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North CarolinaBiology

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

6 dot points across 6 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do we use and analyze DNA in biotechnology, and what are the benefits and concerns?

Describe applications of biotechnology, including genetic engineering and DNA analysis, and evaluate their benefits and concerns (North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Biology, LS.Bio.8).
A standard-level answer on biotechnology for the North Carolina Biology EOC: genetic engineering and GMOs, gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting, selective breeding, cloning, CRISPR, and weighing benefits against concerns.
13 min answer →

How does the structure of DNA allow it to store information and copy itself accurately?

Explain how the structure of DNA allows it to store genetic information and to be replicated accurately (North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Biology, LS.Bio.6).
A standard-level answer on DNA for the North Carolina Biology EOC: the double helix, nucleotides, base-pairing rules, and how semiconservative replication produces two identical molecules.
12 min answer →

How can cells with identical DNA become different specialized cell types?

Explain how the regulation of gene expression leads to cell differentiation and specialized cell types (North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Biology, LS.Bio.2).
A standard-level answer on gene regulation for the North Carolina Biology EOC: how genes are turned on and off, how identical DNA produces different cell types, the role of stem cells, and the link to cancer.
12 min answer →

How do mutations change proteins and traits, and why do they matter for evolution?

Explain how mutations change the DNA sequence and can alter proteins and traits, and describe their effects (North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Biology, LS.Bio.6).
A standard-level answer on mutations for the North Carolina Biology EOC: types of mutation (substitution, insertion, deletion), the frameshift effect, harmful, beneficial, or neutral outcomes, and mutations as the source of new variation.
13 min answer →

How is the information in DNA used to build a protein?

Explain how the sequence of DNA bases directs protein synthesis through transcription and translation (North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Biology, LS.Bio.6).
A standard-level answer on protein synthesis for the North Carolina Biology EOC: transcription of DNA into mRNA, translation at the ribosome, codons and tRNA, and how the gene-to-protein-to-trait pathway works.
13 min answer →

How does the cell cycle produce two identical cells for growth and repair?

Use models to explain how the cell cycle and mitosis produce genetically identical cells for growth, repair, and reproduction (North Carolina Standard Course of Study, Biology, LS.Bio.2).
A standard-level answer on the cell cycle for the North Carolina Biology EOC: interphase and the stages of mitosis, why daughter cells are identical, and how uncontrolled division leads to cancer.
13 min answer →