The Statistics of Inheritance
How can statistics help predict the traits of offspring?
Why?
The randomization of alleles from the parents’ genetic material is essential to the survival and evolution of
a species. If
...
The Statistics of Inheritance
How can statistics help predict the traits of offspring?
Why?
The randomization of alleles from the parents’ genetic material is essential to the survival and evolution of
a species. If the combinations of alleles that make up the genetic material in a zygote are truly random, the
laws of statistics can be used to predict what traits the offspring will have. This activity starts with a review
of Punnett squares, which is one way to make predictions about simple allele combinations. Statistics will
then be used to make mathematical predictions about the genotypes of offspring.
Model 1 – Punnett Squares
BB
Bb
bb
B B
B
B
BB
BB BB
BB
B B
B
b
BB
Bb Bb
BB
B
b
B b
Phenotype Genotype
Cross A
Cross D
Cross B
b
b
B b
Bb
Bb bb
bb
Cross C
Male
Female
1. Consider the beetle species in Model 1.
a. How many phenotypes for exoskeleton color are exhibited in the population?
b. How many genotypes for exoskeleton color are exhibited in the population?
2. According to Model 1, which allele, B or b, is the dominant exoskeleton color allele? Justify your
answer with specific evidence from Model 1.
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3. The Punnett squares in Model 1 show the possible outcomes for an offspring resulting from the
mating of two beetles.
a. Which Punnett square shows a cross between two homozygous beetles?
b. Which Punnett square shows a cross between a heterozygous beetle and a homozygous recessive beetle?
4. Briefly describe how the genotypes inside of the Punnett squares representing the possible outcomes for an offspring are determined.
5. Complete the Punnett square for cross D in Model 1. Include drawings to show the phenotypes
possible for the offspring that would result.
6. Refer to Model 1.
a. In which of the crosses is there a 100% chance that the
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