SAT Subject Test in Biology

The SAT Subject Test in Biology assesses students' knowledge and understanding of biological concepts and processes.

Basic Concepts

Genetics and Heredity

Genes and Inheritance

Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring. DNA, found in chromosomes, contains genes—the instructions for building proteins.

Mendelian Inheritance

Gregor Mendel discovered that traits are inherited in predictable patterns. Terms like dominant, recessive, genotype, and phenotype come into play.

  • Dominant alleles mask recessive ones.
  • Punnett squares help predict how traits are passed on.

Why Genetics Matters

Genetics explains family resemblances, inherited diseases, and even variations in plants and animals.

Real-World Applications

Scientists use genetics to develop better crops, understand genetic disorders, and create DNA fingerprinting techniques.

Examples

  • Brown eyes are often dominant over blue eyes.

  • Cystic fibrosis is caused by a recessive gene mutation.

In a Nutshell

Genetics explains how traits and characteristics are inherited from one generation to the next.

Key Terms

Gene
A segment of DNA that codes for a specific protein.
Allele
Different forms of a gene.