Inheritance Patterns - Genetics - Senior Biology free essay sample

By measuring various characteristics of the growth rates of the germinated seeds, as well as performing experiments to determine the relative amounts of chlorophyll present, we should be able to scientifically describe the effects of the different mutations. Using the total number of the different phenotypes from our class results, we need to determine the type of inheritance pattern that the mutations show. Timeline Issue date: March 28th Seedling Germination: April 6th Draft of report submission: May 14th Submission of topic: May 21st Final report, and logbook submitted (up to 2500 words) Experimental Design Aim:State your hypothesis from the Hypothesis W/S (â€Å"If.. then.. †statement) Each plant with the Green Phenotype and the GxG / Gxg Genotype (where the g: yellow/white is recessive) will grow much more effectively than those with a White or Yellow Phenotype with the Genotypes of gxg. Design: Describe how you could test your hypothesis By measuring the plant collective daily the hypothesis will be proven through continual comparison of each species. At the end of the measuring period each species and Phenotype will be weighed to determine overall biological mass and which point the overall growth rate for each phenotype will be given. Materials: List the equipment you will need Part A: * Water * Measuring Utensils * Seed Planter * Seeds * Ruler * Soil Part B: * Test tubes * Beakers * Hot Plate * Scales * Cutting Utensils * Light absorption meter * Tongs * Boiling Chips Method: What will you change (called the independent variable) and what will you measure? (dependant variable) What will you keep the same (the controlled variables) and how will you accomplish this? We will be measuring the growth rate of the collective for each species and phenotype. The independent variable will be the phenotypes within each species (ie White/Green amp; Dark Green, Green amp; Yellow). I plan to keep the amount of water at a constant by watering each individual with 5mL of water daily and preventing rain from affecting them. Sunlight will also be controlled by the placement of the seed planters, had the sun gone out due to rain the plants would have been placed under UV filters for the interim. The soil was kept at a constant due to the use of similar soil for each individual seedling. Part A: * Allow the seeds to germinate before placing them into the soil filled seed planter * Water the seedlings daily, assure that enough sun is available for your seedlings * Take measurements of all seedlings as soon as the first shoot appears out of one of the seed boxes. * Repeat Steps 2 amp; 3 for 5 weeks until completetion Part B: * Remove the plants from the seed planters and arrange them into species then into their phenotypes. * Remove dirt and roots. Measure each phenotype’s mass and record the data. * Cut up 1g of each phenotype (measure with the scales) and place into a test tube filled with 25mL of ethanol. * Boil the contents of the test tubes in a beaker filled with 250mL of water till the biological matter has become a liquid. – Add boiling chips to the beaker * Pour each phenotype into the spectrometer’s measuring prisms * Record the data presented by the light absorption meter Data Collection: In what form will you record your results in your logbook? Table / Graph / Diagram? What measurements will be made ? The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effect of genetic lineage (inheritance patterns) on peas and barley when the variables, water (amount per day), Soil (being used), Sunlight (amount per day), placement (of the test subjects) and the time (in which the experiment was conducted) are kept constant. I had to investigate the effect of the mutation on the plants and then determine the type of inheritance pattern shown in each case. By following in the footsteps of the Father of Genetics ‘Gregor Johann Mendel’; I’ve attempted to achieve recreating (on a much smaller scale) one of his inheritance experiments conducted in 1856-1863. This particular experiment led him to create the  Law of Segregation  and the  Law of Independent Assortment, which later became known as Mendels Laws of Inheritance. By following the â€Å"Second Law† created by Mendel (Independent Assortment) it was possible to hypothesise that the growth rate of both peas and barley were manipulated by the phenotype and genotype of each individual plant, chlorophyll absorption within each plant and how had the inheritance pattern affected the overall biological mass/growth rate of the collective. Essentially the phenotype ‘Green’ has a higher probability to grow into adulthood without complication due to the Chlorophyll’s ability to absorb more light (to photosynthesise and grow) as opposed to the white or yellow phenotypes which absorb less light due to the colour pigmentation within their leaves. The inheritance pattern of both peas and barely contributes to the genotypes and phenotypes present within the plants. Theoretically had all barley and pea plants of a ‘Green Phenotype’ and the ‘GxG Genotype’ (G: Green) been bred as a species, all of the plants would have had an equal growth rate. In this instance, each plant with the Green Phenotype and the GxG / Gxg Genotype (where the g: yellow/white is recessive) will grow much more effectively than those with a White or Yellow Phenotype and the Genotypes of gxg. Preliminary Hypothesis Justification Sunlight contains 4% ultraviolet radiation, 52% infrared radiation and 44% visible light. All green phenotype plants absorb blue and yellow wavelengths of light effectively to grow whereas green is redundant; similarly yellow plants cannot absorb the yellow light effectively. White plants such as the barley wither due to their pigments not protecting them from over exposure to sunlight. Orientation The experiment was carried out over a number of weeks to allow for plant growth, all variables controlled were done so to ensure a higher probability for accurate results. The experimental design followed practical task information set out by the head of department (John Allwood) and was completed to the outlined standards set March 28th.