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LS3: 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 scientists manipulate and study DNA, and what are the uses and concerns?

Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about biotechnology, including genetic engineering, GMOs, DNA fingerprinting, and their applications and ethical considerations (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on biotechnology for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: genetic engineering and GMOs, DNA fingerprinting and gel electrophoresis, selective breeding and cloning, modern tools such as CRISPR, and the applications and ethical considerations.
12 min answer →

How is DNA structured, and how does it copy itself so accurately?

Develop and use a model of DNA's structure to explain how the sequence of nucleotides stores information and how DNA replicates (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on DNA for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: the double-helix structure, nucleotides and base pairing (A-T, C-G), how the base sequence stores information, and how semiconservative replication copies DNA accurately.
13 min answer →

How do Punnett squares predict the genotype and phenotype ratios of a cross?

Use mathematics and Punnett squares to predict the genotype and phenotype ratios and probabilities of monohybrid crosses (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on inheritance for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: alleles, genotype and phenotype, dominant and recessive, and using Punnett squares to predict the ratios and probabilities of monohybrid crosses.
13 min answer →

What are mutations, and how can they change a protein and a trait?

Construct an explanation of how mutations in DNA can change proteins and traits, and may be harmful, beneficial, or neutral (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on mutations for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: what a mutation is, the types (substitution, insertion, deletion), how a change in DNA changes a protein, why mutations can be harmful, beneficial, or neutral, and their role as the source of new variation.
12 min answer →

How do inheritance patterns beyond simple dominance work?

Explain non-Mendelian patterns of inheritance, including incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, and sex-linked traits (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on inheritance patterns for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles (ABO blood type), polygenic traits, and sex-linked inheritance, with how each differs from simple dominance.
13 min answer →

How does the cell use the DNA code to build a protein?

Construct an explanation of how genetic information in DNA is expressed as proteins through transcription and translation (Tennessee Academic Standards for Science, Biology I, BIO1.LS3).
A standard-level answer on protein synthesis for the Tennessee Biology I EOC: transcription of DNA into mRNA, the codon and the genetic code, translation at the ribosome using tRNA, and how the base sequence determines the amino-acid sequence.
13 min answer →