Original Project
Reproduction, Genes, and Heredity
Genetic information in the form of DNA molecules is transferred from parents to offspring during reproduction.
Item RH034002: A sex cell of an organism contains half as many DNA molecules as a fertilized egg cell of that organism.
Which of the following is TRUE about the number of DNA molecules in an unfertilized egg cell of an organism compared to the number of DNA molecules in a fertilized egg cell of that same organism? (A fertilized egg cell is an egg cell that has combined with a sperm cell.)
- An unfertilized egg cell contains half as many DNA molecules as a fertilized egg cell.
- An unfertilized egg cell contains the same number of DNA molecules as a fertilized egg cell.
- An unfertilized egg cell contains twice as many DNA molecules as a fertilized egg cell.
- An unfertilized egg cell contains four times as many DNA molecules as a fertilized egg cell.
- Distribution of Responses
- Students Responding Correctly
| Group | Correct | Total | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 648 | 1085 | 60% |
| Grades | |||
| 6–8 | 329 | 584 | 56% |
| 9–12 | 318 | 498 | 64% |
| Gender | |||
| Male | 307 | 532 | 58% |
| Female | 330 | 536 | 62% |
| Primary Language | |||
| English | 599 | 989 | 61% |
| Other | 29 | 65 | 45% |