BIOLOGY FOR LIFE
  • Syllabus
    • Core >
      • 1: Cell Biology >
        • 1.1: Introduction to Cells
        • 1.2: Ultrastructure of Cells
        • 1.3: Membrane Structure
        • 1.4: Membrane Transport
        • 1.5: The Origin of Cells
        • 1.6: Cell Division
      • 2: Molecular Biology >
        • 2.1: Molecules to Metabolism
        • 2.2: Water
        • 2.3: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • 2.4: Proteins
        • 2.5: Enzymes
        • 2.6: DNA and RNA
        • 2.7: DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation
        • 2.8: Cell Respiration
        • 2.9: Photosynthesis
      • 3: Genetics >
        • 3.1: Genes
        • 3.2: Chromosomes
        • 3.3: Meiosis
        • 3.4: Inheritance
        • 3.5: Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
      • 4: Ecology >
        • 4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems
        • 4.2: Energy Flow
        • 4.3: Carbon Cycling
        • 4.4: Climate Change
      • 5: Evolution and Biodiversity >
        • 5.1: Evidence for Evolution
        • 5.2: Natural Selection
        • 5.3: Classification and Biodiversity
        • 5.4: Cladistics
      • 6: Human Physiology >
        • 6.1: Digestion and Absorption
        • 6.2: The Blood System
        • 6.3: Defense Against Infectious Disease
        • 6.4: Gas Exchange
        • 6.5: Neurons and Synapses
        • 6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction
    • Higher Level >
      • 7: Nucleic Acids >
        • 7.1: DNA Structure and Replication
        • 7.2: Transcription and Gene Expression
        • 7.3: Translation
      • 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis >
        • 8.1: Metabolism
        • 8.2: Cell Respiration
        • 8.3: Photosynthesis
      • 9: Plant Biology >
        • 9.1: Transport in the Xylem of Plants
        • 9.2: Transport in the Phloem of Plants
        • 9.3: Growth in Plants
        • 9.4: Reproduction in Plants
      • 10: Genetics and Evolution >
        • 10.1: Meiosis
        • 10.2: Inheritance
        • 10.3: Gene Pools and Speciation
      • 11: Animal Physiology >
        • 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination
        • 11.2: Movement
        • 11.3: Kidney and Osmoregulation
        • 11.4: Sexual Reproduction
    • Options >
      • D: Human Physiology >
        • D.1: Human Nutrition
        • D.2: Digestion
        • D.3: Functions of the Liver
        • D.4: The Heart
        • D.5: Hormones and Metabolism
        • D.6: Transport of Respiratory Gases
  • IB Requirements
    • Learner Profile
    • Group 4 Project
    • External Exam
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Personal Engagement
      • Exploration
      • Analysis
      • Evaluation
      • Communication
    • Extended Essay
  • Investigation Skills
    • Lab Safety
    • Microscopy
    • Lab Drawings
    • Data Tables
    • Measurement
    • Statistics >
      • Descriptive Statistics >
        • Skew
        • Measures of Central Tendancy
        • Measures of Spread
        • Pearson Correlation
      • Inferential Statistics >
        • T-Test
        • ANOVA
        • Kruskal-Wallis
        • X2 Test for Independence
        • X2 Goodness of Fit
    • Graphing >
      • Graphing with Excel
      • Interpreting Error Bars
    • Error Analysis
  • Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • IB Bio Dance
      • Wood Duck Project
      • Invasive Crayfish Project
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes
      • Lab Practicals
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
    • Supplemental Reading
  • Contact
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Resume
    • Reflection
    • Site Feedback
    • Favorite Quotes
    • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Arizona (2022)
    • Florida (2023)
  • Summer Ecology Research

Topic 3.2:
Chromosomes

Essential Idea:  Chromosomes carry genes in a linear sequence that is shared by members of a species.
  • Outline answer to each objective statement for topic 3.2 (coming soon)
  • Quizlet study set for this topic
At SHS, Topic 3.2 is taught in the following class unit(s):​​​
  • Prokaryotic Cells
  • Cell Division 
  • Genes and Genomes
  • Chromosomes
3.2.U1  Prokaryotes have one chromosome consisting of a circular DNA molecule.
  • Describe the structure and function of nucleoid DNA.​
  • Define the term “naked” in relation to prokaryotic DNA.​
  • Compare the genetic material of prokaryotes and eukaryotes. ​
3.2.U2  Some prokaryotes also have plasmids but eukaryotes do not.
  • Describe the structure and function of plasmid DNA.​
3.2.U3  Eukaryote chromosomes are linear DNA molecules associated with histone proteins.
  • Describe the structure of eukaryotic DNA and associated histone proteins during interphase (chromatin).
  • Explain why chromatin DNA in interphase is said to look like “beads on a string.”
3.2.U4  In a eukaryote species there are different chromosomes that carry different genes.
  • List three ways in which the types of chromosomes within a single cell are different.
  • State the number of nuclear chromosome types in a human cell.​
3.2.U5  Homologous chromosomes carry the same sequence of genes but not necessarily the same alleles of those genes.
  • Define homologous chromosome.
  • State a similarity and a difference found between pairs of homologous chromosomes.
3.2.U6  Diploid nuclei have pairs of homologous chromosomes.
  • Define diploid.
  • State the human cell diploid number.
  • Outline the formation of a diploid cell from two haploid gametes.
  • State an advantage of being diploid.​
3.2.U7  Haploid nuclei have one chromosomes of each pair.
  • Define haploid.
  • State the human cell haploid number.
  • List example haploid cells.​
3.2.U8  The number of chromosomes is a characteristic feature of member of a species.
  • State that chromosome number and type is a distinguishing characteristic of a species.
  • List mechanisms by which a species chromosome number can change.​
3.2.U9  A karyogram shows the chromosomes of an organism in homologous pairs of decreasing length.
  • Describe the process of creating a karyogram.
  • List the characteristics by which chromosomes are arranged on the karyogram.​
3.2.U10  Sex is determined by sex chromosomes and autosomes are chromosomes that do not determine sex.
  • Outline the structure and function of the two human sex chromosomes.
  • Outline sex determination by sex chromosomes.
3.2.A1  Cairns’ technique for measuring the length of DNA by autoradiography.
  • Describe Cairn’s technique for producing images of DNA molecules from E. coli.
  • Outline conclusions drawn from the images produced using Cairn’s autoradiography technique.  ​​
3.2.A2  Comparison of genome size in T2 phage, Escherichia coli, Drosophila melanogaster, Homo sapiens, Paris japonica.
  • Describe the relationship between the genome size of a species and the species complexity in structure, physiology and behavior.​
3.2.A3  Comparison of diploid chromosome numbers of Homo sapiens, Pan troglodytes, Canis familiaris, Oryza sativa, Parascarsis equorum.
  • State the minimum chromosome number in eukaryotes.
  • Explain why the typical number of chromosomes in a species is always an even number.
  • Explain why the chromosome number of a species does not indicate the number of genes in the species.
  • Explain the relationship between the number of human and chimpanzee chromosomes.​
3.2.A4  Use karyograms to deduce sex and diagnose Down Syndrome in humans.
  • Distinguish between a karyogram and a karyotype.
  • Deduce the sex of an individual given a karyogram.
  • Describe the use of a karyogram to diagnose Down syndrome.  
3.2.S1  Use of databases to identify the focus of a human gene and its polypeptide product.
  • Search NCBI or OMIM for a given gene.
  • Determine the gene locus, abbreviated gene name, and description of the gene.​
3.2.NOS  Developments in research follow improvements in techniques- autoradiography was used to establish the length of DNA molecules in chromosomes.
  • Outline the advancement in knowledge gained from the development of autoradiography techniques.​
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"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." 
 John Muir,   1911
  • Syllabus
    • Core >
      • 1: Cell Biology >
        • 1.1: Introduction to Cells
        • 1.2: Ultrastructure of Cells
        • 1.3: Membrane Structure
        • 1.4: Membrane Transport
        • 1.5: The Origin of Cells
        • 1.6: Cell Division
      • 2: Molecular Biology >
        • 2.1: Molecules to Metabolism
        • 2.2: Water
        • 2.3: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • 2.4: Proteins
        • 2.5: Enzymes
        • 2.6: DNA and RNA
        • 2.7: DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation
        • 2.8: Cell Respiration
        • 2.9: Photosynthesis
      • 3: Genetics >
        • 3.1: Genes
        • 3.2: Chromosomes
        • 3.3: Meiosis
        • 3.4: Inheritance
        • 3.5: Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
      • 4: Ecology >
        • 4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems
        • 4.2: Energy Flow
        • 4.3: Carbon Cycling
        • 4.4: Climate Change
      • 5: Evolution and Biodiversity >
        • 5.1: Evidence for Evolution
        • 5.2: Natural Selection
        • 5.3: Classification and Biodiversity
        • 5.4: Cladistics
      • 6: Human Physiology >
        • 6.1: Digestion and Absorption
        • 6.2: The Blood System
        • 6.3: Defense Against Infectious Disease
        • 6.4: Gas Exchange
        • 6.5: Neurons and Synapses
        • 6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction
    • Higher Level >
      • 7: Nucleic Acids >
        • 7.1: DNA Structure and Replication
        • 7.2: Transcription and Gene Expression
        • 7.3: Translation
      • 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis >
        • 8.1: Metabolism
        • 8.2: Cell Respiration
        • 8.3: Photosynthesis
      • 9: Plant Biology >
        • 9.1: Transport in the Xylem of Plants
        • 9.2: Transport in the Phloem of Plants
        • 9.3: Growth in Plants
        • 9.4: Reproduction in Plants
      • 10: Genetics and Evolution >
        • 10.1: Meiosis
        • 10.2: Inheritance
        • 10.3: Gene Pools and Speciation
      • 11: Animal Physiology >
        • 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination
        • 11.2: Movement
        • 11.3: Kidney and Osmoregulation
        • 11.4: Sexual Reproduction
    • Options >
      • D: Human Physiology >
        • D.1: Human Nutrition
        • D.2: Digestion
        • D.3: Functions of the Liver
        • D.4: The Heart
        • D.5: Hormones and Metabolism
        • D.6: Transport of Respiratory Gases
  • IB Requirements
    • Learner Profile
    • Group 4 Project
    • External Exam
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Personal Engagement
      • Exploration
      • Analysis
      • Evaluation
      • Communication
    • Extended Essay
  • Investigation Skills
    • Lab Safety
    • Microscopy
    • Lab Drawings
    • Data Tables
    • Measurement
    • Statistics >
      • Descriptive Statistics >
        • Skew
        • Measures of Central Tendancy
        • Measures of Spread
        • Pearson Correlation
      • Inferential Statistics >
        • T-Test
        • ANOVA
        • Kruskal-Wallis
        • X2 Test for Independence
        • X2 Goodness of Fit
    • Graphing >
      • Graphing with Excel
      • Interpreting Error Bars
    • Error Analysis
  • Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • IB Bio Dance
      • Wood Duck Project
      • Invasive Crayfish Project
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes
      • Lab Practicals
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
    • Supplemental Reading
  • Contact
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Resume
    • Reflection
    • Site Feedback
    • Favorite Quotes
    • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Arizona (2022)
    • Florida (2023)
  • Summer Ecology Research