Genetics Test Review KEY
Butterfly Genetics – Use the following tables to answer the questions below:
Wing shape
Rounded edges (R)
Pointy Edges (r)
Antennae Length
Long (L)
Short (l)
Body shape
Thin (T)
Round (t)
Wing Pattern
Solid (S)
Dots(s)
Wing Color
Orange (O)
Blue (o)
1. Use the table above to determine the genotype and phenotype of the butterfly described:
a. Homozygous Dominant Antennae - Genotype:_LL__
b. Heterozygous wing color - Genotype:_Oo__
c. Heterozygous Shaped Wings - Genotype:_Rr__
Phenotype:_Long_
Phenotype:__Orange____
Phenotype:__Round__
d. Homozygous Recessive Body Shape- Genotype:_tt_
Phenotype:___Round____
e. Homozygous Recessive Wing Pattern- Genotype:_ss_
Phenotype:__Dotted____
2. The butterfly below has mated with a hybrid orange butter fly. Complete a Punnett square of the possible
genetic offspring.
a.
Oo
Oo
What percent of their
offspring would have orange wings?
______50 %_________
oo
oo
b.
What percent of their
offspring would be hybrids? __50 %__
African Blue Dotted Zinger
3. The same butterfly, which is a hybrid for body shape, has mated with another butterfly that is a purebred for
thin body structure. Complete the Punnett square for this trait.
TT
Tt
TT
Tt
butterflies._
a.
Would this cross produce any rounded body butterflies?
____No________
b.
A butterfly breeder wants to ensure that they only
produce thin bodies because that is the only type of butterflies that
people will buy. Which type(s) of butterfly would they have to be sure to
breed? ______He would need to only breed purebred dominant
4. Describe what the word allele means:
Alleles are genes that code for the same trait but do so differently. They are responsible for different colored
eyes or hair. The alleles would produce hair but different types of hair. In genetics, we use upper and lower case
letters (SS, Ss, ss) to note which alleles and organism has.
5. A black and white butterfly has been produced from a cross of a hybrid parent and a purebred blue parent. How
could this happen? There are a few ways to answer this question. One just as babies change eye color, genes
may wait to start expressing themselves. Or a mutation may have occurred. In the next unit we will learn that
these often lead to adaptations to ones environment if they are beneficial.
6. What are some pros and cons of genetic engineering?
_____Some pros of genetic engineering are that it allows to make organisms, in particular food crops better,
filled with more nutrients and disease resistant. It is approved by the FDA and therefore considered safe by the
US government. Some cons are that it is a risky path. Where do we draw the line? Also, there is no long term
proof that it will not affect us in some way. Many non-profit groups blame genetic engineering for several
unexplained diseases such as learning disorders and an increase in certain cancers.
7. Would you eat GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms)? Why or Why not?
___Answers will vary, but the student should use an argument from question 6 to support their opinion.
8. Why is Gregor Mendel considered the father of genetics?
_____Gregor Mendel was a 19th century monk who was the first person to notice a pattern in offspring when
growing vegetables in his garden. He uses a controlled experiment to prove that certain peas always produced a
pattern in offspring and published his findings.
9. Fill out the following graph:
Both
Hair color
Height
Skin color
Weight
Eye color
Intelligence
Language
Writing Skills
Sense of
Humor