Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Biology

SC15.BIO.11

Analyze and interpret data collected from probability calculations to explain the variation of expressed traits within a population.

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking

Crosscutting Concepts

Patterns; Systems and System Models

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Inheritable genetic variations may result from: new genetic combinations through meiosis, viable errors occurring during replication, and mutations caused by environmental factors.
  • Variations in genetic material naturally result during meiosis when corresponding sections of chromosome pairs exchange places.
  • Genetic material is inheritable.
  • Genetic variations produced by mutations and meiosis are inheritable.
  • The difference between genotypic and phenotypic ratios and percentages.
  • Examples of genetic crosses that do not fit traditional inheritance patterns (e.g., incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multi-allelic, polygenic) and explanations as to how the observed phenotypes are produced.
  • Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment.
  • Pedigrees can be used to infer genotypes from the observation of genotypes.
  • By analyzing a person's family history or a population study, disorders in future offspring can be predicted.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Perform and use appropriate statistical analysis of data, including probability measures to determine the relationship between a trait's occurrence within a population and environmental factors.
  • Differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous allele pairings.
  • Create Punnett squares to predict offspring genotypic and phenotypic ratios.
  • Explain the relationship between the inherited genotype and the visible trait phenotype.
  • Examine genetic crosses that do not fit traditional inheritance patterns (incomplete dominance and co-dominance).
  • Use chromosome models to physically demonstrate the points in meiosis where Mendel's laws of segregation and independent assortment are observed.
  • Analyze pedigrees to identify the patterns of inheritance for specific traits/ disorders including autosomal dominant/ recessive as well as sex-linked and mitochondrial patterns.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • In sexual reproduction, chromosomes can sometimes swap sections during the process of meiosis, thereby creating new genetic combinations and thus more genetic variation.
  • Although DNA replication is tightly regulated and remarkably accurate, errors do occur and result in mutations, which are also a source of genetic variation.
  • Environmental factors can also cause mutations in genes, and viable mutations are inherited.
  • Environmental factors also affect expression of traits, and hence affect the probability of occurrences of traits in a population.
  • The variation and distribution of traits observed depends on both genetic and environmental factors.

Vocabulary

  • Genetics
  • Allele
  • Dominant
  • Recessive
  • Homozygous
  • Heterozygous
  • Genotype
  • Phenotype
  • Law of segregation
  • Hybrid
  • Law of independent assortment
  • F1 and F2 generations
  • Monohybrid
  • Dihybrid
  • Punnet square
  • Probability
  • Crossing over
  • Genetic recombination
  • Carrier
  • Pedigree
  • Incomplete dominance
  • Codominance
  • Multiple alleles
  • Epistasis
  • Sex chromosome
  • Autosome
  • Sex-linked trait
  • Polygenic trait
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