Genes and Heredity — Exam Prep — Architecture of Grace

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Study Cards

One card at a time — tap “Show me” to check yourself, then Next. Start at Foundation; when those feel easy, climb.

Helpful Hints

🪆 The size order — smallest to biggest

DNA → gene → chromosome → nucleus → cell. A gene is a section of DNA; chromosomes are packages of DNA; humans carry 23 pairs.

DNA is the alphabet, genes are the words, chromosomes are the chapters.

🅱️ Geno vs. pheno — the two-letter trick

Genotype = the Genes (the letters, like Bb). Phenotype = the Physical (what you see, like brown eyes). Capital = dominant; lowercase = recessive.

Genotype = Genes. Phenotype = Physical.

⚠️ Traps the test loves

Dominant does NOT mean stronger or more common — it only shows whenever present.
A recessive trait needs TWO copies (bb). Bb shows dominant but CARRIES the recessive.
Acquired traits don’t pass on — gym muscles and scars aren’t in your DNA.
Punnett squares give PROBABILITIES, not promises.
Mutations aren’t all bad — most are neutral, a few even help.

🏗️ The DNA → protein pipeline

DNA holds instructions → ribosomes build PROTEINS → proteins build the trait. Change the DNA (mutation) → maybe change the protein → maybe change the trait.

DNA writes it, protein builds it, the trait wears it.

🎯 How the test will ask

At least one Punnett square to fill in — practice Bb × Bb (3:1) and Bb × bb (1:1) until automatic.
“Explain why siblings differ” = each parent gives a random half; different halves, different combos.
Mutation questions want the pipeline: DNA change → protein change → trait change.

✅ Before the test, can you…

Order DNA, gene, chromosome, nucleus by size?
Fill in a Bb × Bb Punnett square and give the ratio?
Tell genotype from phenotype in one sentence?
Trace a mutation from DNA to protein to trait?
Give one example of selective breeding and one of genetic engineering?

Term	Meaning in 10 words or less
Heredity	Traits passing from parents to offspring.
Gene	A section of DNA coding one instruction.
Chromosome	A packaged bundle of DNA; humans have 23 pairs.
Allele	One version of a gene (B or b).
Dominant	Allele that shows whenever present (capital letter).
Recessive	Allele that shows only with two copies.
Genotype	The allele letters an organism carries (Bb).
Phenotype	The trait you actually see (brown eyes).
Punnett square	Grid predicting offspring probabilities.
Protein	Molecule built from DNA’s instructions; does the work.
Mutation	A change in DNA’s instructions.
Variation	Differences in traits within a species.
Selective breeding	Humans choosing which organisms reproduce.
Genetic engineering	Directly changing an organism’s DNA.

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