Science 8 Quarter 4 Module 4: Mendelian Genetics

Grade 8 Science Quarter 4 Module 4 on Mendelian Genetics: Mendel’s pea experiments, laws of heredity, and monohybrid and dihybrid Punnett squares.

This is the Grade 8 Science self-learning module for Quarter 4, Module 4: Mendelian Genetics. It was made by DepEd Caraga Region under the Alternative Delivery Mode (First Edition, 2020) for learners studying at home or in school. After the module, learners should be able to explain how traits pass from parents to offspring and use a Punnett square to predict the results of monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.

On this page 6 sections

What learners will learn

The module has one lesson, Lesson 1: Mendelian Genetics. After working through it, learners are expected to:

  1. discuss Mendelian Genetics;
  2. solve and predict Mendelian phenotypic and genotypic expression of traits in a monohybrid cross;
  3. solve and predict Mendelian phenotypic and genotypic expression of traits in a dihybrid cross; and
  4. predict phenotypic expressions of traits following simple patterns of inheritance.

The module ties these to MELC Week 3, competency code S8LT-IVf-18.

Key ideas: Mendel and his garden peas

Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, studied how traits are inherited using garden peas (Pisum sativum). He chose peas because they have many traits to study, are easy to grow, and reproduce through self-pollination. His work started the science of genetics, the study of heredity and how genes pass inherited characters from one generation to the next. Heredity is the transfer of traits from parents to offspring.

The module shows the seven contrasting pea traits Mendel studied:

TraitDominantRecessive
Seed formRound (R)Wrinkled (r)
Seed colorYellow (Y)Green (y)
Pod formInflated (V)Constricted (v)
Pod colorGreen (G)Yellow (g)
Flower positionAxial (F)Terminal (f)
Seed coat colorGray or gray-brown (A)White (a)
Stem lengthTall (T)Short (t)

The P1, F1, and F2 generations

  • Mendel first made pure-breeding plants by self-pollinating them for many generations. These parents are the P1 generation.
  • He crossed pure plants with contrasting traits. Their offspring, the F1 generation, are called hybrids. A pure round seed (RR) crossed with a pure wrinkled seed (rr) gave all round seeds (Rr). A cross that looks at one trait is a monohybrid cross.
  • When he crossed F1 hybrids with each other, the F2 generation was about three-fourths round and one-fourth wrinkled. He counted 5,474 round and 1,850 wrinkled seeds, a ratio of 2.96:1, or nearly 3:1. The hidden wrinkled trait came back.

Mendel’s three principles of heredity

  1. Law of Dominance: traits are controlled by a pair of factors (now called genes or alleles). The dominant allele hides the recessive one. A capital letter stands for the dominant allele and a small letter for the recessive one, for example R for round and r for wrinkled.
  2. Law of Segregation: the pairs of genes separate during meiosis, when gametes (sex cells) form. Each offspring gets one factor for each trait from each parent.
  3. Law of Independent Assortment: one pair of genes is sorted independently of another pair. This applies to genes found on separate chromosomes.

Key terms

  • Homozygous: a pair of identical alleles, such as RR or rr.
  • Heterozygous: a pair of different alleles, such as Rr.
  • Genotype: the genetic makeup for a trait, written as a pair of letters.
  • Phenotype: the observable trait. Both RR and Rr give a round seed.

Key ideas: using the Punnett square

The Punnett square, devised by Reginald C. Punnett, shows all possible gene combinations in a cross. The module’s steps are:

  1. Draw a square with 4 boxes for a monohybrid cross or 16 boxes for a dihybrid cross.
  2. Write the female’s possible genes down the left side.
  3. Write the male’s possible genes across the top.
  4. Fill each box by combining the gametes, and write the phenotype under each genotype.
  5. Interpret the result.

Monohybrid example (Aa x Aa, axial flowers): the result is 1 AA, 2 Aa, and 1 aa, a genotypic ratio of 1:2:1. There are 3 axial flowers and 1 terminal flower, a phenotypic ratio of 3:1.

Dihybrid example (RrYy x RrYy, round yellow seeds): a dihybrid cross involves two pairs of alleles. The 16 offspring have a genotypic ratio of 1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1. The phenotypes are 9 round yellow, 3 round green, 3 wrinkled yellow, and 1 wrinkled green, a phenotypic ratio of 9:3:3:1.

How to use this module

The module follows the usual self-learning module parts:

  • What I Know: a pretest with 10 multiple-choice items and 2 crosses to solve, to check what you already know.
  • What’s In: Activity 1, a 15-item true-or-false review of reproduction and meiosis.
  • What’s New: Activity 2, where you compare traits such as earlobes, hairline, and handedness with your family members.
  • What is It: the lesson discussion summarized above.
  • What’s More: Activities 3 to 5 on dominant and recessive traits, a monohybrid cross of Santan flowers, and a dihybrid cross of mangoes.
  • What I Have Learned: a 15-item fill-in-the-blanks review of key terms.
  • What I Can Do: Activity 6, predicting children’s skin color from two heterozygous parents.
  • Assessment: 10 multiple-choice items and 5 items on crosses.
  • Additional Activities: Activity 7, a cross of stickup-eared and dropped-eared dogs.

For learners: read the instructions before each task, and write all answers on a separate sheet of paper, not on the module. Answer keys are included at the end; use them honestly to check your work after you answer.

For parents: Activity 2 asks your child to observe family members’ traits, so you can help by taking part. If your child has trouble with a task, the module asks them to consult their teacher or facilitator.

For teachers: use the pretest to see whether learners need extra help before the lesson, and the assessment to check mastery of monohybrid and dihybrid crosses.

Frequently asked questions

Which grade and quarter is this Mendelian Genetics module for?

It is for Grade 8 Science, Quarter 4, Module 4. It covers the competency S8LT-IVf-18, listed under MELC Week 3.

Does the module have an answer key?

Yes. The answer key at the end covers the pretest, every activity, the What I Have Learned review, and the assessment.

What is the difference between a monohybrid and a dihybrid cross?

A monohybrid cross follows a single trait and uses a 4-box Punnett square. A dihybrid cross follows two pairs of alleles and uses a 16-box Punnett square.

What phenotypic ratios does the module teach?

Crossing two hybrids for one trait (such as Aa x Aa) gives a 3:1 phenotypic ratio. Crossing two hybrids for two traits (RrYy x RrYy) gives a 9:3:3:1 ratio.

What are Mendel’s three principles of heredity?

They are the Law of Dominance, the Law of Segregation, and the Law of Independent Assortment. The module explains each with pea plant examples.

Full text of the module

The text below is a transcription of the PDF above, as printed.

Science Quarter 4 – Module 4: Mendelian Genetics

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[illustration: group of learners and a teacher reading, studying, and working outdoors and indoors, with a globe and a lantern]

CO_Q4_Science 8_ Module 4

Science – Grade 8 Alternative Delivery Mode Quarter 4 – Module 4: Mendelian Genetics First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names, trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership over them.

Published by the Department of Education Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones Undersecretary: Diosdado M. San Antonio

Printed in the Philippines by ________________________

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Dahlia M. De Castro

Editor: Daisy Ruby S. Sinday

Reviewers: Bernabe L. Linog, Corazon P. Roa, Arlene L. Abala, Juvy B. Luna, Kathyleen S. Torculas

Illustrators: Dahlia M. De Castro, Amor M. De Castro II and Amor M. De Castro III

Layout Evaluators: Celeste Faith R. Almanon, Jay S. Ayap and Antionette D. Sacyang

Management Team: Francis Cesar B. Bringas, Isidro M. Biol, Jr., Maripaz F. Magno, Josephine Chonie M. Obseñares, Gregoria T. Su, Marvilyn C. Francia, Jay S. Ayap, Nonita C. Patalinghug

Department of Education – Caraga Region

Office Address: Teacher Development Center, J. P. Rosales Avenue, Butuan City, Philippines 8600 Telefax: (085) 342-8207/(085) 342-5969 E-mail Address: caraga@deped.gov.ph

8

Science

Quarter 4 – Module 4: Mendelian Genetics

Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions, exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by-step as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-tests are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM. This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module or if you need to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teacher are also provided to our facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. And read the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.

What I Need to Know

[illustration: hand touching a circular button icon]

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master the Mendelian Genetics. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the learners’ material you are now using.

The module contains:

  • Lesson 1 – Mendelian Genetics

After going through this module, you are expected to:

  1. discuss Mendelian Genetics;
  2. solve and predict Mendelian phenotypic and genotypic expression of traits in a monohybrid cross;
  3. solve and predict Mendelian phenotypic and genotypic expression of traits in a dihybrid cross; and
  4. predict phenotypic expressions of traits following simple patterns of inheritance. (MELC Week 3 S8LT-IVf-18)

What I Know

[illustration: hand holding a pencil]

Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

  1. An allele is a variant form of a gene. Some genes have a variety of different forms, which are located at the same position, or genetic locus, on a chromosome. Humans are called diploid organisms because they have two alleles at each genetic locus, with one allele inherited from each parent. Which of the examples below is an allele for a diploid organism?

    • A. G
    • C. GH
    • B. GG
    • D. HHH
  2. Homozygous dominant allele is represented by the letters ____________.

    • A. RR
    • C. Rr
    • B. Sr
    • D. rr
  3. Who on pioneered the study of Genetics?

    • A. Carolus Linnaeus
    • C. Gregor Mendel
    • B. Charles Darwin
    • D. Robert Brown
  4. A pair of dissimilar alleles for a certain trait is called ____________.

    • A. Allele
    • C. Heterozygous genes
    • B. Chromosome
    • D. Homozygous genes
  5. It is the study of genes to determine traits inherited by the offspring from the parents?

    • A. Botany
    • C. Histology
    • B. Genetics
    • D. Zoology
  6. Which genotype of an organism is with the same alleles for a trait?

    • A. Genes
    • C. Homozygous genotype
    • B. Heterozygous genotype
    • D. Polygenes
  7. Which pair of alleles are not identical?

    • A. Allele
    • C. Heterozygous
    • B. Chromosome
    • D. Homozygous
  8. The genetic makeup of an organism is called ____________.

    • A. Genotype
    • C. Offsprings [transcriber’s note: the final “s” of “Offsprings” is printed with a strikethrough]
    • B. Heredity
    • D. Phenotype
  9. Which of the following is a heterozygous dominant genotype?

    • A. HH
    • C. Hh
    • B. HHH
    • D. hh
  10. A monohybrid cross is a cross using ____________.

    • A. two factors or characters
    • B. a single trait or character
    • C. several factors or characters
    • D. a combination of characters
II – Directions: Write the genotypes and phenotypes of the given cross:
  1. Yellow color in peas (Y) is dominant over green peas (y). A homozygous yellow pea plant is crossed with a homozygous green pea plant. What will be the genotypes and phenotypes of all the possible offspring?

Genotypes: ______________________________________________________________


Phenotypes: _____________________________________________________________


  1. In fruit flies, long wing (L) is dominant to short wing (l). Two heterozygous long-winged fruit flies both (Ll) are crossed. What are the possible genotypes and phenotypes of their offspring?

Genotypes: ______________________________________________________________


Phenotypes: _____________________________________________________________


Lesson 1 Mendelian Genetics

Many of us wonder why we look similar to our parents, why plants and animals produce their own kind. Some of your friends would say that your ears and lips are the same as your mother but your skin color and your height are the same as your father. Well, traits really are inherited from our parents. How did this happen?

In this module, you will understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next. So, enjoy learning.

What’s In

[illustration: hand holding a puzzle piece]

Activity 1: True or False

Directions: Write True if the statement is correct and False if wrong. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

_______1. The different types of reproduction are sexual, binary, and asexual reproduction.

________2. Sexual reproduction occurs in organisms that produce reproductive cells that undergo meiosis.

________3. Asexual reproduction involves two parents.

________4. Meiosis is a cell division that happens in our sex cells or gametes.

________5. “Crossing over” can occur in meiosis I but not in meiosis II.

________6. Prokaryotes go through meiosis I and eukaryotes go through meiosis II.

________7. A zygote is formed through the union of two gametes.

________8. Meiosis I is the same as mitosis.

________9. A human gamete has 23 chromosomes.

_______10. In binary fission, parent and offspring are identical.

_______11. Parents and offspring are dissimilar in sexual reproduction.

_______12. Gametes are diploid; a zygote is haploid.

_______13. Egg and sperm are diploid gametes.

_______14. Meiosis is involved in the production of gametes.

_______15. Asexual reproduction in Meiosis II involves somatic cells.

What’s New

[illustration: hand holding a sprouting seedling]

As you can see, there are different forms of living things around us. Do you know why is this so? This is one of the questions that will be answered as you go on reading the module.

Figure 1 below shows different forms of living things. What do you think are the differences and similarities among them? Diverse forms exist among living things of similar species or among different species.

Begin your study by comparing the different forms of living things in the pictures below.

[photo: six photographs in two rows, top row showing a small dog, a broad-leaved plant, and a plant with variegated leaves; bottom row showing three roosters with different plumage]

Figure 1. Variation among living organisms Photographs taken by the author

Have you noticed how siblings look alike or look differently? Even in your family, you shared many traits such as the color of your eyes, the types of your lips, your height and a lot of other traits.

In the next activity, you will find out the differences and similarities of your traits by observing yourself, your siblings, your mother and your father.

Activity 2. Observing Your Traits and Your Family’s Traits

Directions: Read the procedure carefully and answer the given questions. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Procedure:

  1. Study the table below.
  2. Identify the traits that you, your brother, sister, mother, and your father have by checking (✓) the appropriate box.
CharacterCharacter VariantsFamily Members: MeFamily Members: FatherFamily Members: MotherFamily Members: BrotherFamily Members: Sister
EarlobesUnattached
Attached
Eye colorBrown
Black
HairlineStraight frontal hairline
With widow’s peak
HandednessLeft handedness
Right handedness
HeightShort
Tall
NoseLow-bridged
High-bridged
Skin colorDark
Light or fair

Questions:

Based from your observations on the different traits of your family members,

a. who looks most similar to you?

Answer: ____________________________________________________________

b. who looks most different from you?

Answer: ____________________________________________________________

What is It
Gregor Mendel and His Experiment on Garden Peas

Gregor Mendel is an Austrian monk. In a monastery, he spent his time in investigating how individual traits were inherited. Gregor Mendel used the garden peas (Pisum sativum) in his experiments because it has several traits to be studied, easy to grow, reproduce through self-pollination. Through his research on garden peas, a new branch of science was formed, it is called Genetics. Gregor Mendel then paved the way for the study of Genetics.

Genetics is the study of heredity and the factors that affect the transmission of genes to determine inherited characters from one generation to the next. Heredity refers to the transfer of traits genes from parents to offspring.

The different traits of Garden Peas that Gregor Mendel studied are shown below (Figure 2):

[chart: diagram; Figure 2. Seven (7) Different contrasting traits of Garden Peas that Gregor Mendel used in his Study.]

Seed FormSeed ColorPod FormPod ColorFlower PositionSeed Coat ColorStem Length
DominantRound (R)Yellow (Y)Inflated (V)Green (G)Axial (F) Along stemGray or Gray-Brown (A)Tall (T)
RecessiveWrinkled (r)Green (y)Constricted (v)Yellow (g)Terminal (f) on topWhite (a)Short (t)

Figure 2. Seven (7) Different contrasting traits of Garden Peas that Gregor Mendel used in his Study.

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro III

Gregor Mendel’s Experiment

Gregor Mendel first produced pure-breeding plants through self-pollination for many generations until all the offspring had the same features as the parents. For example, when green seed peas were self-pollinated, all the offspring produced were all green seed peas. Using his pure-breeding plants, Gregor Mendel started cross-pollinating the peas with contrasting traits. The pure-breeding peas were called parental or P1 generation and when cross-pollinated, the resulting offspring were called first filial (F1) generation. The F1 generation was also called hybrids because it resulted from a cross between two pure-bred plants with different traits. For example, when the pure-breed round seed was crossed-pollinated with pure-breed wrinkled seed, all the offspring produced were all round seeds. A cross using one trait is referred as monohybrid cross. (See Figure 3 & Table 1)

Example of a Monohybrid Cross:

[chart: diagram; Example of a Monohybrid Cross]

  • P1: Round Seed (RR) X Wrinkled Seed (rr)
  • F1 (offspring): All round seeds (Rr)

Figure 3. Gregor Mendel’s cross using pure-breed round seed and pure-breed wrinkled seed peas producing all round seeds

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

Table 1. Results of Gregor Mendel’s Crosses Between Pure-breed Peas

TRAITSPARENTS (P1)FIRST FILIAL GENERATION (F1)
Flower positionAxialXTerminalAll axial
Pod colorYellowXGreenAll green
Pod shapeInflatedXConstrictedAll inflated
Seed coat colorColoredXWhiteAll colored
Seed colorYellowXGreenAll yellow
Seed shapeRoundXWrinkledAll round
Stem lengthLongXShortAll long

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

Crossing the Hybrid Plants

After cross-breeding the pure-breed peas, Gregor Mendel was determined to know what happened with the other lost traits. Gregor Mendel crossed the peas from F1 generation (hybrid) with each other and produced another type of offspring called the second filial generation F2 (Table 2). There were two types of offspring produced in the F2 generation, ¾ were round seeds and ¼ were wrinkled seeds (Figure4).

Example: Cross of hybrids

[chart: diagram; Example: Cross of hybrids]

  • P1: Round Seed (RR) X Wrinkled Seed (rr)
  • F1, P2: All round seeds (Rr)
  • F2: ¾ round seeds; ¼ wrinkled seeds

Figure 4. The Result obtained from the self-pollination of F1 peas.

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

In the F2 generation, Mendel counted 5,474 round seeds and 1,850 wrinkled seeds. The round seeds were about three times as many as the wrinkled seeds. The ratio of round seeds to wrinkled seeds was 2.96:1 or nearly 3:1. Moreover, in the F1 generation the wrinkled seed type did not appear but reappeared in the one-fourth of the F2 generation. He then concluded that the F1 generation received the capabilities to produce both phenotypes from their parents which are retained and passed on to their future offspring. The produced ratios suggest the probability of occurrence of the genotype and phenotype in a generation rather than the ability to generate few offspring. Table 2 summarizes the results on Mendel’s second set of experiments.

Table 2. Results of Gregor Mendel’s Crosses Between Hybrid Peas

TraitsF1/HybridF2 Generation Produced by Self-Pollinating F1 HybridsF2 Generation Produced by Self-Pollinating F1 HybridsObserved Ration
Flower positionAxialAxial (651)Terminal (207)3.14:1
Pod colorGreenGreen (428)Yellow (152)2.82:1
Pod shapeInflatedInflated (882)Constricted (299)2.95:1
Seed coat colorColoredColored (705)White (224)3.15:1
Seed colorYellowYellow (6022)Green (8023)3.01:1
Seed shapeRoundRound (5474)Wrinkled (1850)2.96:1
Stem lengthLongLong (787)Short (277)2.84:1

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

Mendelian Principles of Heredity

Gregor Mendel’s results of his experiment made him hypothesize that there was a factor in the plants which controlled the appearance of a trait which he called hereditary “factors”. He also hypothesized that traits were regulated by a pair of “factors” now called alleles. With these findings, Gregor Mendel was able to formulate the three principles of heredity.

Gregor Mendel conceived the idea of heredity units, which he called hereditary “factors”. Mendel found that there are alternative forms of factors currently called genes that account for variations in inherited characteristics.

1. The Law of Dominance

The Law of Dominance states that in every organism, there is a pair of factors or genes which control the appearance of a particular trait. One of the pair of genes/alleles may hide or prevent the appearance of the other. One allele is a dominant trait, while the other is a recessive trait. The dominant traits hide or mask the appearance of the recessive trait. The dominant trait is represented by a big letter and a small letter for the recessive trait.

Example:

R for round seed (dominant trait), r for wrinkled seed (recessive trait)

G for the green pod (dominant trait), g for the yellow pod (recessive trait).

Note that in a particular trait, the same letter will be used for both the dominant and recessive traits. Since genes are in pairs, the pure breeding green seed peas will be represented with letters GG and the pure breeding yellow seed peas gg. There are pairs of alleles which are identical and are called homozygous or homozygote while the pair of alleles which are not identical are called heterozygous or heterozygote.

Each one of us has genes or alleles that are either homozygous or heterozygous.

Example: RR – homozygous genes for round seed

Rr – heterozygous genes round seed

The pair of genes or alleles is the genetic makeup for a particular trait of an organism called genotype while the phenotype is the observable trait or the visible trait of an organism based on the genotype (Table 3).

Table 3. Genotype and Phenotype Round Seed Pea Plant

GenotypeDescription of the Alleles or genesPhenotype
RRHomozygous genes for round seedRound seed
RrHeterozygous genes for round seedRound seed
2. The Law of Segregation

The Law of Segregation states that all pairs of genes for all the traits of an organism segregate or separate from each other during meiosis or gametes (sex cells) formation. Gregor Mendel argued that for any trait, an organism must inherit one factor from the sperm and one factor from the egg. Thus, a new organism receives one factor for each trait from each parent.

(See Figures 5, 6, 7).

[chart: diagram; Figure 5. Round and wrinkled seeds during gamete formation]

  • Round, RR → Gamete formation → gametes: R, R
  • Wrinkled, rr → Gamete formation → gametes: r, r
  • Gametes separate

Figure 5. Round and wrinkled seeds during gamete formation

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

Figure 6. The gametes produced by a pure round seed, pure wrinkled seed and hybrid round seed pea plants

P1 GametesZYGOTEPLANTF1 GAMETESRESULT
R RRR
pure or homozygous round seed
[illustration: plant][illustration: gametes carrying R]Each gamete carries one gene for round seed
r rrr
pure or homozygous wrinkled seed
[illustration: plant][illustration: gametes carrying r]Each gamete carries one gene for wrinkled seed
R
r
Rr
hybrid or heterozygous wrinkled seed
[illustration: plant][illustration: gametes carrying R and r]Two types of gametes are produced in equal numbers:
1. Some carry one gene for round seed.
2. Some carry one gene for wrinkled seed.

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

Figure 7. The result of crossing pure-breeding round and wrinkled seed

[chart: diagram; Figure 7. The result of crossing pure-breeding round and wrinkled seed]

  • P1: Round (RR) X Wrinkled (rr)
  • Gametogenesis (Gamete formation)
  • Gametes: R, R, r, r
  • F1: Rr, Rr, Rr, Rr
  • All Round

Illustrated by: Amor M. De Castro II

3. The Law of Independent Assortment

The Law of Independent Assortment states that the distribution or assortment of one pair of genes is independent of the distribution of the other pair. Traits are inherited independent of each other. The law applies to genes that are found on separate chromosomes. Thus, one pair of genes is not affected by the other pair.

Dihybrid Cross

Aside from Gregor Mendel’s study on inheritance of one pair of genes or alleles, he also studied the inheritance of two pairs of genes or alleles. A cross that involves two pairs of genes or alleles is called dihybrid cross. An easy way to do the dihybrid cross is through the use of Punnett square.

Example: RRYY X rryy

(Round, Yellow Seed) (Wrinkled, Green Seed)

Punnett Square

Reginald C. Punnett is the one who devised the Punnett square. This is a simple way to determine the possible combinations of genes in a given cross. It can help you predict easily the outcome of a given cross.

How to make a Punnett Square
  1. Make a square and divide into 4 boxes for monohybrid cross and 16 boxes for dihybrid cross.
  2. The letters of the possible genes for a trait from the female (♀) are written down on the left side.
  3. The letters of the possible genes for the same trait from the male (♂) are written across the top of the square.

Example illustration:

[chart: diagram; Example illustration]

  • Aa X Aa
  • OVUM: A, a
  • SPERM: A, a
Aa
A
a
  1. Start crossing the male gametes with the female gametes in each box until all the four boxes are filled in. Place the phenotype below each genotype

[transcriber’s note: the top-left cell is split diagonally, labeled “Axial” (upper) and “axial” (lower)]

Axial / axialAa
AAA AxialAa Axial
aAa Axialaa terminal

A complete Punnett square will always show the resulting genotypes and phenotypes of the resulting progeny or offspring.

  1. Lastly, interpret the result.

Result of the sample illustration:

  • There are 4 offspring produced from crossing both hybrid axial flowers: Aa X Aa.
  • Their genotypes are:
    • 1 AA – homozygous axial flower
    • 2 Aa – heterozygous axial flowers
    • 1 aa – homozygous terminal flower
  • The genotypic ratio: 1:2:1
  • Their phenotypes are:
    • 3 – axial flowers
    • 1 – terminal flower
  • The phenotypic ratio: 3:1

Example 1: Dihybrid Cross using the Punnett Square:

[chart: diagram of gamete formation and F2 genotypes; Example 1: Dihybrid Cross using the Punnett Square]

Labels as printed:

Both hybrid round, yellow seeds

P2:♂ RrYyX ♀ RrYy
Gametes:R r Y yR r Y y
F2:RY Ry rY ryRY Ry rY ry

[chart: Punnett square; Cross of F1 Generation]

Labels as printed: “Cross of F₁ Generation”; top label: round, yellow; left label: round, yellow

[transcriber’s note: each cell’s seed is shown as a picture (yellow round, green round, yellow wrinkled, green wrinkled); the pictures are not transcribed]

RYRyrYry
RYRRYYRRYyRrYYRrYy
RyRRYyRRyyRrYyRryy
rYRrYYRrYyrrYYrrYy
ryRrYyRryyrrYyrryy

Figure 8. Dihybrid cross of hybrid/heterozygous round, yellow seeds pea plants

Result:

  • There are 16 offspring from the cross of both hybrid/heterozygous round, yellow seed pea plants.
  • The genotypes are:
    • 1 RRYY – homozygous round, yellow seed
    • 2 RRYy – homozygous round, heterozygous yellow seed
    • 1 RRyy – homozygous round, green seed
    • 2 RrYY – heterozygous round, homozygous yellow seed
    • 4 RrYy – heterozygous round, yellow seed
    • 2 Rryy – heterozygous round, homozygous green seed
    • 1 rrYY – homozygous wrinkled, homozygous yellow seed
    • 2 rrYy – homozygous wrinkled, heterozygous yellow seed
    • 1 rryy – homozygous wrinkled, green seed
  • The genotypic ratio: 1:2:1:2:4:2:1:2:1
  • The phenotypes are:
    • 9 – round, yellow seed
    • 3 – round, green seed
    • 3 – wrinkled, yellow seed
    • 1 – wrinkled, green seed
  • The phenotypic ratio: 9:3:3:1
What’s More
Activity 3: What are My Dominant and Recessive Traits?

Directions: Represent the traits with a letter of your choice on the appropriate space in the table below. Write your answers on a sheet of paper.

Dominant TraitRecessive TraitDominantRecessive
Brown eyesBlue eyes
Curly hairStraight hair
TallShort
Unattached earlobeAttached earlobe
Activity 4. Monohybrid Cross Using the Punnett Square

Directions: Read the situation and answer the questions that follow. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Situation: A homozygous red Santan flower (RR) is crossed with a homozygous pink Santan flower (rr).

Tasks:

  1. Show the given cross using the Punnett square.
  2. Write the genotypes and phenotypes of the resulting offspring.
Activity 5. Dihybrid Cross Using the Punnett Square

Directions: Show the dihybrid cross of both hybrid/heterozygous tall, green mango (TtGg) by filling up the blank boxes in the Punnett square and answer the questions that follow. Write your answers on a sheet of paper.

[transcriber’s note: the top-left cell is split diagonally, with ♂ (pollen) at the upper right and ♀ (ova) at the lower left]

♀ (ova) / ♂ (pollen)T GT gt Gt g
T G
T g
t G
t g

Questions:

  1. Count the number of:

Tall green Mango: _____ Short yellow Mango: _____ Tall yellow Mango: _____ Short green Mango: _____

  1. Write the phenotypic ratio.

Phenotypic ratio: _____

What I Have Learned

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct answer from the terms given inside the box below. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Alleles Dihybrid Dominance Genes Genetics Heredity Homozygous Monohybrid Genotype Segregation Phenotype Punnett Square Recessive Traits Independent Assortment

  1. The _____ is the study of heredity and variation of organisms.
  2. The study of the transfer of traits from the parents to offspring is _____.
  3. Inheritance of _____ is controlled by genes.
  4. The _____ are always in pair which determine the maternal and paternal trait.
  5. The _____ cross involves a cross using a single factor or character trait.
  6. The _____ cross involves a cross using two character traits.
  7. In Genetics, the two factors mentioned by Mendel are called alleles. These alleles could be dominant or _____.
  8. The Law of _____ states that one member of the pair of factors or genes may mask or hide the appearance of the other genes.
  9. The _____ can be represented by a pair of letters called genotype.
  10. The _____ refers to the genetic composition for a trait of an organism.
  11. The _____ is the observable trait or visible feature of the organism
  12. Similar alleles are called _____ while dissimilar alleles are called heterozygous.
  13. The Law of _____ states that during gamete formation, the all pairs of genes for all traits of an organism separate from each other.
  14. The Law of _____ states that the distribution of one pair of genes is independent of the distribution of the other pair.
  15. The _____ is a diagram that allows us to determine the possible combinations of genes in a given cross.
What I Can Do
Activity 6. Know My Traits

Directions: Study the given situation below. Fill in the Punnett square with the possible children’s skin color. Identify the phenotypes and the phenotypic ratio of the resulting offspring from the given monohybrid cross. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Situation: Daniel met Cathy at a dance. They are both heterozygous for white (Ww) skin color. Should they get married, what would be the possible skin color of their children?

Punnett Square

[transcriber’s note: the top-left cell is split diagonally, with “Sperm” at the upper right and “Ovum” with ♀ and ♂ symbols at the lower left]

Ovum / Sperm

Legend:

W – white skin color w – brown skin color

Questions:

  1. What are the possible skin colors of their children?
    Phenotypes: _____


  2. What is the phenotypic ratio? _____


Assessment

I. Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

  1. Which does not describe Gregor Mendel?
    • A. An Austrian monk
    • B. Author of Punnet Square
    • C. Father of Genetics
    • D. Proponent of Law of Dominance
  2. Which pair of letters represents a pure line dominant trait?
    • A. CC
    • B. Ee
    • C. Gg
    • D. tt
  3. Which pair of alleles represents a recessive trait?
    • A. BB
    • B. Dd
    • C. hH
    • D. ss
  4. Which is true about homozygous organism?
    • A. has different alleles
    • B. has only one of the alleles
    • C. has three identical alleles
    • D. has two similar alleles
  5. Which refers to the offspring resulting from a cross between homozygous parents with two contrasting traits?
    • A. Crossbred
    • B. Hybrid
    • C. Multiple Allele
    • D. Purebred
  6. Which refers to the genetic composition of a particular trait of an organism?
    • A. Genotype
    • B. Heterozygote
    • C. Homozygote
    • D. Phenotype
  7. Which is a homozygous recessive genotype?
    • A. GG
    • B. GGG
    • C. gg
    • D. Gg
  8. Which refers to the physical appearance of an organism?
    • A. Allele
    • B. Genes
    • C. Genotype
    • D. Phenotype
  9. Which is NOT an example of an allele?
    • A. Bb
    • B. Dr
    • C. DD
    • D. tt
  10. Which of the following is an example of a homozygous genotype?
    • A. Tc
    • B. tc
    • C. TT
    • D. Tt

II. Directions: Illustrate the given cross below:

Situation 1: Long stem (L) in rose is dominant over short stem (l). A homozygous long stem rose plant is crossed with a homozygous short stem.

  1. Give the genotypes of the possible offspring. _____
  2. Give the phenotypes of the possible offspring. _____

Situation 2: Oval face (O) in man is dominant over round face (o). If a homozygous oval-faced man marries a homozygous round-faced woman.

  1. Give the genotypes of the possible offspring. _____
  2. Give the phenotype of the possible offspring. _____
  3. What percent of their children will be round faced? _____
Additional Activities
Activity 7. Traits in Dogs

Directions: Read the situation carefully and make a Punnett square to show the cross and predict the offspring (phenotypes and genotypes). Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

Situation:

In dogs, stickup ears (E) is dominant over dropped ears (e). A homozygous stickup-eared dog is mated with a homozygous dropped-eared dog.

Task/Question:

  1. Make a Punnett square for the cross given above.


  2. What are the genotypes and phenotypes of the resulting offspring?


Genotypes: _____ Phenotypes: _____

Answer Key

[transcriber’s note: this page is printed upside down; the text is transcribed in reading order]

What I Know
  1. B


  2. A


  3. C


  4. C


  5. B


  6. C


  7. C


  8. A


  9. C


  10. B


  11. Result:
    Genotypes of all possible offspring: All Yy
    Phenotype of offspring: All yellow


  12. Result:
    Genotypes of all possible offspring: LL, Ll, and ll
    Phenotypes of all possible offspring: LL and Ll = long wings; ll = short wings


What’s In
Activity 1
  1. True
  2. True
  3. False
  4. True
  5. True
  6. False
  7. True
  8. False
  9. True
  10. True
  11. True
  12. False
  13. False
  14. True
  15. False
What’s New
Activity 2

Answers in the table will vary

Questions:

a. Who among your family members look similar to you? #Answer will vary b. Who has the most number of differences with you? #Answer will vary

Note: All answers are correct

What’s More
Activity 3
DominantRecessiveDominant (letters only)Recessive (letters only)
Brown eyesBlue eyesRegardless of the letter chosen, both should be written in uppercase letterShould be the same letter as the dominant, but both should be written in lowercase letter
Curly hairStraight hair
TallShort
Unattached earlobeAttached earlobe
Activity 4
♂ Sperm / ♀ OvumRR
rRr redRr red
rRr redRr red
  1. Punnett Square above
  2. The resulting offsprings:

Genotypes: All Heterozygous red Santan flowers

Phenotypes: All red Santan flowers

Activity 5
♂ Sperm / ♀ OvumTGTgtGtg
TGTTGG Tall greenTT Gg Tall greenTt GG Tall greenTt Gg Tall green
TgTT gG Tall greenTT gg Tall yellowTt gG Tall greenTtgg yellow Tall
tGtT GG Tall greentT Gg Tall greentt GG short greenttGg short green
tgtT gG tall greentT gg yellow tallttgG short greenttgg short yellow
  1. There are:
    • Tall green mango: 9
    • Short green mango: 3
    • Tall yellow mango: 3
    • Short yellow mango: 1

Answers to the questions:

  1. Tall yellow mangoes: 9
    Tall green mangoes: 3
    Short Green mangoes: 3
    Short yellow mangoes: 1


    [transcriber’s note: the answers above are printed as shown; they do not match the counts listed under “There are” (Tall green 9, Short green 3, Tall yellow 3, Short yellow 1)]


  2. Phenotypic ratio: 9:3:3:1


Additional Activities

Activity 7

Situation: In dogs, stickup ears (E) is dominant over dropped ears (e). A homozygous stickup ears dog is mated with a dropped ears dog.

Questions:

  1. Make a Punnett square to show the cross between a homozygous stickup ears dog (EE) and a dropped ears dog (ee).

Punnett Square

♂ Sperm / ♀ OvumEE
eEe Stick upEe Stick up
eEe Stick upEe Stick up
  1. What is the genotype and phenotype of the resulting offsprings?

Genotype: Heterozygous stickup ears (Ee) dogs

Phenotype: Stickup ears dogs

What Can I do
Activity 6
♂ Sperm / ♀ OvumWw
WWW whiteWw white
wWw whiteWw brown [?]

Questions:

  1. What are the possible skin colors (phenotypes) of their children?

Phenotypes: White skin color and brown skin color

  1. Phenotypic ratio: 3:1 (3 white skin color and 1 brown skin color)
What I Have Learned
  1. Genetics
  2. Heredity
  3. traits
  4. Genes
  5. monohybrid
  6. Dihybrid
  7. recessive
  8. Dominance
  9. Alleles
  10. genotype
  11. phenotype
  12. homozygous
  13. Segregation
  14. Independent Assortment
  15. Punnett square

Assessment

I

  1. B
  2. A
  3. D
  4. D
  5. B
  6. A
  7. C
  8. D
  9. B
  10. C

II. Given the following cross:

  1. LL X ll
    Ll (All heterozygous long-stemmed rose plant)
  2. All long-stemmed rose plant
  3. OO X oo
    Oo (all heterozygous oval-faced children)
  4. ALL Oval-faced
  5. 0%

References

Books:

Capco, C.M. and G.C. Yang. Mendel’s Principles, Quezon: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.,1990.

Department of Education. Science – Grade 8 Learner’s Module. Quezon: Vibal Publishing House, Inc., First Edition, 2013.

Department of Education. Biology Science and Technology Textbook II. Quezon: Studio Graphics Corp., Revised Edition, 2004.

Department of Education. “EASE Module 11 Energy Producing and Distributing Systems.” Last modified October 12, 2010. lrmds.deped.gov.ph/detail/968

Gerona, Zonia M., Rebecca C. Nueva España, Lolita M. Salmorin, and Aurora C. Villamil. Science and Technology BIOLOGY. Quezon: Abiva Publishing House, Inc., 1995

Rabago, Lilia M., Crescentia C. Joaquin, and Catherine B. Lagunzad. Science and Technology BIOLOGY – Textbook for Second Year. Quezon: SD Publications, Inc., 1997

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Bureau of Learning Resources (DepEd-BLR)

Ground Floor, Bonifacio Bldg., DepEd Complex Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Philippines 1600

Telefax: (632) 8634-1072; 8634-1054; 8631-4985

Email Address: blr.lrqad@deped.gov.ph * blr.lrpd@deped.gov.ph

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