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VirginiaBiology

Reporting Category 3: Molecular and Genetic Biology

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

How do biotechnologies alter organisms, and what are their benefits and concerns?

Describe biotechnologies (selective breeding, genetic engineering, GMOs, cloning, gene therapy, and DNA fingerprinting) and discuss their implications and applications for the individual and society (Virginia 2018 Biology SOL BIO.5.d).
A SOL-level answer on biotechnology for the Virginia Biology EOC: selective breeding, genetic engineering and GMOs, cloning, gene therapy, and DNA fingerprinting, with their benefits, risks, and ethical implications.
12 min answer →

How does the structure of DNA let it store information and be copied accurately?

Describe the structure of DNA (the antiparallel double helix and base pairing) and explain how complementary base pairing allows DNA to be replicated accurately (Virginia 2018 Biology SOL BIO.5.a).
A SOL-level answer on DNA for the Virginia Biology EOC: the double helix, base pairing, why DNA is a stable information store, and how complementary base pairing allows accurate replication.
12 min answer →

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

Use alleles, genotype and phenotype, dominant and recessive, and Punnett squares to predict the genotype and phenotype ratios and probabilities of monohybrid crosses (Virginia 2018 Biology SOL BIO.5.b).
A SOL-level answer on inheritance for the Virginia Biology EOC: alleles, genotype and phenotype, dominant and recessive traits, and using Punnett squares to predict ratios and probabilities of monohybrid crosses.
13 min answer →

What is a mutation, and why is genetic variation important to the survival of a species?

Explain that a mutation is a change in the DNA base sequence with harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects, and that genetic variation (from mutation and sexual reproduction) is important to the survival of a species (Virginia 2018 Biology SOL BIO.5.c).
A SOL-level answer on mutations for the Virginia Biology EOC: what a mutation is, its harmful, beneficial, or neutral effects, the difference between body-cell and gamete mutations, and why genetic variation matters for survival.
12 min answer →

How do inheritance patterns beyond simple dominance, and pedigrees, reveal how traits are passed on?

Describe patterns of inheritance beyond simple dominance (incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, and sex-linked traits) and interpret pedigrees (Virginia 2018 Biology SOL BIO.5.b).
A SOL-level answer on inheritance patterns for the Virginia Biology EOC: incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles such as ABO blood type, sex-linked traits, and reading pedigrees.
13 min answer →

How does the base sequence in DNA determine the proteins a cell makes?

Explain protein synthesis: how transcription copies DNA into mRNA and translation reads codons at the ribosome to build a protein, linking the DNA base sequence to the trait (Virginia 2018 Biology SOL BIO.5.a, supporting BIO.2.d).
A SOL-level answer on protein synthesis for the Virginia Biology EOC: transcription of DNA into mRNA, translation of codons at the ribosome, and how the DNA base sequence determines the protein and the trait.
12 min answer →