromosome.
6. X – linked genes are present on the X 6. Y-linked genes (Holandric genes) are
chromosome. present on Y chromosome.

7. Genes present on X chromosome show

7. Genes present on Y chromosome show
criss−cross inheritance.
straight inheritance.

Exercises | Q 3.09 | Page 69

Short Answer Question.
Explain the chromosomal theory of inheritance.
Solution:
The chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by Sutton and Boveri.
Following are the postulates of chromosomal theory of inheritance:
1. Chromosomes are found in pairs in somatic or diploid cells.
2. During gamete formation, homologous chromosomes pair, segregate and assort
independently at meiosis. Due to this, each gamete contains only one chromosome of a
pair.
3. Hereditary characters are carried by chromosomes which are present in the nucleus of
these gametes.
4. Gametes (sperm and egg) contain all the hereditary characters. They form the link
between parents and offsprings.
5. The union of sperm and egg during fertilization restores the diploid number of
chromosomes.
Exercises | Q 3.1 | Page 69
Short Answer Question.
Observe the given pedigree chart and answer the following question.
Identify whether the trait is sex-linked or autosomal.
Solution:
The trait represented in given pedigree is sex linked trait.
Exercises | Q 3.1 | Page 69
Short Answer Question.
Observe the given pedigree chart and answer the following question.

Give an example of a trait in human beings which shows such a pattern of inheritance.
Solution:
Haemophilia, colour blindness are examples of sex-linked traits in humans.
Exercises | Q 4 | Page 69
Match the column-I with column-II and re-write the matching pairs.
Column-I Column-II
1. 21 trisomy a. Turner’s syndrome

2. X-monosomy b. Klinefelter’s syndrome

3. Holandric traits c. Down's syndrome

4. Feminized male d. Hypertrichosis

Solution:
Column-I Column-II
1. 21 trisomy c. Down's syndrome
 2. X-monosomy a. Turner’s syndrome

3. Holandric traits d. Hypertrichosis

4. Feminized male b. Klinefelter’s syndrome

Exercises | Q 5.1 | Page 69

Long answer type question.
What is dihybrid cross? Explain with suitable example and checker board method.
Solution:
Dihybrid cross:
A cross between parents differing in two heritable traits is called a dihybrid cross.
OR
A cross between two pure (homozygous) parents in which the inheritance pattern of two
pairs of contrasting characters is considered simultaneously is called a dihybrid cross.
The phenotypic ratio of different types of offsprings (with different combinations)
obtained in F2 generation of dihybrid cross is called the dihybrid ratio. It is 9 : 3 : 3 : 1.
For example, when we cross a yellow round seed pea plant with a green wrinkled seed
pea plant, we get 9 yellow round, 3 yellow wrinkled, 3 green round and 1 green wrinkled
plants in the F2 generation.

F2 generation →

→ YR Yr yR yr

YR YYRR Yellow YYRr Yellow YyRR Yellow YyRr Yellow

round round round round
Yr YYRr Yellow YYrr Yellow YyRr Yellow Yyrr Yellow
round wrinkled round wrinkled
 yR YyRR Yellow YyRr Yellow yyRR Green yyRr Green
round round round round
yr YyRr Yellow Yyrr Yellow yyRr Green yyrr Green
round wrinkled round wrinkled
Phenotypic ratio: Yellow round = 9 ;Yellow wrinkled = 3; Green round = 3; Green
wrinkled = 1
Dihybrid ratio → 9 : 3 : 3 : 1
Genotypic ratio →
YYRR YYRr YyRR YyRr YYrr Yyrr yyRR yyRr yyrr
1 : 2 : 2 : 4 : 1 : 2 : 1 : 2 : 1

Exercises | Q 5.2 | Page 69

Long answer type question.
Explain with suitable example an independent assotrment.
Solution:
Law of independent assortment:
The law states that, when a hybrid possessing two (or more) pairs of contrasting factors
(alleles) forms gametes, the factors in each pair segregate independently of the other
pair.
OR
The law of independent assortment states that, when two parents differing from each
other in two or more pairs of contrasting characters are crossed, then the inheritance of
one pair of character is independent of the other pair of character
1. This law is based on a dihybrid cross.
2. It describes how different genes or alleles present on separate chromosomes
independently separate from each other, during the formation of gametes. These alleles
are then randomly united in fertilization.
3. In dihybrid cross, F2 phenotypic ratio 9:3:3:1 indicates that the two pairs of characters
behave independent of each other. It can be concluded that the two characters under
consideration are assorted independently giving rise to different combinations.

F2 generation →
 → TR Tr tR tr

TR TTRR Tall red TTRr TtRR TtRr

Tall red Tall red Tall red
Tr TTRr TTrr TtRr Ttrr
Tall red Tall white Tall red Tall white
tR TtRR TtRr ttRR Dwarf red ttRr Dwarf red
Tall red Tall red
tr TtRr Ttrr ttRr Dwarf red ttrr Dwarf white
Tall red Tall white
Result: Tall red = 9; Tall white = 3; Dwarf red = 3; Dwarf white = 1
Phenotypic ratio → 9 : 3 : 3 : 1
Genotypic ratio →
1 : 2 : 2 : 4 : 1 : 2 : 1 : 2 : 1
TTRR TTRr TtRR TtRr ttRR ttRr TTrr Ttrr ttrr
From the above results, it is obvious that the inheritance of character of tallness is not
linked with the red colour of the flower. Similarly, the character of dwarfness is not
linked with the white colour of the flower. This is due to the fact that in the above cross,
the two pairs of characters segregate independently. In other words, there is an
independent assortment of characters during inheritance.

Exercises | Q 5.3 | Page 69

Long answer type question.
Define test cross and explain its significance.
Solution:
Definition:
The cross between F1 hybrid and its homozygous recessive parent is called a test
cross.
Significance of test cross:
1. It helps to determine whether individuals exhibiting dominant character are genotypically
homozygous or heterozygous.
2. It has wide application in plant breeding experiments.
3. In rapid crop improvement programmes, test cross is used to introduce a useful
recessive trait in the hybrids.
Exercises | Q 5.4 | Page 69
Long answer type question.
 What is parthenogenesis? Explain the haplo-diploid method of sex determination in
honey bee.
Solution:
Parthenogenesis:
The process by which a female produces offspring from unfertilized eggs is known as
parthenogenesis.
Haplo-diploid method of sex determination in honey bee:

1. In honey bees, chromosomal mechanism of sex determination is of haplo-diploid type.

2. In this type, sex of the individual is determined by the number of set of chromosomes
received.
3. Females are diploid (2n=32) and males are haploid (n=16).
4. The female produces haploid eggs (n=16) by meiosis and male produces haploid
sperms (n=16) by mitosis.
5. If the egg is fertilized by sperm, the zygote develops into a diploid female (2n=32)
(queen and worker) and an unfertilised egg develops into a haploid male (n=16) (Drone)
by way of parthenogenesis.
6. The diploid female gets differentiated into either worker or queen bee depending on the
food they consume during their development.
7. Diploid larvae which get royal jelly as food develops into queen (fertile female) and other
develops into workers (sterile females).
Exercises | Q 5.5 | Page 69
Long answer type question.
In the answer for inheritance of X-linked genes, Madhav had shown carrier male. His
answer was marked incorrect. Madhav was wondering why his marks were cut. Explain
the reason.
Solution:
A male has X and Y chromosomes. The X-linked genes do not have their alleles on Y
chromosome. Therefore, for males to suffer from disease only one copy of a defective
gene is sufficient. In the inheritance of X-linked genes, females may be carriers because
they have two X chromosomes and may carry one normal and another defective gene.
This is not possible in the case of males due to the presence of a single X chromosome.
Exercises | Q 5.6 | Page 69
Long answer type question.
With the help of a neat labelled diagram, describe the structure of chromosome.
Solution:
Structure of chromosome:
i. Chromosomes are highly condensed and therefore are clearly visible in metaphase
stage of cell division.
ii. A typical chromosome consists of two chromatids joined together at centromere also
known as primary constriction.
iii. Primary constriction consists of a disk shape plate called kinetochore. During cell
division, spindle fibres get attached to the kinetochore.
iv. Apart from primary constriction, some few chromosomes possess additional one or
two constrictions called secondary constriction.
v. At secondary constriction I (nucleolar organizer), the nucleolus becomes organized
during interphase.
vi. A satellite body (SAT body) is attached at secondary constriction II, in very few
chromosomes.
vii. Each chromatid in turn contains a long, unbranched, slender, highly coiled double-
stranded DNA thread, called chromonema, extending through the length of the
chromatid.
viii. The ends of the chromosome (i.e. chromatids) are known as telomeres.
Structure of Chromosome-
Exercises | Q 5.7 | Page 69
Long answer type question.
What is cris-cross inheritance? Explain with suitable example.
Solution:
Criss-cross inheritance:
The inheritance of characters from the father to his grandson through his daughter is
called criss-cross inheritance. Criss-cross inheritance can be explained with the help of
two examples: colour blindness and haemophilia.
i. Colour blindness:
a. A person suffering from colour blindness cannot differentiate between red and green
colours. Both these colours appear grey to the colour blind person.
b. It is caused due to recessive X-linked genes (Xc) which prevent the formation of
colour sensitive cells in the retina that are necessary for distinguishing red and green
colours.
c. Dominant X linked gene (XC) is necessary for the formation of colour sensitive cells in
the retina of eye.
d. The homozygous recessive females (XcXc) and hemizygous recessive male (XcY) are
unable to distinguish between red and green colours. The frequency of colour blind
women is much less than colour blind men.
e. When a normal man marries a carrier woman, half of their sons may be colour blind,
while the remaining half will have normal vision. All their daughters will have normal
vision and half of them will be carriers for the disease.
f. If a colour blind male (XcY) marries a female with normal vision (XCXC), then all the
offsprings will have normal vision. The sons will have normal vision but daughters will
be carriers for the disease. The carriers have normal vision.

ii. Haemophilia (Bleeder’s disease):

a. Haemophilia is X-linked recessive disorder in which blood fails to clot or coagulates
very slowly.
b. The genes for normal clotting are dominant over the recessive genes for haemophilia.
c. The person having the recessive gene for haemophilia is deficient in clotting factors
(VIII or IX) in blood.
d. Even minor injuries cause continuous bleeding, hence haemophilia is also called as
bleeder’s disease.
e. The recessive gene for haemophilia is located on a nonhomologous region of X
chromosome.
f. As there is no corresponding allele on Y chromosome to suppress its expression, so
men suffer from this disease.
g. Women suffer only when both X chromosomes have recessive genes (alleles).
1. If a haemophilic male (XhY) marries a female with normal clotting of blood (XX), then
all the offsprings will show normal clotting of blood. The sons will have normal clotting of
blood, but daughters will be carriers for the disease. The carriers have normal clotting of
blood.
2. When carrier woman (XHXh) marries a normal man (XHY), then all the daughters will
have normal clotting of blood but half of them will be carriers for the disease. Half the
sons will be haemophilic while the remaining will have normal clotting of blood.

Exercises | Q 5.8 | Page 69

Long answer type question.
Describe the different types of chromosomes.
Solution:
Following are the four types of chromosomes with respect to the position of the
centromere: Acrocentric (j shaped), Telocentric (i shaped), Sub-metacentric (L shaped)
and Metacentric (V-shaped).
Type of chromosome Name of chromosome Position of
centromere
Metacentric Middle of the
chromosome
Sub-metacentric Some distance away
from the centre of
chromosomes
Acrocentric Near one end of the
chromosome
Telocentric At one end