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Science lesson plan · 12th grade (Year 13 in England) · 30 minutes

Two-gene (dihybrid) crosses and 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratios

Cells, genetics and evolution

CCSS NGSS.HS-LS3-3England: A level Biology: Inheritance (extension)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Two-gene (dihybrid) crosses and 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratios.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Genetic crosses and Punnett squares; Genes, alleles, genotypes and phenotypes

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Genetic crosses and Punnett squares; Genes, alleles, genotypes and phenotypes). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Round seeds (R) is dominant over wrinkled seeds (r). Two parents with genotypes Rr and rr are crossed. What percentage of the offspring are expected to have wrinkled seeds? → 50 %Prompt: Draw a Punnett square with one parent's alleles along the top and the other's down the side.
  2. Which word means: an allele that shows its effect with just one copy? (phenotype / homozygous / dominant / heterozygous) → dominantPrompt: “Geno-” is about the genes you carry; “pheno-” is about what you see.
  3. What does "heterozygous" mean? (having two different alleles of a gene, such as Bb / having two identical alleles, such as BB / having no alleles / having four alleles) → having two different alleles of a gene, such as BbPrompt: "Hetero" means different.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
  • Share the objective: Two-gene (dihybrid) crosses and 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratios. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Two pea plants, both RrYy (round, yellow seeds), are crossed. They produce 16 seeds. How many would you expect to be round and yellow (both dominant traits)?
  • Step 1: 16 ÷ 16 = 1
  • Step 2: 1 × 9 = 9
  • Step 3: So the answer is: 9
  • Answer: 9
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Two pea plants, both RrYy (round, yellow seeds), are crossed. They produce 160 seeds. How many would you expect to be wrinkled and green (both recessive traits)? → 10Prompt: A cross between two double heterozygotes gives a 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratio.
  2. Assuming the genes are on different chromosomes, how many different kinds of gamete can an organism with genotype Aa make? → 2Prompt: Each heterozygous gene gives 2 options.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Assuming the genes are on different chromosomes, how many different kinds of gamete can an organism with genotype AaBbCc make? → 8Prompt: Each heterozygous gene gives 2 options.
  2. Two guinea pigs, both BbRr, are crossed. What ratio of phenotypes is expected in the offspring? (9 : 3 : 3 : 1 / 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 / 3 : 1 / 1 : 1) → 9 : 3 : 3 : 1Prompt: List the gametes each parent can make.

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Genetic crosses and Punnett squares.
  • Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-12.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Two-gene (dihybrid) crosses and 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratios

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Assuming the genes are on different chromosomes, how many different kinds of gamete can an organism with genotype AaBbCc make?

    Answer

  2. Question 2

    Two pea plants, both RrYy (round, yellow seeds), are crossed. They produce 80 seeds. How many would you expect to be wrinkled and green (both recessive traits)?

    Answer

  3. Question 3

    A Bb guinea pig (black fur, B dominant) is crossed with a bb (white) guinea pig. What ratio of black to white offspring is expected?

    • A. 9 : 3 : 3 : 1
    • B. 3 : 1
    • C. 1 : 1 : 1 : 1
    • D. 1 : 1
  4. Question 4

    Assuming the genes are on different chromosomes, how many different kinds of gamete can an organism with genotype Aa make?

    Answer

  5. Question 5

    Two pea plants, both RrYy (round, yellow seeds), are crossed. They produce 32 seeds. How many would you expect to be wrinkled and green (both recessive traits)?

    Answer

  6. Question 6

    Two pea plants, both RrYy (round, yellow seeds), are crossed. They produce 16 seeds. How many would you expect to be round and green (one dominant, one recessive)?

    Answer

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Answer key: Two-gene (dihybrid) crosses and 9 : 3 : 3 : 1 ratios

  1. 1. 8

  2. 2. 5

  3. 3. D. 1 : 1

  4. 4. 2

  5. 5. 2

  6. 6. 3