As humans spread around the world, they often adapted to local conditions, especially local diseases. One example is the evolution of greater resistance to the pathogen that causes malaria. The evolution of greater resistance to malaria has been observed in human populations from three regions (South America, Western Africa, and Southeast Asia). Recent genomic studies of these populations have identified several alleles related to malaria resistance that show evidence of selection based on SNP analysis. SNP is short for [answer1]. What does it mean that these alleles show “evidence of selection”, from a genomic perspective? [answer2]

In the spring of 2020, CRISPR-Cas9 was used in a pilot study to see if it could be used to eliminate blindness in people with Leber’s congenital amaurosis 10 (LCA10).  In this trial experiment, patients had targeted CRISPR-Cas9 injected underneath their retinas, where it would hopefully edit a mutation in the CEP290 gene that is responsible for the condition. This type of genetic engineering, where gene-editing is used to treat a disease in an individual is known as…

The following figure is from a study (Million et al. 2018) that compared the gut microbiota of individuals who had severe acute malnutrition (SAM) to individuals who didn’t (CTL). What can we conclude from these results? [answer1] Our gut microbiome is an example of both a/an [answer2] and [answer3] relationship.

A scientist wishes to genetically modify a rat so that it grows green hair. Which of the following methods would likely be the most efficient (least time intensive and least expensive), given its precise ability to edit genetic information?  

A genetic engineer is exploring methods to develop a new kiwi variety resistant to purple melon disease. They are considering two techniques: CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, which allows targeted modifications in a specific gene linked to disease resistance, and mutation breeding, which induces a wider range of genetic changes. Which of the following best highlights an advantage of CRISPR-Cas9 over mutation breeding?

Identical (monozygotic) twins were adopted by different families at birth and were raised in different parts of the country. However, both twins grow up to have perfect pitch. This observation would suggest what about the shared musical talent of these twins?

Bacteria use restriction enzymes and Cas9 enzymes that target specific sequences of DNA to defend themselves against which of the following selfish genetic elements?

The statement that racial categories are social constructs, and have no basis in biology is, in part, predicated on observations of human genetic diversity.  Which of the following statements best describes the distribution of genetic variation among racial groups? 

Below are estimates for the heritability of several complex human traits. Which of the following statements is most accurate, based on these data? Trait heritability (h2) Height 0.79 Weight 0.70 Alcoholism 0.52

This phylogenetic tree depicts the evolutionary relationships of eight major vertebrate classes.  Tiktaalik is an intermediate fossil that represents an early ancestor of tetrapods (four-limbed animals) and the transition from water to shoreline. If you were to add Tiktaalik to this phylogeny, where would the Tiktaalik branch extend from?