Cell and Molecular Biology - Expert Opinions

Genetics Assessment

Michelle Smith, Bill Wood, and Jenny Knight

Thank you for taking the time to answer and rate these assessment questions. Above each question, we have listed a course learning goal, so you can get a better idea of where we feel each question fits into a genetics course curriculum. After you answer each assessment question, please rate its quality by answering 3 follow up questions.

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Learning Goal #2. Describe the molecular anatomy of genes and genomes.

Which of the following cells contains a gene that specifies eye color?

not answered
a) Cells in the eye.
b) Cells in the heart.
c) Gametes (sperm and egg).
d) Cells in the eye and gametes.
e) All of the above.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #3. Describe the mechanisms by which an organism’s genome is passed on to the next generation.
In the cell below there are two pairs of chromosomes on which are shown the locations of two different genes. F and f represent two different alleles (versions or variants) of one gene, and Q and q represent two different alleles of another gene. If this cell divides normally to produce sperm, what will the sperm genotypes be?

not answered
a) F, f, Q, q
b) Ff, Ff, Qq, Qq
c) FQ, fq, Fq, fQ
d) Ff, Qq, FQ, fq, Fq, fQ
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #1. Analyze phenotypic data and deduce patterns of inheritance from family histories.
An inherited disease that primarily affects women and not men is likely to be caused by:

not answered
a) a mutation in a gene on the X chromosome, which is a sex chromosome.
b) a mutation in a gene on a non-sex chromosome (autosome).
c) Without additional information, either answer (a) or (b) is possible.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #7. Compare different types of mutations and describe how each can affect genes and the corresponding mRNAs and proteins.
Suppose that a single DNA base change of an A to a T occurs and is copied during replication. Is this change necessarily a mutation?

not answered not answered
a) Yes, it is a change in the DNA sequence.
b) Yes, if the base change occurs in a gamete (sperm or egg cell); otherwise no.
c) Yes, if the base change occurs in the coding part of a gene; otherwise no.
d) Yes, if the base change occurs in the coding part of a gene and alters the amino acid sequence of a protein; otherwise no.
e) Yes, if the base change alters the appearance of the organism (phenotype); otherwise no.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #6. Describe the processes that can affect the frequency of phenotypes in a population over time.
An isolated population of prairie dogs has longer than average teeth. As a result they can eat more grass with less effort and are better able to survive. The mutation(s) that resulted in longer teeth:

not answered
a) allowed the teeth to grow longer over several generations until they reached an optimal length for eating grass.
b) arose in many members of the population at the same time.
c) happened by chance.
d) occurred because the prairie dogs needed to be more efficient at eating grass to survive.
e) would only occur in a prairie dog population that eats grass and would not occur in a population that lives on seeds.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #5. Extract information about genes, alleles, and gene functions by analyzing the progeny from genetic crosses.
In a population of genetically identical mice, you discover two independent mutant strains in which all of the animals have epileptic seizures. In both strains, you know that the epileptic seizures are due to a single DNA mutation. You cross a mutant mouse from one strain to a mutant mouse from the second strain and find out that none of their offspring undergo spontaneous seizures. From this experiment you would conclude that the two mutant strains of mice most likely have mutations in:

not answered
a) same DNA base (A, T, C, or G) within a particular gene.
b) the same gene, but not necessarily the same DNA base.
c) two different genes.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #3. Describe the mechanisms by which an organism’s genome is passed on to the next generation.
A young man develops skin cancer that does not spread to any other tissues; the mutation responsible for the cancer arose in a single skin cell. If he and his wife (who does not have skin cancer) have children after the skin cancer diagnosis, which of the following statements is most correct?

not answered
a) All the man’s children will inherit the mutation.
b) All the man’s children will inherit the mutation if the mutation is dominant.
c) Some of the man’s children may inherit the mutation depending on which of his chromosomes they inherit.
d) None of the man’s children will inherit the mutation.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #2. Describe the molecular anatomy of genes and genomes.
The MLH1 gene is important in colorectal cancer. This gene is located on chromosome 3, and four different alleles of the gene have been identified in humans. The maximum number of alleles a single normal individual can have is:

not answered
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #7. Compare different types of mutations and describe how each can affect genes and the corresponding mRNAs and proteins.
Use the following mRNA codon key as needed to answer the next two questions:

GCC Alanine

AAU Asparagine

CCU Proline

GGA Glycine

UGG Tryptophan

UGA “Stop” (no amino acid)

GAA Glutamic acid

GAG Glutamic acid

AGG Arginine

CCC Proline

CAU Histidine

The following DNA sequence (coding strand) occurs near the middle of the coding region of a gene.

DNA

50 55 60 65

5'--- A A T G A A T G G G A G C C T G A A G G A G ---3'

The corresponding mRNA sequence is shown below. Note that the coding strand of DNA has the same sequence as the mRNA, except that there are U’s in the mRNA where there are T’s in the DNA. The first triplet of nucleotides AAU (underlined) is in frame for coding, and encodes Asparagine as the codon table above indicates.

mRNA

50 55 60 65

5'--- A A U G A A U G G G A G C C U G A A G G A G ---3'

Which of the following DNA mutations is almost certain to result in a shorter than normal mRNA?

not answered
a) A→G at position 50
b) G→A at position 53
c) C→A at position 58
d) None of the above
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #7. Compare different types of mutations and describe how each can affect genes and the corresponding mRNAs and proteins.
For the same DNA sequence, which of the following DNA mutations is almost certain to result in a shorter than normal protein?

not answered
a) T→C at position 59
b) A→G at position 61
c) Insertion of a G after the G at position 54
d) None of the above
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #3. Describe the mechanisms by which an organism’s genome is passed on to the next generation.
Sue’s chromosome #18s look like this:

Bob’s chromosome #18s look like this:

Bob and Sue have a stillborn son with 3 chromosome #18s that look like this:
In which parent did the chromosome separation problem occur?

not answered
a) Sue
b) Bob
c) You need additional information to determine which parent
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #6. Describe the processes that can affect the frequency of phenotypes in a population over time.
A population of buffalos is isolated such that no new buffalos can come into their territory. Which of the following is primarily responsible for the appearance of new alleles in this population?

not answered
a) Reassortment of chromosomes during the process of creating sperm or eggs.
b) Mutations in cells that will become sperm or eggs.
c) Changes in the environment that favor some buffalo traits over others.
d) Random mating between the buffalos in the population.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #5. Extract information about genes, alleles, and gene functions by analyzing the progeny from genetic crosses.
Cystic fibrosis in humans is caused by mutations in a single gene and is inherited as an autosomal (non-sex chromosome) recessive trait. A normal couple has two children. The first child has cystic fibrosis, and the second child is unaffected. What is the probability that the second child is a carrier (heterozygous) for the mutation that causes the disease?

not answered
a) 1/4
b) 1/2
c) 2/3
d) 3/4
e) 1
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #1. Analyze phenotypic data and deduce patterns of inheritance from family histories.
This pedigree shows a family afflicted with a rare genetic disease (circles represent females, squares represent males, and individuals with filled symbols have the disease; assume that any people who marry into the family are not carriers for the disease). The genetic mode of inheritance that is most consistent with this pedigree is:

not answered
a) autosomal dominant
b) autosomal recessive
c) X-linked dominant
d) X-linked recessive
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #8: Apply the results of molecular genetic studies in model organisms to understanding aspects of human genetics and genetic diseases.
You have identified a previously unknown human gene that appears to have a role in autism. It is similar enough in DNA sequence to a known mouse gene that you believe the two genes may be evolutionarily related. You determine and compare the DNA sequences, the predicted mRNA sequences, and the predicted amino acid sequences corresponding to the two genes. You would expect to find the greatest sequence similarity from comparisons of the two:

not answered
a) DNA sequences.
b) mRNA sequences.
c) amino acid sequences.
d) All three comparisons are likely to show the same degree of sequence similarity.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #1. Analyze phenotypic data and deduce patterns of inheritance from family histories.
Below is a pedigree of a family in which all the people in generation II are dead (indicated with a slash) because of political unrest in their country. Circles represent females, squares represent males.

Which children in generation III could be traced to the grandmother in this pedigree by using only mitochondrial DNA sequences:

not answered
a) A and D
b) A, B, and C
c) B, C, and E
d) A, B, C, D, and E
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #2. Describe the molecular anatomy of genes and genomes.
Cells in the king crab have 104 pairs of chromosomes. You have discovered a new, similar looking species of crab that you call the prince crab, which has only 100 pairs of chromosomes in its cells. From this finding, you can conclude that:

not answered
a) the king crab has a larger genome than the prince crab.
b) the king crab has more genes than the prince crab.
c) the king crab evolved from the prince crab.
d) all of the above.
e) there is not enough information to make any of the above conclusions.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #5. Extract information about genes, alleles, and gene functions by analyzing the progeny from genetic crosses.
A woman who is a carrier for X-linked hemophilia (she does not have the disease) marries a man who does not have hemophilia. They have a daughter, named Angela, who does not have the disease. Angela marries George, who also does not have hemophilia. Angela and George have a son named Robbie. What is the chance that Robbie will have hemophilia?

not answered
a) 0
b) 1/8
c) 1/4
d) 1/3
e) 1/2
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #4. Describe the phenomenon of linkage and how it affects assortment of alleles during meiosis.

Two different genes are located on the same autosomal chromosome pair in rabbits. A particular female rabbit is heterozygous for alleles of both these genes,with the alleles arranged as shown in the diagram to the right. Scientists know that the two genes are on the same chromosome, but do not know their exact position, as indicated by the dashed line.




Suppose this female mates with a male rabbit in which the same chromosome pair looks like this:




How likely is it that this pair of rabbits would have offspring with a chromosome pair that looks like this:

not answered
a) Not likely, because the R and e alleles are not on the same chromosome in either parent.
b) Very likely, because of the random assortment of chromosomes during cell division to make sperm or eggs allows for the mixing of all alleles.
c) More likely if the two genes are very close together on the chromosome.
d) More likely if the two genes are not very close together on the chromosome.

How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
not answered
a) Well
b) Could be improved
c) Not well
Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
not answered
a) Yes
b) Not completely
c) No
Is this question written clearly and precisely?
not answered
a) Yes
b) Could be improved
c) No
Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:

Learning Goal #8: Apply the results of molecular genetic studies in model organisms to understanding aspects of human genetics and genetic diseases. Learning Goal #9. Interpret results from molecular analyses to determine the inheritance patterns and identities of human genes that can mutate to cause disease.

You are interested in studying a gene called CFTR because mutations in this gene in humans cause cystic fibrosis. You have made a line of mice that lack the mouse CFTR gene. These mice are unable to clear bacteria from their lungs, so they get lung disease. You put a normal human CFTR gene into some of these mice and discover that the mice with the human gene are able to clear bacteria from their lungs and no longer get lung disease. From this experiment, you can conclude that:

not answered
a) The DNA sequences of the mouse CFTR gene and human CFTR gene are identical.
b) The amino acid sequences of the mouse CFTR protein and the human CFTR protein are identical.
c) The mouse CFTR gene and human CFTR gene both encode proteins that are similar in function.
d) Both answers b) and c)
e) All of the above
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #3. Describe the mechanisms by which an organism’s genome is passed on to the next generation.
Suppose there are two genes on two different chromosomes, one gene called G and the other called D. An individual has the genotype GgDd. Which of the following drawings correctly shows cells in this individual after DNA replication but before cell division of the first meiosis? Assume no recombination/crossing-over occurs between the chromosomes.

not answered

a) b)

c) d)
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #4. Describe the phenomenon of linkage and how it affects assortment of alleles during meiosis.
A man is a carrier for Wilson’s disease (Aa) and Rotor syndrome (Rr). Assume the genes involved in these two disorders are both on chromosome 13 (a non-sex chromosome). Below are possible representations of his genotype (labeled #1, #2, and #3). Which of them could be correct?

not answered
a) #1 only
b) #1 and #2 only
c) #1 and #3 only
d) #2 and #3 only
e) #1, #2, and #3
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #1. Analyze phenotypic data and deduce patterns of inheritance from family histories.
Learning Goal #6. Describe the processes that can affect the frequency of phenotypes in a population over time.
Polydactyly is an inherited trait that results in extra fingers or toes. In the United States 0.1% of the population exhibits polydactyly. People with polydactyly have the genotype Pp, where P represents the allele that causes polydactyly and p represents the normal allele of this gene. Which of the following is true?

not answered
a) The P allele is more frequent in the US than the p allele.
b) The P allele is less frequent in the US than the p allele.
c) The two alleles, P and p are at approximately equal frequencies in the US population.
d) There is not enough information to answer this question.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #4. Describe the phenomenon of linkage and how it affects assortment of alleles during meiosis.
Learning Goal #9. Interpret results from molecular analyses to determine the inheritance patterns and identities of human genes that can mutate to cause disease.
Mutations in the shin gene result in a bone disease called Shingularia. The shin gene is located next to a DNA marker called S50, which exists in three variants of different sizes in humans. Below is a pedigree of a family with Shingularia and a gel showing the Marker S50 size for each person. All bands on the gel are equally intense.

Pedigree

Marker S50 Information

Which mode of inheritance for the disease Shingularia is most consistent with the pedigree and the information on Marker S50?

not answered
a) X-linked dominant.
b) X-linked recessive.
c) Autosomal dominant.
d) Autosomal recessive.
e) More than one mode of inheritance is possible.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this question scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:
Learning Goal #3. Describe the mechanisms by which an organism’s genome is passed on to the next generation.
In the cells of all human females, one X chromosome is inactivated. The opsin1 gene is only on the X chromosome, and mutations in this gene cause the recessive trait of colorblindness. Most women who have one mutant opsin1 gene and one normal opsin1 gene (they are heterozygous) can still see color. What is the most likely explanation for this finding?

not answered
a) The X chromosome with the opsin1 mutation is more likely to be inactivated because it contains a mutation.
b) Any mutations in the opsin1 gene on the active X chromosome can be corrected through genetic exchange (recombination) with the inactive X chromosome.
c) In eye cells in which the active X chromosome carries the mutant opsin1 gene, the normal opsin1 gene on the inactive X chromosome will be reactivated so that color vision is restored.
d) Some eye cells will have an active mutant opsin1 gene and some will have an active normal opsin1 gene; the cells with an active normal opsin1 gene will allow females to see color.
1. How well does this question test student achievement of the learning goal?
  not answered
  a) Well
  b) Could be improved
  c) Not well
2. Is the information given in this questions scientifically accurate?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Not completely
  c) No
3. Is this question written clearly and precisely?
  not answered
  a) Yes
  b) Could be improved
  c) No
4. Please make any additional comments or suggestions about this question here:

.....

Thank you for taking the time to answer these assessment questions.

GCC	Alanine
AAU	Asparagine
CCU	Proline
GGA	Glycine
UGG	Tryptophan
UGA	“Stop” (no amino acid)
GAA	Glutamic acid
GAG	Glutamic acid
AGG	Arginine
CCC	Proline
CAU	Histidine

Sue’s chromosome #18s look like this:




Bob’s chromosome #18s look like this:




Bob and Sue have a stillborn son with 3 chromosome #18s that look like this:

		50		55		60		65
5'---	A A T G A	A	T G G G	A	G C C T	G	A A G G	A	G ---3'

		50		55		60		65
5'---	A A U G A	A	U G G G	A	G C C U	G	A A G G	A	G ---3'