Use your knowledge of genes and inheritance to determine the probability of
any offspring of these superheroes having their powers (mutated genes).
h = allele for the power to heal f = allele ability to fly
m = allele for mind reading powers s = allele for super strength
l =allele for laser eyes o = allele for the ability to control the weather
w = allele for the ability to climb up walls
Remember: Mutated genes are recessive
Jean Grey
Hh
ff
mm
Ss
Rogue
ff
Ss
LL
Storm
ff
LL
oo
Supergirl
ff
ss
ll
Rr
WW
X
X
X
X
Confused? Turn over for a worked example.
Wolverine
hh
Ff
MM
ss
Superman
ff
ss
ll
Cyclops
FF
ll
OO
Spiderman
FF
ss
Ll
rr
ww
Worked Example 1:
If Jean Grey and Wolverine were to have babies, what would be the
probability of those babies inheriting the genes that give them the power to
heal?
Jean Grey is heterozygous (Hh) for this power and so she is unable to heal.
Wolverine is true-breeding or homozygous recessive (hh) for this power
and does have the power to heal.
H
h
h
Hh
hh
h
Hh
hh
This punnet square indicates that
their offspring would show a ratio of
1 power to heal(hh): 1 no power to
heal (Hh).
This means there is a 50% chance
that their offspring will have the power
to heal, since half those born are
homozygous recessive (hh).
Worked Example 2:
If Supergirl and Spiderman had babies what would be the probability that their
offspring would inherit the power to fly?
Supergirl can fly as she is homozygous recessive (ff) for this power and
Spiderman cannot fly as he is homozygous dominant (FF) for this power.
f
f
F
Ff
Ff
F
Ff
Ff
This punnet square indicates that
their offspring would all be
heterozygous (Ff) for the power to
fly.
This means there is a 0% chance that
their offspring will be able to fly.
Now use these examples to help you work out the probabilities of inheriting
superpowers for the crosses shown.
Clue: Jean Grey X Wolverine has info for 4 superpowers
Rogue X Superman has info for 3 superpowers
Storm X Cyclops has info for 3 superpowers
Supergirl X Spiderman has info for 5 superpowers
That’s 15 punnet squares you’ll need to do. Good practice.