Principles of Inheritance and Variation

Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions

4.1 Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
VSA (1 mark)
1. A geneticist interested in studying variations and patterns of inheritance in
living beings prefers to choose organisms for experiments with shorter life cycle.
Provide a reason. (Delhi 2015)
2. Mention any two contrasting traits with respect to seeds in pea plant that were
studied by Mendel.
(AI 2014)
4.2 Inheritance of One Gene
MCQ
3. Assertion (A): In a monohybrid cross between tall plants and dwarf plants, the
F₂ generation showed tall and dwarf plants in the ratio of 3: 1.
Reason (R): There is no blending of traits/characters in the F2 generation.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(2023)
4. The number of different types of gametes that would develop in an organism
with genotype AABBCCDd.
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4
(Term 1, 2021-22)
5. In Pisum sativum, the pod colour may be green (G) or yellow (g). What
percentage of offsprings with green pod colour trait would be obtained in a cross
of Ggx Gg?
(a) 25% (b) 50%
(c) 75% (d) 90% (Term I, 2021-22)
6. A child with blood group O has father with blood group A and mother with
blood group B. What would be the possible genotypes of parents and the child?
Choose the correct option.

7. Given below are the pairs of contrasting traits in Pisum sativum as studied by
Mendel. Select the incorrectly mentioned option from the table given below.

8. How many types of gametes can be produced in a diploid organism which is

heterozygous for 3 loci?
(a) 4 (b) 8
(c) 16 (d) 32 (NCERT, Term I, 2021-22)
9. Polydactyly (six-fingered hands) is a genetic condition due to a dominant allele
(P) over recessive allele (p). If a six-fingered woman and a five-fingered man have
a five-fingered child, the genotype of the parents and the child would be

(Term I, 2021-22)
VSA (1 mark)
10. British geneticist R.C. Punnett developed a graphical representation of a
genetic cross called “Punnett Square”. Mention the possible result this
representation predicts of the genetic cross carried.
(Delhi 2019)
11. Name the pattern of inheritance where F₁ phenotype:
(a) resembles only one of the two parents.
(b) does not resemble either of the two parents and is in between the two.
(AI 2019)
12. Name the type of cross that would help to find the genotype of a pea plant
bearing violet flowers.
(AI 2017)
13. State a difference between a gene and an allele.
(Delhi 2016)
14. How many kinds of phenotypes would you expect in F2 generation in a
monohybrid cross exhibiting co-dominance?
(Delhi 2014C)
SA I (2 marks)
15. By using Punnett square depict the genotypes and phenotypes of test crosses
(where green pod colour (G) is dominant over yellow pod colour (g) in garden
pea with unknown genotype. (2023)
16. Two children one with blood group 'AB' and other with blood group 'O' are
born to parents where the father has blood group 'A' and the mother has blood
group 'B'. Work out a cross to show how is it possible?
(NCERT, 2020)
17. Mendel did not explain the expression of incomplete dominance in plants.
Give an example of flower exhibiting incomplete dominance.
Name and state the Law of Mendel the genes which exhibit incomplete
dominance follow. (2020 C)
18. When does a geneticist need to carry a test cross? How is it carried? (Foreign
2015)
19. State and explain the law of segregation as proposed by Mendel in a
monohybrid cross. (2/5, Foreign 2015)
20. A cross was carried out between two pea plants showing the contrasting
traits of height of the plants. The result of the cross showed 50% parental
characters.
(a) Work out the cross with the help of a Punnett square.
(b) Name the type of the cross carried out.
(Delhi 2014)
21. How does the gene 'I' control ABO blood groups in humans? Write the effect
the gene has on the structure of red blood cells.
(Delhi 2014)
22. In snapdragon a cross between true-breeding red flowered (RR) plants and
true-breeding white flowered (rr) plants showed a progeny of plants with all
pink flowers.
(a) The appearance of pink flowers is not known as blending. Why?
(b) What is this phenomenon known as?
(Al 2014)
23. With the help of one example, explain the phenomena of co-dominance and
multiple allelism in human population.
(AI 2014)
SA II (3 marks)
24. Explain Mendel's "Law of segregation" in a typical monohybrid cross with the
help of a suitable example.
(2020)
25. Differentiate between dominance, incomplete dominance and co-dominance
with the help of a suitable example of each.
(2020)
26. Explain the phenomena of dominance, multiple allelism and co-dominance
taking human ABO blood group as an example.
(AI 2019)
27. What is a test cross? How can it decipher the heterozygosity of a plant?
(AI 2016)
28. A teacher wants his/her students to find the genotype of pea plants bearing
purple-coloured flowers in their school garden. Name and explain the cross that
will make it possible. (Delhi 2015)
29. During a monohybrid cross involving a tall pea plant with a dwarf pea plant,
the offspring populations were tall and dwarf in equal ratio. Work out a cross to
show how it is possible. (AI 2015)
30. The F2 progeny of a monohybrid cross showed phenotypic and genotypic
ratio as 1:2:1, unlike that of Mendel's monohybrid F2 ratio. With the help of a
suitable example, work out a cross and explain how it is possible.
(AI 2015)
31. (a) Write the conclusions Mendel arrived at on dominance of traits on the
basis of monohybrid crosses that he carried out in pea plants.
(b) Explain why a recessive allele is unable to express itself in a heterozygous
state. (Foreign 2014)
LA (5 marks)
32. It is sometimes observed that the F1 progeny has a phenotype that does not
resemble either of the two parents and has intermediate phenotype. Explain by
taking a suitable example and working out the cross upto F2 progeny.
(2023)
33. Differentiate between incomplete dominance and co-dominance. Substantiate
your answer with one example of each.
(NCERT Exemplar, Delhi 2019)
34. (a) How would you find out whether a given tall garden pea plant is
homozygous or heterozygous?
Substantiate your answer with the help of Punnett squares.
(b) Given below are the F₂ phenotypic ratios of two independently carried
monohybrid crosses:
(i) 1:2:1
(ii) 3:1
Mention what does each ratio suggest.
(2019)
35. (a) State and explain the law of dominance as proposed by Mendel.
(b) How would phenotypes of monohybrid F1 and F2 progeny showing
incomplete dominance in snapdragon and co-dominance in human blood group
be different from Mendelian monohybrid F1 and F2 progeny? Explain.
(NCERT, Foreign 2015)
36. (a) A couple with blood groups 'A' and 'B' respectively have a child with blood
group 'O: Work out a cross to show how it is possible and the probable blood
groups that can be expected in their other offspring.
(b) Explain the genetic basis of blood groups in human population.
(AI 2015C)
37. Work out a monohybrid cross upto F2 generation between two pea plants and
two Antirrhinum plants both having contrasting traits with respect to colour of
flower. Comment on the pattern of inheritance in the crosses carried above.
(AI 2014C)
4.3 Inheritance of Two Genes
MCQ
38. The chromosomal theory of inheritance was put forth by
(a) Gregor Mendel and Tschermak
(b) Walter Sutton and Theodore Boveri
(c) Thomas Hunt Morgan and Alfred Sturtevant
(d) De Vries and Correns. (NCERT,
Term I, 2021-22)
39. In chick pea assume that there is no linkage and allele of large seed (L) is
dominant over small seed (1) and green colour seed (G) is dominant over yellow
colour seed (g).
Two chick pea parent plants when crossed resulted in progeny having seeds with
phenotypes small seeds and green colour, and large seeds with yellow colour
besides other phenotypic progenies. Select the genotype of these two parents
plants.
(a) LLGG x ligg (b) ligg x LLgg
(c) IIGG x IIGg (d) IlGgx Ligg
(Term I, 2021-22)
40. In a dihybrid Mendelian cross, garden pea plants heterozygous for yellow
flowers and round seeds are crossed with homozygous white flowers and
wrinkled seeds. The genotypic and phenotypic ratio of F1 progeny would be
(a) 9:3:3:1 (b) 1:2:2:1
(c) 1:1:1:1 (d) 3:1.
(Term I, 2021-22)
41. Morgan hybridised Drosophila white eyed and yellow bodied female with red
eyed and brown bodied male (wild type) and intercrossed their F1 progeny. He
observed that the two genes
(a) did not segregate independent of each other
(b) may be located on two different chromosomes
(c) segregated independently of each other
(d) showed very high percentage of recombinants.
(Term I, 2021-22)
VSA (1 mark)
42. Name the stage of cell division where segregation of an independent pair of
chromosome occurs.
(AI 2014)
SA I (2 marks)
43. How would you find genotype of a tall pea plant bearing white flowers?
Explain with the help of a cross. Name the type of cross you would use.
(Delhi 2016)
44. Why did T.H.Morgan select Drosophila melanogaster to study sex linked genes
for his lab experiments?
(NCERT Exemplar, Foreign 2015)
45. Write the scientific name of the fruit fly. Why did Morgan prefer to work with
fruit-flies for his experiments? State any three reasons.
(AI 2014)
46. Linkage and crossing over of genes are alternative of each other. Justify with
the help of an example.
(AI 2014)
47. Study the figures given below and answer the question.

Identify in which of the given crosses, the strength of linkage between the genes
is higher? Give reasons in support of your answer.
(Foreign 2014)
SA II (3 marks)
48. Compare in any three ways the chromosomal theory of inheritance as
proposed by Sutton and Boveri with that of experimental results on pea plant
presented by Mendel. (Delhi 2019)
49. (a) Explain linkage and recombination as put forth by T.H. Morgan based on
his observations with Drosophila melanogaster crossing experiment.
(b) Write the basis on which Alfred Sturtevant explained gene mapping.
(Delhi 2019)
50. Write the Mendelian F2 phenotypic ratio in a dihybrid cross. State the law that
he proposed on the basis of this ratio. How is this law different from the law of
segregation? (3/5, Foreign 2015)
51. Mendel published his work on inheritance of characters in 1865, but it
remained unrecognised till 1900. Give three reasons for the delay in accepting his
work. (Delhi 2014)
52. Explain with the help of a suitable example the inheritance of a trait where
two different dominant alleles of a trait express themselves simultaneously in the
progeny. Name this kind of inheritance pattern.
(AI 2014)
53. Morgan carried out several dihybrid crosses in Drosophila and found F₂-
ratios deviated very significantly from the expected Mendelian ratio. Explain his
findings with the help of one example.
(Delhi 2014C)
LA (5 marks)
54. You are given a tall pea plant with green seeds. The genotype of this plant is
unknown. You are allowed to do only 'selfing' of these plants to find out the
genotype of the given plant.
Work out all possible crosses and show how you would determine the genotype
of the given plant.
(2023)
55. (a) Why did T.H. Morgan select Drosophila melanogaster for his experiments?
(b) How did he disprove Mendelian dihybrid F2 phenotypic ratio 9:3:3: 1? Explain
giving reasons.
(2020)
56. Mendel crossed a homozygous pea plant having yellow and round seeds with
another pea plant bearing green and wrinkled seeds. He found that in some of the
F₂ population new combination of parental characters were observed.
How will you explain the appearance of a new combination of parental characters
in F₂-offsprings? Support your answer with the help of Punnett square.
(2019)
57. (a) Write the scientific name of the organism Thomas Hunt Morgan and his
colleagues worked with for their experiments. Explain the correlation between
linkage and recombination with respect to genes as studied by them.
(b) How did Sturtevant explain gene mapping while working with Morgan?
(NCERT, 2018)
58. State and explain the "law of independent assortment" in a typical Mendelian
dihybrid cross.
(Delhi 2017)
OR
Work out a typical Mendelian dihybrid cross and state the law that he derived
from it. (AI 2014)
59. Give a genetic explanation for the following cross. When a tall pea plant with
round seeds was crossed with a dwarf pea plant with wrinkled seeds then all the
individual of F1 populations were tall with round seeds. However, selfing among
F1 population led to a 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio. (AI 2016)
60. (a) Dihybrid cross between two garden pea plant one homozygous tall with
round seeds and the other dwarf with wrinkled seeds was carried.
(i) Write the genotype and phenotype of the F1 progeny obtained from this cross.
(ii) Give the different types of gametes of the F1 progeny.
(iii) Write the phenotypes and its ratios of the F2 generation obtained in this
cross along with the explanation provided by Mendel.
(b) How were the observations of F₂ progeny of dihybrid crosses in Drosophila
by Morgan different from that of Mendel carried in pea plants? Explain giving
reasons.
(Delhi 2015C)
61. A tall pea plant bearing violet flowers is given with its unknown genotypes.
Explain by working out the crosses how would you find the correct genotypes
with respect to the two traits mentioned only by "selfing" the given plants.
(AI 2015C)
62. A pea plant producing yellow coloured and round seeds is given with
unknown genotypes. Explain how you would find the correct genotypes of the
plants with respect to the two traits mentioned. Work out the cross and name it.
(AI 2015C)
63. A cross was carried out between a pea plant heterozygous for round and
yellow seeds with a pea plant having wrinkled and green seeds.
(a) Show the cross in a Punnett square.
(b) Write the phenotype of the progeny of this cross.
(c) What is this cross known as ? State the purpose of conducting such a cross.
(Foreign 2014)
64. (a) Work out cross between a tall pea plant bearing violet flowers
(heterozygous for both) with a dwarf pea plant having white flowers. Write the
genotypes and phenotypes of the progeny along with their ratios.
(b) Name such a cross and state its importance.
(Delhi 2014C)
4.4 Polygenic Inheritance
VSA (1 mark)
65. On what basis is the skin colour in humans considered polygenic?
(AI 2015)
SA I (2 marks)
66. Explain polygenic inheritance with the help of a suitable example.
(Delhi 2014C)
LA (5 marks)
67. (a) During a cross involving true breeding red flowered and true breeding
white flowered snapdragon plants the F1 progeny did not show any of the
parental traits, while they reappeared in F2 progenies. Explain the mechanism
using Punnett square.
(b) Explain polygenic inheritance with the help of an example.
(Foreign 2015)
4.5 Pleiotropy
MCQ
68. Select the pair-that is not correct.
(a) Pleiotropy: Sickle cell anaemia
(b) Linkage: Drosophila
(c) Incomplete dominance: Antirrhinum
(d) Co-dominance: ABO blood group
(Term I, 2021-22)
SA I (2 marks)
69. Give an example of a gene responsible for multiple phenotypic expressions.
What are such genes called? State the cause that is responsible for such an effect.
(Foreign 2015)
70. Explain pleiotropy with the help of an example.
(Foreign 2014)
LA (5 marks)
71. (a) What is polygenic inheritance? Explain with the help of a suitable
example.
(b) How are pleiotropic inheritance different from polygenic pattern of
inheritance? (Al 2015)
72. (a) How are Mendelian inheritance, polygenic inheritance and pleiotropy
different from each other?
(b) Explain polygenic inheritance pattern with the help of a suitable example.
(AI 2015)
73. How do "pleiotropy", "incomplete dominance", "co-dominance" and
"polygenic inheritance" deviate from the observation made by Mendel? Explain
with the help of one example for each.
(Delhi 2015C)
4.6 Sex Determination
MCQ
74. Which of the following are true about males in a colony of honeybees?
(i) They have 16 chromosomes per cell.
(ii) They produce sperms by meiosis.
(iii) They have a grandfather but no father.
(iv) All males in the colony are haploid except one.
(a) (i) and (iii) only (b) (ii) and (iii) only
(c) (iii) and (iv) only (d) (ii) and (iv) only
(2023)
VSA (1 mark)
75. State the fate of a pair of autosomes during gamete formation.
(Delhi 2017)
76. A male honeybee has 16 chromosomes whereas its female has 32
chromosomes. Give one reason.
(AI 2016)
77. How many chromosomes do drones of honeybee possess? Name the type of
cell division involved in the production of sperms by them.
(Al 2015)
78. Identify and write the correct statement:
(a) Drosophila male has one X and one Y chromosome.
(b) Drosophila male has two X chromosomes.
(AI 2014)
79. Identify the correct statement.
(a) Female of many birds has a pair of dissimilar ZW chromosomes, while the
males possess a pair of similar ZZ chromosomes.
(b) Female of many birds has a pair of similar ZZ chromosomes, while the males
possess a pair of dissimilar ZW chromosomes.
(AI 2014C)
SA I (2 marks)
80. Differentiate between male and female heterogamety.
(Delhi 2015)
81. Explain mechanism of sex-determination in birds.
(Delhi 2015)
82. Differentiate between 'ZZ' and 'XY' type of sex-determination mechanisms.
(Delhi 2015)
SA II (3 marks)
83. The cytological observations made in a number of insects led to the
development of the concept of genetic/chromosomal basis of sex-determination
mechanism. Honey bee is an interesting example to study the mechanism of sex-
determination. Study the schematic cross between the male and the female honey
bees given below and answer the questions that follow:

(a) Identify the cell divisions 'A' and 'B' that lead to gamete formation in female
and male honey bees respectively.
(b) Name the process 'C' that leads to the development of male honey bee
(drone). (2020)
84. (a) Compare the mechanism of sex determination in humans with that of
honey bees, with respect to chromosome number.
(b) How is the gamete formation comparable in the above two cases?
(2020)
85. Explain the mechanism of 'sex determination' in birds. How does it differ from
that of human beings?
(2018)
LA (5 marks)
86. (a) How is sex determined in humans?
(b) How does it differ from sex determination in birds and honey bees?
(NCERT, Delhi 2014C)
4.8 Genetic Disorders
MCQ
87. Assertion (A): In thalassemia, an abnormal myoglobin chain is synthesised
due to a gene defect.
Reason (R): α-thalassemia is controlled by genes HBA1 and HBA2 on
chromosome 16.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(2023)
88. The cause for Klinefelter's syndrome in humans is because of
(a) an extra copy of autosome
(b) an extra copy of X chromosome
(c) absence of one X chromosome
(d) absence of one Y chromosome.
(Term I, 2021-22)
89. Given diagram depicts a karyotype obtained after analysis of fetal cells for
probable genetic disorder.

Based on the karyotype, the chromosomal disorder detected in unborn fetus and
the consequent symptoms the child may suffer from are
(a) Down’s syndrome: Gynaecomastia, overall masculine, development.
(b) Down’s syndrome: Furrowed tongue, short stature.
(c) Turner’s syndrome: Rudimentary ovaries, sterile individual.
(d) Turner’s syndrome: Gynaecomastia, masculine development.
(Term I, 2021-22)
90. The autosomal disorder/disease in humans is
(a) colour blindness
(b) thalassemia
(c) haemophilia
(d) Turner's syndrome.
(2020)
VSA (1 mark)
91. Name a human genetic disorder due to the following:
(a) An additional X-chromosome in a male
(b) Deletion of one X-chromosome in a female
(2019)
92. State the chromosomal defect in individuals with Turner's syndrome.
(Delhi 2015C)
93. Write the chromosomal defect in individuals affected with Klinefelter's
syndrome. (AI 2015C)
SA I (2 marks)
94. State what are Mendelian disorders. Both thalassemia and colour blindness
are categorised as Mendelian disorders. Justify.
(2020)
95. (a) Explain the cause responsible in a human to have sex chromosomes as
XXY instead of 'XX' or 'XY.
(b) List any two ways such individuals are different from the normal being.
(2020)
96. Why is the frequency of red-green colour blindness more in human males
than in females? Explain.
(2019 C)
97. Name a disorder a human suffers from as a result of monosomy of the sex
chromosome. Give the karyotype and write the symptoms.
(AI 2019)
98. Differentiate between Turner's syndrome and Down's syndrome.
(2019)
99. Why is the possibility of a human female suffering from haemophilia rare?
Explain.
 (Foreign 2014)
SA II (3 marks)
100. Differentiate between the pattern of inheritance in humans of the blood
diseases haemophilia and thalassemia.
(2020)
101. A normal couple has their first child who is haemophilic. Work out a cross to
show how it is possible. State the possibility of the normal and haemophilic
children, along with their sexes, that can be born to them.
(2020)
102. Generally, it is observed that human males suffer from hemophilia more than
human females, who rarely suffer from it. Explain giving reason.
(2020)
103. A doctor after conducting certain tests on a pregnant woman advised her to
undergo M.T.P., as the foetus she was carrying showed trisomy of 21st
chromosome.
(a) State the cause of trisomy of the 21st chromosome.
(b) Why was the pregnant woman advised to undergo M.T.P. and not to complete
the full term of her pregnancy? Explain.
(2019 C)
104. During a medical investigation, an infant was found to possess an extra
chromosome 21. Describe the symptoms the child is likely to develop later in the
life. (Delhi 2017)
105. Both haemophilia and thalassemia are blood related disorders in humans.
Write their causes and the difference between the two. Name the category of
genetic disorder they both come under.
(Al 2017)
106. A couple with normal vision bear a colourblind child. Work out a cross to
show how it is possible and mention the sex of the affected child.
(Delhi 2016)
OR
A colourblind child is born to a normal couple. Work out a cross to show how it is
possible. Mention the sex of this child.
(Delhi 2014)
107. Which chromosomes carry the mutant genes causing thalassemia in
humans? What are the problems caused by these mutant genes?
(Delhi 2015C)
108. If there is a history of haemophilia in the family, the chances of male
members becoming haemophilic are more than that of the female.
(a) Why is it so?
(b) Write the symptoms of the disease.
(AI 2015C)
109. Identify 'a', 'b', 'c', 'd', 'e' and 'f' in the given table.

(AI 2014)
110. Why is haemophilia rare in human females? Mention a clinical symptom for
the disease.
(AI 2014)
LA (4 or 5 marks)
111. The chromosome number is fixed for all normal organisms leading to
species specification whereas any abnormality in the chromosome number of an
organism results into abnormal individuals. For example, in humans 46 is the
fixed number of chromosomes both in male and female. In male it is '44 + XY'
and in female it is '44 + XX'. Thus, the human male is heterogametic, in other
words produces two different types of gametes one with '22 + X' chromosomes
and other with '22 + Y' chromosomes respectively. Human female, on the other
hand is homogametic, i.e., produces only one type of gamete with '22 + X'
chromosomes only.
Sometimes an error may occur during meiosis of cell cycle, where the sister
chromatids fail to segregate called nondisjunction, leading to the production of
abnormal gametes with altered chromosome number. On fertilisation such
gametes develop into abnormal individuals.
(a) State what is aneuploidy.
(b) If during spermatogenesis, the chromatids of sex chromosomes fail to
segregate during meiosis, write only the different types of gametes with altered
chromosome number that could possibly be produced.
(c) A normal human sperm (22 + Y) fertilises an ovum with karyotype '22 + XX.
Name the disorder the offspring thus produced would suffer from and write any
two symptoms of the disorder.
OR
(c) Name a best known and most common autosomal aneuploid abnormality in
human and write any two symptoms.
(2023)
112. The following pedigree chart shows the inheritance of a genetic disorder up
to three generations of a family. Observe the chart and answer the questions that
follow.

(i) Is the disease sex-linked or autosomal as per the chart? Give reasons in
support of your answer.
(ii) Is it a recessive or a dominant disorder?
(iii) Write the genotypes of the individuals ‘C’, ‘D’, and ‘H’.
(iv) (a) If the female ‘D’ marries a normal man, what will be the probability of
their daughter being a sufferer of this disease?
OR
(iv) (b) If the mother ‘B’ is a carrier of the disease, what will be the probability of
their daughter being a sufferer of this disease?
(2023)
113. (a) Why are colour blindness and thalassemia categorised as Mendelian
disorders? Write the symptoms of these diseases seen in people suffering from
them.
(b) About 8% of human male population suffers from colour blindness whereas
only about 0.4% of human female population suffers from this disease. Write an
explanation to show how it is possible. (AI 2015)
 CBSE Sample Questions
4.2 Inheritance of One Gene
MCQ
1. How many types of gametes would be produced if the genotype of a parent is
AaBB?
(a) 1 (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4 (Term I, 2021-22)
2. In Antirrhinum, RR is phenotypically red flowers, rr is white and Rr is pink.
Select the correct phenotypic ratio in F1 generation when a cross is performed
between RRX Rr.
(a) 1 red: 2 pink: 1 white (b) 2 pink: 1 white
(c) 2 red: 2 pink (d) All pink (Term I, 2021-22)
3. What would be the genotype of the parents if the offspring have the
phenotypes in 1:1 proportion?
(a) Aa X Aa (b) AA X AA
(c) Aa X AA (d) Aa X aa (Term I, 2021-22)
4. Genotypic ratio of 1: 2: 1 is obtained in a cross between
(a) AB X AB (b) Ab X Ab
(c) Ab X ab (d) ab X ab. (Term I, 2021-22)
5. The gene that controls the ABO blood group system in human beings has three
alleles - IA, IB and i. A child has blood group O. His father has blood group A and
mother has blood group B. Genotypes of other offsprings can be:
(i) lBlB (ii) lAi
(iii) lBi (iv) lAlB
(v) ii
(a) (i), (ii), (iii), (v)
(b) (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
(c) (iii), (iv), (v)
(d) (iv), (iii), (i) (Term I, 2021-22)
VSA (1 mark)
6. A snapdragon plant with violet flowers was crossed with another such plant
with white flowers. The F1 progeny obtained had pink flowers. Explain, in brief,
the inheritance pattern seen in offsprings of F₁ generation. (2020-21)
SA II (3 marks)
7. How would you find out the genotype of a pea plant with violet flowers?
Explain with the help of Punnett's square showing crosses. (2020-21)
4.3 Inheritance of Two Genes
MCQ
8. Assertion (A): When white eyed, yellow bodied Drosophila females were
hybridised with red eyed, brown-bodied males; and F₁ progeny was intercrossed,
F, ratio deviated from 9:3:3:1.
Reason (R): When two genes in a dihybrid are on the same chromosome, the
proportion of parental gene combinations is much higher than the non-parental
type.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true. (2022-23)
9. Which of the following statements indicates parallelism in genes and
chromosomes?
(i) They occur in pairs.
(ii) They segregate during gamete formation.
(iii) They show linkage.
(iv) Independent pairs segregate independently.
(a) (i) and (iii) (b) (ii) and (iii)
(c) (i), (ii) and (iii) (d) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(Term I, 2021-22)
10. A cross is made between tall pea plants having green pods and dwarf pea
plants having yellow pods. In the F₂ generation, out of 80 plants how many are
likely to be tall plants?
(a) 15 (b) 20 (c) 45 (d) 60 (Term I, 2021-22)
11. Given below is a dihybrid cross performed on Drosophila.

Which of the following conclusions can be drawn on the basis of this cross?
When yellow bodied (y), white eyed (w) Drosophila females were hybridized
with brown bodied (y+), red eyed males (w+) and F1 progenies were
intercrossed, F2 generation would have shown the following ratio.
(a) 1: 2: 1 because of linkage of genes.
(b) 9: 3: 3: 1 because of recombination of genes.
(c) Deviation from 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio because of segregation of genes.
(d) Deviation from 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio because of linkage of genes.
(Term I, 2021-22)
12. Assertion (A): When the two genes in a dihybrid cross are situated on the
same chromosome, the proportion of parental gene combinations is much higher
than non-parental type.
Reason (R): Higher parental gene combinations can be attributed to crossing
over between two genes.
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
(c) (A) is true but (R) is false
(d) (A) is false but (R) is true (Term I, 2021-22)
SA I (2 marks)
13. A true breeding pea plant, homozygous dominant for inflated green pods is
crossed with another pea plant with constricted yellow pods (ffgg). With the help
of Punnett square show the above cross and mention the results obtained
phenotypically and genotypically in F1 generation. (2022-23)
4.4 Polygenic Inheritance
MCQ
14. In human beings, where genotype AABBCC represents dark skin colour,
aabbcc represents light skin colour and AaBbCc represents intermediate skin
colour; the pattern of genetic inheritance can be termed as
(a) pleiotropy and co-dominance
(b) pleiotropy and incomplete dominance
(c) polygenic and qualitative inheritance
(d) polygenic and quantitative inheritance.
(Term I, 2021-22)
4.6 Sex Determination
MCQ
15. Which of the following combination of chromosome numbers represents the
correct sex determination pattern in honey bees?
(a) Male 32, Female 16 (b) Male 16, Female 32
(c) Male 31, Female 32 (d) Female 32, Male 31
(Term I, 2021-22)
16. A couple has two daughters. What is the probability that the third child will
also be a female?
(a) 25% (b) 50%
(c) 75% (d) 100%
(Term I, 2021-22)
4.8 Genetic Disorders
MCQ
17. Placed below is a karyotype of a human being.

On the basis of this karyotype, which of the following conclusions can be drawn?
(a) Normal human female
(b) Person is suffering from colour blindness
(c) Affected individual is a female with Down’s syndrome
(d) Affected individual is a female with Turner’s syndrome.
(Term I, 2021-22)
SA I (2 marks)
18. Karyotype of a child shows trisomy of chromosome number 21. Identify the
disorder and state the symptoms which are likely to be exhibited in this case.
(2020-21)
LA (4 marks)
19. Study the Pedigree chart given below and answer the questions that follow:

Symbols used in the given pedigree chart are as follows:

[Note: There is a mistake in CBSE SQP. Rectified pedigree is given above.]

(a) On the basis of the inheritance pattern exhibited in this pedigree chart, what
conclusion can you draw about the pattern of inheritance?
(b) If the female is homozygous for the affected trait in this pedigree chart, then
what percentage of her sons will be affected?
(c) Give the genotype of offsprings 1,2,3 and 4 in III generation.
OR
(c) In this type of inheritance pattern, out of male and female children which one
has less probability of receiving the trait from the parents? Give a reason.
(2022-23)
 Detailed SOLUTIONS
Previous Years' CBSE Board Questions

1. Living beings with shorter life cycles are preferred by geneticists for studying
variations and patterns of inheritance because such organisms complete their life
cycle in short duration and produce large number of progenies in less time span,
e.g., pea plant used in Mendel’s experiments.
2. Seed traits studied by Mendel in pea plant were:

3. (a) : In a monohybrid cross between tall and dwarf plants, a 3: 1 ratio is

showed in F2 generation suggest that contrasting characters of alleles do not
show any blending.
4. (b) : Organism with genotype AABBCCDd will produce 21 i.e., 2 types of
gametes.
5. (c) : In Pisum sativum, green pod colour is dominant over yellow. Thus, the
cross between Gg × Gg will be

Thus, 75% of offsprings will produce green pod colour.

6. (b) : If father has blood group ‘A’, mother has blood group ‘B’, and the child with
blood group ‘O’ appears in progeny, this means that the parents are
heterozygous.
7. (d): Flower position is one of the characters studied by Mendel in Pisum
sativum, in which axial position is dominant over terminal position.
8. (b): Types of gametes formed = 2n
where, n is the no. of heterozygous loci = 3
Therefore, types of gametes = 23 = 8
9. (b): In polydactyly (six fingered hands), the allele for polydactyly (P) is
dominant over recessive allele (p) for five-fingered hands. Thus, the child with
five fingered (pp) must have a mother with genotype (Pp) and father with
genotype (pp).
10. Punnett square is a graphical representation to calculate the probability of all
possible genotypes of offspring in a genetic cross. Thus, various types of
phenotypes and genotypes are obtained.
11. (a) Complete dominance is the condition in which the F1 phenotype
resembles the dominant parent i.e., one of the two parents.
(b) Incomplete dominance is the condition in which the F1 phenotype does not
resemble both the parents and is in between the two.
12. To find the genotype of a pea plant bearing violet flowers, test cross must be
performed.
13. Difference between a gene and an allele are as follows:

14. Three types of phenotypes are obtained in a monohybrid cross exhibiting co-
dominance. E.g., coat colour in cattle. In F2 generation, three types of phenotypes
were obtained – red, roan and white coat colour.
15. In test cross, an individual with unknown genotype is crossed with
homozygous recessive parent for the trait being investigated.
Green pod colour (G) is dominant over yellow pod colour (g) in garden pea.
Green pod plant could have two possible genotypes: GG and Gg.
Case I: If green (homozygous) pod (GG) plant is crossed with yellow pod (gg)
plant.
If the plant produced all green plants as offspring, then the genotype of plant is
GG i.e., homozygous green pod plant.
Case II: If green (heterozygous) pod (Gg) plant is crossed with yellow pod (gg)
plant.

If the plant produced 1 (green): 1 (yellow), then the genotype of plant is Gg, i.e.,
heterozygous green pod plant.
16. Father has blood group A and mother has blood group B, whereas their
children have blood groups AB and O. This indicates that the parents are
heterozygous.
∴ Genotype of father = IAIO and genotype of mother = IBIO
Hence, all the four types of blood groups viz. AB, A, B and O are possible in their
offspring.
17. Antirrhinum flowers exhibit incomplete dominance in which neither of the
two alleles of a gene is completely dominant over the other. It can be explained
with the help of cross shown:

Incomplete dominance is due to law of segregation which states that the

members of the allelic pair that remained together in the parent, segregate
during gamete formation and only one factor enters a gamete.
18. To determine the genotype of a plant i.e., whether the individual is exhibiting
dominant character is homozygous or heterozygous, a test cross is carried out by
a geneticist. The individual having dominant phenotype is crossed with its
homozygous recessive parent. If heterozygous tall is crossed with homozygous
recessive parent, tall and dwarf will be produced, in equal proportion while if
homozygous tall is crossed with homozygous recessive, the upcoming progenies
will contain all tall plants.
19. Principle of segregation states that, “when a pair of contrasting factor or gene
are brought together in a hybrid; these factors do not blend or mix up but simply
associate themselves and remain together and separate at the time of gamete
formation”, i.e, allele pairs segregate during gamete formation and the paired
condition is restored by random fusion of gametes during fertilisation.
20. Two contrasting characters of height are tall and dwarf. In the given cross, if
50% of the progeny shows parental characters, then it must be a cross between a
heterozygous tall and a homozygous recessive dwarf parent.
(b) This type of cross is known as test cross.
21. ABO blood groups are controlled by the gene I. The plasma membrane of the
red blood cells has sugar polymers that protrude from its surface and the kind of
sugar is controlled by the gene I. The gene I has three alleles IA, IB and i. The
alleles IA and IB produce a slightly different form of the sugar while allele i does
not produce any sugar. Each person possesses any two of the three I gene alleles.
IA and IB are completely dominant over i. When IA and IB are present together
they both express their own types of sugar because of co-dominance. Hence, red
blood cells have both A and B types of sugars. Since there are three different
alleles, there are six different combinations of these three alleles that are
possible, and therefore, a total of six different genotypes are there in human ABO
blood group.
22. (a) When a cross is made between a red flowered (RR) plant with a white
flowered (rr) plant of snapdragon, the F₁ hybrid has pink flowers (Rr). When the
F, individual was self-pollinated F₂ individuals were obtained bearing red (RR),
pink (Rr) and white (rr) flowers in the ratio 1:2:1. It is not a case of blending
inheritance because the parental characters appear in the F₂ generation without
any change. It is due to law of segregation which states that the members of the
allelic pair that remained together in the parent, segregate during gamete
formation and only one factor enters a gamete.
(b) In this, neither of the two alleles of a gene is completely dominant over the
other, hence the phenomenon is known as incomplete dominance.
23. In the ABO system, there are four blood groups A, B, AB and O. ABO blood
groups are controlled by gene I. The gene I has three alleles IA, IB and i. This
phenomenon is known as multiple allelism. IA and IB are completely dominant
over i. When IA and IB are present together they both express themselves and
produce blood group AB. This phenomenon is known as co-dominance.
24. Mendel performed a monohybrid cross wherein he crossed pure tall pea
plants (TT) with pure dwarf (tt) pea plants. He obtained all tall hybrid pea plants
in F1 generation. He selfed the plants of F1 generation and obtained tall and dwarf
plants in the ratio 3: 1 in F2 generation. Then he selfed all F2 plants and found that
dwarf plants were pure breeding but of tall plants of F2 generation only about 1/3
were pure breeding for tallness while remaining 2/3 produced both tall and
dwarf plants in the ratio 3: 1.

In F3 generation, two third of tall plants produced both tall and dwarf plants. This
is possible only when the two factors of a character segregated during gamete
formation and come together in offspring at random according to law of
probability. This is called law of segregation.
25. In dominance, F1 is similar to the dominant parent, phenotypic ratio is
different from genotypic ratio. For example, tall pea plant is dominant to dwarf
pea plant.
In incomplete dominance, F1 is different from either of the two parents.
Phenotypic and genotypic ratios are the same. In Antirrhinum, red flower is
incompletely dominant over white flower.
In co-dominance, the effect of both the alleles are equally conspicuous. Both the
alleles produce their effect independently, e.g., roan coat colour in cattle.
26. In humans, ABO system of blood group is a case of dominance, multiple
allelism and co-dominance. In the ABO blood group system, there are four blood
groups: A, B, AB and O.
ABO blood groups are controlled by the gene I. The plasma membrane of the red
blood cells has sugar polymers that protrude from its surface. The kind of sugar is
controlled by the gene I. The gene I has three alleles: IA, IB and i. The alleles IA and
IB produce a slightly different form of the sugar while allele i does not produce
any sugar. Each person possesses any two of the three I gene alleles. The alleles IA
and IB are completely dominant over i, as IA and IB form antigen A and antigen B
respectively but i does not form any antigen and are not dominant over each
other. This shows dominance.
Multiple allelism is the presence of more than two alleles of a gene. They occur on
the same gene locus of the same chromosome or its homologue and are
responsible for multiple phenotypic expression. The ABO system of blood groups
in humans are determined by three different allelic forms IA, IB and i showing
multiple allelism. When IA and IB are present together they both express
themselves and produce blood group AB (IAIB) by forming antigens A and B. This
phenomenon is known as codominance.
27. Test cross is a cross used to identify whether an individual is homozygous or
heterozygous for dominant character. The individual is crossed with homozygous
recessive parent for the trait being investigated. Tall plant could have two
possible genotypes: TT and Tt
Case I: Tall (homozygous) pea plant crossed with dwarf pea plant:

If plant produces tall plants as offspring, then the genotype of plant is TT i.e.,
homozygous tall plant. Case II: Tall (heterozygous) pea plant is crossed with
dwarf pea plant.

If plant produces both tall and dwarf plants in the ratio of 1: 1, then genotype of
plant is Tt, i.e., heterozygous tall pea plant.
28. Purple coloured flowers in pea plant is a dominant trait. The genotype of pea
plant that whether an individual for purple-coloured flowers is homozygous or
heterozygous, can be determined by test cross. If the individual is homozygous
dominant, then all offspring will be 100% dominant. In case of heterozygous
individual, offspring will be 50% dominant and 50% recessive. This can be
explained as follows:
When plant is homozygous dominant,
When plant is heterozygous dominant,

29. Two contrasting characters of height are tall and dwarf. In the given cross, if
50% of the progeny shows parental characters, then it must be a cross between a
heterozygous tall and a homozygous recessive dwarf parent.

30. The phenotypic and genotypic ratio of 1: 2: 1 in F2 progeny of a monohybrid

cross is seen in incomplete dominance.
This phenomenon has been observed in flower colour of Mirabilis jalapa or four
O’ clock plant. The phenotypic as well as genotypic monohybrid ratio in F 2
generation in incomplete dominance is 1: 2: 1 i.e., pure dominant : hybrid: pure
recessive. F1 generation expresses a phenotype which is intermediate between
those of the parent.
When a cross is made between a red flowered plant and a white flowered plant of
Mirabilis jalapa, the F1 hybrid has pink flowers. When the F1 individual was self-
pollinated, F2 individuals were obtained bearing red, pink and white flowers in
the ratio 1: 2: 1.

31. (a) Whenever Mendel carried out a cross between plants for a contrasting
trait, he found that only one trait out of the two appears in the F₁ generation. He
concluded that the trait which is expressed in F1 is dominant while the one which
remains hidden is recessive. He also said that characters are controlled by
discrete unit called factors which occur in pair.
(b) In a diploid organism, there are two copies of each gene, i.e., pair of alleles.
These two alleles are not always identical, as in a heterozygote. One of them may
be modified due to mutation.
The unmodified functional allele that represents the original phenotype behaves
as dominant allele and codes for functional protein. The mutated non-functional
allele behaves as recessive allele and codes for mutant or non-functional protein.
The phenotype of the organism will only be dependent on the functioning of the
unmodified allele. Hence, in a heterozygote, the dominant allele will express itself
whereas recessive allele will remain hidden.
32. When a cross is made between a red flowered plant with a white flowered
plant of snapdragon, the F₁ hybrid has pink flowers.
When the F1 individual was self pollinated F₂ individuals were obtained bearing
red, pink and white flowers in the ratio 1: 2: 1. It is not a case of blending
inheritance because the parental characters appear in the F2 generation without
any change.
It is due to law of segregation which states that the members of the allelic pair
that remained together in the parent, segregate during gamete formation and
only one factor enters a gamete.
In this neither of the two alleles of a gene is completely dominant over the other,
hence the phenomenon is known as incomplete dominance. Incomplete
dominance in snapdragon (Antirrhinum) is explained below:

33. Differences between incomplete dominance and codominance are as follows:

34. (a) Tall height is a dominant trait in pea plant. The genotype of a plant for a
trait to be heterozygous or homozygous can be determined by performing test
cross. In test cross, the individual is crossed with homozygous recessive parent
for the trait being investigated.
Tall plant could have two possible genotypes: TT and Tt
Case I: Tall (homozygous) pea plant crossed with dwarf pea plant:

If plant produces tall plants as offspring, then the genotype of plant is TT i.e.,
homozygous tall plant.
Case II: Tall (heterozygous) pea plant is crossed with dwarf pea plant.

If plant produces both tall and dwarf plants in the ratio of 1: 1, then genotype of
plant is TT, i.e., heterozygous tall pea plant.
(b) (i) When the phenotypic ratio is 1:2:1, this means there are three different
phenotypes. This can be due to incomplete dominance or codominance. In both
cases, the heterozygotes have a phenotype that is a mixture of the individual
dominant and recessive phenotypes. Here, the genotypic ratios were exactly as
we would expect in any Mendelian monohybrid cross, but the phenotypic ratios
had changed from the 3:1 (dominant: recessive) ratio to 1: 2: 1 ratio.
(ii) The ratio 3:1 suggest the typical monohybrid cross between the true-
breeding homozygous dominant and a homozygous recessive parent. The F1
generation when self-crossed gives this ratio.
35. (a) Law of dominance states that characters are controlled by discrete units
called factors, which occur in pairs with one membssser of the pair dominating
over the other dissimilar pair. This law explains expression of only one of the
parental character in F1 generation. This can be explained by the following cross:

In the given cross, the trait producing yellow seeds is dominant over the trait
producing green seeds. In F1 generation, all offspring showed yellow colour of
seed (dominant character) and no green seeds plants were obtained.
(b)

36. (a)

Parents must be heterozygous since blood group O appears in progeny. The

progeny can have all the four blood groups A, B, AB and O. There are three alleles
of the gene controlling blood group character, i.e., IA, IB and i. IA and IB are
dominant over i and together they are codominant to each other.
(b) ABO blood groups are controlled by gene I. The gene I has three alleles IA, IB
and i. This phenomenon is known as multiple allelism. The blood groups and
their possible genotypes are given below in the table:

37. In case of pea plant:

In case of Antirrhinum plant:

The inheritance pattern of flower colour in garden pea plant is an example of

complete dominance whereas inheritance pattern of flower colour in
Antirrhinum is an example of incomplete dominance.
38. (b) : The chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by Walter Sutton
and Theodore Boveri in 1902. They noted that the behaviour of chromosomes
was parallel to the behaviour of genes and used chromosome movement to
explain Mendel’s law.
39. (d): The cross between llGg X Llgg will produce small seeds with green colour
and large seeds with yellow colour besides other phenotypic progenies.

40. (c) : A cross between a heterozygous yellow flowers and round seed (YyRr)
with homozygous white flowers and wrinkled seed (yyrr) will produce

So, the genotypic and phenotypic ratio of F1 generation will be 1: 1: 1: 1.

41. (a) : In Drosophila, crossing of yellow bodied (y) and white eyed (w) female
with brown bodied (y+) and red eyed (w+) male produced F1 to be brown bodied
and red eyed. On intercrossing of F1 progeny, Morgan observed that the two
genes did not segregate independently of each other and therefore, the F2 ratio
deviated significantly from expected 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio.
42. During anaphase of meiosis I, segregation of an independent pairs of
chromosomes occur.
43. Test cross is a cross used to identify whether an individual is homozygous or
heterozygous for dominant character. The individual is crossed with homozygous
recessive parent for the trait being investigated.
Tall plant with white flowers could have two possible genotypes: TTpp and Ttpp
(white colour of flower in pea is a recessive trait, so it will be ‘pp’ in pea plant).
Case I: Tall (homozygous) pea plant with white flowers crossed with dwarf pea
plant with white flowers.

If plant produces all tall plants with white flowers as offspring, then genotype of
plant is TTpp i.e., homozygous tall plant with white flowers.
Case II: Tall (heterozygous) pea plant with white flowers is crossed with dwarf
pea plant with white flowers.

If plant produces both tall plant with white flowers and dwarf plant with white
flowers, then genotype of plant is Ttpp i.e., heterozygous tall pea plant with white
flowers.
44. T.H. Morgan select Drosophila melanogaster to study sex-linked genes
because of following reasons:
(i) They could be grown on simple synthetic medium in the laboratory.
(ii) They complete their life cycle in about two weeks.
(iii) A single mating could produce a large number of progeny flies.
(iv) There was a clear differentiation of sexes - the male and female flies are
easily distinguishable. (v) They have many types of hereditary variations that
can be seen with lower microscope.
45. Drosophila melanogaster is fruit fly. T.H. Morgan selected Drosophila
melanogaster to study sex-linked genes because of following reasons:
(i) They could be grown on simple synthetic medium in the laboratory.
(ii) They complete their life cycle in about two weeks.
(iii) A single mating could produce a large number of progeny flies.
46. Linkage is the tendency of two different genes on the same chromosome to
remain together during the separation of homologous chromosomes at meiosis.
Linked genes do not exhibit the dihybrid ratio of 9:3:3:1. It produces offspring
with parental characters. Crossing over is the exchange of genes occurring during
meiotic prophase I to break old linkage and establish new ones. It produces
recombination resulting in new varieties. Thus, they are alternative of one
another, i.e., if linkage is present in between genes, no crossing over occurs
between them and if crossing over occurs between the two genes, they are not
linked. Example: In Drosophila a yellow bodied white eyed female was crossed
with brown bodied red eyed male, F1 progeny produced and intercrossed. The F2
phenotypic ratio of Drosophila deviate significantly from Mendel’s 9:3:3:1.
This signifies that the genes for eye colour and body colour are closely located on
the ‘X’ chromosome and are linked. Therefore, inherited together. Recombinants
were formed due to crossing over but at low percentage.
47. In cross A, the strength of linkage between the genes is higher. The distance
between the linked genes in the chromosome determines the strength of linkage.
The closely located genes show stronger linkage than the distant genes, because
the latter are more likely to undergo crossing over than the former.
48. The chromosomal theory of inheritance proposed by Sutton and Boveri can
be compared with the experimental results on pea plant presented by Mendel
(genes) by the given three ways:
(i) In diploid cells, chromosomes occur in homologous pairs. Genes also occur in
allelic pairs.
(ii) Both chromosome and gene segregate during gamete formation (meiosis) so
that a gamete receives only one chromosome and one allele of each pair.
(iii) Both genes and chromosomes show law of independent assortment. But, it is
important to note that only those gene pairs show independent assortment
which occur on different chromosomes.
49. (a) The organism that was used by Thomas Hunt Morgan and his colleagues
for their experiments on linkage was Drosophila melanogaster. They found that
the genes located on same chromosome remain linked together in passing from
one generation to other due to phenomenon of linkage. Linked genes tend to
transmit together in a single unit. The Mendelian dihybrid ratio of 9: 3: 3: 1 is
modified as the two genes fail to assort independently due to linkage. Morgan
carried out several dihybrid crosses in Drosophila to study genes that were sex
linked. He hybridised yellow-bodied, white eyed females to brown bodied, red-
eyed males and intercrossed their F1 progeny. The F2 generation deviated
significantly from the Mendelian ratio.
Morgan and his colleagues knew that the genes were located on the X
chromosome and deduced that when two genes in a dihybrid cross were situated
on the same chromosome, the proportion of parental gene combinations were
much higher than the non-parental type due to linkage. They coined the term
recombination to describe the generation of non-parental gene combinations.
They also discovered that even when genes were grouped on the same
chromosome, some genes were very tightly linked and showed very low
recombination. They found that the genes white and yellow were tightly linked
with 1.3% recombination while white and miniature wing showed 37.2%
recombination.
(b) Sturtevant used the frequency of recombination between the gene pairs on
the same chromosome as a measure of the distance between genes and mapped
their position on the chromosome. This resulted in a chromosome map which
was a linear graphic representation of the sequence and relative distances of the
various genes present in that chromosome. This relative distance between genes
was indicated by the percentage of their recombination or crossing over. A 100%
cross over was termed as Morgan (M), 10% as Deci Morgan (dM) and 1% as
Centi Morgan (cM) or 1 map unit. Today genetic maps are extensively used as a
starting point in the sequencing of whole genomes.

50. Mendelian F2 phenotypic ratio in a dihybrid cross is 9:3:3:1. Law proposed by

Mendel on the basis of this ratio is law of independent assortment. It states that
in the inheritance of two pairs of contrasting characters, the factors of each pair
of characters segregate independently of the factors of the other pair of
characters. It is different from law of segregation as law of segregation states that
the members of the allelic pair that remained together in the parent, segregate
during gamete formation and only one factor enters a gamete.
51. The following are the three reasons that led to the delay in acceptance of
Mendel’s work:
(i) Lack of communication and publicity in those days.
(ii) His concept of factors (genes) as stable and discrete units that controlled
expression of traits and, of the pair of alleles that did not blend with each other
was not accepted in the light of variations occurring continuously in nature.
(iii) Mendel’s approach to explain biological phenomenon with the help of
mathematics was also not accepted.
52. Two different contrasting traits i.e., (inflated/ constricted) and
(Green/yellow) were chosen. The cross between two dominant traits is shown as
follows:

This kind of inheritance is known as two gene inheritance represented by a

dihybrid cross. In two gene inheritance both the traits express themselves
simultaneously in the progeny.
53. Morgan observed that the F2 ratio obtained in the cross deviates significantly
from 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio i.e., Mendelian ratio. Example: In Drosophila, a yellow bodied
white eyed female was crossed with brown bodied red eyed male, F1 progeny
produced and intercrossed. The F2 phenotypic ratio of Drosophila deviate
significantly from Mendel’s 9:3:3:1. This signifies that the genes for eye colour
and body colour are closely located on the ‘X’ chromosome and are linked.
Therefore, inherited together. Recombinants were formed due to crossing over
but at low percentage. Linkage was not observed by Mendel as the characters he
chose were unlinked genes.
54. Tall plant with green seeds could have two possible genotypes: TTyy, Ttyy.
Case I: Tall and green seed pea plant having TTyy genotype is selfed.

If plant produce all tall plants with green seeds as offspring, then genotype of
plant is TTyy i.e,. homozygous for both traits.
Case II: Heterozygous tall plant with green seeds (Ttyy) is selfed.

If plant produces tall plant with green seeds and dwarf plant with green seeds in
the ratio of 3:1, then the genotype of the plant is Ttyy.
55. (a) Refer to answer 44.
(b) Morgan observed that the F2 ratio obtained in the cross deviates significantly
from 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio i.e., Mendelian ratio. This is because the genes are linked.
They are carried on the same chromosome and are inherited together. Linkage
was not observed by Mendel as the characters he chose were unlinked genes.
56. According to the law of independent assortment as proposed by Mendel, the
genes of different characters located in different pairs of chromosomes are
independent of one another in their segregation during gamete formation. This
results in the appearance of a new combination of parental characters in F2
offspring. Cross between parents having yellow round seed and green wrinkled
seeds in Pisum sativum (Pea plant) is as follows:
57. (a) The organism that was used by Thomas Hunt Morgan and his colleagues
for their experiments on linkage was Drosophila melanogaster. They found that
the genes located on same chromosome remain linked together in passing from
one generation to other due to phenomenon of linkage. Linked genes tend to
transmit together in a single unit.
The Mendelian dihybrid ratio of 9:3:3:1 is modified as the two genes fail to assort
independently due to linkage. Morgan carried out several dihybrid crosses in
Drosophila to study genes that were sex linked. He hybridised yellow-bodied,
white eyed females to brown bodied, red-eyed males and intercrossed their F₁
progeny. The F₂ generation deviated significantly from the Mendelian ratio.
Morgan and his colleagues knew that the genes were located on the X
chromosome and deduced that when two genes in a dihybrid cross were situated
on the same chromosome, the proportion of parental gene combinations were
much higher than the non-parental type due to linkage. They coined the term
recombination to describe the generation of non-parental gene combinations.
They also discovered that even when genes were grouped on the same
chromosome, some genes were very tightly linked and showed very low
recombination. They found that the genes white and yellow were tightly linked
with 1.3% recombination while white and miniature wing showed 37.2%
recombination.
(b) Sturtevant used the frequency of recombination between the gene pairs on
the same chromosome as a measure of the distance between genes and mapped
their position on the chromosome. This resulted in a chromosome map which
was a linear graphic representation of the sequence and relative distances of the
various genes present in that chromosome.
This relative distance between genes was indicated by the percentage of their
recombination or crossing over. A 100% cross over was termed as Morgan (M),
10% as deciMorgan (dM) and 1% as centiMorgan (cM) or 1 map unit. Today
genetic maps are extensively used as a starting point in the sequencing of whole
genomes.

58. Law of independent assortment states that the allele of two pairs of a trait
separate independently of each other during gamete or spore formation and get
randomly rearranged in the offspring at the time of fertilisation producing both
parental and new combination of traits. This can be explained by the following
typical example of Mendelian dihybrid cross.
Mendel performed crosses involving two characters. They are called dihybrid
crosses that made to study inheritance of two pairs of genes. The classical
example of dihybrid cross given below is the use of two pairs of characters
namely the seed colour and seed shape.
The plants with yellow and round seeds (pure) were crossed with those having
green and wrinkled seeds (pure). The F1 seeds were yellow and round. F1 plants
were selfed and F2 seeds obtained which showed all the four possible
combinations, i.e., (i) yellow and round seeds, (ii) yellow and wrinkled seeds, (iii)
green and round seeds and (iv) green and wrinkled seeds in 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio. It can
be shown by the following cross:
59. Cross between parents with two different contrasting traits is as follows:

When F1 seeds were grown into plants, F2 seeds were obtained which showed all
the four possible combinations, i.e., (i) tall and round seeds (ii) tall and wrinkled
seeds, (iii) dwarf and round seeds and (iv) dwarf and wrinkled seeds in 9: 3: 3: 1
ratio.
Genetic explanation: The genes of different characters located in different pairs of
chromosomes are independent of one another in their segregation during gamete
formation.
60. (a) Cross between parents with two different contrasting traits is as follows:
(i) Genotype and phenotype of F1 progeny are TtRr and Tall and round seeded
plant respectively.
(ii) Gametes produced of F1 progeny are TR, Tr, tR, tr.
(iii) When F1 seeds were grown into plants, F2 seeds were obtained which
showed all the four possible combinations, i.e., tall and round seeds, tall and
wrinkled seeds, dwarf and round seeds and dwarf and wrinkled seeds in 9: 3: 3: 1
ratio. Based upon such observations Mendel proposed law of independent
assortment which states that the allele of two pairs of a trait separate
independently of each other during gamete or spore formation and get randomly
rearranged in the offspring at the time of fertilisation producing both parental
and new combination of traits.
(b) Morgan observed that the F2 ratio obtained in the cross deviates significantly
from 9: 3: 3: 1 ratio i.e., Mendelian ratio. This is because the genes are linked.
They are carried on the same chromosome and are inherited together. Linkage
was not observed by Mendel as the characters he chose were unlinked genes.
61. Tall pea plant with violet coloured flower could have four possible genotypes:
TTVV, TtVV, TTVv and TtVv. Case I: Homozygous tall plant with violet colour
(homozygous) flower is selfed.

If plant produce all tall plants with violet flowers as offspring, then genotype of
plant is TTVV.
Case II: Heterozygous tall plant with homozygous violet coloured flower is selfed.
If plant produces tall plants with violet flowers and dwarf plants with violet
flowers in the ratio of 3:1 as offspring, then the genotype of parent is TtVV.
Case III: Homozygous tall plant with violet heterozygous flower is selfed.

If the plant produces tall plant with violet flower and tall plant with white flower
in the ratio of 3: 1 as offspring then the genotype of parent is TTVv.
Case IV: Tall plant with violet flower (heterozygous for both the trait) is selfed.

If the above given ratio is obtained, then the genotype is TtVv.

62. Test cross is used to identify whether an individual is homozygous or
heterozygous for dominant character. The individual is crossed with homozygous
recessive parent for the trait being investigated. Yellow coloured round seed pea
plant could have four possible genotypes: YYRR, YyRR, YYRr and YyRr.
Case I: Yellow coloured round seed (homozygous) pea plant is crossed with green
coloured wrinkled seed pea plant.
If plant produced all yellow coloured round seeds as offspring, then genotype of
parent is YYRR.
Case II: Yellow (heterozygous) coloured round (homozygous) seed pea plants is
crossed with green coloured wrinkled seed pea plant.

If above mentioned ratio is obtained in the progeny, then the genotype is YyRR.
Case III: Homozygous yellow coloured round (heterozygous) seed pea plant is
crossed with green coloured wrinkled seed pea plant.

If above mentioned ratio is obtained in the progeny, then the genotype is YYRr.
Case IV: Heterozygous pea plant for yellow and round seed is crossed with pea
plant having green and wrinkled seed.

If above mentioned ratio is obtained in the progeny, then the genotype is YyRr.
63. (a)

(b) Phenotype of the progeny of this cross is:

(i) Round and yellow
(ii) Wrinkled and yellow
(iii) Round and green
(iv) Wrinkled and green
(c) This dihybrid cross is known as test cross. A test cross is performed to find
out genotype of the unknown plant.
64. (a) When a tall pea plant bearing violet flowers (heterozygous for both) is
crossed with a dwarf pea plant having white flowers, progenies produced in 1: 1:
1: 1 ratio. The cross is shown as follows:

(b) This dihybrid cross is known as test cross. A test cross is performed to find
out genotype of the unknown plant.
65. The skin colour of human is controlled by three genes where the dominant
alleles have cumulative effect. Each dominant allele expresses a part or unit of the
trait (skin colour). Such type of genes is called polygenes and their inheritance is
called as polygenic inheritance. So, the skin colour of human is a polygenic trait.
66. Polygenic inheritance is a type of inheritance controlled by one or more genes
in which the dominant alleles have cumulative effect with each dominant allele
expressing a part or unit of the trait, the full trait being shown only when all the
dominant alleles are present. Human skin colour is an example of polygenic
inheritance. Human skin colour is caused by pigment melanin. The quantity of
melanin is due to three pairs of genes (A, B and C). If black or very dark
(AABBCC) and white or very light (aabbcc) individuals marry, the offsprings or
individuals of F1 generation show intermediate colour often called mulatto
(AaBbCc). When two such individuals of intermediate colour marry, the skin
colour of the children will vary from very dark or black to very light or white. A
total of eight allele combinations is possible in the gametes forming 27 distinct
genotypes distributed into 7 phenotypes-1 very dark, 6 dark, 15 fairly dark, 20
intermediate, 15 fairly light, 6 light and 1 very light.
67. (a) When a cross is made between a red flowered plant with a white flowered
plant of snapdragon, the F1 hybrid has pink flowers. When the F1 individual was
self pollinated F2 individuals were obtained bearing red, pink and white flowers
in the ratio 1: 2: 1. It is not a case of blending inheritance because the parental
characters appear in the F2 generation without any change. It is due to law of
segregation which states that the members of the allelic pair that remained
together in the parent, segregate during gamete formation and only one factor
enters a gamete.
In this neither of the two alleles of a gene is completely dominant over the other,
hence the phenomenon is known as incomplete dominance. Incomplete
dominance in snapdragon (Antirrhinum) is explained below:

(b) Refer to answer 66.

68. None of the options is correct.
In human beings, pleiotropy is exhibited by sickle cell anemia in which genes
causing this disorder alter the type of haemoglobin and also change the form of
RBCs. Morgan defined linkage on basis of his breeding experiments in fruit fly
(Drosophila). Inheritance of flower colour in snapdragon (Antirrhinum) is an
example of incomplete dominance. ABO blood grouping is an example of
codominance.
69. Gene causing phenylketonuria causes multiple phenotypic expressions. Such
genes are called pleiotropic genes. This effect of multiple phenotypic expressions
is caused due to single gene mutation.
70. The ability of a gene to have multiple phenotypic effect because it influences a
number of characters simultaneously is known as pleiotropy. The gene having a
multiple phenotypic effect because of its ability to control expression of two or
more characters is called pleiotropic gene. For example, in cotton a gene for the
lint also influences the height of plant, size of the boll, number of ovules and
viability of seeds.
71. (a) Refer to answer 66.
(b) Pleiotropy is the ability of a gene to have multiple phenotypic effect because it
influences a number of characters simultaneously. Pleiotropy is due to effect of
the gene on two or more inter-related metabolic pathways that contribute to
formation of different phenotypes. It is not essential that all the traits are equally
influenced. Sometimes the effect of a pleiotropic gene is more evident in case of
one trait (major effect) and less evident in case of others (secondary effect). E.g.,
in cotton a gene for the lint also influences the height of the plant, size of the boll,
number of ovules and viability of seeds.
72. (a) Mendelian Inheritance: Mendelian inheritance is a type of inheritance
controlled by one or more genes in which only dominant trait was expressed in
the F1 generation while at the F2 stage both the traits were expressed. The
contrasting traits did not show any blending at either F1 or F2 stage on the basis
of this Mendel proposed three laws: (i) Law of Dominance, (ii) Law of
Segregation and (iii) Law of Independent Assortment.
Polygenic Inheritance: Polygenic inheritance is a type of inheritance controlled by
one or more genes in which the dominant alleles have cumulative effect with each
dominant allele expressing a part or unit of the trait, the full trait being shown
only when all the dominant alleles are present.
Pleiotropy: The ability of a gene to have multiple phenotypic effect because it
influences a number of characters simultaneously is known as pleiotropy.
Pleiotropy is due to effect of the gene on two or more inter-related metabolic
pathways that contribute to formation of different phenotypes.
(b) Refer to answer 66.
73. According to Mendel’s law of dominance, when two individuals of a species,
differing in a pair of contrasting forms of a trait are crossed, the form of the trait
that appears in the F1 hybrid is dominant and the alternate form that remains
hidden, is called recessive. Incomplete dominance and co-dominance are
exception to this law. According to Mendel, one gene controls the expression of
one character only. Pleiotropy is exception to this. The ability of a gene to have
multiple phenotypic effect because it influences a number of characters
simultaneously is known as pleiotropy. The gene having a multiple phenotypic
effect because of its ability to control expression of two or more characters is
called pleiotropic gene. For example, in cotton a gene for the lint also influences
the height of plant, size of the boll, number of ovules and viability of seeds.
Incomplete dominance is the phenomenon where none of the two contrasting
alleles or factors is dominant. The expression of the character in a hybrid or F1
individual is intermediate or a fine mixture of the expression of the two factors.
As seen in Mirabilis jalapa where when two types of plants having flower colour
in pure state red and white are crossed, the hybrid or F1 generation have pink
flowers.
Co-dominance is the phenomenon of expression of both the alleles in a
heterozygote, i.e., both alleles are able to express themselves independently when
present together. E.g., hair colour in cattle. When red cattle are crossed with
white cattle, the hybrid of F1 generation are of roan colour i.e., having a dark coat
interspered with white hair.
Polygenic inheritance is a type of inheritance controlled by one or more genes in
which the dominant alleles have cumulative effect with each dominant allele
expressing a part or unit of the trait, the full trait being shown only when all the
dominant alleles are present. The genes involved in quantitative inheritance are
called polygenes and inheritance called as polygenic inheritance. E.g., human skin
colour. Human skin colour is an example of polygenic inheritance. Human skin
colour is caused by pigment melanin. The quantity of melanin is due to three
pairs of polygenes (A, B and C).
74. (a) : In honeybees, all males are haploid having 16 chromosomes. The males
produce sperms by mitosis.
75. During gamete formation a diploid germinal cell changes to a haploid germ
cell. Hence, a pair of autosomes get segregated by means of meiotic division to
produce haploid gametes.
76. In honeybees, an unfertilised egg develops into a male and a fertilised egg
develops into a female. Therefore, the female is diploid (2n), and the male is
haploid (n).
77. Drones of honeybees are haploid and possess 16 chromosomes. Mitosis is
involved in the production of sperms.
78. Statement (a) is correct. Drosophila male has one X and one Y chromosome.
79. Statement (a) is correct. In birds, the male has two homomorphic sex
chromosomes (ZZ) and is homogametic, and the female has two heteromorphic
sex chromosomes (ZW) and is heterogametic.
80. The type of sex determination mechanism shown in female XX with male XY
is called male heterogamete because male produces two different types of
gametes, e.g., Drosophila.
The type of sex determination mechanism shown in female ZW with male ZZ is
female heterogamety because female produces two different types of gametes,
e.g., birds.
81. Birds have ZW - ZZ type of sex determination mechanism. In this type the
male has two homomorphic sex chromosomes (ZZ) and is homogametic, and the
female has two heteromorphic sex chromosomes (ZW) and is heterogametic.
There are, thus, two types of eggs: with Z and with W, and only one type of
sperms, i.e., each with Z. Fertilisation of an egg with Z chromosome by a sperm
with Z chromosome gives a zygote with ZZ chromosomes (male). Fertilisation of
an egg with W chromosome by a sperm with Z chromosome yields a zygote with
ZW chromosomes (female). ZW-ZZ type of sex determination is as follows:

82. Differences between ZZ and XY sex determination mechanisms are as follows:

83. (a) Female honeybee produces eggs through meiosis (A) and male honey bee
produces sperms through mitosis(B).
(b) Male honeybee (drone) develop through arrhenotokous or haploid
parthenogenesis (C) i.e., direct development of the haploid egg without
fertilisation.
84. (a) Chromosomal determination of sex in human beings is of XX-XY type.
Human beings have 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The
females possess two homomorphic (= isomorphic) sex chromosomes, named XX.
The males contain two heteromorphic sex chromosomes, i.e., XY. All the ova
formed by female are similar in their chromosome type (22+ X). Therefore,
females are homogametic. The male gametes or sperms produced by human
males are of two types, gynosperms (22 + X) and androsperms (22 + Y). Human
males are therefore, heterogametic. Sex of the offspring is determined at the time
of fertilisation. Fertilisation of the egg (22 + X) with a gynosperm (22 + X) will
produce a female child (44 + XX) while fertilisation with an androsperm (22 + Y)
gives rise to male child (44 + XY). As the two types of sperms are produced in
equal proportions, there are equal chances of getting a male or female child in a
particular mating. As Y-chromosomes determines the male sex of the individual,
it is also called androsome.
In honeybees, haploid-diploid mechanism of sex determination has been found. It
is a unique phenomenon in which an unfertilised egg develops into a male and a
fertilised egg develops into a female. Therefore, the female is diploid (2n), and
the male is haploid (n).
(b) Gamete formation in case of humans:
Gamete formation in case of honeybees:

Humans, gamete is formed by meiotic division only whereas in honeybee male

gamete is formed by mitotic division and female gamete is formed by meiotic
division.
85. In case of birds, the type of sex determination is ZW-ZZ type. Female has two
different sex chromosomes (ZW) whereas male has a pair of same sex
chromosomes (ZZ). As the female has heteromorphic sex chromosomes, the
female is heterogametic and produces two types of eggs, (A + Z) and (A+W). The
male gametes or sperms are of one type (A + Z). Therefore, in birds, sex is
determined by female. Chromosomal determination of sex in human beings is of
XX-XY type.
Human beings have 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The
females possess two homomorphic sex chromosomes, named XX while. The
males have two heteromorphic sex chromosomes, i.e., XY. All the ova formed by
female are similar in their chromosome type (22 + X). Therefore, females are
homogametic.
The male gametes or sperms produced by human males are of two types,
gynosperms (22 + X) and androsperms (22+ Y). Human males are therefore,
heterogametic. Thus, the genetic makeup of the sperm determines the sex of the
child in case of humans.
86. (a) Chromosomal determination of sex in human beings is of XX-XY type.
Human beings have 22 pairs of autosomes and one pair of sex chromosomes. The
females possess two homomorphic (= isomorphic) sex chromosomes, named XX.
The males contain two heteromorphic sex chromosomes, i.e., XY. All the ova
formed by female are similar in their chromosome type (22+ X). Therefore,
females are homogametic.
The male gametes or sperms produced by human males are of two types,
gynosperms (22 + X) and androsperms (22 + Y). Human males are therefore,
heterogametic.
Sex of the offspring is determined at the time of fertilisation. Fertilisation of the
egg (22 + X) with a gynosperm (22 + X) will produce a female child (44 + XX)
while fertilisation with an androsperm (22 + Y) gives rise to male child (44 +
XY). As the two types of sperms are produced in equal proportions, there are
equal chances of getting a male or female child in a particular mating. As Y-
chromosomes determines the male sex of the individual, it is also called
androsome.
(b) In case of birds, the type of sex determination is ZWZZ type. Female has two
different sex chromosomes (Z and W) whereas male has a pair of same
chromosomes (ZZ), therefore, in birds, sex is determined by female.
In honeybee’s haploid-diploid mechanism of sex determination has been found. It
is a unique phenomenon in which an unfertilised egg develops into a male and a
fertilised egg develops into a female. Therefore, the female is diploid (2n), and
the male is haploid(n).
87. (d)
88. (b) : Klinefelter’s syndrome in humans is a genetic disorder which is caused
due to the presence of an additional copy of chromosome resulting into a
karyotype of 47 (44 +XXY).
89. (b): The given karyotype is of Down syndrome. It is an autosomal aneuploidy,
caused by presence of an extra chromosome number 21, i.e., 21-trisomy. It is
characterised by round face, broad forehead, permanently open mouth
protruding tongue, furrowed tongue, etc.
90. (b): Thalassemia is an autosomal disorder in humans.
91. (a) Klinefelter's syndrome
(b) Turner's syndrome
92. Turner's syndrome is due to monosomy. It occurs due to union of an allosome
free egg (22 + 0) and a normal X sperm or a normal egg and an allosome free
sperm (22+ O). The individual has 2n = 45 chromosomes (44 + XO) instead of
46.
93. Klinefelter's syndrome is caused by union of an abnormal XX egg and a
normal Y sperm or normal X and abnormal XY sperm. The individual has 47 (44
+ XXY) chromosomes.
94. Mendelian disorders are gene related human disorders that are determined
by mutations in single gene. They are transmitted to the offspring as per
Mendelian principles.
The pattern of inheritance of such disorders can be traced in a family of pedigree
analysis. Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive disorder caused due to mutation
or deletion of genes controlling the formation of globin chains of haemoglobin.
This causes the formation of abnormal haemoglobin molecules resulting into
anaemia. Colourblindness is a sex-linked recessive disorder in which the eye fails
to distinguish between red and green colours.
The gene for normal vision is dominant whereas recessive allele causes
colourblindness. Both these allelles are carried on X chromosome. As both
disorders are gene related so can be categorised as Mendelian disorders.
95. (a) The individual having 47 chromosomes (44 +XXY) are males with
Klinefelter's syndrome. It is due to the trisomy of sex (X) chromosome. It is
formed by the union of an abnormal XX egg (formed due to non-disjunction at the
time of gametogenesis) with a normal Y sperm.
(b) Such persons are called feminised males or sterile males with undeveloped
testes, mental retardation, feminine pitched voice, enlarged breasts
(gynaecomastia), etc.
96. The genes that can cause red-green colour blindness are passed down on the
X-chromosomes. Since it is passed down on the X-chromosome, red green colour
blindness is more common in human males than in females. This is because
males have only one X-chromosome inherited from their mother while females
have two X-chromosomes.
In case female to be colour blind, she must have allele for it on both of her X-
chromosomes. If she possesses allele for colour blindness on X-chromosome only.
She will act as a carrier and not diseased. On the other hand, males have only one
X-chromosome, that means allele on the X-chromosome, will make them
colourblind.
97. Turner's syndrome is a disorder caused due to the absence of one of X
chromosomes (monosomy) where the individual has 22 pairs of autosomes and
XO sex chromosomes i.e., 45 chromosomes. So, the karyotype will be 44 +X0.
Symptoms:
(i) Sterile females
(ii) Rudimentary ovaries
(iii) Lack of secondary sexual characters
(iv) Webbed neck and broad chest
(v) Underdeveloped breasts.
98. Difference between Turner's syndrome and down's syndrome are as follows:

99. Haemophilia is genetic disorder caused due to the presence of a recessive sex-
linked gene ‘h’, carried by X chromosome. It is generally observed in males as a
single gene for the defect is able to express itself as the Y chromosome is devoid
of any corresponding allele (XhY).
Women will suffer from this disorder when a carrier woman (XXh) marries with
haemophilic man (XhY). 50% girl babies will be carriers (XXh) while the
remaining 50% will be haemophilic (XhXh).
100. Differences between haemophilia and thalassemia are as follows:
101. Couple is normal but their child is haemophilic. It indicates that father is
normal and mother is a carrier. Here is the cross given to explain this:

So, there is a probability that 50% of sons of this couple will be normal and 50%
of sons will be haemophilic. Also 50% of daughters are normal and 50% are
carriers.
102. Haemophilia is genetic disorder caused due to the presence of a recessive
sex-linked gene ‘h’, carried by X chromosome. It is generally observed in males as
a single gene for the defect is able to express itself as the Y chromosome is devoid
of any corresponding allele (XhY). Women will suffer from this disorder when a
carrier woman (XXh) marries with haemophilic man (XhY). 50% girl babies will
be carriers (XXh) while the remaining 50% will be haemophilic (XhXh). A
marriage between a haemophilic man (XhY) and a carrier woman (XXh) will
produce haemophilic girl, carrier girl, haemophilic boy and normal boy in the
ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1.

Marriage between a carrier woman (XXh) and a normal man (XY) will produce
normal girl, carrier girl, normal boy and haemophilic boy in the ratio of 1: 1: 1: 1.
103. (a) Trisomy of 21st chromosome is caused when both the chromosomes of
the 21st pair pass into a single egg due to non-disjunction during oogenesis. Thus,
the egg possess 24 chromosomes instead of 23 and offspring has 47
chromosomes (45 + XY in male, 45 + XX in female) instead of 46. It results in
Down’s syndrome.
(b) Since, fetus has trisomy of 21st chromosome, so it is an abnormal condition.
Hence, the pregnant woman was advised to undergo MTP and not to complete
the full term of her pregnancy. The person having trisomy of 21st chromosome is
characterised by round face, broad forehead, partially open mouth, protruding
tongue, projecting lower lip, short neck, flat hands and stubby (small) fingers,
many ‘loops’ on finger tips, coarse and straight hair, furrowed tongue, broad palm
with characteristic palmer crease, which runs all the way across the palm and
monogolian type eye lid fold (epicanthus). Physical, psychomotor and mental
development is retarded.
104. The infant is suffering from Down’s syndrome that is caused by the presence
of an extra chromosome number 21. It is an autosomal aneuploidy. Both the
chromosomes of the pair 21 pass into a single egg due to non-disjunction during
oogenesis. Thus, the egg possesses 24 chromosomes instead of 23. The child will
have short stature and a small rounded head. Palms of the child will be broad
with characteristic palmer crease and his physical and mental development will
be retarded.
105. Haemophilia is genetic disorder caused due to the presence of a recessive
sex linked gene ‘h’, carried by X chromosome. Thalassemia is caused due to
mutation or deletion of gene controlling formation of globin chains of
haemoglobin.
Differences between haemophilia and thalassemia are as follows:

Haemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disorder and thalassemia is an autosomal

linked recessive disease.
106. Colourblindness is an X-linked recessive disorder which shows transmission
from carrier female to male progeny and hence, usually males are affected and
females remain carriers.
If the given couple is normal with a colourblind child, their genotypes will be

Hence, a colourblind male child is born to the given couple.

107. Thalassemia is an autosomal, recessive inherited disorder. The defect can
occur due to mutation or deletion of the genes controlling the formation of globin
chains (commonly α and β) of haemoglobin. α thalassemia is caused by the
defective formation of α-globin which is controlled by two genes HBA1 and HBA2
present on chromosome 16. The mutant gene cause anaemia, jaundice,
hepatosplenomegaly and bone changes. All the defective alleles kill the fetus
resulting in still birth or death soon after delivery. β thalassemia is caused due to
decreased synthesis of β-globin. The defect is due to alleles of HBB gene present
on chromosome 11. It results in severe haemolytic anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly,
cardiac enlargement and skeletal deformities.
108. (a) Haemophilia is X linked recessive disease and female has homomorphic
sex chromosomes (XX) and male has heteromorphic sex chromosomes (XY). Due
to the presence of only one X-chromosome in males they are affected by
Haemophilia when only one X-chromosome have mutant gene. So, they have
higher chances of getting affected in comparison to females.
(b) Symptoms of haemophilia: A single protein involved in clotting of blood is
affected. Due to this, blood does not so in a haemophilic individual, even a simple
cut leads to non-stop bleeding. As a result, bruising is seen and increased
bleeding in joints may occur leading to joint pain and swelling.
109. (a) (i) Partially opened mouth with furrowed tongue.
(ii) Broad palm with palm crease.
(b) Male or female
(c) Klinefelter’s
(d) Male
(e) (i) Sterile female with poorly developed ovaries and underdeveloped breasts.
(ii) Webbed neck and broad chest
(f) Female
110. Haemophilia is genetic disorder caused due to the presence of a recessive
sex linked gene ‘h’, carried by X chromosome. It is generally observed in males as
a single gene for the defect is able to express itself as the Y chromosome is devoid
of any corresponding allele (XhY). Women will suffer from this disorder when a
carrier woman (XXh) marries with haemophilic man (XhY). 50% girl babies will
be carriers (XXh) while the remaining 50% will be haemophilic (XhXh).
For clinical symptoms, Refer to answer 108(b).
111. (a) Aneuploidy is the failure of segregation of chromatids during cell
division cycle resulting in the gain or loss of a chromosome(s).
(b) The gametes due to non-segregation of sex chromosomes during
spermatogenesis produced will be 22+0 and 22 + XY.
(c) When a normal human sperm (22 + Y) fertilises an ovum with karyotype 22
+ XX, the offspring produced would suffer from Klinefelter’s syndrome.
Two symptoms of this disorder are:
(i) Overall masculine development but the feminine development (development
of breast i.e., gynaecomastia) is also expressed.
(ii) Sterile male with undeveloped testes.
OR
(c) Down’s syndrome is an autosomal aneuploidy caused due to the presence of
an additional copy of chromosome number 21. The symptoms are: (i) Short,
broad palm with characteristic palmer crease, (ii) Mental retardation, small
round head, partially open mouth with furrowed tongue.
112. (i) Since the given pedigree does not show criss cross inheritance, it
represents autosomal disease.
(ii) It is an autosomal recessive disorder.
(iii) Genotype of C- Aa, D-Aa and H-Aa.
(iv) (a) Female D is carrier of disease with genotype Aa. If she marries a normal
man (genotype AA), then neither of their daughter is diseased. Their daughter
can be normal (genotype AA) or a carrier (genotype Aa). It can be represented as
follows:
 OR
(iv) (b) If mother B is a carrier of the disease, then the probability of their
daughter being a sufferer of this disease is 50%. It can be illustrated as follows:

113. (a) Colourblindness and thalassemia are categorised as Mendelian disorders

because of the following reasons:
(i) They are mainly due to alteration or mutation in a single gene.
(ii) These disorders are transmitted to the offspring in the same line as
Mendelian principles of inheritance, i.e., by the parents who are carriers and are
apparently normal.
(iii) The pattern of inheritance of these disorders can be traced in a family by
pedigree analysis.
Symptoms of colourblindness: The person fails to discriminate between red and
green colour due to the defect in either red or/and green cone cells of retina.
Symptoms of thalassemia: The person suffers from anaemia as the synthesis of
either alpha globin chain(s) or beta globin chain (s) of haemoglobin is impaired.
(b) Colourblindness is a X-linked recessive disorder which shows transmission
from carrier female to male progeny. In females, colour blindness appears only
when both the sex chromosomes carry the recessive gene (Xc Xc). The females
have normal vision but function as carrier if a single recessive gene for
colourblindness is present (XXc). However, in human males the defect appears in
the presence of a single recessive gene (Xc Y) because Y-chromosome of male
does not carry any gene for colour vision. As a result, colour blindness is more
common in males (8%) as compared to females (0.4%).

CBSE Sample Questions

1. (b) : A parent having genotype AaBB is heterozygous for only one character A.
Thus,
Total number of gametes = 2n = 21 = 2,
where n = no. of heterozygous pair
So, the two types of gametes will be AB and aB.
2. (c) : The cross between RR and Rr:

3. (d) : The genotype of parent will be

Phenotypic ratio = 1: 1
4. (b) : The selfing between Ab results in
5. (b) : If a child has blood group O, that his/her parents would be heterozygous.
Thus, mother with blood group B have genotype IBi and father with blood group
A have genotype IAi.
Possible genotypes of other offsprings can be: IAIB, IAi, IBi or ii.

6. The given inheritance is incomplete dominance. In this, a new intermediate

phenotype, i.e., pink, is obtained when two original phenotypes, i.e., violet and
white flowers are crossed. One allele for a specific trait is not completely
expressed over the other allele for the same trait.
7. The genotype of pea plant that whether an individual for violet-coloured
flowers is homozygous or heterozygous, can be determined by test cross.
Violet coloured flowers in pea plant are a dominant trait. If the individual is
homozygous dominant, then all offspring will be 100% dominant. In case of
heterozygous individual, offspring will be 50% dominant and 50% recessive.
This can be explained as follows:
When plant is homozygous dominant,
When plant is heterozygous dominant,

8. (a)
9. (d): Both genes and chromosomes show independent assortment but linked
genes do not show independent assortment rather they remain together in the
same chromosomes.
10. (d): According to the dihybrid cross, if tall pea plant with green pods (TTGG)
is crossed with dwarf pea plant with yellow pods (ttgg), in F₂ generation 16
plants are formed in which 9 are tall green, 3 are tall yellow, 3 are dwarf green
and 1 dwarf yellow.
So, the number of tall plants (9+3) out of 80 plants is
12
= x 80 = 60
16

11. (d): In the dihybrid cross of Drosophila performed by Morgan in F₂

generation two genes did not segregate independently of each other and the F₂
ratio deviated very significantly from the 9:3:3:1 ratio (expected when the two
genes are independent), because of linkage of genes.
12. (c): When the two genes are present on the same chromosome, at the time of
gamete formation during meiosis, the tightly linked genes are unable to separate
because there is no crossing over and the proportion of parental genotype is
much higher than the non-parental type.
13.
Phenotype in F1 generation – All Inflated green pods Genotype in F1 generation –
FfGg
14. (d): Human skin colour is an example of polygenic or quantitative inheritance,
in which a single trait is controlled by two or more genes. The dominant allele has
cumulative effect with each dominant allele expressing a part or unit of the trait
and the full trait being shown only when all the dominant alleles are present.
15. (b): In honey bees, haplo-diploid mechanism of sex determination is present,
in which male or drone is haploid having 16 chromosomes and female or queen is
diploid having 32 chromosomes.
16. (b): Human sperm contains 50% X chromosome and 50% Y chromosome, so
there is an equal probability of fertilisation of female X chromosome with either X
or Y. XX results in female offspring and XY results in male offspring. Therefore, in
each pregnancy there is always 50 percent probability of either a male or a
female child.
17. (c): The given karyotype shows trisomy of 21 chromosome and two X
chromosomes, thus, affected individual is a female with "Down's syndrome".
18. The given disorder is Down's Syndrome.
Symptoms: The affected individual is short statured with small round head; has
furrowed tongue; partially open mouth; palm is broad with characteristic palm
crease;
physical, psychomotor and mental development is retarded.
19. (a) X-linked, recessive trait
(b) 100%
(c) Genotype of offsprings 1, 2, 3 and 4 in III generation would be XY, Xaxa, Xay and
XX respectively where 'a' represents the trait.
OR
(c) The possibility of the female getting the trait is less. The female will get the
trait only if the mother is atleast a carrier and the father is affected.