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DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD

CH4: PRINCIPLES OF INHERITANCE AND VARIATION
WORKSHEET
CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (1MARK)
1. Genetics is the study of:
A) Cell structure B) Heredity and variation
C) Ecosystems D) Evolution
2. Heredity refers to:
A) Differences among individuals
B) The transmission of traits from parents to offspring
C) The process of evolution
D) The interaction of genes with the environment
3. Variation refers to:
A) The transmission of traits from parents to offspring
B) Differences among individuals of the same species
C) The study of genes
D) The process of natural selection
4. Mendel's experiments were primarily conducted using:
A) Drosophila B) Pea plants
C) Humans D) Bacteria
5. A trait controlled by a single gene is called:
A) Polygenic trait B) Mendelian trait
C) Sex-linked trait D) Multifactorial trait
6. An allele is:
A) A gene B) A variant form of a gene
C) A chromosome D) A trait
7. A homozygous individual has:
A) Two different alleles for a gene B) Two identical alleles for a gene
C) One allele for a gene D) No alleles for a gene
8. A heterozygous individual has:
A) Two identical alleles for a gene B) Two different alleles for a gene
C) One allele for a gene D) No alleles for a gene
9. The phenotype of an individual is its:
A) Genetic makeup B) Observable characteristics
C) Allele combination D) Chromosome number
10. The genotype of an individual is its:
A) Observable characteristics B) Genetic makeup
C) Physical appearance D) Behaviour
11. Mendel's Law of Segregation states that:
A) Alleles for different traits are inherited independently
B) Alleles for the same trait separate during gamete formation
C) Traits are inherited through blending
D) All offspring resemble their parents
12. Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment states that:
A) Alleles for the same trait separate during gamete formation
B) Alleles for different traits are inherited independently
C) Traits are inherited through blending
D) All offspring are identical

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD [CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY]

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13. A test cross is used to determine the:

A) Phenotype of an individual
B) Genotype of an individual with a dominant phenotype
C) Genotype of an individual with a recessive phenotype
D) Number of alleles for a trait
14. Incomplete dominance occurs when:
A) One allele is completely dominant over the other
B) The heterozygous phenotype is intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes
C) Both alleles are expressed equally
D) The heterozygous phenotype is the same as one of the homozygous phenotypes
15. Codominance occurs when:
A) One allele is completely dominant over the other
B) The heterozygous phenotype is intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes
C) Both alleles are expressed equally
D) The heterozygous phenotype is the same as one of the homozygous phenotypes
16. Multiple alleles refer to:
A) More than two genes controlling a trait B) More than two alleles for a single gene
C) Genes located on the same chromosome D) Genes located on different chromosomes
17. Sex-linked traits are located on:
A) Autosomes B) Sex chromosomes
C) Homologous chromosomes D) Non-homologous chromosomes
18. Which of the following is an example of a sex-linked trait in humans?
A) Cystic fibrosis B) Haemophilia
C) Huntington's disease D) Sickle cell anaemia
19. Polygenic inheritance refers to:
A) Traits controlled by a single gene B) Traits controlled by multiple genes
C) Traits located on sex chromosomes D) Traits influenced by the environment
20. Pleiotropy refers to:
A) One gene affecting multiple traits B) One gene affecting multiple traits
C) Multiple genes affecting one trait D) The interaction of genes with the
environment
21. Study the pedigree chart given below and choose its correct representation

(A) Inheritance of a condition like phenylketonuria as an autosomal recessive trait.

(B) The pedigree chart is wrong as this is not possible.
(C) Inheritance of a recessive sex-linked disease like haemophilia.
(D) Inheritance of a sex-linked inborn error of metabolism like phenylketonuria.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD [CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY]

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22. The given figure represents the inheritance pattern of a certain type of traits in
humans.

Which one of the following conditions could be an example of this pattern?

(A) Thalassemia (B) Haemophilia
(C) Phenylketonuria (D) Sickle cell anaemia
23. Identify the type of inheritance shown in the diagram.

(A) dominant X-linked (B) recessive X-linked

(C) dominant Y-linked (D) recessive Y-linked
24. Inheritance of which of the following traits is shown in the given cross?

(A) X-linked dominant trait (B) X-linked recessive trait

(C) Autosomal recessive trait (D) Autosomal dominant trait
25. The given figure is a highly simplified representation of the human sex
chromosomes from a karyotype. The gene a and b could be of

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD [CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY]

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(A) colour blindness and body height.

(B) attached ear lobe and Rhesus blood group.
(C) haemophilia and red-green colour blindness.
(D) phenylketonuria and haemophilia

ASSERTION AND REASON TYPE

Instructions for each question: For each of the following questions, a statement of assertion
(A) is followed by a statement of reason (R). Choose the best answer from the options given
below:
 (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
 (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
 (c) A is true but R is false
 (d) A is false but R is true
 (e) Both A and R are false
26:
 Assertion (A): A test cross is used to determine the genotype of an individual with a
dominant phenotype.
 Reason (R): A test cross involves crossing the individual with a homozygous
recessive individual. If any offspring exhibit the recessive phenotype, the individual
being tested must be heterozygous.
27:
 Assertion (A): Incomplete dominance results in a blending of traits.
 Reason (R): In incomplete dominance, neither allele is completely dominant, leading
to a heterozygous phenotype that is intermediate between the two homozygous
phenotypes.
28:
 Assertion (A): Codominance results in both alleles being expressed equally in the
heterozygote.
 Reason (R): In codominance, both alleles contribute to the phenotype of the
heterozygote, resulting in the expression of both traits.
29:
 Assertion (A): Sex-linked traits are more commonly expressed in males than in
females.
 Reason (R): Males have only one X chromosome, so a recessive allele on the X
chromosome will be expressed, whereas females have two X chromosomes, and a
recessive allele may be masked by a dominant allele on the other X chromosome.
30:
 Assertion (A): Polygenic inheritance leads to a wide range of phenotypes.
 Reason (R): Polygenic inheritance involves multiple genes influencing a single trait,
resulting in a continuous variation of phenotypes.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD [CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY]

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CASE BASED QUESTIONS: 4MARKS

31. Mendelism has certain limitations. Each trait controlled by at least two alleles is
not universally applicable. There are few exceptions to law of dominance which
was discovered after Mendel. Incomplete dominance and codominance are such
examples.

Pattern of inheritance Monohybrid F1 phenotypic expression

(i) Codominance X
(ii) Y The progeny resembled only one of the parents.
(iii) Incomplete Dominance Z
(a) Identify X, Y and Z in the given table. OR Give one example where Y pattern of
inheritance is seen.
(b) Discuss inheritance pattern of ABO blood groups shown by humans.
(c) Name the pattern of inheritance shown by flower colour of snapdragon. Explain
with the help of cross up to F2 generation.

32. A scientist crosses homozygous round yellow seeded pea plant to homozygous
wrinkled green seeded pea plant and observed the inheritance of both traits as per
the following pattern. He collected total 1600 seeds in F2 generation.

(a) How many seeds would be homozygous for round shape and green colour in F2
generation? OR How many seeds could be heterozygous for round shape and yellow
colour in F2 generation?
(b) What phenotypic ratio would be obtained if the plants of F1 generation would be
crossed with wrinkled green seeded plant?

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD [CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY]

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(c) What would be the total number of seeds heterozygous for yellow colour and
homozygous for round seed shape?
SUBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

2 Mark Questions
1. Define the terms: allele, genotype, and phenotype.
2. What is Mendel's Law of Segregation?
3. Explain the concept of dominance and recessiveness.
4. What is a test cross? Why is it performed?
5. Differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous conditions.
3 Mark Questions
1. Explain Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment with an example.
2. Describe the inheritance of a monohybrid cross.
3. What is incomplete dominance? Give an example.
4. Explain the concept of codominance with an example.
5. Differentiate between genotype and phenotype, giving examples.
5 Mark Questions
1. Describe Mendel's experiments with pea plants and explain the conclusions he
drew from them.
2. Explain the inheritance of a dihybrid cross, including the phenotypic and
genotypic ratios.
3. Discuss the different types of gene interactions, including complete dominance,
incomplete dominance, and codominance.
4. What are sex-linked traits? Explain the inheritance of a sex-linked trait like
haemophilia in humans.
5. Describe the process of linkage and crossing over, and explain their significance
in genetic variation.

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, HYDERABAD [CLASS: XII SUBJECT: BIOLOGY]