Genetics and Medicine Exam 3 (past version)

Multiple choice answers:

1. A
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. A
6. C
7. C
8. C
9. B
10. B
11. B
12. C
13. C
14. A
15. B
Essay questions:

1. Pea plant flowers may be purple (P) or white (p). Pea plant seeds may be round (R) or
wrinkled (r). What proportion of the offspring from a cross between purple-flowered,
round-seeded individuals (heterozygous for both traits) will have both white flowers and
round seeds? HINT: You may want to draw out the Punnett Square for this genetic
cross. (4 points)

PR
Pr
pR
pr

PR
PPRR
PPRr
PpRR
PpRr

Pr
PPRr
PPrr
PpRr
Pprr

pR
PpRR
PpRr
ppRR
ppRr

pr
PpRr
Pprr
ppRr
pprr

Since white flowers are indicative of the homozygous recessive expression of the flower
color allele, all will be genotype pp. Plants with round seeds can be either RR or Rr.
For plants that are white with round seeds the following two genotypes are possible
ppRR or ppRr. In the Punnett Square above there are 3 representative genotypes that
yield this phenotype out of 16 possible phenotypes or 3/16 offspring have white flowers
and round seeds. Note to TA: it is not necessary to write out Punnett Square to answer
the question but it can help with partial credit in answering the question.

2. Describe two checkpoints in the cell cycle and/or mitosis (2 points). What is the role of
each? (2 points) What molecular features underlie the checkpoints? (2 points)
We have described three checkpoints in our examples used in class: 1) G1 checkpoint which determines whether or
not the cell will continue through the cell cycle and lead to two daughter cells. In this situation cells typically are
triggered by growth factors that bind to the cell surface causing an internal signaling cascade that directs further
growth and division of the cell; 2) M checkpoint during mitosis that signals the start of anaphase which allows for

cohesion molecules to be degraded and allow sister chromatids from each chromosome to separate and be pulled to
opposite sides of the cell ensuring that both daughter cells get a full complement of chromosomes; 3) G2 phase
checkpoint prior to the start of mitosis that ensures that the cells have two chromatids per chromosome and are of
sufficient size to participate in mitosis and cytokinesis. TA note: Correct answers need to indicate two of the three
above and descriptions similar to what I have written will get them 3 points for each (1 point from each category).
The G2 checkpoint was not further characterized in the notes.