Questions on Genetic Variation
20 multiple-choice questions (each with five alternatives) on the topic of Genetic Variation, followed by the answer key at the end.
Multiple-Choice Questions: Genetic Variation
1. What is genetic variation?
A) A process of cell division
B) The movement of genes between populations
C) The differences in DNA sequences among individuals
D) The number of chromosomes in a species
E) The process of evolution
2. Which of the following increases genetic variation in sexually reproducing organisms?
A) Mitosis
B) Binary fission
C) Crossing over during meiosis
D) Cloning
E) Cytokinesis
3. Which process results in the independent assortment of genes?
A) DNA replication
B) Fertilization
C) Metaphase I of meiosis
D) Mitosis
E) Transcription
4. Which term refers to the exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes?
A) Translocation
B) Mutation
C) Crossing over
D) Replication
E) Translation
5. What is the result of fertilization in terms of genetic variation?
A) Identical offspring
B) Reduced chromosome number
C) A new combination of genes from two parents
D) Mutated offspring
E) Asexual reproduction
6. Which of the following is NOT a source of genetic variation?
A) Mutation
B) Mitosis
C) Crossing over
D) Independent assortment
E) Random fertilization
7. Mutations contribute to genetic variation by:
A) Removing genes
B) Inserting viruses into DNA
C) Changing the DNA sequence
D) Copying entire chromosomes
E) Halting cell division
8. Which of the following best describes a gene mutation?
A) A change in chromosome number
B) Damage to a ribosome
C) A change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA
D) Removal of a gene from the genome
E) Formation of a new organ
9. What role does meiosis play in genetic variation?
A) It repairs DNA
B) It creates identical cells
C) It reduces the chromosome number without altering gene combinations
D) It shuffles genes between homologous chromosomes
E) It increases the cell size
10. What is random fertilization?
A) Selection of specific sperm for reproduction
B) Mutation during meiosis
C) Random combination of gametes during reproduction
D) Fertilization by artificial means
E) Formation of identical twins
11. What is the significance of crossing over?
A) It ensures identical chromatids
B) It removes defective genes
C) It increases genetic diversity
D) It occurs only in mitosis
E) It prevents fertilization
12. Genetic variation is important in populations because it:
A) Causes extinction
B) Reduces survival rates
C) Decreases adaptability
D) Increases the chances of survival under changing conditions
E) Eliminates weak traits
13. Which type of mutation affects a single base pair?
A) Frameshift mutation
B) Chromosomal inversion
C) Point mutation
D) Translocation
E) Duplication
14. Which of the following best defines recombination?
A) Duplication of genes
B) Fusion of chromosomes
C) Rearrangement of genetic material
D) DNA translation
E) Protein folding
15. Why does sexual reproduction lead to more variation than asexual reproduction?
A) It is slower
B) It uses mitosis
C) It combines DNA from two parents
D) It produces fewer offspring
E) It results in cloning
16. What is the term for a permanent change in DNA?
A) Translation
B) Mutation
C) Replication
D) Transcription
E) Recombination
17. Down syndrome is caused by which type of mutation?
A) Point mutation
B) Frameshift mutation
C) Chromosomal nondisjunction
D) Deletion
E) Crossing over
18. Which event occurs during prophase I of meiosis that promotes variation?
A) Independent assortment
B) Crossing over
C) Cytokinesis
D) Fertilization
E) DNA synthesis
19. Which of the following is an environmental factor that can cause genetic mutation?
A) Temperature
B) Light
C) Radiation
D) Oxygen
E) Water
20. What term describes the presence of multiple forms of a gene in a population?
A) Homozygosity
B) Allelic exclusion
C) Genetic drift
D) Polymorphism
E) Cloning
Answer Key
1. C
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. C
6. B
7. C
8. C
9. D
10. C
11. C
12. D
13. C
14. C
15. C
16. B
17. C
18. B
19. C
20. D
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