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VICBiologyQuick questions
Unit 2: How does inheritance impact on diversity?
Quick questions on Chromosomes, autosomes, sex chromosomes and karyotypes: VCE Biology Unit 2
6short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is chromosome structure?Show answer
A chromosome is one continuous DNA molecule packed with proteins, found in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. If stretched out, the DNA in a single human chromosome would be several centimetres long; it has to be packed thousands-of-times tighter to fit into a nucleus a few micrometres across.
What are homologous chromosomes?Show answer
A homologous pair is the two chromosomes in one pair (such as the two copies of chromosome 7, or X and X in a female). They:
What are karyotypes?Show answer
A karyotype is a visual display of all the chromosomes in a cell, arranged by size, banding pattern and centromere position. To prepare one:
What is q1?Show answer
Describe the structure of a chromosome, including the role of histone proteins, with reference to nucleosomes. [3 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
A karyotype shows 47 chromosomes with three copies of chromosome 21. State the name of the condition, the type of mutation, and the probable cause. [3 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Refer to sex determination in mammals. (a) Distinguish autosomes from sex chromosomes. (b) Explain how X inactivation produces a Barr body in XX cells.
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