Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Corn plants show easily visible examples of inherited traits through their kernels - the tiny seeds covering an ear of corn. Each kernel develops from its own fertilized ovule and inherits genes for color and texture from parent plants.
Corn kernel color is typically determined by two main genes:
The Y gene controls yellow (dominant) versus white (recessive) coloration.
The P gene can modify color intensity, producing purple or red in certain combinations.
This means that kernel color follows predictable inheritance patterns, but there is still variation within each ear.
In a classic corn genetics study, researchers crossed two varieties:
Parent Cross 1 (Yellow × White):
Produced mostly yellow kernels, but some white.
Parent Cross 2 (Purple × Yellow):
Produced purple, yellow, and red kernels in measurable ratios.
Results from a single-generation study:
Kernel Color | Count | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
Yellow | 320 | 64% |
White | 120 | 24% |
Purple | 40 | 8% |
Red | 20 | 4% |
The data show that kernel color is inherited from parent plants through genetic patterns, but the variety of outcomes in each ear provides clear evidence of variation among offspring.
Kernel Color | Observed Count | Observed Percentage (%) | Expected Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Yellow | 320 | 64 | 75 |
White | 120 | 24 | 25 |
Purple | 40 | 8 | 0 |
Red | 20 | 4 | 0 |
Make a claim, provide the evidence, and explain your reasoning for the statement:
“Kernel color in corn is inherited from parent plants, but variation exists among kernels in the same generation.”
Respond with a clear claim, specific evidence from the corn kernel data, and reasoning that connects the evidence to your claim.
Refer to Table 1 in the Corn Kernel Color resource.
Compare the observed and expected percentages. What does the difference between expected and observed results show about inheritance and variation?
What does the data show about how kernel color is passed from parent plants?
Why might two yellow corn plants produce some red or purple kernels?
Explain how the inheritance of kernel color connects to the corn plant’s life cycle from seed to adult plant.