Higher Tier: construct a genetic cross from evidence
| English | 中文 | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| Punnett square/ˈpʌnɪt skweə/ | 庞尼特方格 | páng ní tè fāng gé |
| probability/ˌprɒbəˈbɪlɪti/ | 概率 | gài lǜ |
What would explain this observation?
- Higher Tier: Two dominant-looking parents have a recessive offspring in a stated simple model. Their appearance alone was not enough to identify their genotypes.
- Start with a prediction. State the quantities or features you would compare, then decide what evidence could distinguish two explanations.
Build the model
- Start with the allele key. In a completely dominant single-gene model, a recessive offspring has genotype aa and must receive an a allele from each parent. If both parents show the dominant phenotype, each also has A, so both are Aa. List each parent’s possible gametes, A and a, before filling the cross.
- Punnett square 庞尼特方格: A grid combining possible parental gametes; probability 概率: The chance of an outcome under the stated model.
Under the stated model, what does a recessive offspring of two dominant parents show?
Each box combines one allele from each parent: AA, Aa, Aa and aa. State genotype and phenotype probabilities separately. The inference depends on the stated model: one gene, complete dominance and no new mutation. Do not apply it unchanged to characteristics controlled by many genes or to a scenario with incomplete dominance.
Match each technical term to its precise meaning.
Use the definitions to distinguish related quantities and processes.
Choose evidence that can test it
- Each box combines one allele from each parent: AA, Aa, Aa and aa. State genotype and phenotype probabilities separately. The inference depends on the stated model: one gene, complete dominance and no new mutation. Do not apply it unchanged to characteristics controlled by many genes or to a scenario with incomplete dominance.
- Write the key, infer parental genotypes using the evidence, label gametes along the grid edges and combine them. Show each step so a mistaken parental assumption is visible. Compare the predicted distribution with supplied observed counts; small samples often deviate from expected proportions without disproving the model.
Which two habits make the investigation or model in this case more defensible?
Write the key, infer parental genotypes using the evidence, label gametes along the grid edges and combine them. Show each step so a mistaken parental assumption is visible. Compare the predicted distribution with supplied observed counts; small samples often deviate from expected proportions without disproving the model.
Work from known quantities
- State the known values and their units. Choose the relation because its assumptions fit this case, then rearrange before substitution.
- Known: an Aa parent crossed with aa produces Aa, aa, Aa, aa. Recessive probability is 1/2. In 60 independent model offspring the expected count is 30. For two independent offspring, probability both are recessive is 1/2×1/2 = 1/4. Multiplication applies because the prompt states independent outcomes.
An Aa×aa model gives recessive probability 1/2. Find the expected number in 90 offspring. Use the same sequence: known quantities → model → relation → substitution → unit and interpretation.
An Aa×aa model gives recessive probability 1/2. Find the expected number in 90 offspring.
The result is 45 offspring. Known: an Aa parent crossed with aa produces Aa, aa, Aa, aa. Recessive probability is 1/2. In 60 independent model offspring the expected count is 30. For two independent offspring, probability both are recessive is 1/2×1/2 = 1/4. Multiplication applies because the prompt states independent outcomes.
Check the conclusion and its limits
- Writing only a 3:1 ratio earns no explanation of where it came from. Aa×aa does not give 3:1. A recessive outcome is possible again even when the previous offspring was recessive; the model has no memory of earlier births.
- Return to the original observation. Explain what the result supports, which conditions it assumes, and one way to test a competing explanation.
Aa×aa gives the same phenotype ratio as Aa×Aa. This claim is false: Writing only a 3:1 ratio earns no explanation of where it came from. Aa×aa does not give 3:1. A recessive outcome is possible again even when the previous offspring was recessive; the model has no memory of earlier births.
Higher Tier: construct a genetic cross from evidence: Each box combines one allele from each parent: AA, Aa, Aa and aa. State genotype and phenotype probabilities separately. The inference depends on the stated model: one gene, complete dominance and no new mutation. Do not apply it unchanged to characteristics controlled by many genes or to a scenario with incomplete dominance.
Aa×aa gives the same phenotype ratio as Aa×Aa.
Writing only a 3:1 ratio earns no explanation of where it came from. Aa×aa does not give 3:1. A recessive outcome is possible again even when the previous offspring was recessive; the model has no memory of earlier births.
A grid combining possible parental gametes: write the technical term.
Punnett square means A grid combining possible parental gametes.