Question - What patterns are shown by offspring traits?
Introduction: Inherited traits are encoded on a molecule called DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Genes are segments of DNA that control a particular trait. Most genes have several different versions, or alleles. The genotype is the allele combination an organism has.
Question: How do alleles determine fur color?
Question: How do scientists predict the genotypes of offspring?
1. Model: Scientists use a Punnett square to model the different possible offspring genotypes from a parent pair. The parent genotypes are written across the top and side of the square, as shown. The four possible offspring genotypes are then filled in.
Copy the Punnett Square. The first square is filled in for you.
Fill in the remaining squares.
2. Experiment: Click Breed several times. Were your predictions correct?
3. Model: Use the Punnett squares below to model each parent combination. After filling in each Punnett square, predict the percentages of black and white offspring.
4. Experiment: Turn on Show statistics and Show as approximate percentage. For each combination, breed approximately 500 offspring. Record the results in the table below. (Hint: To obtain an Ff mouse, breed an FF mouse to an ff mouse. Place two Ff offspring into the holding cages, click Clear, and then drag the Ff mice into the parent boxes.)