
Mendelian Genetics with Plantfairies
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Can you tell which plants carry a dangerous hidden gene? In this scenario, scientists engineered "plantfairies" to eat insect pests. But a mutation created "plantmonsters" with sharp teeth and a taste for larger prey.
You use Punnett squares and genotype tables to predict which plantfairies carry the monster alleles. Dominant traits produce harmless dwarves with frog tongues. Recessive traits produce dangerous giants with dagger teeth.
Your predictions determine which plants are safe to keep for mosquito control.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that by breeding experiments, we can identify plantfairies that can be used for biocontrol projects.
Method & Materials
You will need to use paper and colored pencils to make predictions about the offspring of mutant plants. You will also need to use Punnett squares to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of the plants.
You will need paper and colored pencils to complete this project.
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See what’s includedResults
The results of this experiment show that by breeding experiments, we can identify plantfairies that can be used for biocontrol projects. An interesting observation is that when breeding experiments follow one trait, they are called monohybrid crosses, while when breeding experiments observe more than one trait, they are called dihybrid crosses.
Why do this project?
This science project is unique because it combines genetics and biocontrol projects to save the world from mutant plantmonsters.
Also Consider
Experiment variations to consider include crossing two heterozygous plantfairies and crossing a purebred plantfairy with a plantfairy carrying the dangerous recessive alleles.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related videos
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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