Coat Color Genetics in Mice
Hard
What color fur will baby mice have when you cross black and white parents? Coat color follows patterns of genetic dominance (where one gene version overrides another). This project breeds mice in four color combinations.
You set up four boxes. Each box pairs one male with three females in a different color combination. After about four weeks the babies are born. You wait seven days for their fur to grow in. Then you record each pup's color.
The results show which pairings produce only one fur color and which produce a surprising mix.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that the white mouse has the dominant gene.
Method & Materials
You will breed two male black mice and two male white mice with six female black mice and six female white mice. You will observe the color of the newborn mice after 7 days.
You will need two male black mice (30-60 days of age), two male white mice (30-60 days of age), six female black mice (30-60 days of age), six female white mice (30-60 days of age), four cages or wooden boxes for the mice, one bag of food, and newspaper.
Results
The results showed that white male and female mice only produced white colored baby mice. The participation of black color mice, either male or female, resulted in the birth of other mice of other colors, including black, brown, black-white and white mice.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting and unique because it shows how different colors of mice can be bred and the results observed.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include breeding mice of different color coats and breeding and comparing the eye color of the mice.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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