Pigeon Genetics and DNA Technology: Assignment on Mendelian Genetics and Application of DNA Technolo

Part 1: Mendelian Genetics

This assignment is worth of your final mark.Upload your completed assignment into the drop-box on Moodle.You must complete this assignment yourself.You may be asked to explain your answers orally.

Before you attempt this part of the assignment, complete the Pigeonetics interactive game and review the background information on the Learn Genetics Pigeon Breeding: Genetics at Work website.  

Based on what you learnt from the Pigeonetics interactive game and the website, complete the Punnett Square problems and answer the associated questions below. 

Wing pattern is a trait that is controlled by four alleles:

Complete the Punnett square below for the following parental cross. (3 marks)

Homozygous check x homozygous barless. 

What is the genotype ratio/percentage for the F1 generation? (0.5 marks)

What is the phenotype ratio/percentage for the F1 generation? (0.5 marks)

One of the F1 generation birds was mated with a heterozygous bird with T-check and bar alleles.  Complete the Punnett square below for this cross. (3 marks

The allele for barless pattern is recessive to all the other alleles for pattern.  Which F2 generation birds would you need to cross to get a barless bird?  Complete the Punnett square below to help you answer this question. (3 marks)

What are the phenotypes of other offspring you could get from this cross? (1 mark) 

The Slipper trait (foot feathers) in pigeons shows incomplete dominance.  Use the following notation for the slipper trait alleles: the allele for a full slipper is S; the allele for no slipper is + (wild type).  

Complete the Punnett square below for a cross between a pigeon that has a full slipper with a pigeon that has no slipper. (3 marks)

What are the phenotypes of the parents? (1 mark)

What is the genotype ratio/percentage for the F1 generation? (0.5 marks)

What is the phenotype ratio for the F1 generation? (0.5 marks)

In your own words, write a definition for the term ‘incomplete dominance’. (1 mark) 

The Crest is a recessive trait in pigeons that results in a crown of feathers on the top of their heads.  No crest is wild type and dominant. The alleles for crest are inherited independently of the alleles for wing pattern (T-check, check, bar and barless).  

A homozygous non-crested, check pigeon is mated with a homozygous crested, bar pigeon.  Using appropriate letters to represent the alleles, create a Punnett square in the space below for this cross. (1.5 marks)

What is/are the genotype(s) of the F1 generation? (0.5 marks)

What is/are the phenotype(s) of the F1 generation? (0.5 marks)

Two pigeons from the F1 generation are mated.  Create a Punnett square in the space below for this cross. (6 marks)

What is the phenotype ratio for the F2 generation? (1 mark

DNA technology encompasses a wide range of techniques, including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), cloning and genetic engineering.  These days the application of such technologies is important in many aspects of our lives.

For this part of the assignment, research and write a short essay on ONE of the following topics. 

1. Use of DNA technology to diagnose human disease.

2. Use of DNA technology for forensic analysis.

3. Use of transgenic animals for pharmaceutical production.

4. Genetic engineering in agricultural crop production.

You should include a specific example to help you explain the technology and its application.  Aim to write around 800 words.  You may structure your essay by using the bullet points below as headings (no need to include introduction or conclusion).  You must use APA referencing throughout your essay.

In your essay include information about:

-the technology used

-the challenges or difficulties with using the technology

-the benefits gained from using the technology

-the implications of the application of the technology on society.