Virtual Genetics Lab

Virtual Genetics Lab Biology HL – March 15, 2009 Karry Calderon Introduction In this Virtual Genetics Lab, a computer stimulation of imaginary insects, the computer randomly picks a character with more than one phenotype. It then randomly chooses which form of the character will be dominant and which will be recessive. It also chooses whether the gene involved is autosomal or sex-linked. Objective To use the knowledge of genetics to design and interpret crosses to figure out how alleles of different genes interact (dominant/recessive) and are transmitted (autosomal/sex-linked). Materials and Methods When making the crosses of the computer stimulated imaginary insects I made sure I crossed the same phenotypes together for example (Blue Male x Blue Female), two different phenotypes (Blue Male x Pink Female) and then I would switch the male and female trait (Pink Male x Blue Female) to analyze which phenotype had a dominant or recessive genotype and if the transmission of these genes were autosomal or sex-linked. Results and Discussion Phenotype: Body Color (Blue or Pink) Model 1: Blue is dominant (Supported Hypothesis) Allele Contribution to Phenotype B Blue (dominant) b Pink (recessive) OR Model 2: Pink is dominant Allele Contribution to Phenotype P Pink (dominant) p Blue (recessive) In both Models the trait is autosomal, no data was observed that proved otherwise. Cage 1: 9 Blue Males; 7 Blue Females; 13 Pink Males; 9 Pink Females. Using the data provided Model 2 proves inconsistent with the data because if the blue phenotype were in fact recessive than when a blue male is crossed with a blue female all the offspring must be blue. {draw:frame} In cage 9 the offspring of a blue male and blue female are both pink and blue therefore blue must be dominant where both of the parents are