Genetic Diversity: Uncover the Genetic Basis of Human Variation

Question 1

Compare and contrast the genetic diversity of different human populations and discuss the factors that have contributed to these differences.

Accepted Answer

Historical migrations and geographical isolation have had a significant impact on the genetic diversity of different human populations

Answer

Genetic diversity is relatively uniform across all human populations

Answer

Genetic diversity is solely determined by geographical isolation

Question 2

What are some ethical concerns associated with genetic testing?

Accepted Answer

Invasion of privacy

Accepted Answer

Potential for genetic discrimination

Accepted Answer

Overemphasis on genetic determinism

Answer

Technological limitations

Question 3

Define allelic richness as a measure of genetic diversity within a population.

Accepted Answer

The number of alleles present at a given gene locus

Answer

The proportion of individuals in a population that are heterozygous

Answer

The degree to which allele frequencies differ between populations

Answer

The probability that two randomly chosen individuals will have the same genotype

Question 4

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the loss of genetic diversity in a population?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Inbreeding

Question 5

What is the role of genetic drift in genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

It decreases genetic diversity by eliminating alleles.

Answer

It increases genetic diversity by introducing new alleles.

Answer

It maintains genetic diversity by preventing gene flow.

Answer

It has no effect on genetic diversity.

Question 6

Which of the following populations is likely to have the highest level of genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

A large, interconnected population

Answer

A small, isolated population

Answer

A population that has recently undergone a bottleneck event

Answer

A population that experiences high levels of inbreeding

Question 7

What is the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

A principle that describes the expected genetic diversity of a population that is not evolving.

Answer

A theory that explains the process of natural selection.

Answer

A mathematical model that predicts the frequency of alleles in a population.

Answer

A method for calculating the genetic relatedness between individuals.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a genetic disorder caused by a single gene mutation?

Accepted Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Answer

Diabetes

Answer

Heart disease

Answer

Cancer

Question 9

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Accepted Answer

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype refers to its observable traits.

Answer

Phenotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while genotype refers to its observable traits.

Answer

Genotype and phenotype are synonymous terms.

Answer

Genotype is determined by an organism's environment, while phenotype is determined by its genes.

Question 10

What is the ethical importance of respecting genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

It ensures that all humans have equal opportunities and are treated fairly.

Answer

It prevents genetic disorders.

Answer

It promotes medical advancements.

Answer

It has no ethical implications.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Increased risk of genetic disorders

Answer

Increased adaptability to environmental changes

Answer

Reduced susceptibility to diseases

Answer

Improved cognitive function

Question 12

Which of the following does NOT contribute to the maintenance of genetic diversity within a population?

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutations

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 13

What type of genetic variation includes changes in the structure or number of individual chromosomes?

Accepted Answer

Copy number variation

Answer

Microsatellite variation

Answer

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

Answer

Indel

Question 14

Which of the following population types is likely to exhibit the least genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

A small, isolated population

Answer

A dispersed population with extensive geographic distribution

Answer

A population with frequent migration events

Answer

A population that has experienced a drastic reduction in size (bottleneck event) within recent times

Question 15

What is the defining principle of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Allele and genotype frequencies remain constant across generations under specific conditions.

Answer

Natural selection drives the evolution of genetic variation.

Answer

Allele inheritance probabilities can be calculated.

Answer

Genetic distance between populations can be estimated.

Question 16

Evaluate the ethical, legal, and social implications of genetic testing. How does it affect privacy, health insurance, employment, and social interactions?

Accepted Answer

Genetic information raises privacy and confidentiality concerns.

Accepted Answer

Genetic testing results could lead to insurance discrimination.

Accepted Answer

Genetic information could be used by employers in hiring and promotion decisions.

Answer

Genetic testing has only positive consequences.

Question 17

What is the main purpose of conservation genetics?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate genetic diversity in endangered species

Answer

To find genetic causes of diseases

Answer

To create genetically enhanced crops

Answer

To predict species evolution

Question 18

Examine the dual effects of gene flow on genetic diversity. Explain how it can both increase and decrease genetic variation within populations.

Accepted Answer

Gene flow can increase genetic diversity by introducing new alleles, potentially enhancing adaptation to changing environments.

Accepted Answer

Conversely, gene flow can decrease genetic diversity by homogenizing populations, potentially reducing local adaptation.

Answer

Gene flow does not always increase genetic diversity.

Answer

Gene flow does not always decrease genetic diversity.

Question 19

Which measure quantifies genetic variation within a population?

Accepted Answer

Heterozygosity

Answer

Allele frequency

Answer

Effective population size

Answer

Genetic distance

Question 20

What process leads to the random change of allele frequencies over time?

Accepted Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Non-random mating

Question 21

What does the genetic distance between two populations indicate?

Accepted Answer

Their differences in allele frequencies

Answer

Their relatedness

Answer

Their shared genetic variation

Answer

Their likelihood to interbreed

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a primary evolutionary force that promotes genetic diversity?

Accepted Answer

Non-random mating

Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Question 23

Mitochondrial DNA is inherited:

Accepted Answer

Exclusively from the mother

Answer

Exclusively from the father

Answer

From both parents equally

Answer

Randomly from either parent

Question 24

The extent to which a gene's expression is influenced by its environmental context is known as:

Accepted Answer

Phenotypic plasticity

Answer

Heritability

Answer

Penetrance

Answer

Epistasis

Question 25

The study of genetic variation within and between human populations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Population genetics

Answer

Forensic anthropology

Answer

Paleogenetics

Answer

Behavioral genetics

Question 26

What type of mutation involves a change in a single nucleotide within a gene?

Accepted Answer

Substitution

Answer

Insertion

Answer

Deletion

Answer

Duplication

Question 27

The process by which alleles are exchanged between populations is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Non-random mating

Answer

Assortative mating

Question 28

Which of the following is a type of non-random mating where individuals with similar phenotypes are more likely to mate?

Accepted Answer

Assortative mating

Answer

Disassortative mating

Answer

Random mating

Answer

Panmixis

Question 29

The process by which individuals with certain traits have a higher probability of surviving and reproducing is known as:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 30

Which technique is commonly used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge?

Accepted Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Answer

PCR

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

DNA microarrays

Question 31

The genetic basis of human variation is a fundamental area of study in:

Accepted Answer

Anthropology

Answer

Biology

Answer

Sociology

Answer

Psychology

Question 32

How does genetic diversity contribute to the resilience of populations facing changing environmental conditions?

Accepted Answer

It provides populations with a wider range of traits, enhancing their adaptability.

Answer

It reduces the impact of natural selection on populations.

Answer

It increases the vulnerability of populations to environmental changes.

Question 33

Personalized medicine aims to customize medical treatments based on a person's unique genetic profile. What is a potential advantage of personalized medicine?

Accepted Answer

More effective drug treatments

Answer

Reduced healthcare expenses

Answer

Elimination of all genetic disorders

Answer

Standardized treatment plans for all patients

Question 34

How do epigenetic modifications contribute to genetic diversity without changing the DNA sequence?

Accepted Answer

Epigenetic modifications can change the accessibility of genes by altering chromatin structure.

Answer

Epigenetic modifications can be passed down to offspring, leading to new genetic variations.

Answer

Epigenetic modifications can increase the rate of DNA mutations.

Answer

Epigenetic modifications have no effect on genetic diversity.

Question 35

How does genetic diversity affect the risk and severity of complex diseases such as cancer or diabetes?

Accepted Answer

Genetic diversity reduces the risk of complex diseases by providing a wider range of genetic adaptations.

Answer

Genetic diversity increases susceptibility to complex diseases by introducing more harmful alleles.

Answer

Genetic diversity has no significant impact on the occurrence or severity of complex diseases.

Answer

Genetic diversity can worsen the severity of complex diseases by enhancing the effects of harmful alleles.

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism for promoting genetic diversity in a population?

Accepted Answer

Self-fertilization

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene flow

Question 37

Which of the following is a potential consequence of genetic drift?

Accepted Answer

Loss of beneficial alleles

Answer

Increase in genetic diversity

Answer

Enhanced heterozygosity

Answer

Stabilization of allele frequencies

Question 38

The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium describes a population that is:

Accepted Answer

Not evolving

Answer

With very low genetic diversity

Answer

Rapidly changing

Answer

With very high genetic variation

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT an ethical concern associated with genetic research?

Accepted Answer

Genetic engineering

Answer

Privacy breaches

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Genetic discrimination

Question 40

A major mechanism responsible for creating genetic variation within populations is:

Accepted Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Natural selection

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a factor that can influence genetic diversity in human populations?

Accepted Answer

Cultural practices

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Mutation rate

Answer

Population size

Question 42

Genetic drift can impact genetic diversity by leading to:

Accepted Answer

The loss or fixation of alleles by chance alone

Answer

Only affecting large populations

Answer

Always increasing genetic diversity

Question 43

Genetic diversity contributes to the uniqueness of human populations by giving rise to:

Accepted Answer

Distinct physical, physiological, and behavioral traits

Answer

Preventing genetic diseases

Answer

Ensuring all individuals are genetically identical

Question 44

A conservation concern related to genetic diversity is that:

Accepted Answer

Loss of genetic diversity can increase the susceptibility of populations to extinction

Answer

Genetic diversity only affects domesticated species

Answer

Genetic diversity is always harmful to populations

Question 45

A genetic marker is:

Accepted Answer

A specific DNA sequence that can vary among individuals

Answer

A gene that codes for a specific physical trait

Answer

A measure of genetic relatedness

Question 46

Genetic information is used in forensic science to:

Accepted Answer

Identify individuals by comparing DNA profiles

Answer

Solve crimes without any physical evidence

Answer

Create genetically modified organisms

Answer

Predict future criminal behavior

Question 47

An ethical issue raised by advances in genetic testing includes:

Accepted Answer

Potential discrimination based on genetic information

Answer

Lack of trained professionals

Answer

Cost of genetic testing

Question 48

How can we effectively maintain genetic diversity for future generations?

Accepted Answer

Establish protected areas and implement sustainable practices

Answer

Clone endangered species to boost their population size

Answer

Use genetic engineering to modify genes for increased diversity

Question 49

Which of the following factors does NOT contribute to the genetic diversity within a population?

Accepted Answer

Increased inbreeding

Answer

Gene flow from other populations

Answer

Mutation events introducing new genetic variants

Answer

Random fluctuations in allele frequencies due to genetic drift

Question 50

The process by which individuals with特定遗传traits have higher reproductive success, leading to the spread of those traits in the population, is known as:

Accepted Answer

Natural selection

Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Question 51

Which of the following genetic conditions arises from the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21?

Accepted Answer

Down syndrome

Answer

Klinefelter syndrome

Answer

Cystic fibrosis

Question 52

The exchange of genetic material between populations, contributing to the sharing of genetic variants, is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Gene flow

Answer

Genetic drift

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Gene pool

Question 53

Which of the following effects is associated with genetic drift in small populations?

Accepted Answer

Increased homozygosity and reduced genetic variation

Answer

Stable allele frequencies and no significant genetic changes

Answer

Rapid evolution and emergence of new species

Answer

Increased heterozygosity and enhanced genetic variation

Question 54

The collective set of genetic variants present within a population is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Gene pool

Answer

Genome

Answer

Proteome

Answer

Phenome

Question 55

Individuals with two identical copies of a gene at a specific locus are described as:

Accepted Answer

Homozygous

Answer

Recessive

Answer

Dominant

Answer

Heterozygous

Question 56

Which of the following techniques is commonly used to amplify specific DNA sequences for analysis and research?

Accepted Answer

PCR (polymerase chain reaction)

Answer

DNA sequencing

Answer

Chromosomal analysis

Answer

Gel electrophoresis

Question 57

The field of study that investigates the genetic variation and diversity among human populations is known as:

Accepted Answer

Population genetics

Answer

Human genetics

Answer

Forensic science

Question 58

Genetic diversity is crucial for human populations because it:

Accepted Answer

Provides a buffer against disease and environmental challenges

Answer

Guarantees the survival of a species

Answer

Eliminates genetic disorders