5.

PRINCIPLES OF
INHERITANCE AND
VARIATION

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Biology Smart Booklet

Theory + NCERT MCQs + NEET PYQs
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 PRINCIPLES OF INHERITANCE AND VARIATION

Introduction:

Genetics is the study of principles and mechanism of heredity and variation.

Gregor Johann Mendel is known as ‘father of Genetics’. important attributes to
the reproductive health of a society.

Inheritance:

Inheritance is the process by which characters are passed on from parent to

progeny. It is the basis of heredity.

Variation:

Variation is the degree by which progeny differ from their parents. Variation may
be in terms of morphology, physiology, cytology and behavioristic traits of
individual belonging to same species.

Variation arise due to:

• Reshuffling of gene/ chromosomes.

• Crossing over or recombination
• Mutation and effect of environment.

Inheritance of one gene (Monohybrid cross):

Mendel crossed tall and dwarf pea plant and collected all the seeds obtained
from this cross. He grew all the seeds to generate plants of first hybrid generation
called F1 generation. He observed that all the plants are tall. Similar observation
was also found in other pair of traits.
Mendel self-pollinated the F1 plants and found that in F2 generation some plants
are also dwarf. The proportion of dwarf plants is 1/4th and tall plants of 3/4th.

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 • Mendel called the ‘factors’ that passes through gametes from one
generation to next generation. Now a day it is called as genes (unit of
inheritance).
• Genes that code for a pair of contrasting traits are known as alleles.
• Alphabetical symbols are used to represent each gene, capital letter (TT)
for gene expressed in F1 generation and small letter (tt) for other gene.
• Mendel also proposed that in true breeding tall and dwarf variety allelic pair
of genes for height is homozygous (TT or tt). TT, Tt or tt are called genotype
and tall and dwarf are called phenotype.
• The hybrids which contain alleles which express contrasting traits are called
heterozygous (Tt).
• The monohybrid ratio of F2 hybrid is 3 : 1 (phenotypic) and 1 : 2 : 1
(genotypic).

Dominance: When a factor (allele) expresses itself in the presence or absence of

its dominant factor called dominance. It forms a complete functional enzyme that
perfectly express it.

Recessive: It can only express itself in the absence of or its recessive factor allele.
It forms a incomplete defective enzyme which fails to express itself when present
with its dominant allele, i.e., in heterozygous condition.

Test cross:

Test cross is the cross between an individual with dominant trait and a recessive
organism in order to know whether the dominant trait is homozygous or
heterozygous.

Mendel’s Experiment:

Gregor Mendel, after performing his experiments on pea plants, discovered the

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fundamental laws of inheritance. He proposed three laws of inheritance which we
are studying to date. He has chosen pea plants having seven opposite traits of
particular characters and conducted his experiment on 14 true-breeding pea
plant varieties.

Mendel’s Laws:

There were 3 laws that were proposed by Mendel

Law of Dominance: It is explained in this law that all of the traits, or the characters
are controlled by the unit called the factors. These factors are found to be in pairs
and are called alleles. If they occur in the same pair they are called homozygous,
they can be either dominant or recessive and if the alleles occur in a different pair
then it is called heterozygous, It will always be dominant. “For example Allele for
tallness is dominant over the allele for dwarfism”.

Law of Segregation of Genes: Law of segregation is based on the fact that alleles
do not show any blending and that both the characters are recovered as such in
the second filial generation though one of these is not seen in the first generation.
The segregation of factors or a pair of alleles occurs in such a manner that the
gamete receives only one of the two factors from each other. Examples of the law
of segregation of alleles. In this R is dominant over r.

Law of Independent Assortment: It states that pairs of traits in the parental

generation sort independently from one another when passing from one
generation to the next. It is explained with the help of a dihybrid cross.

Inheritance of Two Genes (Dihybrid Cross):

The inheritance of two genes requires two characters of the same trait. This can
be observed with the help of a dihybrid cross. Mendel has chosen two traits that
involve the color and the shape of the seed to explain the inheritance of two
genes. Y represents the dominant yellow color seed color, y represents a recessive
green color while R represents the round shape of the seed, and r represents the
wrinkled shape of the seed. The genotype of the parents can then be written as
RRYY and rryy. The gametes RY and ry will unite after fertilization and will produce
the F1 hybrid RrYy. The dihybrid cross is also useful in the study of the Law of
Independent Assortment. After the self-pollination of the F1 hybrid, the F2 ratio was
found to be 9 : 3 : 3 : 1.

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Incomplete Dominance:

Incomplete dominance is a type of inheritance in which one allele for a specific

trait is not completely dominant over the other allele i.e. neither allele is dominant

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over the other in heterozygous organisms. This results in a combined phenotype.
Incomplete dominance is also called mosaic or partial dominance. Here new
phenotypic characters are expressed entirely.
Mirabilis Jalapa, the marvel of Peru commonly called a 4 o'clock plant. It is a very
good example of incomplete dominance because of its Inheritance of flower
color. It is shown in the figure given below where red flowers (dominant) were
crossed with white flowers (recessive), the F1 generation contains flowers that are
pink in color (intermediate). The phenotypic and the genotypic ratio observed will
be the same, that is 1 : 2 : 1.

Co-dominance:

It is the phenomenon of two alleles lacking dominance-recessive relationship and

both expressing themselves in the organism.

Human beings, ABO blood grouping are controlled by gene I. The gene has three
alleles IA, IB and i. Any person contains any two of three allele I A, IB are dominant
over i.

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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.

When IA and IB are present together, both express their own types of sugars
because of co-dominance.

Difference between Incomplete Dominance and Co-Dominance:

Incomplete Dominance Co-Dominance

Effect of one of the two alleles is Effect of both the alleles are equally
more conspicuous. conspicuous.
It produces a mixture of the There is no mixing of the effect of the
expression of two alleles. two alleles.
The F1 does not resemble either of The F1 resembles both the parents.
the parents.
E.g.: Flower colour in dog flower. E.g.: ABO blood grouping in humans,

Multiple Allelism or Codominance:

The condition in which three or more alternative forms of alleles present for a single
gene on the same chromosome is known as Multiple Allelism and the alleles are
known as multiple alleles. For example, Multiple allelism is better understand with
the help of the ABO blood group system in humans. The inheritance of the ABO
blood group is a gene I (in which I represent isohemagglutinin) that remains in the
3 allelic expressions: IA, IB, and i which are codominant in humans. An individual
can possess any two of these alleles. Gene IA is responsible for blood group A and
codes for glycoprotein A while gene IB is responsible for blood group B and codes
for glycoprotein B.

The gene ‘i’ does not produce any glycoprotein and so the person who will be
having these two alleles together in a homozygous condition will have O group

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blood. The genes IA and IB are dominant over ‘i’ but alleles IA and IB are dominant
equally and produce both the glycoproteins A and B simultaneously and results in
the blood group AB. Such alleles are known as co-dominant alleles.

Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance:

• Chromosome as well as gene both occurs in pair. The two alleles of a gene
pair are located on the same locus on homologous chromosomes.
• Sutton and Boveri argued that the pairing and separation of a pair of
chromosomes would lead to segregation of a pair of factors (gene) they
carried.
• Sutton united the knowledge of chromosomal segregation with mendelian
principles and called it the chromosomal theory of inheritance.

Linkage and Recombination:

When two genes in a Dihybrid cross were situated on same chromosome, the
proportion of parental gene combination was much higher than the non-parental
type. Morgan attributed this due to the physical association or the linkage of the
two genes and coined the linkage to describe the physical association of genes
on same chromosome.

The generation of non-parental gene combination during Dihybrid cross is called

recombination. When genes are located on same chromosome, they are tightly
linked and show very low recombination.

Crossing over:

It leads to separation of linked genes, It involves exchange of segments between

non-sister chromatics of homologous chromosomes. The frequency of crossing
over can never exceed 50%. It increases variability by forming new gene
combinations.

Sex Determination:

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Sex determination is the process where the gender of the child can be revealed.
Sex chromosomes are responsible for the determination of the sex of a child. In the
case of humans, females have XX types of chromosomes while males have one X
and one Y type of chromosomes. Thus, when the egg (female gamete) formed
will be having identical X-chromosome each but male sperms (male gametes) are
not identical as they have one X-chromosome and one Y-chromosome. So it's a
matter of chance that which sperm fuses with the egg (X or Y). Thus, the females
are said to be homogametic (same type of chromosomes) while males are said
to be heterogametic (different types of chromosomes).

In the case of insects, the mechanism of sex determination is of XO type. Here the
eggs consist of the X chromosomes while the sperms may have one or none X
chromosomes. Thus, the males are said to be homogametic (same type of
chromosomes) while females are said to be heterogametic (different types of
chromosomes).

Mutation: Mutation is a phenomenon which results in alternation of DNA sequence

and consequently results in the change in the genotype and phenotype of an
organism. The mutations that arise due to due to change in single base pair of
DNA are called point mutation e.g., Sickle cell anaemia.

Pedigree Analysis: The analysis of traits in several of generation of a family is called

the pedigree analysis. The inheritance of a particular trait is represented in family
tree over several generations. It is used to trace the inheritance of particular trait,
abnormality and disease.

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Genetic Disorders: Broadly, genetic disorders may be grouped into two categories
Mendelian disorders.

Chromosomal disorders: They are transmitted as the affected individual is sterile.

This is always dominant in nature.

Mendelian disorder includes:

Haemophilia:

Sex linked recessive disease in which, in an infected individual, a minor cut leads
to non-stop bleeding. Heterozygous female (carrier) can transmit the disease to
their son. The possibility of a female becoming a haemophilic is extremely rare
because mother of such a female has to be at least carrier and the father should
be haemophilic (unviable in the later stage of life).

Sickle cell anaemia:

An autosome linked recessive trait in which mutant haemoglobin molecules

undergo polymerization under low oxygen tension causing change in shape of the
RBC from biconvex disc to elongated sickle like structure. The defect is caused by
the substitution of Glutamic acid (Glu) by Valine (Val) at the sixth position of the
beta globin chain of the haemoglobin molecule. The substitution of amino acid in

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the globin protein results due to the single base substitution at the sixth codon of
the beta globin gene from GAG to GUG.

Phenylketonuria:

Inborn error of metabolism inherited as autosomal recessive trait. The affected

individual lacks an enzyme that converts the amino acids phenylalanine to
tyrosine. As a result of this phenylalanine is accumulated and converted into
phenyl pyruvic acid and other derivatives that results into mental retardation.

Aneuploidy:

It is chromosomal disorder Failure of segregation of chromatids during cell division

results in loss or gain of chromosome called aneuploidy.

Polyploidy:

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The failure of cytokinesis leads to two sets of chromosome called polyploidy.

Down’s Syndrome:

Down’s Syndrome is due to presence of additional copy of the chromosome

number 21. The affected individual is short statured with small rounded head,
furrowed tongue and partially opened mouth. Mental development is retarded.

Klineflener’s Syndrome:

Klineflener’s Syndrome due to presence of an additional copy of X-chromosome

(XXY). Such persons have overall masculine development however, the feminine
development (development of breast, i.e., Gynaecomastia) is also expressed.
They are sterile.

Turner’s Syndrome:

Turner’s Syndrome caused due to the absence of one of the X chromosome. 45

with XO, such females are sterile as ovaries are rudimentary. They lack secondary
sexual characters.

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 NCERT LINE BY LINE QUESTIONS
Mendel’s Laws of Inheritance
1. Genetics is the subject that deals with (Pg.69, E)
A) inheritance B) variation of characteristics
C) reproduction D) both (a) and (b)
2. The basis of heredity is (Pg. 69, E)
A) variation B) inheritance
C) mutation D) linkage
3. Humans knew from as early as 8000–1000 BC that one of the causes of variation was
hidden in (Pg. 69, E)
A) sexual reproduction B) asexual reproduction
C) vegetative propagation D) none of these
4. Choose the incorrect statement from the following. (Pg. 69, M)
A) Humans knew from very early that sexual reproduction is one of the causes of variation.
B) They exploited the variation to obtain plants and animals of desirable characters through
selective breeding.
C) Sahiwal cows were obtained through artificial selection and domestication from ancestral
wild cows.
D) Our ancestors were very well aware about the scientific basis of inheritance of characters and
variation.
5. Which one from the following is the period for Mendel’s hybridization experiments? (Pg. 70, E)
A) 1840–1850 B) 1857–1869 C) 1870–1877 D) 1856–1863
6. Who proposed the ‘Laws of Inheritance’ in living organisms? (Pg. 70, E)
A) Mendel B) Morgan C) de Vries D) Correns
7. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(Pg. 70, M)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Genetics (1) Process of passing characters from parent to offspring
(B) Inheritance (2) Laws of inheritance
(C) Variation (3) A branch of Biology
(D) Mendel (4) Degree of difference of progeny from their parents
Codes-
ABCD
A) 1 4 2 3
B) 4 2 3 1
C) 3 1 4 2
D) 2 3 1 4
8. Mendel investigated characters in the garden pea plant that were manifested as two (Pg. 70, E)
A) linked traits B) opposing traits
C) similar traits D) none of these
9. How many pairs of contrasting characters in pea plants were studied by Mendel in his
experiments? (Pg. 70, E)
A) Six B) Eight C) Seven D) Four
10. Which contrasting trait was not studied by Mendel during his experiments? (Pg. 70,E)
A) Seed colour B) Leaf colour C) Flower colour D) Stem height
11. Among the following, which one is not a dominating trait? (Pg. 70, E)
A) Axial position of flower B) Green colour of pod

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 C) Violet colour of flower D) Green colour of seed
12. A true-breeding line is one that (Pg. 70, E)
A) has undergone continuous self pollination
B) shows stable trait inheritance
C) shows expressions of trait for several generations
D) all of these
13. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
70, M)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Axial flower (1) Undergone continuous self pollination
(B) Terminal flower (2) Father of genetics
(C) Mendel (3) Dominant trait
(D) True-breeding line (4) Recessive trait
Codes-
A B C D
A) 3 4 2 1
B) 4 3 1 2
C) 1 2 4 3
D) 2 1 3 4
14. Refer to the given figures (A–D) showing traits of pea plant studied by Mendel.Among these,
choose the dominant trait. (Pg. 70, M)

A) B B) A C) D D) C
15. Which technique was used by Mendel during his experiments on pea plant? (Pg.70, E)
A) Artificial pollination B) Cross pollination
C) Self-pollination D) All of these
16. Choose the correct statement(s) from the following. (Pg. 70, M)
(I) During Mendel’s investigation, statistical analysis and mathematical logic were applied to
problems in Biology.
(II) Mendel investigated characters in the garden pea plant that were manifested as two
opposing traits.
(III) Mendel conducted artificial pollination experiments using several true-breeding pea lines.
(IV) Mendel selected eight true-breeding pea plant varieties as pairs.
A) I and II B) III and IV C) I, II and III D) All of these
17. The contrasting trait(s) selected by Mendel was/were (Pg. 70, E)
A) smooth or wrinkled seed
B) yellow or green seed
C) smooth or inflated pods
D) all of these
18. Assertion: Mendel conducted hybridization experiments on garden pea plant.
Reason: He proposed laws of inheritance in living organisms. (Pg. 70, M)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true, but reason is false.

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 D) Both assertion and reason are false.
19. Assertion: Mendel used contrasting traits for his studies.
Reason: He used Ocimum plant for his experiments. (Pg. 70, M)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true, but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
20. Assertion: Mendel used true-breeding pea lines for his experiments.
Reason: A true-breeding line is one that has undergone continuous selfpollination. (Pg. 70, M)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true, but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
Inheritance of one Gene
21. The first hybrid generation of Mendel’s experiment is known as (Pg. 71, E)
A) Filial1 progeny
B) F1-generation
C) Father generation
D) Both (A) and (B)
22. When Mendel crossed true-breeding tall and dwarf plants, in F1-generation all tall plants were
obtained. On self-crossing in the F2 generation, he obtained (Pg. 71, E)
A) 1/4th dwarf and 3/4th tall plants
B) 3/4th dwarf and 1/4th tall plants
C) 2/4th dwarf and 2/4th tall plants
D) All dwarf plants
23. During the study of inheritance of one character in F2 generation, Mendel obtained phenotype
in(Pg. 71, E)
A) 2 : 1 ratio B) 3 : 1 ratio C) 1 : 2 : 1 ratio D) 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 ratio
24. The ‘factors’ of Mendel are today known as (Pg. 71, E)
A) genome B) gene C) DNA D) allele
25. The slightly different forms of the same genes are called (Pg. 71, E)
A) genome B) DNA C) allele D) cistron
26. Alleles are (Pg. 72, E)
A) true-breeding homozygotes
B) different molecular forms of a gene
C) heterozygotes
D) different phenotype
27. What would be the phenotype of a plant that had a genotype ‘Tt’? Here ‘T’ represent tall trait
while ‘t’ represents dwarf trait. (Pg. 72, E)
A) Tall B) Intermediate height C) Dwarf D) None of these
28. In homozygous condition, a particular gene has (Pg. 72, E)
A) different alleles on homologous chromosomes.
B) no alleles on homologous chromosomes.
C) same alleles on homologous chromosomes.
D) none of these
29. Tall and dwarf are the two alleles of gene of height. The dominant trait is (Pg. 72, E)
A) dwarf B) tall
C) both are equally dominant D) both are recessive
30. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below.
(Pg. 72, M)

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 Column-I Column-II
(A) Genes (1) Slightly different forms of the same gene
(B) Alleles (2) Genetic composition of an organism
(C) Genotype (3) Physical appearance of an organism
(D) Phenotype (4) Unit of inheritance
Codes–
A B C D
A) 4 1 2 3
B) 1 4 3 2
C) 3 2 4 1
D) 2 3 1 4
31. A cross that is performed for the study of a single character is (Pg. 72, E)
A) dihybrid cross B) test cross
C) monohybrid cross D) back cross
32. The given figure is the diagrammatic representation of a monohybrid cross. In the figure, some
plants are mentioned as A and B. What will be the genotype of these plants? (Pg. 72, E)

A) A – tt, B – Tt B) A – Tt, B – tt C) A – TT, B – TT D) A – Tt, B – Tt

33. Choose the incorrect statement about Mendel’s monohybrid cross. (Pg. 73, E)
A) The recessive parental trait is expressed without any blending in F2 generation.
B) The alleles of parental pair segregate from each other and both alleles are transmitted to a
gamete.
C) The segregation of alleles is a random process.
D) There is a 50% chance of a gamete containing either allele.
34. The production of gametes by the parents the formation of zygotes, the F1 and F2 plants, can be
understood by using (Pg.73, E)
A) Wenn diagram B) Pie diagram C) A pyramid diagram D) Punnett square
35. Select the correct statement. (Pg. 73, E)
A) Franklin Stahl coined the term ‘linkage’.
B) Punnett square was developed by a British scientist.
C) Spliceosomes take part in translation.
D) Transduction was discovered by SAltman.
36. In the test cross, organism whose genotype is to be determined, is crossed with the (Pg. 74, E)
A) recessive parent B) dominant parent
C) both parents one by one D) none of these

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37. On crossing two tall plants, in F1-generation few dwarf offspring were obtained. What would
be the genotype of the both the parent? (Pg. 74, E)
A) TT and Tt B) Tt and Tt C) TT and TT D) TT and tt
38. Based on his observations of monohybrid cross, Mendel proposed which law of inheritance?
(Pg. 74, E)
A) Law of dominance B) Law of segregation
C) Law of independent assortment D) Both (A) and (B)
39. According to Mendel, characters are controlled by discrete units called (Pg. 74, E)
A) genes B) factors C) alleles D) allelomorph
40. Choose the incorrect statement about law of dominance. (Pg. 74, E)
A) It is used to explain the expression of only one of the parental characters in a monohybrid
cross in F1-generation.
B) It does not explain the expression of both parental characters in F2-generation.
C) It also explains the proportion of 3: 1 obtained in F2-generation.
D) It states that characters are controlled by discrete units called factors.
41. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below.
(Pg. 73, M)
Column-I Column-II
(A) First law of inheritance (1) Law of segregation
(B) Second law of inheritance (2) 3: 1
(C) Monohybrid cross (3) Law of dominance
(D) Test cross (4) 1: 1
Codes-
A B C D
A) 3 1 2 4
B) 1 3 4 2
C) 2 3 1 4
D) 4 2 3 1
42. The second law of inheritance, i.e., law of segregation is based on the fact that (Pg.74, E)
A) alleles do not show any blending.
B) both characters are recovered as such in F2 generation.
C) one allele dominates the other allele.
D) Both (A) and (B)
43. The factor controlling any character is discrete and independent. It was concluded on the basis
of (Pg. 75, E)
A) results of F3-generation of a cross.
B) observations of a cross made between the plants having two contrasting traits where
offspring shows only one trait without any blending.
C) self-pollination of F1-offspring.
D) cross pollination of parental generations.
44. In Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), a red flower was crossed with a white flower and in F1 generation,
pink flowers were obtained. When pink flowers were selfed, the F2 generation showed white, red
and pink flowers. Choose the incorrect statement from the following.(Pg.75, E)
A) The experiment does not follow the principle of dominance.
B) Pink colour in F1 is due to incomplete dominance.
C) Ratio of F2 is ¼ (Red): 2/4 (Pink): ¼ (white).
D) Law of segregation does not apply in this experiment.
45. It was being observed that sometimes, the F1 shows a phenotype that does not resemble either
of the two parents and remains in between the two. It can be explained by (Pg. 75, E)
A) Law of dominance B) Law of segregation

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 C) Law of incomplete dominance D) None of these
46. The genotypic ratio obtained in incomplete dominance is (Pg. 76, E)
A) 3 : 1 B) 1 : 1 : 2 C) 2 : 1 : 1 D) 1 : 2 : 1
47. In case of co-dominance, the F1 progeny (Pg. 77, E)
A) resembles either of the two parents B) is in between of parents
C) resembles both the parents D) none of these
48. A person of AB blood group has IA and IB genes. It is an example of (Pg. 77, E)
A) pleiotropy B) segregation
C) co-dominance D) None of these
49. In a marriage between male with blood group A and female with blood group B, the progeny
had either blood group AB or B. What could be the possible genotype of parents? (Pg. 77, E)
A) IAi (Male); IBi (Female)
B) IAi (Male); IBIB (Female)
C) IAIA (Male); IBIB (Female)
D) IAIA (Male); IBi (Female)
50. A person has ‘O’ blood group. His mother has ‘A’ while father has ‘B’ blood group. What
would be the genotype of mother and father? (Pg. 77, E)
A) Mother is homozygous for ‘A’ blood group and father is heterozygous for ‘B’ blood group.
B) Mother is heterozygous for ‘A’ blood group and father is homozygous for ‘B’ blood group.
C) Both mother and father are homozygous for ‘A’ and ‘B’ blood groups respectively.
D) Both mother and father are heterozygous for ‘A’ and ‘B’ blood groups respectively.
51. Which of the following characteristics represent ‘inheritance of blood groups’ in humans? (Pg.
77, E)
(I) Dominance
(II) Co-dominance
(III) Multiple dominance
(IV) Incomplete dominance
(V) Polygenic inheritance
A) II, III and V B) I, II and III C) II, IV and V D) I, III and V
52. A man with blood group ‘A’ marries a woman with blood ‘B’. What are all possible blood
groups of their offsprings? (Pg. 77, E)
A) A, B and AB only B) A, B, AB and O
C) O only D) A and B only
53. The genotypes of a husband and wife are IAIB and IAi. Among the blood types of their
children, how many different genotypes and phenotypes are possible? (Pg. 77, E)
A) 3 genotypes: 4 phenotypes
B) 4 genotypes: 3 phenotypes
C) 4 genotypes: 4 phenotypes
D) 3 genotypes: 3 phenotypes
54. Multi alleles are present (Pg. 77, E)
A) at different loci on the same chromosome
B) at the same locus of the chromosome
C) on non-sister chromatids
D) on different chromosome
55. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(Pg. 74-78, M)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Dominance (1) ABO blood group
(B) Codominance (2) Appearance of pink flowers in snapdragon in F1 generation
(C) Incomplete dominance (3) Starch synthesis in pea seeds

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 (D) Pleiotropy (4) Appearance of violet flowers in F1 generation in garden pea
Codes-
A B C D
A) 4 1 2 3
B) 1 4 3 2
C) 3 2 4 1
D) 2 3 1 4
56. ABO blood grouping is a good example of (Pg. 77, E)
A) incomplete dominance
B) mutation
C) multiple alleles
D) pleiotropy
57. Sometimes a single gene product may produce more than one effect. This phenomenon is
known as (Pg. 77, E)
A) mosaicism B) pleiotropy C) multiple allelism D) polygeny
58. Starch synthesis in pea seeds is an example of (Pg. 77, E)
A) multiple allelism B) incomplete dominance
C) co-dominance D) pleiotropy
59. Pea seeds having Bb genotype produce starch grains of (Pg. 78, E)
A) large size B) small size
C) intermediate size D) they do not produce starch.
60. Choose the incorrect statement from the following about pleiotropy. (Pg. 78, E)
A) In pleiotropy, a single gene produces more than one effect.
B) Starch synthesis in pea seeds is controlled by one gene.
C) Pea seeds having BB genotypes, produce small starch grains.
D) bb homozygotes of pea produce wrinkled seeds.
61. Assertion: The law of dominance is used to explain the expression of only one of the parental
characters in a monohybrid cross.
Reason: It also explains the proportion of 3: 1 obtained at F2 generation. (Pg. 78, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true, but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
62. Assertion: The pink flower of dog plant show incomplete dominance.
Reason: In pink flowers, both alleles are expressed equally. (Pg. 78, E)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true, but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
63. Assertion: A person having IAIB genotype has AB blood group.
Reason: IA and IB alleles are co-dominant (Pg. 78, E)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but reason is not correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true, but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
Inheritance of two Genes
64. Crosses that are performed to study two contrasting characters at a time are called (Pg. 78, E)
A) monohybrid cross
B) dihybrid cross
C) test cross

20
 D) back cross
65. The phenotypic ratio obtained by Mendel in his dihybrid cross was (Pg. 79, E)
A) 1 : 2 : 1 : 2 B) 3 : 2 : 2 : 1 C) 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 D) 2 : 3 : 1 : 2
66. The third law of inheritance proposed by Mendel is (Pg. 79, E)
A) Law of dominance
B) Law of independent assortment
C) Law of incomplete dominance
D) Law of segregation
67. The ratio 9: 3: 3: 1 of a dihybrid cross denotes that (Pg. 79, E)
A) it is a multigenic inheritance.
B) the alleles of two genes are interacting with each other.
C) it is a case of multiple allelism.
D) the alleles of two genes are segregating independently.
68. The numbers of phenotypes and genotypes in F2 generation of a Mendelian dihybrid
cross are (Pg. 79, E)
A) phenotypes 4: genotypes 16
B) phenotypes 4: genotypes 8
C) phenotypes 9: genotypes 4
D) phenotypes 4: genotypes 9
69. Mendel’s law of independent assortment is true for the genes situated on the (Pg. 79,E)
A) same chromosome
B) non-homologous chromosomes
C) homologous chromosomes
D) extra nuclear genetic element
70. Genes A and B are linked. The F1 heterozygote of a dihybrid cross involving these genes is
crossed with homozygous recessive parental type (aabb). What would be the ratio of offspring
in the next generation? (Pg. 80, E)
A) 1: 1 B) 1: 1: 1: 1 C) 9: 3: 3: 1 D) 3: 1
71. Mendel’s work remained unrecognized for many years. Find out the true reason for the same.
(Pg. 81, H)
(I) Mendel’s concept of genes was not accepted by his contemporaries as an explanation for the
continuous variation seen in nature.
(II) The approach of using mathematics was new and unacceptable by other biologists.
(III) He could not provide any physical proof for the existence of factors.
(IV) Communication was not easy in those days and his work could not be widely published.
A) I and II B) II and III C) III and IV D) All of these
72. Mendel’s results on the inheritance of characters were rediscovered by: (Pg. 81, E)
A) de Vries B) Correns C) von Tschermak D) all of these
73. Among the following, who noted that the behaviour of chromosomes was parallel to the
behavior of genes?
A) Walter Sutton B) Theodore Boveri C) Von Tschermak D) Both (A) and (B)
74. Refer to the given figure showing meiosis and germ cell formation in a cell with four
chromosomes. Which law of Mendel can be effectively explained by this figure? (Pg.81, M)

21
 A) Law of dominance B) Law of segregation
C) Law of independent assortment D) All of these
75. The chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by (Pg. 83, E)
A) Sutton B) Boveri C) Morgan D) Both (A) and (B)
76. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
83, M)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Mendel (1) Rediscovery of Mendel’s law
(B) Correns, Tschermak and Vries (2) Worked on Drosophila melanogaster
(C) Sutton and Boveri (3) Law of independent assortment
(D) T. H. Morgan (4) Chromosomal theory of inheritance
Codes-
A B C D
A) 3 1 4 2
B) 1 4 3 2
C) 2 3 1 4
D) 4 2 3 1
77. Morgan performed his experiments on(Pg.83, E)
A) Garden pea B) Drosophila C) Snapdragon D) None of these
78. When two genes are located on the same chromosome, the proportion of parental gene
combination is (Pg. 83, E)
A) higher than non-parental
B) lower than non-parental
C) equal to non-parental
D) None of these
79. Genes which are present on the same chromosome (Pg. 83, E)
A) do not form any linkage group.
B) affect the phenotype by forming interactive groups.
C) form a linkage group.
D) form different groups depending upon their relative distance.
80. The term used to describe the generation of nonparental gene combination is (Pg.83, E)
A) linkage B) recombination C) mutation D) none of these
81. Which type of relationship is found between the distance of genes and percentage of
recombination? (Pg. 83, E)
A) Inverse B) Parallel C) Direct D) None of these
82. Among the following which will not cause variations among siblings? (Pg. 83, H)
A) Linkage B) Independent assortment of genes
C) Crossing over D) Mutation
83. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct answer from the codes given below.
(Pg. 83, H)
Column-I Column-II

22
 (A) Linkage (1) Non-parallel gene combination
(B) Recombination (2) Genetic map
(C) Sturtevant (3) Unit of distance between genes
(D) Centimorgan (4) Physical association of genes
Codes-
A B C D
A) 3 2 4 1
B) 2 3 1 4
C) 4 1 2 3
D) 1 4 3 2
84. What map unit (centimorgan) is adopted in the construction of genetic maps? (Pg. 85,E)
A) A unit distance between two expressed genes, representing 10% cross over.
B) A unit distance between two expressed genes, representing 100% cross over.
C) A unit distance between genes on chromosomes, representing 1% cross over.
D) A unit distance between genes on chromosomes, representing 50% cross over.
85. The concept of genetic map was given by (Pg. 85, E)
A) de Vries B) Morgan C) Sturtevant D) Mendel
86. Assertion: Mendel proposed the law of independent assortment on the basis of results of
dihybrid cross.
Reason: When two pairs of traits are combined in a hybrid, segregation of one pair of characters
is independent of the other pair of characters. (Pg. 85, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
87. Assertion: The chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by T. H. Morgan.
Reason: Morgan worked on garden pea plants to give this theory. (Pg. 85, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
88. Assertion: Morgan coined the term linkage to describe the physical association of genes on a
chromosome.
Reason: Linkage shows more non-parental type combination of genes. (Pg. 85, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
Sex Determination
89. X-body was discovered by (Pg. 85, E)
A) Mendel B) Morgan C) Henking D) de Vries
90. In XO type of sex determination, who does possess the X chromosome? (Pg. 86, E)
A) Female B) Male
C) Sometimes female and sometimes male D) None of these
91. X-chromosome is designated as (Pg. 86, E)
A) autosome B) sex chromosome
C) somatic chromosome D) none of these
92. Which type of sex determination is found in grasshoppers? (Pg. 86, E)
A) XX – XY type B) XX – XO type
C) ZZ – ZW type D) None of these

23
93. In a specific taxon of insects, some possess 17 chromosomes while others have 18 chromosomes.
These 17 and 18 chromosomes bearing organisms are [NCERT Exemplar]
A) All males B) All females
C) Females and males, respectively D) Males and females, respectively
94. In Drosophila, males possess (Pg. 86, E)
A) XO chromosomes B) XX chromosomes
C) XY chromosomes D) YY chromosomes
95. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
86, M)
Column-I Column-II
(A) X-body (1) Autosomes
(B) X and Y chromosome (2) Henking
(C) Somatic chromosome (3) Grasshopper
(D) XO-types of sex determination (4) Allosomes
Codes-
A B C D
(a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 4 2 1 3
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 1 3 2 4
96. XY type of sex determination is found in (Pg. 86, E)
A) Drosophila B) humans C) grasshopper D) both (A) and (B)
97. Choose the incorrect statement about XY type of sex determination. (Pg. 86, E)
A) Both males and females have same number of chromosomes.
B) The counter part of X chromosome is distinctly smaller and called Y chromosome.
C) Males and females possess different number of autosomes.
D) This type of sex determination is found in Drosophila.
98. Male heterogamety is found in(Pg. 86, E)
A) grasshopper B) Drosophila C) humans D) all of these
99. In female heterogamety, females
A) one type of gametes B) two types of gametes
C) three types of gametes D) none of these
100. ZZ/ZW type of sex determination is the characteristics feature of [NCERT Exemplar]
A) platypus B) snails C) peacock D) cockroach
101. Among the following, which has a different mechanism of sex determination? (Pg. 87,E)
A) Birds B) Humans C) Drosophila D) None of these
102. Refer to the given figure which is followed by few statements. Choose the incorrect statement
about it.

A) It shows male heterogamety.

B) Both possess same types of autosomes.
C) The sex of progeny is determined by females.
D) This type of sex determination is different from humans.
103. In humans, sex is determined by (Pg. 87, E)
A) females B) males C) environmental factors D) none of these

24
104. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
86-87, E)
Column-I Column-II
(A) XO-type (1) Drosophila
(B) XY-type (2) Grasshopper
(C) ZZ-ZW type (3) Birds
(4) Humans progeny from their parents
Codes-
A B C
(a) 1,4 2 3
(b) 2 1,4 3
(c) 3,2 1 4
(d) 4 3 2,1
105. Match the items of Column I with Column II. (Pg. 87, E)
Column-I Column-II
(A) XX-XO method of sex determination (1) Turner’s syndrome
(B) XX-XY method of sex determination (2) Female heterogametic
(C) Karyotype-45 (3) Grasshopper
(D) ZW-ZZ method of sex determination (4) Female homogametic
Codes-
A B C D
A) 4 2 1 3
B) 2 4 1 3
C) 1 4 2 3
D) 3 4 1 2
106. Select the incorrect statement. (Pg. 87, M)
A) Male fruit fly is heterogametic.
B) In male grasshoppers, 50% of sperms have no sex chromosome.
C) In domesticated fowls, sex of progeny depends on the type of sperm rather than egg.
D) Human males have one of their sex chromosome much shorter than the other.
107. Assertion: Grasshoppers show male heterogamety.
Reason: Male grasshoppers produce two types of gametes. (Pg. 87, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
108. Assertion: In fruitfly, sex of progeny is decided by females.
Reason: Females produce two types of gametes. (Pg. 87, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
109. Assertion: Birds show female heterogamety.
Reason: In birds, the sex of progeny is determined by males. (Pg. 87, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
Mutation and Genetic Disorders
110. The phenomenon which results in alteration of DNA sequences is (Pg. 88, E)

25
 A) mutation B) transpiration C) transcription D) translation
111. Chromosomal aberrations are commonly observed in (Pg. 88, E)
A) cardiac cells B) cancer cells C) skeletal cells D) none of these
112. A classical example of point mutation is (Pg. 88, E)
A) gout B) night blindness C) sickle cell anaemia D) Turner’s syndrome
113. The factors that cause mutations are called (Pg. 88, E)
A) mutagens B) teratogens C) allergens D) none of these
114. An analysis of traits in several of generations of a family is called (Pg. 88, E)
A) mutation B) pedigree analysis C) genetic map formation D) none of these
115. In a pedigree analysis, the given symbol represents (Pg. 88, E)

A) affected individuals B) mating

C) consanguineous mating D) unspecified sex
116. Pedigree analysis is used to study the inheritance pattern of a gene over generations. The
character that is studied in the pedigree analysis is equivalent to [NCERT Exemplar]
A) Mendelian trait B) Maternal trait
C) Polygamic trait D) Quantitative trait
117. Mendelian disorders are mainly determined by alteration or mutation in the (Pg. 89, E)
A) chromosomes B) single gene
C) array of genes D) none of these
118. Among the following which one is a Mendelian disorder? (Pg. 89, E)
A) Haemophilia B) Sickle cell anaemia
C) Cystic fibrosis D) All of these
119. Choose the incorrect statement about Mendelian disorders. (Pg. 89, E)
A) These are usually caused by mutation in a single gene.
B) These disorders are transmitted to the offspring according to the laws of inheritance.
C) Mendelian disorders are always sex linked.
D) The trait in question can be dominant or recessive.
120. A genetic disease transmitted from a carrier female that is phenotypically normal to only some
male progeny is [NCERT Exemplar]
A) sex-linked dominant B) sex-linked recessive
C) autosomal dominant D) autosomal recessive
121. Refer to the given pedigree analysis. It is related to the analysis of (Pg. 89, E)

A) autosomal dominant trait B) autosomal recessive trait

26
 C) sex-linked dominant trait D) sex-linked recessive trait
122. Haemophilia is a/an (Pg. 90, E)
A) sex-linked recessive disease B) sex-linked dominant disease
C) autosomal recessive disease D) autosomal dominant disease
123. The possibility of a female becoming a haemophilic is (Pg. 90, E)
A) extremely high B) extremely rare
C) equal to a male D) none of these
124. Haemophilia A and B are due to deficiencies of respectively clotting factor (Pg. 90, E)
A) VIII and IX B) IX and VIII C) VII and IX D) X and VII
125. Sickle cell anaemia is a/an (Pg. 90, E)
A) sex-linked recessive disease B) sex-linked dominant disease
C) autosomal recessive disease D) autosomal dominant disease

126. In sickle cell anaemia, valine replaces glutamic acid. This valine is coded by the triplet [NCERT
Exemplar]
A) AAG B) GGG C) GUG D) GAA
127. Sickle Cell Anaemia (SCA) is transferred from parents to offspring when (Pg. 90, E)
A) father is affected and mother is normal.
B) father is normal and mother is carrier.
C) father is normal and mother is affected.
D) both mother and father are carrier.
128. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
90, E)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Myotonic dystrophy (1) Autosomal recessive
(B) Sickle cell anaemia (2) Sex-linked recessive
(C) Haemophilia (3) Sex-linked dominant
(D) Rett syndrome (4) Autosomal dominant
Codes-
A B C D
(a) 4 1 2 3
(b) 4 2 3 1
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 2 3 4 1
129. Thalassemia and sickle cell anaemia are caused due to a problem in globin molecule synthesis.
Select the correct statement. (Pg. 90, E)
A) Both are due to a quantitative defect in globin chain synthesis.
B) Thalassemia is due to less synthesis of globin molecules.
C) Sickle cell anaemia is due to quantitative problem of globin molecules.
D) Both are due to qualitative defect in globin chain synthesis.
130. The person suffering from phenylketonuria disease lacks enzyme (Pg. 91, E)
A) phenylalanine hydroxylase B) phosphates
C) enolase D) none of these
131. Phenylketonuria is an inborn error in which affected individual lacks an enzyme that converts
(Pg. 91, E)
A) phenylalanine into tyrosine B) tyrosine into phenylalanine
C) glutamic acid into valine D) valine into glutamic acid
132. Phenylketonuria is a/an (Pg. 91, E)
A) autosomal dominant trait B) autosomal recessive trait
C) sex-linked dominant trait D) sex-linked recessive trait

27
133. If a colourblind man marries a women who is homozygous for normal colour vision, the
probability of their son being colour blind is (Pg. 89, E)
A) 0.75 B) 1 C) 0 D) 0.5 25.
134. The chromosomal disorders are
A) absence of one or more chromosomes
B) excess of one or more chromosomes
C) abnormal arrangement of chromosomes
D) all of these
135. Condition of having 2n ± 1 or 2n ± 2 chromosomes is called [NCERT Exemplar]
A) polyploidy B) aneuploidy C) allopolyploidy D) monosomy
136. An increase in a whole set of chromosomes in an organism is called (Pg. 91, E)
A) aneuploidy B) linkage C) polyploidy D) none of these
137. Condition (2n + 1) of chromosomes is known as (Pg. 88, E)
A) trisomy B) monosomy C) polyploidy D) haploidy
138. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
88, E)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Deletion (1) Loss of a gene or a segment of chromosome
(B) Duplication (2) A segment of chromosome is turned around 180° within a
chromosome
(C) Inversion (3) Presence of a gene or segment of chromosome more than once
(D) Translocation (4) Exchange of segments between two homologous chromosomes
Codes-
A B C D
A) 1 3 2 4
B) 4 2 3 1
C) 3 1 4 2
D) 2 4 1 3
139. Match Column-I with Column-II and choose the correct option from the codes given below. (Pg.
91, E)
Column-I Column-II
(A) Aneuploidy (1) An increase in whole set of chromosomes
(B) Polyploidy (2) 2n + 1
(C) Trisomy (3) Gain or loss of a chromosome
(D) Monosomy (4) 2n − 1
Codes-
ABCD
A) 1 3 4 2
B) 3 1 2 4
C) 4 2 3 1
D) 2 4 1 3
140. A disease caused by an autosomal primary nondisjunction is [(Pg. 91, E)
A) Klinefelter’s syndrome B) Turner’s syndrome
C) Sickle cell anaemia D) Down’s syndrome
141. Refer to the given figure. It is showing the characteristic features of (Pg. 92, E)

28
 A) Down’s syndrome B) Turner’s syndrome
C) Klinefelter’s syndrome D) None of these
142. The disease caused by the trisomy of chromosome number 21 is (Pg. 92, E)
A) Turner’s syndrome
B) Haemophilia
C) Klinefelter’s syndrome
D) Down’s syndrome
143. An abnormal human baby with ‘XXX’ sex chromosomes was born due to (Pg. 92, E)
A) formation of abnormal ova in the mother.
B) fusion of two ova and one sperm.
C) fusion of two sperms and one ovum.
D) formation of abnormal sperms in the father.
144. What is the genetic disorder in which an individual has an overall masculine development,
gynaecomastia and is sterile? (Pg. 92, E)
A) Turner’s syndrome
B) Klinefelter’s syndrome
C) Edward’s syndrome
D) Down’s syndrome
145. In which genetic condition, each cell in the affected person, has three sex chromosomes XXY?
(Pg. 92, E)
A) Turner’s syndrome B) Thalassemia
C) Kleinfelter’s syndrome D) Phenylketonuria
146. A disorder caused due to the absence of one of the X chromosomes is (Pg. 92, E)
A) Turner’s syndrome B) Down’s syndrome
C) Klinefelter’s syndrome D) Edward’s syndrome
147. Assertion: The possibility of a female becoming a haemophilic is extremely rare.
Reason: For being haemophilic, the mother of such a female has to be at least carrier and the
father should be haemophilic. (Pg. 92, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
148. Assertion: Aneuploidy is the gain or loss of chromosomes.
Reason: It is caused due to the failure of cytokinesis after telophase stage of cell division. (Pg.
92, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.
149. Assertion: Klinefelter’s syndrome is caused due to the presence of an additional copy

29
 of X-chromosome. Reason: Such individuals are sterile. (Pg.92, H)
A) Both assertion and reason are true and the reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
B) Both assertion and reason are true but the reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
C) Assertion is true but reason is false.
D) Both assertion and reason are false.

NEET PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

1. Select the correct statement : [2018]
(a) Franklin Stahl coined the term “linkage”.
(b) Punnett square was developed by a British scientist.
(c) Transduction was discovered by S. Altman.
(d) Spliceosomes take part in translation.
2. Which of the following pairs is wrongly matched? [2018]
(a) Starch synthesis in pea : Multiple alleles
(b) ABO blood grouping : Co-dominance
(c) T.H. Morgan : Linkage
(d) XO type sex determination : Grasshopper
3. Select the correct match. [2018]
(a) Ribozyme - Nucleic acid (b) F2 × Recessive parent - Dihybrid cross
(c) G. Mendel – Transformation (d) T.H. Morgan - Transduction
4. Which of the following characteristics represent ‘Inheritance of blood groups’ in humans? [2018]
A. Dominance B. Co-dominance
C. Multiple allele D. Incomplete dominance
E. Polygenic inheritance
(a) B, C and E (b) A, B and C (c) A, C and E (d) B, D and E
5. A woman has an X-linked condition on one of her X chromosomes. This chromosome can be inherited
by : [2018]
(a) Only daughters (b) Only sons (c) Both sons and daughters (d) Only grandchildren
6. A disease caused by an autosomal primary non-disjunction is [2017]
(a) Klinefelter's syndrome (b) Turner's syndrome
(c) Sickle cell Anaemia (d) Down's syndrome
7. Thalassemia and sickle cell anemia are caused due to a problem in globin molecule synthesis. Select the
correct statement. [2017]
(a) Both are due to a quantitative defect in globin chain synthesis.
(b) Thalassemia is due to less synthesis of globin molecules.
(c) Sickle cell anemia is due to a quantitative problem of globin molecules.
(d) Both are due to a qualitative defect in globin chain synthesis.
8. Which one from those given below is the period for Mendel's hybridisation experiments? [2017]
(a) 1840 - 1850 (b) 1857 - 1869 (c) 1870 - 1877 (d) 1856 - 1863
9. Among the following characters, which one was not considered by Mendel in his experiments on pea?
[2017]
(a) Trichomes – Glandular or non-glandular (b) Seed – Green or Yellow
(c) Pod – Inflated or Constricted (d) Stem – Tall or Dwarf
10. The genotypes of a husband and wife are IAIB and IAi. Among the blood types of their children, how
many different genotypes and phenotypes are possible? [2017]
(a) 3 genotypes ; 4 phenotypes (b) 4 genotypes ; 3 phenotypes
(c) 4 genotypes ; 4 phenotypes (d) 3 genotypes ; 3 phenotypes
11. Pick out the correct statements. [2016]
1. Haemophilia is a sex-linked recessive disease.
2. Down’s syndrome is due to aneuploidy.
3. Phenylketonuria is an autosomal recessive gene disorder.

30
 4. Sickle cell anaemia is a X-linked recessive gene disorder.
(a) 1 and 4 are correct (b) 3 and 4 are correct (c) 1, 3 and 4 are correct (d) 1, 2 and 3 are correct
12. Which of the following most appropriately describes haemophilia? [2016]
(a) Recessive gene disorder (b) X - linked recessive gene disorder
(c) Chromosomal disorder (d) Dominant gene disorder
13. A cell at telophase stage is observed by a student in a plant brought from the field. He tells his teacher
that this cell is not like other cells at telophase stage. There is no formation of cell plate and thus, the cell
is containing more number of chromosomes as compared to other dividing cells. This would result in:
[2016]
(a) Aneuploidy (b) Polyploidy (c) Somaclonal variation (d) Polyteny
14. In a testcross involving F1 dihybrid flies, more parentaltype offspring were produced than the
recombinant-type offspring. This indicates: [2016]
(a) the two genes are located on two different chromosomes.
(b) chromosomes failed to separate during meiosis.
(c) the two genes are linked and present on the same chromosome.
(d) both of the characters are controlled by more than one gene.

15. Match the terms in Column-I with their description in Column-II and choose the correct option. [2016]

(a) A – II, B – I, C – IV, D – III (b) A – II, B – III, C – IV, D – I

(c) A – IV, B – I, C – II, D – III (d) A – IV, B – III, C – I, D – II
16. A tall true breeding garden pea plant is crossed with a dwarf true breeding garden pea plant. When the F1
plants were selfed, the resulting genotypes were in the ratio of [2016]
(a) 1 : 2 : 1 :: Tall homozygous : Tall heterozygous : Dwarf
(b) 1 : 2 : 1 :: Tall heterozygous : Tall homozygous : Dwarf
(c) 3 : 1 : : Tall : Dwarf (d) 3 : 1 : : Dwarf : Tall
17. A pleiotropic gene: [2015]
(a) is a gene evolved during Pliocene.
(b) controls a trait only in combination with another gene.
(c) controls multiple traits in an individual.
(d) is expressed only in primitive plants.
18. An abnormal human baby with ‘XXX’ sex chromosomes was born due to [2015]
(a) formation of abnormal ova in the mother. (b) fusion of two ova and one sperm.
(c) fusion of two sperms and one ovum. (d) formation of abnormal sperms in the father.
19. A colour blind man marries a woman with normal sight who has no history of colour blindness in her
family. What is the probability of their grandson being colour blind? [2015]
(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) 0.25 (d) 0.5
20. In the following human pedigree, the filled symbols represent the affected individuals. Identify the type
of given pedigree. [2015]
(a) X- linked recessive (b) Autosomal recessive(c) X-linked dominant (d) Autosomal dominant
21. The term ‘linkage’ was coined by : [2015]
(a) T. Boveri (b) G. Mendel (c) W. Sutton (d) T.H. Morgan
22. A gene showing co-dominance has [2015]

31
 (a) alleles tightly linked on the same chromosome.
(b) alleles that are recessive to each other.
(c) both alleles independently expressed in the heterozygote.
(d) one allele dominant on the other.
23. Multiple alleles are present [2015]
(a) at different loci on the same chromosome.(b) at the same locus of the chromosome.
(c) on non-sister chromatids. (d) on different chromosomes.
24. Alleles are [2015]
(a) true breeding homozygotes. (b) different molecular forms of a gene.
(c) heterozygotes. (d) different phenotype.
25. Which is the most common mechanism of genetic variation in the population of sexually reproducing
organism? [2015]
(a) Chromosomal aberrations (b) Genetic drift (c) Recombination (d) Transduction
26. How many pairs of contrasting characters in pea plants were studied by Mendel in his experiments? [2015]
(a) Six (b) Eight (c) Seven (d) Five
27. In his classic experiments on pea plants, Mendel did not use [2015]
(a) Pod length (b) Seed shape (c) Flower position (d) Seed colour
28. Person with blood group AB is considered as universal recipient because he has [2014]
(a) both A and B antigens on RBC but no antibodies in the plasma.
(b) both A and B antibodies in the plasma.
(c) no antigen on RBC and no antibody in the plasma.
(d) both A and B antigens in the plasma but no antibodies.
29. A human female with Turner’s syndrome [2014]
(a) has 45 chromosomes with XO (b) has one additional X chromosome
(c) exhibits male characters (d) is able to produce children with normal husband
30. A man whose father was colour blind marries a woman who had a colour blind mother and normal father.
What percentage of male children of this couple will be colour blind? [2014]
(a) 25% (b) 0% (c) 50% (d) 75%
31. Fruit colour in squash in an example of [2014]
(a) Recessive epistasis (b) Dominant epistasis
(c) Complementary genes (d) Inhibitory genes
32. What map unit (Centimorgan) is adopted in the construction of genetic maps ? [NEET-2019]
(1) A unit of distance between two expressed genes, representing 10% cross over
(2) A unit of distance between two expressed genes, representing 100% cross over
(3) A unit of distance between genes on chromosomes, representing 1% cross over
(4) A unit of distance between genes on chromosomes, representing 50% cross over
33. The frequency of recombination between gene pairs on the same chromosome as a measure of the
distance between genes was explained by : [NEET-2019]
(1) T.H. Morgan (2) Gregor J. Mendel (3) Alfred Sturtevant (4) Sutton Boveri
34. In Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), a red flower was crossed with a white flower and in F1 generation,
pink flowers were obtained. When pink flowers were selfed, the F2 generation showed white, red
and pink flowers. Choose the incorrect statement from the following : [NEET-2019]
(1) This experiment does not follow the Principle of Dominance
(2) Pink colour in F1 is due to incomplete dominance.
(3) Ratio of F2 is 1/4 (Red) : 2/4 (Pink) :1/4 (White)
(4) Law of Segregation does not apply in this experiment.
35. What is the genetic disorder in which an individual has an overall masculine development,
gynaecomastia, and is sterile ? [NEET-2019]
(1) Turner's syndrome (2) Klinefelter's syndrome
(3) Edward syndrome (4) Down's syndrome
36. Select the incorrect statement. [NEET-2019]
(1) Male fruit fly is heterogametic.
(2) In male grasshoppers, 50% of sperms have no sex-chromosome.
(3) In domesticated fowls sex of progeny depends on the type of sperm rather than egg.

32
 (4) Human males have one of their sex-chromosome much shorter than the other.
37. The production of gametes by the parents, the formation of zygotes, the F1 and F2 plants, can be
understood using :- [NEET-2019 ODISSA]
(1) Pie diagram (2) A pyramid diagram (3) Punnet square (4) Wenn diagram
38. Match the items of column I with column II [NEET-2019 ODISSA]
Column I Column II
(a) XX-XO method of sex determination (i) Turner's syndrome
(b) XX-XY method of sex determination (ii) Female heterogametic
(c) Karyotype-45 (iii) Grasshopper
(d) ZW-ZZ method of sex determination (iv) Female homogametic
Select the correct option from the following :
(1) a-ii, b-iv, c-i, d-iii (2) a-i, b-iv, c-ii, d-iii (3) a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii (4) a-iv, b-ii, c-i, d-iii
39. In which genetic condition, each cell in the affected person has three sex chromosomes XXY ?
[NEET-2019 ODISSA]
(1) Thalassemia (2) Kleinfelter's Syndrome
(3) Phenylketonuria (4) Turner's Syndrome
40. How many true breeding pea plant variation did Mendel select as pairs, which were similar except in
one character with contrasting traits? [NEET-2020]
1) 8 2) 4 3) 2 4) 14
41. Experimental verification of the chromosomal theory of inheritance was done by [NEET-2020]
1) Morgan 2) Mendel 3) Sutton 4) Boveri

42. Select the correct match [NEET-2020]

(1) Thalassemia - X linked
(2) Haemophilia - Y linked
(3) Phenylketonuria - Autosomal dominant triat
(4) Sickle cell anaemia - Autosomal recessive triat, chromosome-11
43. The best example for pleiotropy is :- [NEET-2020 COVID]
(1) Skin colour (2) Phenylketoneuria (3) Colour Blindness (4) ABO Blood group
44. Chromosomal theory of inheritance was proposed by : [NEET-2020 COVID]
(1) Sutton and Boveri (2) Bateson and Punnet (3) T. H. Morgan (4) Watson and Crick
45. The number of contrasting characters studied by Mendel for his experiments was:
[NEET-2020 COVID]
(1) 14 (2) 4 (3) 2 (4) 7
46. Mutations in plant cells can be induced by: [NEET-2021]
(1) Infrared rays (2) Gamma rays (3) Zeatin (4) Kinetin
47. The production of gametes by the parents formation of zygotes, the F1 and F2 plants, can be understood
form a diagram called [NEET-2021]
1)Punch square 2) Punnett square 3) Net square 4) Bullet square
48. In a cross between a male and female, both heterozygous for sickle cell anaemia gene, what percentage
of the progeny will be diseased? [NEET-2021]
1) 75% 2) 25% 3) 100% 4) 50%
49. The recombination frequency between the genes a & c is 5%, b & c is 15%, b & d is 9%, a & b
is 20%, c & d is 24% and a & d is 29%. What will be the sequence of these genes on a linear
chromosome?
1) a, d, b, c 2) d, b, a, c 3) a, b, c, d 4) a, c, b, d
50. If a colour blind female marries a man whose mother was also a colour blind, what are the
chances of her progeny having colour blindness?
1) 25% 2) 50% 3) 75% 4) 100%

33
 NCERT LINE BY LINE QUESTIONS – ANSWERS
1) D 2) B 3) A 4) D 5) D 6) A 7) C 8) B 9) C 10) B
11) D 12) D 13) A 14) A 15) D 16) C 17) D 18) B 19) C 20) B
21) D 22) A 23) B 24) B 25) C 26) B 27) A 28) C 29) B 30) A
31) C 32) A 33) B 34) D 35) B 36) A 37) B 38) D 39) B 40) B
41) A 42) D 43) B 44) D 45) C 46) D 47) C 48) C 49) B 50) D
51) B 52) B 53) B 54) B 55) A 56) C 57) B 58) D 59) C 60) C
61) B 62) C 63) A 64) B 65) C 66) B 67) D 68) D 69) C 70) B
71) D 72) D 73) D 74) D 75) D 76) A 77) B 78) A 79) C 80) B
81) C 82) A 83) C 84) C 85) C 86) B 87) D 88) C 89) C 90) A
91) B 92) B 93) D 94) C 95) A 96) D 97) C 98) D 99) B 100) C
101) A 102) A 103) B 104) B 105) D 106) C 107) A 108) D 109) C 110) A
111) B 112) C 113) A 114) B 115) C 116) A 117) B 118) D 119) C 120) D
121) A 122) A 123) B 124) A 125) C 126) C 127) D 128) A 129) B 130) A
131) A 132) B 133) C 134) D 135) B 136) C 137) A 138) A 139) B 140) D
141) A 142) D 143) A 144) B 145) C 146) A 147) A 148) C 149) B

NEET PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS-ANSWERS

1 (b) 2 (a) 3 (a) 4 (b) 5 (c) 6 (d) 7 (b) 8 (d) 9 (a) 10 (b)
11 (d) 12 (b) 13 (b) 14 (c) 15 (b) 16 (a) 17 (c) 18 (a) 19 (c) 20 (b)
21 (d) 22 (c) 23 (b) 24 (b) 25 (c) 26 (c) 27 (a) 28 (a) 29 (a) 30 (c)
31 (b) 32 (3) 33 (3) 34 (4) 35 (2) 36 (3) 37 (3) 38 (3) 39 (2) 40 (4)
41 (1) 42 (4) 43 (2) 44 (1) 45 (1) 46 (2) 47 (2) 48 (2)

NEET PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS-EXPLANATIONS

1. (b) Punnett (British scientists) devised the "Punnett Square" to depict the number and variety of genetic
combinations, and had a role in shaping the Hardy- Weinberg law. Franklin Stahl proved semi-
conservative mode of replication. Transduction was discovered by Zinder and Lederberg. Spliceosome
formation is part of post-transcriptional change in eukaryotes.
2. (a) Starch synthesis in pea is controlled by pleiotropic gene. Pleiotropy occurs when one gene influences
two or more seemingly unrelated phenotypic traits.
3. (a) Ribozyme is a catalytic RNA, which is nucleic acid.
4. (b) IAIO, IBIO - Dominant-recessive relationship
IAIB - Codominance
IA, IB & IO - Three different allelic forms of a gene (multiple allelism)
5. (c) Woman acts as a carrier. Both son & daughter inherit Xchromosome.
Although only son would be the diseased one.

6. (d) Down’s syndrome is caused by non-disjunction of 21st chromosome i.e. trisomy.

7. (b) Thalassemia is a quantitative problem of synthesising very few globin molecules while sickle cell
anaemia is a qualitative problem of synthesising an incorrectly functioning globin.
8. (d) Mendel conducted hybridization experiments for 7 years on pea plant between 1856 to 1863 and his
data was published in 1865.

34
9. (a) During his experiments, Mendel had taken seven characters in a pea plant. In which, nature of
trichomes i.e., glandular or non-glandular was not considered by Mendel.
10. (b) Husband × Wife

Number of genotypes = 4
Number of phenotypes = 3
IAIA and IAi = A
IAIB = AB
IBi = B
11. (d) Sickle cell disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern.
12. (b)
13. (b) This phenomenon is known as polyploidy, wherein the cells contain more than two paired
(homologous) sets of chromosomes. Polyploidy is often seen in the case of plants. The major cause of
polyploidy is the non - disjunction of sister chromatids during meiotic recombination. This condition is
actually useful in development of new crop varieties.
14. (c) When two genes in a dihybrid cross are situated on the same chromosome, the proportion of parental
gene combinations are much higher than the non-parental or recombinant type. This is also called as
incomplete linkage.
15. (b)
16. (a)

Phenotypic ratio - 3: 1 (Tall :Dwarf)

Genotypic ratio - 1:2:1 (Homozygous Tall : Heterozygous Tall : Dwarf).
17. (c)
18. (a) A human baby having abnormality with ‘XXX’ sex chromosomes is born due to evolution of abnormal
ova in mother’s ovary. This is caused due to non-disjunction of X chromosome in the mother.

19. (c) XX × XcY

35
 Normal women Colourblind man

The daughters of this couple will have normal eye sight and are carrier, if one of the carrier daughter
marries with normal eyed man.

Only 25% grandson will show colour-blindness.

20. (b) Autosomal recessive is a type of disorder in which two copies of an abnormal gene must be found for
the disease in the affected person.
21. (d) Thomas Hunt Morgan won the Nobel Prize (1933) in physiology or medicine for the function of
chromosomes in heredity.
22. (c) In co-dominance, both alleles are independently expressed in the heterozygote.
23. (b) All alleles of a gene are situated on the same loci of chromosome in organisms.
24. (b) Alleles are defined as alternative form of a same gene.
25. (c) The most common cause of variations is recombination in organisms which reproduce sexually.
26. (c) Seven pairs of contrasting characters were selected in pea plant and studied by Mendel in his
experiment.
27. (a) Mendel did not use pod length for his experiment.
28. (a)
29. (a) Turner's syndrome is a chromosomal condition that affects development in females. A human female
with Turner's syndrome has 45 chromosomes with XO. The most common feature of Turner's syndrome
is short stature, which becomes evident by about age 5.
30. (c) Colour blindness is a X-chromosome linked character.

Colour blind male = 50%.

31. (b) Epistasis is the phenomenon of suppression of phenotypic expression of gene by a non-allelic gene
which shows its own effect. A dominant epistatic allele suppresses the expression of a non-allelic gene
whether the latter is dominant or recessive. For example, fruit colour of Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo)
is governed by a gene which produces yellow colour in dominant state (YY) and green colour in recessive
state (yy).
40. Mendel selected 14 true breeding pea plants
41. Morgan done experimental verification of the chromosomal theory of inheritance
42. Phenylketonuria – Autosomal recessive disorder

36
 Thalassemia – Autosomal recessive disorder
Haemophilia – X linked recessive disorder
Sickle cell anaemia – Autosomal recessive trait associated with chromosome number 11

44. • Several kinds of radiation like gamma rays, Xrays,UV-rays cause mutation.
• These are physical mutagens.
• Such induced mutation in plants is done to develop improved varieties. The first natural cytokinin was
isolated from unripe maize grain known as zeatin. The cytokinin that was obtained from degraded
product of autoclaved herring sperm DNA was kinetin (N6-furfuryl aminopurine). Infrared rays cause
heating effect.
47. Punnett square
48. According to given question;

Total number of affected progenies = 1

* Percentage of diseased/affected progenies=1/4 *100 = 25%
49

Recombination frequency is equal to the distance between the genes.

Distance between a & c is 5%, b & c is 15%, b & d is 9%, a &b is 20%, c & d is 24% and a & d is 29%.
Then the sequence of these genes on a linear chromosome will be a, c, b, d
50 Affected parents in x inked recessive inheritance give all progeny affected

37