Special assignment – Your favorite plant
This assignment serves two purposes: it will allow you to learn more about the genetics of your
favorite plant (while your instructor is out of town) and it will allow you to explore online and
hard copy plant genetics resources.
Prepare a ~ one page profile of your favorite plant. 12 point font, 1 inch margins. Single spaced.
Essential information:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Common and scientific (genus, species) names
2n = __ x = __
The approximate genome size (in Megabases = Mb)
The estimated number of genes
Geographic center of origin and/or diversity
If domesticated:
a. What is/are the wild ancestor(s)?
b. What are the key differentiating features of the domesticated plant vs. the wild
relative(s)?
7. If not domesticated, what is the nearest domesticated relative?
8. Principal scientific and/or economic importance of the plant
9. A brief description of the inheritance of a specific trait. A qualitative trait may be easier
to explain than a quantitative trait, but it is more likely that recent reports will be on
quantitative traits. In your description, be sure to describe the trait, the importance of the
trait, and the number of genes that are thought to determine the trait. If you choose a
quantitative trait, you are likely to encounter the term “quantitative trait locus”. The
acronym is QTL. In this case, rather than reporting the number of genes determining the
trait, you will report the number of QTLs determining the trait.
10. Provide complete citations for all pieces of information. Follow the citation format used
in Science. Use primary literature - Wikipedia is not an acceptable citation.