PCAT Genetics Flashcards
6 cards from real PCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 PCAT Genetics flashcards as text
What is the probability of two heterozygous parents (Aa × Aa) producing a homozygous recessive offspring?
Answer: 25%
In a monohybrid cross of Aa × Aa, the offspring ratio is 1 AA : 2 Aa : 1 aa, giving a 25% chance of the aa genotype.
Which type of mutation involves the insertion or deletion of a nucleotide that causes a shift in the reading frame?
Answer: Frameshift mutation
Frameshift mutations result from insertions or deletions that shift the codon reading frame, altering all downstream amino acids.
In incomplete dominance, what is the phenotype of a heterozygous individual?
Answer: An intermediate phenotype
Incomplete dominance produces a blended intermediate phenotype in heterozygotes, such as pink flowers from red and white parents.
What term describes genes located on the same chromosome that tend to be inherited together?
Answer: Linked genes
Linked genes are physically located on the same chromosome and are transmitted together unless separated by crossing over.
Which RNA molecule carries genetic information from the nucleus to the ribosomes?
Answer: mRNA
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is transcribed from DNA in the nucleus and carries the coding sequence to ribosomes for translation.
What is the process by which mRNA is used to synthesize a protein at the ribosome?
Answer: Translation
Translation is the ribosomal process of reading mRNA codons and assembling the corresponding chain of amino acids into a protein.