Genetics and DNA Quiz: 15 Heredity Questions
Genetics is the science of heredity and the passing on of traits. From the discovery of DNA to the sequencing of the human genome, this field has revolutionised our understanding of living things. Are you ready to test your knowledge?
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Frequently asked questions: Genetics & DNA
A preview of what awaits you in this genetics & DNA quiz: 15 multiple choice questions, each with a detailed explanation so you can learn as you play. Here are a few sample questions (and their answers, so no peeking before you play!).
What does the abbreviation DNA stand for?
Answer: DeoxyriboNucleic Acid. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid. It is a molecule found in all living cells that carries the genetic information needed for the development, functioning and reproduction of organisms.
Which scientists proposed the double helix model of DNA in 1953?
Answer: Watson and Crick. James Watson and Francis Crick proposed the double helix model of DNA in 1953, drawing in particular on Rosalind Franklin's work in X-ray crystallography. This discovery earned them the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962.
Which animal was the first mammal cloned from an adult cell?
Answer: A sheep (Dolly). Dolly the sheep, born in 1996 in Scotland, was the first mammal cloned from an adult somatic cell. Her cloning by Ian Wilmut's team revolutionised biology and raised major ethical debates about cloning.
What is the CRISPR-Cas9 technique?
Answer: A gene-editing tool that allows DNA to be modified with precision. CRISPR-Cas9 is a revolutionary genome-editing tool that works like molecular scissors. It makes it possible to cut DNA at a precise location in order to delete, modify or insert genes. This discovery earned Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.
What is an autosomal recessive genetic disease?
Answer: A disease that only appears if both copies of the gene are mutated. An autosomal recessive disease only appears if the individual inherits two mutated copies of the gene (one from each parent). Parents carrying just one mutated copy are healthy but can pass it on. Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease are classic examples.
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