Cambridge International IGCSE Biology (0610) · CAIE 0610
17 Inheritance
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Practice questions on Inheritance
- Explain why two different types of human cell, such as a liver cell and a muscle cell, can… (4 marks, Explain)
- A chromosome is described as a long, coiled molecule of DNA that carries genetic informati… (4 marks, Explain)
- A student states: 'Every cell in a human body contains the same genes, so every cell must … (4 marks, Explain)
- Describe the importance of mitosis in the human body. (4 marks, Describe)
- A gardener propagates a plant by taking cuttings. New plants grown from cuttings are genet… (4 marks, Explain)
- A skin wound heals over several weeks as new skin cells are produced to replace the damage… (4 marks, Explain)
- Explain why meiosis is important in the production of gametes in terms of chromosome numbe… (4 marks, Explain)
- Compare meiosis and mitosis in terms of the number of daughter cells produced, the chromos… (4 marks, Compare)
- A diploid cell in the testes of a human male undergoes meiosis. State the number of daught… (4 marks, Describe)
- In pea plants, the allele for tall stems (T) is dominant over the allele for short stems (… (4 marks, Explain)
- In cats, the allele for black fur (B) is dominant over the allele for ginger fur (b). A br… (4 marks, Describe)
- In rabbits, the allele for dark fur (D) is dominant over the allele for white fur (d). A r… (4 marks, Describe)
- In dogs, the allele for smooth coat (S) is dominant over the allele for rough coat (s). A … (4 marks, Describe)
- In guinea pigs, the allele for short hair (S) is dominant over the allele for long hair (s… (4 marks, Explain)
- Outline why meiosis, rather than mitosis, is used to produce gametes. (4 marks, Outline)
- Describe the process of meiosis and explain why it is important for sexual reproduction. (4 marks, Describe)
- A lizard loses part of its tail as a defence mechanism against a predator. Over several we… (4 marks, Explain)
- Explain why stem cells are important in the production of specialised cells in the body. (4 marks, Explain)
- A gene is a length of DNA that codes for the production of a specific protein. Explain why… (4 marks, Explain)
- Describe how a gene in the nucleus controls the production of a specific protein at a ribo… (4 marks, Describe)