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by
Sheryl A. DeCaprio
A fundamental knowledge of the vocabulary used in the science is needed to begin this mathematical study of genetics. I will explain a few of the basic concepts, how they were derived from the experiments of Gregor Mendel, a 19th century botanist, and how they can be applied in lessons for a mathematics class. I would recommend the instructor become familiar with the information and refer you to a book written by Allen Vegotsky and Cynthia A. White entitled a Programmed Approach to Human Genetics (see bibliography). The text is written in a straightforward, sequential manner for the independent reader and gives an understandable explanation of the information needed.
This unit is designed to be presented as a set of extension lessons with practical applications for problem solving dealing with ratios, proportions, percentages, data analysis, and chart and graph reading. The target groups are 7th and 8th grade math students. The information may be used as supplemental lessons showing application of mathematical skills. Upon completion of this study students should:
The unit is divided into four categories; 1) the effect of Gregor Mendel’s research and the laws he developed that govern genetics today. This section will introduce the basic vocabulary and an explanation of the process of gene transference, 2) the development of Punnet Squares to determine the probability of specific genotypes occurring, 3) the reading and construction of pedigree charts mapping specific traits in a family and 4) a glossary of terms and set of sample lessons.
- 1) understand the process by which genes of parents are transferred to their offspring.
- 2) understand the difference between a dominant and recessive trait and understand how the presence of a trait may effect the physical characteristics of an individual.
- 3) be able to complete a Punnet Square given the genotype of parents (i.e. determine the possible genotypes of their offspring).
- 4) read and/or construct a pedigree chart mapping a specific trait in a family.
- 5) determine the probability of a certain phenotype being expressed in an individual.
- 6) be aware of the integral role of mathematics in science.
- ____A simple genetic trait is determined by a pair of separable factors (called alleles of a gene). An offspring will receive one allele from each parent.
Knowledge of the process of meiosis is basic to the under. standing of how genetic information is transferred from parent to offspring. A child receives genetic information from each parent. During meiosis, the process in which chromosomes in a cell’s nucleus are separated, each egg and sperm cell receives 23 chromosomes or one half of the genetic material needed to create a new organism. A normal child receives 23 chromosomes from each parent, a total of 46 chromosomes. Consider a chromosome as a collection of specific genetic material or genes. All individuals have like chromosomes containing information that will describe one’s physical traits. For example, all individuals have a set of sex chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males) and the genetic information that constitutes that set of chromosomes determines the sex of the individual. During meiosis, each parent passes some of their genetic material to their children. Each gene that is transferred from parent to child carries the material that will allow a specific trait to be expressed. For example, a mother may pass a gene that determines a particular hair coloring to her child. The father, in a like manner, passes along a similar gene which expresses hair color. The pairing of these two genes, describing the same trait, hair coloring, is the new genetic material of their offspring, or a child’s genotype with respect to hair color. (For a more detailed description of meiosis see additional units in this volume.)
- ____Paired alleles of parents segregate during the formation of egg and sperm cells so that only one of the two alleles is included in each egg or sperm.
Through experimentation and careful analysis, Mendel discovered that genes exist as pairs in the cell. Each gene is represented by 2 alleles (an allele is one of several possible forms of a gene). An egg or sperm cell will receive only one of the alleles from each parent during this period of meiosis. When fertilization then occurs, the separate alleles from both parents join to create the new genotype, or genetic material, of the offspring.
Mendel also discovered that if one knew the genotype of the parents, one could accurately predict the probable genotypes of the offspring, and in the proper ratios. He found that certain traits are always expressed (seen in an organism) as long as one allele of this trait is present in the gene pairing. He described this characteristic as a dominant trait. The traits expressed only if both the alleles were identical were then called recessive traits.
MM . . . . . . .a math loving individual
mm . . . . . . .a math hating individual
Mm . . . . . . .a math loving individual
By constructing a table called a Punnet square, we can calculate the possible combinations of alleles and determine the possible genotype of the offspring. Punnet squares work much the same way as a multiplication chart and should be easy for the students to understand. The symbol represents the father and the represents the mother. Listed vertically on the left is the genotype of the mother and horizontally at the top is the genotype of the father. The inner squares are then filled in by finding the “cross-product of the two alleles. See Figure I.
Mother- MM . . . . . . . . . .loves math
All of the offspring will be math Lovers.
Mother—Mm . . . . . . loves math
The ratio of math lovers to math haters is 3:1.
Individuals whose alleles are identical. MM or mm, are called homozygous, and those whose alleles are different, Mm, are called heterozygous. Below is an example of the pairing of a homozygous recessive father (mm, math hater) and a heterozygous dominant mother (Mm math lover).
Students can be instructed to develop Punnet squares for various combinations of heterozygous and homozygous parents. Examples can be of a scientific nature. Examples of dominant traits are 1) widow’s peak 2) unattached earlobes 3) the ability to curl one’s tongue, while some recessive traits are 1) albinism 2) attached earlobes and 3) sickle cell anemia.
The next section will describe how we can use this knowledge of genetic transference to study families and trace inherited traits through a family tree by means of a pedigree chart.
The location of an individual is described by the tier of the tree on which he or she resides and the numbered placement from left to right. See Figure IV.
Pedigree charts for recessive traits may also be examined. Sickle cell anemia disease is a recessive trait. An individual may carry the trait without ever expressing the disease ( a genotype of Ss, heterozygous carrier, a genotype of ss, homozygous diseased, a genotype of SS, homozygous, unaffected). Students can study a pedigree chart and determine which individuals may be carriers of the disease, which are affected, and which are unaffected. See Figure V.
I have developed some lessons in which the information presented here is combined with the reinforcement of mathematics skills. Students will find the presentation of this material informative. They will be able to examine their own families and gather data about gene transmission, and practice analyzing the material they’ve gathered. It is anticipated that students will become scientifically curious, become open to the information presented and improve their mathematics skills. Most importantly, students will become aware of the role of mathematics in scientific study, completing a circle of learning for them and developing a base of knowledge on which they may nurture their learning curiosity.
- Allele—an alternate form of a gene.
- Chromosome—structure in the cell nucleus that stores and transmits genetic information.
- Gene—unit of heredity.
- Genotype—Allelic status of an organism for a genetic trait.
- Heterozygous—having different alleles of a gene.
- Homozygous—having indistinguishable alleles of a gene.
- Pedigree—diagram showing the expression of a specific characteristic and the biological relationships among members of a family, often of several generations.
- Phenotype—the observable organism, the expression of a genetic trait.
- 1) gather data and draw a distribution chart to describe the various eye color shades, and
- 2) determine the genotype in a family tree as a classroom lab experiment.
Eye color is based on several genetic factor. It is generally acknowledged that dark eyes are a dominant feature while light eye coloring is recessive. The various shadings of blues, greens, and browns indicate a variety of factors determine an individual’s eye color. An example of how the lesson can be utilized and a sample work sheet is listed below.
- -Students will collect information about eye color from class members.
- -Students will place the eye color of each class member on a scale of 1-10.
- -Students will draw a frequency table and distribution chart to describe the information.
- -Students will solve problems of ratio, proportion, and percentages based on the information gathered.
- 1) assign a value (1-10) for each student’s eye color (1-very light, 10-black)
- 2) write a frequency table and design a chart or graph to describe the information gathered.
- 3) answer work sheet problems.
| Light | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2 | |
| 4 | 0 | |
| 5 | 0 | |
| 6 | 10 | |
| 7 | 3 | |
| 8 | 0 | |
| 9 | 3 | |
| Dark | 10 | 1 |
- 1. What percentage of students fall in each eye color range?
- 2. What is the mode of eye coloring? ___
- ____What is the mean eye color? ___
- ____What is the median eye color? ___
- 3. If colors 1-5 can be categorized as light-eyed people and 6-10 as dark eyed people, what is the ratio of;
- ____a) light eyes to dark eyes ___
- ____b) light eyes to class size ___
- ____c) dark eyes to class size ___
- 4. What conclusions can be drawn from the data. Discuss dominant and recessive traits. Discuss family eye color.
- 1. List family members with the following gene pairings.
- ____A = dominant (brown)
- ____a = recessive (light eyes)
- ____—= unknown
Genotypes: Aa AA A- aa - 2. Estimate the percentage of dark-eyed and light-eyed people. ___
- 3. What is the ratio of :
- ____a) dark eyes to total family members? ___
- ____b) light eyes to dark to total family members ___
- ____c) light eyes to dark eyes? ___
- 4. What is the percentage (to the nearest tenth) of:
- ____a) dark-eyed family members ___
- ____b light-eyed family members ___
- 5. What conclusions can be drawn from the data? Does the data satisfy the Mendelian rules of inheritance? ___
- 6. use Punnett squares to answer the following questions.
- ____a) If IV5 marries a blue-eyed gent, what are the possible eye colorings of their children? Answer using percentages.
- ____b) If IV5 marries a brown-eyed gent with a blue-eyed parent, what are the possible genotypes of their children? A browneyed gent with brown-eyed parents?
- 7. Discuss inheritance of eye color based on this pedigree chart.
Place a ‘-’ when it is not possible to accurately determine the genotype.
- 1) the ability to curl one’s tongue is dominant or recessive,
- 2) having a widow’s peak is dominant or recessive, 3 deduce as many genotypes of individuals as possible.
Hint: Test one trait at a time, then determine the genotype of the individual. Use Punnett squares to test your hypothesis. Do the percentages match the actual data/
| Individual | Trait |
| Il, II4, III7 | curls tongue, has a widow’s peak |
| IIi, 3 III6,8 | curls tongue, no widow’s peak |
| 112, 6 III3 | does not curl tongue, has a widow’s peak |
| I2. II5,7 | does not curl tongue, |
| III1,2,4,5 | no widow’s peak |
Label and fill in the pedigree chart
- I. Albinism is a recessive trait. Construct a family pedigree chart that depicts the transference of albinism in 4 generations. Include 30 individuals in the chart, label all symbols.
Informative text. Special attention to Chapters 1-3 discusses rules of inheritance and pedigree.
Olby, Richard. Origins of Mendelism. Constable, London, 1966.
Chapters 2,5—historical overview of the origin of Mendelism and events leading to the development of his theory of genetics.
Strong, Leonell Clarence. Parental Age and Characteristics of the Offspring. New York Academy of Sciences. Annals. Mol. 57, Art. 5.
Vegotsky, Allen and White, Cynthia. A Programmed Approach to Human Genetics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1974 .
Sequential study of genetics. Good text for self-taught genecists.
Discusses genetic engineering, particularly the history and techniques of cloning. Includes material on genetic research and test-tube babies.
Morrison, Velma Ford. There’s Only One You. Julian Messner, New York, 1978.
Introduces fundamental concepts of genetics. Good middle school reading.
Silverstien, Alvin and Virginia. The Code of Life, New York: Atheneum, 1972.
Discusses genetic coding, chromosomes, genes, DNA, and the possibility of treating hereditary diseases through gene manipulation.
Contents of 1982 Volume VII | Directory of Volumes | Index | Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute
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