Name:___________________________

Module 6: Genetic Change

Outcomes

A student:

› solves scientific problems using primary and secondary data, critical thinking skills and
scientific processes BIO11/12-6
› communicates scientific understanding using suitable language and terminology for a specific
audience or purpose BIO11/12-7
› explains natural genetic change and the use of genetic technologies to induce genetic change
BIO12-13

Inquiry question: How does mutation introduce new alleles into a population?

Students:

● explain how a range of mutagens operate, including but not limited to:
– electromagnetic radiation sources
– chemicals
– naturally occurring mutagens
● compare the causes, processes and effects of different types of mutation, including but not
limited to:
– point mutation
– chromosomal mutation
● distinguish between somatic mutations and germ-line mutations and their effect on an
organism (ACSBL082, ACSBL083)
● assess the significance of ‘coding’ and ‘non-coding’ DNA segments in the process of mutation
(ACSBL078)
● investigate the causes of genetic variation relating to the processes of fertilisation, meiosis and
mutation (ACSBL078)
● evaluate the effect of mutation, gene flow and genetic drift on the gene pool of populations
(ACSBL091, ACSBL092)

Marchant
 1. Evolutionary pathways and natural selection may be altered by which of the following?
A. Genome sequencing of humans
B. Chemically killing fleas on animals
C. Eating genetically modified organisms
D. Using amino acid sequencing to find degrees of relatedness

2. What process is being represented in the following diagram?

A. Crossing over
B. Random segregation
C. Mitosis
D. Meiosis

3. New alleles may be formed due to which of the following processes?

A. Mutation
B. Sexual reproduction
C. Gamete segregation
D. Independent assortment

4. During meiosis, a large segment of chromosome 21 was removed from a developing

gamete. This is an example of which of the following chromosomal mutations?
A. Inversion
B. Duplication
C. Translocation
D. Deletion

Marchant
 5. Exposure to radiation such as X-rays may change the sequence of bases in DNA. What is
this called?
A. Mutation
B. Translation
C. Replication
D. Transcription

6. The common wombat Vombatus ursinus is thought by scientists to be at risk due to a

lack of genetic variation within its population. Why is it important to have genetic
variation within a species?

A. Homogeneous populations have greater resistance to changing environments.

B. Genetic diversity reduces susceptibility to disease.
C. Variation increases a species' ability to adapt.
D. Genes allow for traits to be passed onto offspring.

7. Which of the following statements are true?

A. Cloning is a source of variation for asexual reproduction, and natural
selection is a source of variation for sexual reproduction.
B. Crossing over is a source of variation for asexual reproduction, and cell division is a
source of variation for sexual reproduction.
C. Spontaneous generation is a source of variation for asexual
reproduction, and fertilisation is a source of variation for sexual
reproduction.
D. None of the above.

8. An individual's phenotype may be affected by environmental factors, causing

alterations to the genome. An example of this may be:
A. Studying Biology improving an HSC student's intelligence
B. Stressful situations causing alternate gene expression
C. High calcium diets making bones stronger
D. Exposure to nuclear radiation increasing abnormalities in fetuses

Marchant
 9. The diagram below displays the process of chromosomes 'crossing over.'

What may be a resulting chromosome from this process?

A. ABC
B. ABc
C. abc
D. Abc

10. Explain how fertilisation may contribute to genetic variation within a population
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

11. Outline the process of bottlenecking and describe its effect upon the genetic
diversity of a population
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Marchant
 12.

(a) The above is a diagrammatic representation of what process?

_________________________________________________________________________
(b) Describe how variation is introduced during meiosis by a mechanism other than that
drawn above
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

13. Using the table below, compare two mutagens which may result in mutation to an
organism's genome.

Mutagen

Effect on
DNA

Example of
disorder caused
by mutation

14. Assess the extent to which our understanding of gene expression and mutation has led
to the development of two named genetic technologies.
Marchant
 __________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

15. Compare the processes and effects of point mutations and chromosomal mutations.
Include examples in your answer. (NESA 2019 Sample Exam Q26)
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

16. Use a flow chart to outline the process of a frameshift mutation.

17. Compare and contrast the effects of somatic and germ-line mutations in humans.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Marchant
 18. From a large population of multi-coloured beetles which live on the mainland of
Australia, a small group of red and green beetles are accidentally moved to Hamilton
Island, where they begin to breed and populate the new ecoloiical niche. This results in
the creation of a new population of beetles, with only either red or green exoskeletons.
(a) The above is an example of what process of evolutionary genetics?
________________________________________________________________________

(b)Describe a potential event which may result in genetic drift within this beetle
population.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

19. Explain how one named process that occurs during meiosis results in genetic variation.
(NESA 2008 Q28)

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

20. Using a flow chart, explain how exposure to nuclear radiation may result in a change in
cell function.

Jacob has been out playing in the sun for many hours. Outline the potential
(a)
mutagenic effects of this behaviour.
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

(b) As a result of Jacob's behaviour, a lasting mutation was made to the non-coding

Marchant
 region of his DNA. Assess the significance of such a change.

_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

21. Most offspring resemble their parents in a number of characteristics, but there are often
some characteristics in the offspring that are unexpected. Explain, using examples, how
genetics and the environment can affect the phenotype of individuals. ( NESA 2009 027)
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Marchant