Biology Matters G.C.E.

'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 19

Chapter 19 Heredity

Test Yourself 19.1 (page 359)

The student used only 50 samples of pea plants. Statistically, ratios are often inaccurate
when sample number is small.

Test Yourself 19.2 (page 363)

(a) The F1 generation were all heterozygous, so only the dominant trait was expressed.
Hence, dwarfness seemed to ‘disappear’ as all the plants were tall.
(b) In the F2 generation, one-quarter were homozygous recessive, so the dwarfness allele
could be expressed. Hence the trait seemed to ‘re-appear’.

Test Yourself 19.3 (page 372)

The alleles for black colour and white colour are codominant. They express themselves
equally in the offspring, hence the offspring are checkered.

Test Yourself 19.4 (page 373)

An example of multiple allele is the occurrence blood group in humans. The gene for blood
groups exists in more than two alternative forms or alleles that determine the human blood
group. They are IA, IB and IO.

Test Yourself 19.5 (page 375)

– Discontinuous variation is brought about by one or a few genes and has no intermediate
forms between the traits shown. The traits are easily distinguishable and are relatively
unaffected by environmental conditions.
Examples of discontinuous variation (any one): ability to roll the tongue, ABO blood
groups in humans, single and double-eyelids, normal and vestigial wings in Drosophila
– Continuous variation is brought about by the combined or additive effect of many genes
and has intermediate forms from one extreme to the other. The traits are greatly affected
by environmental conditions.
Examples of continuous variation (any one): human skin colour, intelligence, weight,
height

Test Yourself 19.6 (page 378)

Mutation is a spontaneous change in gene, a chromosome or chromosome number. An

example of gene mutation is sickle-cell anaemia disease. An example of a change in
chromosome number is Down’s syndrome.

Test Yourself 19.7 (page 382)

In animals
Jersey cow produces plenty of good milk but does not thrive well in warm climates. The
Brahman cattle thrive well in warm climate but their cows are not good milk producers.
Breeders living in warm climates mate Jersey cow with the Brahman bull so that genes with
good qualities from the two parents will be passed down to the hybrids. This mating and
selection process must be repeated until a pure breed is produced. Thereafter, the improved
breed of cattle is maintained by inbreeding.
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 Biology Matters G.C.E. 'O' Level (2nd Edition): Textbook Answers Chapter 19

In plants
Breeders cross a variety of cultivated sugarcane in Java that is rich in sugar but susceptible to
disease with the wild type of sugar cane that has low sugar content but is resistant to disease.
The hybrid produced resulting from crossing the two varieties has the desirable combination
of genes from the two parents.

Get It Right (page 384)

(a) False
An organism possessing a dominant trait is not stronger than an organism with a
recessive trait.
(b) False
Heterozygous parents may produce homozygous or heterozygous offspring.
(c) False
Co-dominance can occur even when there is no multiple alleles present.
(d) True
(e) False
Multiple alleles is a term used for a gene that exists in more than two alleles.
(f) False
Mutation can be detrimental or beneficial to the organism.
(g) True

Let’s Review (page 384)

Section A: Multiple-Choice Questions

1. B
2. B

Section B: Structured Questions

1. Test cross the normal coat rabbit with caca rabbits. If the normal rabbit has genotype:
– CC, then all the offspring will have normal coat;
– Cch, then the ratio of offspring produced will be 1 normal : 1 Himalayan;
– Cca, then the ratio of offspring produced will be 1 normal : 1 albino.

2. (a) 50%
(b) 25%
(c) 100%
(d) 0

Section C: Free-Response Question

*– In an environment where food is abundant and conditions are suitable, a particular
species would reproduce rapidly.
– The population of the species may migrate to different environments.
– Spontaneous mutation takes place, producing different varieties in the respective
environments.
– Competition among the different varieties results in the survival of the fittest. Nature
selects the variations with the favourable genes and features best suited to the
environment to survive while the other variations may die or decrease in number due to
predation or unsuitable climate.
– Those that survive reproduce and pass on their favourable genes to their offspring. They
become the predominant species in their environment.
– Different species have evolved as a result of mutation and natural selection.

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