Principles of Genetics

Assessment 1 RESIT

This assessment covers aspects of three out of the four Learning Outcomes for this module as described in the module definition form:

Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the nature of genes and chromosomes and the biological consequences of mutation.

Learning Outcome 2: Discuss current understanding of the role of genes in development, disease, its diagnosis, treatment and function of an organism throughout its life.

Learning Outcome 3: Recognise, investigate and produce explanations of the genetic input to biological phenomena and counseling and design, perform and evaluate simple breeding experiments.

Part A: Questions from the Drosophila melanogaster reciprocal cross practical

1. Present the results of the Drosophila melanogaster reciprocal cross in a suitable format. Include your own results and class results for both F1 and F2 generations.

Cross A: White-eyed male crossed with wildtype (red eyed) female.

Cross A F1 data:
Wildtype (red eyed) female: 260 White eyed female: 0
Wildtype (red eyed) male: 264 White eyed male: 0

Cross A F2 data:
Wildtype (red eyed) female: 346 White eyed female: 0
Wildtype (red eyed) male: 173 White eyed male: 177

Cross B: Wildtype (red eyed) male crossed with white eyed female
Cross B F1 data:
Wildtype (red eyed) female: 252 White eyed female: 0
Wildtype (red eyed) male: 0 White eyed male: 255 Cross B F2 data:
Wildtype (red eyed) female: 151 White eyed female: 153 Wildtype (red eyed) male: 157 White eyed male: 154

Group results cross A:

Group results Cross B:

2. Research the genetic basis of white eyes in D. melanogaster.

3. Based on your research show the expected results of cross A and cross B from this experiment in Punnett squares. State what statistical test could be used to analyse the results of the reciprocal cross. Write a null hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis based on the results of the Punnett square.

Part B: Questions from the polytene chromosomes practical

1. Explain what polytene chromosomes are and how they are formed.

2. Explain why polytene chromosomes are formed.

Your answers should show clear evidence of background research that you have carried out.

Part C: Questions from the yeast practical

Using journal articles written in the last 10 years, research what Saccharomyces cerevisiae can tell us about disease in humans?