The Hardy-Weinberg Equation
How can we make predictions about the characteristics of a population?
Why?
Punnett squares provide an easy way to predict the possible genotypes for an offspring, but it is not practi-
cal to perform a Punnett square analysis on all possible combinations of all members of a population to
predict what the population might look like in the future. For that we must turn to statistics. The Hardy-
Weinberg equation is a tool biologists use to make predictions about a population and to show whether or
not evolution is occurring in that population.
.
Model 1 – Controlled (Selective) Mating
Males Females Males Females
Bb bb Bb bb bb Bb bb Bb
Bb bb Bb bb bb Bb bb Bb
Bb bb Bb bb bb Bb bb Bb
1. How many mating pairs are illustrated in Model 1?
2. Describe the parents in each mating pair in Model 1. Use terms such as homozygous, heterozy-
gous, dominant, and recessive.
3. Use two Punnett squares to determine the possible genotypes for offspring from the pairs.
The Hardy-Weinberg Equation
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1
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56935638/Hardy-Weinberg-POGILpdf/
, 4. If each mating pair has one offspring, predict how many of the first generation offspring will
have the following genotypes.
BB Bb bb
5. Imagine the 24 beetles in Model 1 as a population in an aquarium tank.
a. How likely is the pairing scenario in Model 1 to take place during the natural course of things
within that tank?
b. Why is Model 1 labeled “Selective Mating”?
6. List two other pairings that might occur in the population in Model 1 if the beetles were allowed
to mate naturally.
7. If the population of beetles in Model 1 mated naturally would your prediction for the offspring
in Question 4 still be valid? Explain.
8. Discuss in your group the limitations of Punnett square predictions when it comes to large popu-
lations. Summarize the key points of your discussion here.
2 POGIL™ Activities for AP* Biology
This study source was downloaded by 100000842568006 from CourseHero.com on 06-20-2022 09:01:16 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56935638/Hardy-Weinberg-POGILpdf/
How can we make predictions about the characteristics of a population?
Why?
Punnett squares provide an easy way to predict the possible genotypes for an offspring, but it is not practi-
cal to perform a Punnett square analysis on all possible combinations of all members of a population to
predict what the population might look like in the future. For that we must turn to statistics. The Hardy-
Weinberg equation is a tool biologists use to make predictions about a population and to show whether or
not evolution is occurring in that population.
.
Model 1 – Controlled (Selective) Mating
Males Females Males Females
Bb bb Bb bb bb Bb bb Bb
Bb bb Bb bb bb Bb bb Bb
Bb bb Bb bb bb Bb bb Bb
1. How many mating pairs are illustrated in Model 1?
2. Describe the parents in each mating pair in Model 1. Use terms such as homozygous, heterozy-
gous, dominant, and recessive.
3. Use two Punnett squares to determine the possible genotypes for offspring from the pairs.
The Hardy-Weinberg Equation
This study source was downloaded by 100000842568006 from CourseHero.com on 06-20-2022 09:01:16 GMT -05:00
1
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56935638/Hardy-Weinberg-POGILpdf/
, 4. If each mating pair has one offspring, predict how many of the first generation offspring will
have the following genotypes.
BB Bb bb
5. Imagine the 24 beetles in Model 1 as a population in an aquarium tank.
a. How likely is the pairing scenario in Model 1 to take place during the natural course of things
within that tank?
b. Why is Model 1 labeled “Selective Mating”?
6. List two other pairings that might occur in the population in Model 1 if the beetles were allowed
to mate naturally.
7. If the population of beetles in Model 1 mated naturally would your prediction for the offspring
in Question 4 still be valid? Explain.
8. Discuss in your group the limitations of Punnett square predictions when it comes to large popu-
lations. Summarize the key points of your discussion here.
2 POGIL™ Activities for AP* Biology
This study source was downloaded by 100000842568006 from CourseHero.com on 06-20-2022 09:01:16 GMT -05:00
https://www.coursehero.com/file/56935638/Hardy-Weinberg-POGILpdf/
