Question 7 of 10intermediate✨ CreateLong Answer5 marks

Outline a project which aims to find the dominant coat colour in dogs.

Correct Answer

To find the dominant coat colour in dogs, we can conduct a project similar to Mendel's experiments on inheritance. The project involves the following steps:

Step 1: Selection and Observation – Select a population of dogs in a locality. Observe and record the coat colour of each dog. Prepare a list categorising dogs based on their coat colours (for example, black, brown, white).

Step 2: Data Collection from Parents – Find out the coat colour of the parents of each dog. This information can be obtained from dog owners or breeders. Record whether both parents had the same coat colour or different coat colours.

Step 3: Correlation and Analysis – Correlate the coat colour of each dog with that of its parents. Note the patterns in inheritance. If a particular coat colour appears in the offspring even when one parent has a different coat colour, it suggests that the trait is dominant.

Step 4: Drawing Conclusions – Based on the evidence collected, suggest a possible rule for the inheritance of coat colour. The trait that is expressed in the progeny even when only one copy is present (similar to 'T' in tall plants) would be considered dominant, while the trait that requires both copies to be expressed (similar to 't' in short plants) would be considered recessive.

Exercise: EXERCISES | Q: 3 | (Chapter: Page 6)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The textbook context provides Activity 8.1 as a model for such inheritance studies. It describes observing earlobes of students, preparing lists, calculating percentages, finding parents' earlobe types, correlating offspring with parents, and suggesting inheritance rules. This same methodology can be applied to study coat colour in dogs. The context also explains that dominant traits (like 'T') are expressed even with a single copy, while recessive traits (like 't') require both copies to be expressed. This principle helps identify which coat colour is dominant based on inheritance patterns.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Select dog population and observe coat colours

  2. Step 2: Record coat colours and categorise them

  3. Step 3: Collect information about parents' coat colours

  4. Step 4: Correlate offspring coat colour with parents

  5. Step 5: Analyse patterns to identify dominant trait

PreviousNext