January 31-February 3

Mendelian Genetics & Punnett Squares Activity 🧬

In this activity, you explored how traits are inherited from parents to offspring through the work of Gregor Mendel, the father of genetics. You learned how to predict genetic outcomes using Punnett squares and discovered how dominant and recessive traits are passed down through generations.

DUE FEBRUARY 3

What You Did:

1. Read About Mendel’s Pea Plant Experiments

   • Learned how Mendel’s work established the principles of heredity.

   • Identified dominant and recessive traits in pea plants.

2. Explored Key Genetic Terms:

   • Genes: Segments of DNA that determine traits.

   • Alleles: Different forms of a gene (e.g., blue vs. brown eyes).

   • Genotype vs. Phenotype:

     • Genotype: The genetic makeup (BB, Bb, or bb).

     • Phenotype: The physical appearance (brown or blue eyes).

   • Homozygous vs. Heterozygous:

     • Homozygous: Two of the same alleles (BB or bb).

     • Heterozygous: One dominant and one recessive allele (Bb).

3. Worked with Punnett Squares

   • Practiced predicting genetic outcomes by crossing different genotypes.

   • Calculated the probability of offspring inheriting specific traits.

   • Compared real-world examples, such as fur color in rabbits and flower color in plants.

4. Studied Meiosis & the Chromosome Theory of Inheritance

   • Discovered how sex cells (gametes) are formed through meiosis.

   • Learned that each parent passes only half of their chromosomes to their offspring.

Why This Matters:

Understanding Mendelian genetics helps explain how traits are passed down, why siblings look different, and how genetic variation occurs. These concepts form the foundation of modern genetics and are used in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and forensic science.

Great job using Punnett squares and genetic analysis to explore inheritance patterns! Keep practicing, and see if you can predict the probability of traits in real-life examples. 🔬🎲