Question

Genetics: The study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
Heredity: Passing of traits from parents to offspring.
Gene: A segment of DNA that determines traits.
Chromosome: A structure made of DNA that carries genetic information.
Mitosis: A type of cell division that produces two identical body cells.
Meiosis: A type of cell division that produces four genetically different sex cells.
Haploid: A cell that contains one set of chromosomes.
Diploid: A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes.
Genetic Variation: Differences in DNA among individuals.
Reading Comprehension Questions
Section 1: What Is Genetics?
1. What is heredity?
2. Where are genes found?
3. Why don’t offspring look exactly like their parents?
Section 2: Mitosis
1. What is the purpose of mitosis?
2. How many daughter cells are produced?
3. Why are the daughter cells identical?
Section 3: Meiosis
1. What type of cells are made during meiosis?
2. How many cells are produced?
3. Why are the daughter cells different from each other?
Section 4: Haploid vs. Diploid
1. What does diploid mean?
2. Which cells in your body are haploid?
3. Why must gametes be haploid?
Section 5: Genetic Variation
1. What is genetic variation?
2. Name one source of genetic variation.
3. Why is genetic variation important?
Practice Quiz
Multiple Choice:
1. Mitosis results in:
A. Four different cells
B. Two identical cells
C. Four identical cells
D. One haploid cell
2. Meiosis produces:
A. Body cells
B. Somatic cells
C. Gametes
D. Bone cells
3. Haploid cells contain:
A. Double the chromosomes
B. Half the chromosomes
C. No chromosomes
D. Identical chromosomes
4. Genetic variation is created during:
A. Mitosis
B. Meiosis
C. Cytokinesis
D. DNA replication

Answer 1

Reading Comprehension Answers

Section 1: What Is Genetics?
1. Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring.
2. Genes are found on DNA, which is organized into chromosomes (in the cell nucleus).
3. Offspring don’t look exactly like their parents because of genetic variation — different combinations of parental genes (from meiosis, crossing over, independent assortment), plus possible mutations and environmental effects.

Section 2: Mitosis
1. The purpose of mitosis is growth, tissue repair, and producing identical body (somatic) cells.
2. Two daughter cells are produced.
3. The daughter cells are identical because the parent cell’s DNA is replicated and then evenly divided so each daughter gets the same set of chromosomes.

Section 3: Meiosis
1. Meiosis makes sex cells (gametes — sperm and eggs).
2. Four cells are produced.
3. The daughter cells are different because of crossing over and independent assortment during meiosis, which shuffle genetic material and produce unique combinations.

Section 4: Haploid vs. Diploid
1. Diploid means a cell has two sets of chromosomes (one set from each parent).
2. Haploid cells in your body are the gametes (sperm and egg).
3. Gametes must be haploid so that when two gametes fuse at fertilization the resulting zygote has the correct diploid number (prevents chromosome doubling each generation).

Section 5: Genetic Variation
1. Genetic variation is the differences in DNA among individuals.
2. One source of genetic variation is crossing over during meiosis (other sources: independent assortment, mutation, random fertilization).
3. Genetic variation is important because it allows populations to adapt to changing environments, increases survival chances, and is the raw material for evolution.

Practice Quiz — Answers
1. B. Two identical cells
2. C. Gametes
3. B. Half the chromosomes
4. B. Meiosis