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Chapter 4 of 10
Important Questions

Principles of Inheritance and Variation

Tamil Nadu Board · Class 12 · Zoology

Most important questions from Principles of Inheritance and Variation for Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Zoology board exam 2026. MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions with marks.

44 questions24 flashcards5 concepts

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44 Questions·
multiple choice

Sample Questions

1multiple choice
1 marks

In the human XY sex determination system, which parent determines the sex of the offspring?

Show answer

The father, because he produces X and Y bearing sperms

Step 1: In humans, females are homogametic (XX) — they produce only one type of egg, each carrying one X chromosome. Step 2: Males are heterogametic (XY) — they produce two types of sperms: 50% carry X chromosome and 50% carry Y chromosome. Step 3: If a Y-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg (X), the offspring is XY = Male. Step 4: If an X-bearing sperm fertilizes the egg (X), the offspring is XX = Female. Step 5: Since the mother always contributes an X chromosome, the sex of the child depends entirely on which type of sperm (X or Y) from the father fertilizes the egg. Therefore, the father deter

2multiple choice
1 marks

The Sex Determining Region Y (SRY) gene in humans produces which important factor?

Show answer

Testes Determining Factor (TDF)

Step 1: The Y chromosome in humans contains a special region called the Non-combining Region of the Y (NRY), which has functional (euchromatic) and non-functional (heterochromatic) genes. Step 2: Within the euchromatic region of the Y chromosome lies the SRY gene (Sex determining Region Y). Step 3: The SRY gene encodes (produces) a protein called Testes Determining Factor (TDF). Step 4: TDF triggers the development of testes from the undifferentiated gonads in the embryo, initiating male development. Step 5: In the absence of the Y chromosome (and therefore no SRY gene and no TDF), female deve

3multiple choice
1 marks

In Drosophila, the sex index (X/A ratio) for a normal male is:

Show answer

0.50

Step 1: C.B. Bridges proposed that sex in Drosophila is determined by the ratio of X chromosomes to sets of autosomes (Sex Index = X/A). Step 2: A normal diploid male Drosophila has the chromosomal constitution 2A + XY (1 X chromosome and 2 sets of autosomes). Step 3: Sex Index for normal male = 1 X / 2 A sets = 0.50. Step 4: A normal female has 2A + XX, so Sex Index = 2X / 2A = 1.0. An intersex has Sex Index = 0.67 (2X/3A). A metafemale (superfemale) has 1.5 (3X/2A). Step 5: When the sex index is 0.50 or less, the organism is male; when it is 1.0 or more, the organism is female; 0.67 gives an

4multiple choice
1 marks

Haemophilia is described as following a 'criss-cross' pattern of inheritance. What does this mean?

Show answer

The trait passes from father to grandson through carrier daughter

Step 1: Haemophilia is caused by a recessive allele on the X chromosome. Males are hemizygous (X^h Y), meaning they express the disease with just one copy of the recessive allele. Step 2: In a marriage between a colour blind/haemophilic man (X^h Y) and a normal woman (X^H X^H): F1 daughters are X^H X^h (carriers) and F1 sons are X^H Y (normal). Step 3: The affected father does NOT directly pass the trait to his sons (sons get Y from father). Instead, he passes the X^h chromosome to his daughters, who become carriers. Step 4: When these carrier daughters (X^H X^h) marry normal men (X^H Y), 50%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Principles of Inheritance and Variation for Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Zoology?
Key topics in Principles of Inheritance and Variation include Shows how multiple alleles exist in a population but individuals carry only two; demonstrates the relationship between number of alleles and possible genotypes/phenotypes, Illustrates how three alleles at a single locus produce four distinct blood group phenotypes through different enzyme activities, Shows mapping of six possible genotype combinations to four blood type phenotypes. These are the concepts Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 examiners draw on most — study them first, then practise related questions.
How to score full marks in Principles of Inheritance and Variation — Tamil Nadu Board Class 12 Zoology?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 44 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
How many important questions are there in Principles of Inheritance and Variation?
There are 44 practice questions available for Principles of Inheritance and Variation. These cover multiple question types including MCQs, short answer, and long answer questions.

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