Mendelian Genetics

Genes- genetic material on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait Genotype- the genetic makeup of the organism Phenotype- the expressed trait Allel- an alternative form of a gene Genetic Definitions

Dominance Mechanism Two alleles are carried for each trait In true-breeding individuals, both alleles are the same (homozygous). Hybrids, on the other hand, have one of each kind of allele (heterozygous). One trait is dominant, the other trait is recessive

Mendel’s Three Principles Dominance Segregation Independent Assortment The foundation of “classical” science ( )

Frequency 150 purple Proportion 150:200 Percentage 75% purple Ratio 3:1 150 purple kernels 50 yellow kernels Total 200 kernels

This laboratory activity is designed to familiarize you with the statistical nature of Mendel's model.

We will attempt to understand the probabilistic aspects of monohybrid crosses (Mendel’s Law of Segregation) by "randomly" tossing special "coins" designed to simulate the genotypes of parents, focusing on a single genetic character, seed color. Part I

We will attempt to understand the probabilistic aspects of dihybrid crosses (Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment) by “randomly” tossing special “dice” designed to simulate the genotypes of parents, focusing on two genetic characters, seed color and plant height. Part II

Dihybrid Cross

In Part III, we will investigate various human genetic characters.

In Part IV, we will also evaluate the results of monohybrid and dihybrid crosses involving the characteristics of corn seeds.

In Part V, we will learn about the use of the Chi-Square test for statistical hypothesis testing.   =∑ (o – e) 2 e

Parts I-III of this lab activity will involve collection of class data. So we will proceed through these parts together as a class. But each round of data collection will involve working in pairs. Parts IV & V will not involve collection of class data. You will proceed through these parts working in pairs.

Tongue Roller R = Tongue Roller r = Unable to Roll Tongue

Widow’s Peak W = Widows Peak w = Lack of Widow’s Peak

Free Ear Lobe Attached Ear Lobe E = Free Ear Lobe e = Attached Ear Lobe

Hitchhiker’s Thumb Hi = Straight Thumb hi = Hitchhiker’s Thumb

Bent Little Finger Bf = Bent Little Finger bf = Straight Little Finger

Mid-digital Hair M = Mid-Digital Hair m = Absence of Mid-Digital Hair

Dimples D = Dimples d = Absence of Dimples

Short Hallux Ha = Short Hallux ha = Long Hallux

Short Index Finger S s = Short Index Finger S 1 = Long Index Finger *Sex-Influenced Trait

h?v=gCPuHzbb5hA

The Chi Square Test A statistical method used to determine goodness of fit Goodness of fit refers to how close the observed data are to those predicted from a hypothesis Note: The chi square test does not prove that a hypothesis is correct It evaluates to what extent the data and the hypothesis have a good fit

The Chi Square Test The general formula is   =∑ (o – e) 2 e where –o = observed data in each category –e = observed data in each category based on the experimenter’s hypothesis –∑ = Sum of the calculations for each category

We start with a theory for how the offspring will be distributed: the “null hypothesis”. The null hypothesis is that the offspring will appear in a ratio of 3/4 dominant to 1/4 recessive.

Example of its use: Observed Expected* Frequency (o) (e) red flowers white flowers27 25 *The expected frequency depends upon the hypothesis.

o - e (o - e ) 2 (o - e ) 2 e red flowers white flowers   =∑ (O – E) 2 E = = 0.213

Degrees of Freedom A critical factor in using the chi-square test is the “degrees of freedom”, which is essentially the number of independent random variables involved. Degrees of freedom is simply the number of classes of offspring minus 1 (d.f. = n-1). For our example, there are 2 classes of offspring: red and white. Thus, degrees of freedom (d.f.) = 2 -1 = 1.

Critical Chi-Square Critical values for chi-square are found on tables, sorted by degrees of freedom and probability levels. Be sure to use p = If your calculated chi-square value is greater than the critical value from the table, you “reject the null hypothesis”. If your chi-square value is less than the critical value, you “fail to reject” the null hypothesis (that is, you accept that your genetic theory about the expected ratio is correct).

d.f probability Chi-Square Table   = Your value Do you accept or reject the null hypothesis?