Pasta Genetics Student Questions

Answers to Basic Probability Questions Pasta Genetics 1. 1/2 2. 1/2 + 1/2 = 1 3. 0 4. 1/2 X 1/2 = 1/4 5. 3/4 There are 4 possible combinations of shells and wagon wheels the child could receive from his father: BS BW, BS YW, YS BW, and YS YW. (B = blue, Y = yellow, S = shell, W = wheel) 3 out of 4 of these combinations has a blue shell or blue wagon wheel. 6. 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/2 = 1/16 [or (1/2) to the 4th power] 7. (1/2) to the 40,000th power. Answers to Basic Probability Questions Pasta Genetics 1. 1/2 2. 1/2 + 1/2 = 1 3. 0 4. 1/2 X 1/2 = 1/4 5. 3/4 There are 4 possible combinations of shells and wagon wheels the child could receive from his father: BS BW, BS YW, YS BW, and YS YW. (B = blue, Y = yellow, S = shell, W = wheel) 3 out of 4 of these combinations has a blue shell or blue wagon wheel. 6. 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/2 X 1/2 = 1/16 7. (1/2) to the 40,000th power. [or (1/2) to the 4th power] Student Questions Reflect and Explain 1. How many genes did each child inherit from Mother? From Father? 2. How many of each gene (pasta type) does each child receive? 3. Did any of the four children have exactly the same combination of genes? 4. Did every child get at least one of his/her genes from each grandparent? 5. Would it be possible for a child in this activity to have the following combinations of genes: • eight yellow genes? • four yellow genes and four red genes? • three blue genes, two green genes, and three red genes? Apply and Extend Work with a partner or group to answer the following questions: 1. Where did the four grandparents get their genes? 2. Scientists estimate that we each have about 80,000 genes (40,000 gene pairs). How many genes did you get from your mother? From your father? 3. Do you think it would be possible for a mother and father to have four children with the same combination of genes? Basic Probability Questions Pasta Genetics For middle school students with prior exposure to probability 1. What is the probability that a child will receive the blue shell gene? 2. What is the probability that a child will receive the blue shell gene or the yellow shell gene? 3. What is the probability that a child will receive the blue shell gene and the yellow shell gene? 4. What is the probability that a child will receive the blue shell gene and the blue wagon wheel gene? 5. What is the probability that a child will receive the blue shell gene or the blue wagon wheel gene? 6. What is the probability that a child will receive all 4 of his maternal genes from Grandmother 1 (blue pasta)? 7. If the human genome consists of approximately 80,000 genes (40,000 gene pairs), what is the probability that a child will receive all 40,000 of his maternal genes from Grandmother 1? (hint: refer to your question 6 calculation)