Baby Dragon Genetics Project

1. How does dropping the stick on the table and writing down the letters on the sides facing up follow Mendel’s Law of Segregation? [First state the law]. Mendel’s law of Segregation states that members of a pair of homologous chromosomes separate during the formation of gametes and are distributed to different gametes so that every gamete receives only one member of the pair. In this case, two of the sticks each representing genes from mother and father, hence, dropping the stick has represented this by bringing a circumstances that lets chance decide which alleles are passed on to the baby dragon. 2. Explain how randomising the green, yellow, orange, and purple autosome illustrates Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment? [First state the law]. Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment states that the separation of genes for separate traits which are passed independently of one another from parents to offspring. All of the traits on green, yellow, orange, and purple chromosomes were unlinked, hence they assorted independently. This is because they were no indications of the traits being linked in the genotypic key provided. 3. The gene for fangs is recessive, yet most of the dragons have fangs. How can this happen? [Hint: The gene that causes dwarfism (achondroplasia) in humans is dominant]. A gene which is dominant does not mean that it is more prevalent in the population. It means that when combine with a recessive gene, the dominant trait will show. Fangs can be recessive and a trait that is seen very often if the gene pool provides mostly recessive alleles as a heterozygote would provide the no fangs trait. Dragon with fangs is at an evolutionary advantage. They are more able to obtain and eat prey as well as ward off predators. As a result, they are able to successfully mate and reproduce, thus further projecting the recessive allele in future generations. On the other hand, the dragons without fangs are unable to catch and consume prey and have little to ward off predators. As a result they starve and die before reproductive age, or are two malnourished to have offspring. 4. What is the sex of your baby dragon? Male. 5. Which traits are sex-linked? [First define “sex-linked”.] Sex-linked genes are genes that are located on the sex chromosome, resulting in a distinctive pattern of inheritance. The sex linked traits on dragons are thigh shape, toes number, presence of tail-spike, presence of chest plate, arm length and the ability to breathe fire. 6. Which traits are more likely to be found in males? [Consider sex-linked, sex influenced and sex-limited traits.] Comb, elbow spike, chest plate, tail spike and short arms. 7. How might these be an advantage to this sex? [Be creative, but realistic, in your answers.] All these traits are found to be attractive to the female. Operate as demonstrations of advantageous genes and female dragons are more likely to mate with males who have these features. They are also use for showing off as well as for species recognition. Comb: To attract female dragon Elbow spike: Required to ward of the nest of young dragons Chest Plate: Has latÝce-like structures & blood vessels (play a passive role in managing body temperature due to their large size) Tail spike: Attract female dragon Short arms: strong arm muscles to clutch tightly onto prey 8. Which traits are more likely to be found in females? Wings and long arms. 9. How might these be an advantage to this sex? Wings: use to protect eggs as they are hatching Long arms: lack of comb allows the female to remain inconspicuous to predators as the sits on her eggs 10. Note the length of the neck of your baby dragon. If you (as dragon parents) were to produce another baby dragon, what are the chances that this second baby would have the same neck length? [Include a Punnett square in your answer]. Punnett square F ( MALES ) F (MALES ) 100% long neck baby dragon F ( FEMALES ) FF FF F ( FEMALES ) Ff Ff 11. Does your baby dragon have flat or arched feet? If you (as dragon parents) were to produce another baby dragon, what are the chances that this second baby would have the same type of feet? [Include a Punnett square in your answer]. Punnett square J ( MALES ) J ( MALES ) J ( FEMALES ) Jj Jj J (FEMALES ) Jj Jj 100% flat feet baby dragon 12. Note whether your baby dragon has a comb on his head. If you (as dragon parents) were to produce another baby dragon, what are the chances that this second baby would have the same head comb? [Include a Punnett square in your answer]. R ( MALES ) R ( MALES ) R ( FEMALES ) Rr Rr R ( FEMALES ) Rr Rr 100% have small comb on head if the baby dragon is a male. Female baby dragon will not have comb. 13. Write a general description of your baby dragon. Our baby dragon is a purple with yellow spots non-fire breather dragon. It has a nose spike which can be used as a protection from enemy or predator. It has three head flaps and visible ear hole which allow a good hearing. Its eye is pointed at each end and this makes our baby dragon look extremely handsome and attractive. When it smiles, its eyes will form into lines which are very cute. It has a long neck and it will grow until very tall to reach the tree leaves. It has a back hump as well as back spikes. It has a short tail so it can fly easily and its tail is very muscular and strong. It was born with flat feet in order to support its height and body weight as it will grow bigger and taller. Our baby dragon has red eyes and has good vision at night. Besides that, it has yellow spots on its neck and back as well. Our baby dragon can fly using the wide wings. It has fang to tear their prey. Since our dragon is a male, it has small comb on its head. It has pointed thigh and four toes. It has a chest plate. It has short arms because it relies more on its neck. Our baby dragon was born on the 14th of February 2014 and its hobby is flying up the trees in order to take a nap up there. It aim to get a beautiful girlfriend ( female dragon of Jovelynne’s group ). It can fly very high but it dislikes to walk or run as it has short arms and legs. 15) Write a brief life history of your dragon species (again, be inventive and creative but realistic). - adult size: 4 times human height, 10m width - life span: 600 years - age at sexual maturity: 150 years old - feeding strategies: It is omnivores, it feeds on tree leaves or fruits and small mammals - is there parental care: Yes, only before its wings grow, after it has big wings, there is no longer any parental care for it. - are babies born as eggs or live young: eggs - is your dragon solitary, or does it live in pairs, herds, etc.: solitary