Task 1
Predicting Trait Inheritance
In this task, you will design a species, determine its genetic variation, and predict the genetic inheritance pattern.
Estimated time to complete: 60-90 minutes
1/19/24, 16:
Part A: Design a Species
If you could genetically engineer any species of organism, what would it be? Would it be a thaicon? A dog-cat hybrid? Your own personal per giant? Choose any species-real or not- your imagination desires!
Write a paragraph describing your species, what it looks like, and where it lives. Think of any inherited traits the species has that might help it survive in its environment. Thinking of these traits now can help you come up with allele combinations in the next step. Now describe your species in the answer space.
Answer:
Part B: Determine Trait Variation in the Species
For this modeling activity, assume that your species reproduces sexually. This assumption implies that it inherits half of its chromosomes from its mother and half from its fatheror Recall that in sexual reproduction, individuals inherit homologous pairs of chromosomes-one from the father and one from the every gene. The alleles can be dominant or recessive. You will model three traits controlled by three gene types on homologous of inheritance: mother This arrangement allows for two alleles for chromosomes. Your genes should have these patterns
Trait dominant/recessive 1: Simple do inheritance
Example pe plants, y and Yy genotypes will yield yellow pea pods, but inherited yy will yield green pods.
Trait 2: Co-dominance
Co-dominance occurs when there's more than one dominant allele and they express equally.
Example: Human blood type is co-dominant. I^ (type A blood), IB (type B), and i (O blood) are controlled by A and B dominant alleles. If a person nherits A and B alleles, they'll have AB blood. O blood is caused by two recessive alleles.
Trait 3: Incomplete dominance
Incomplete dominance occurs when there is more than one dominant gene, but the expression of both genes creates a blending of traits.
Example: RR = red flowers, WW = white flower, but RW = pink flowers. Come up with your three traits and the possible inherited phenotypes. Here's an example:
Trait
Seed Color (simple/dominant recessive)
Flower Color (co-dominance)
Pod Shape (incomplete dominance)
Phenotype 1
Yy and YY (yellow seeds)
IRIR and IRi = red flowers
PP = long, balloon- shaped pods
Phenotype 2
yy (green seeds)
WW and Wi = white flowers
FF = flat, narrow pods
Phenotype 3
N/A
WIR = red/white speckled
PF = long, flat pods
Phenotype 4
N/A
ii = yellow flowers
N/A
To get started, think about the traits your species needs to help it survive in its environment. Come up with variations of these traits. You can include neutral traits (variations that won't affect the organism's survival), and beneficial traits (variations that would give the organism a better chance for survival). You can even include harmful genes or genes that could cause genetic diseases. Fill in the chart with the traits you chose and the possible inherited phenotypes.
Answer:
Trait
Phenotype 1
Phenotype 2
Phenotype 3
Phenotype 4
Part C: Choose the Genotype of the Parents
You will use Punnett squares to predict the probability that two parents of your species will pass a particular trait to their offspring. Each parent has two alleles for a particular gene, one on each homologous chromosome.
To prepare to make the Punnett three traits you'll be predicting. squares, write down the genotypes of the parents for the
Example:
Mother: YyIRIPF
Father: YylWiPF
Answer:
Part D: Make Punnett Squares
Now fill in three Punnett Squares, one for each trait.
Answer:
Mother's Alleles
Trait:
M
m
Father's Alleles
M
Father's Alleles
Mother's Alleles
m
Mother's Alleles
Trait:
M
m
Father's Alleles
M
Father's Alleles
Mother's Alleles
m
Mother's Alleles
Trait:
M
m
Father's Alleles
M
Father's Alleles
Mother's Alleles
m
Part E: Evaluate the Results
Question 1
Evaluate the possible genotypes the offspring could inherit for traits 1, 2, and 3. Use percentages to explain the probability that an offspring will inherit each possible genotype.
Answer:
Question 2
Would any of these genotypes affect your species' survival in its natural habitat? Explain why or why not.
Answer:
Question 3
Use your Punnett squares to explain why traits that aren't present in either parent could show up in the offspring or in future generations of the offspring.
Answer:
