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Topic: Gene Mapping WS

Summary: Students will practice citing evidence of gene linkage using crossover
frequencies to defend a claim.

Goals & Objectives: Students will be able to defend the claim that meiosis results in
new genetic combinations based on crossover frequencies. Students will be able to create
a gene map on a chromosome based on crossover frequencies.

NGSS Standards: HS-LS3-2. Make and defend a claim based on evidence that
inheritable genetic variations may result from: (1) new genetic combinations through
meiosis, (2) viable errors occurring during replication, and/or (3) mutations caused by
environmental factors.

Time Length: 45 minutes

Prerequisite Knowledge: Students know what are DNA and chromosomes. Students
should also know about meiosis and what is crossing over.

Materials:

• Handouts and pencils

Procedures:
1. Review with the class how to create a gene map, using the example on page 1.
2. Students work on the handout by themselves.

Accommodations: Students with an IEP can take the handout home if they need extra
time, and/or do questions 1 and 2.

© NGSS Life Science 2018

 Name: _______________________ Row: _______

Date:_____________ Period:______

Gene Linkage & Crossing Over in Meiosis

Simple Punnett squares do not work for genes found on the same chromosome.
Scientists call these genes linked, since if an individual inherits that chromosome, they
get both genes. But what about crossing over in meiosis? Crossing over has the potential
to unlink these genes. Scientists call two or more genes linked genes. When two genes
cross over more frequently, the farther apart the two genes are on the same chromosome.

Example: Look at the cross over frequency in the data table below. Notice gene A and B
are close to each other (because they are crossed over less often) but gene A and C are
farther apart (because they are crossed over more often).

Genes Crossover Frequency This would create the following order

genes on the chromosome on the right.
A&B 5%
A A
A&C 10%
B&C 5% B B
C C

1. In Drosophila, the gene for eye color (A), wing shape (B), and body color (C) are all
found on the same X chromosome. The following crossover frequencies for these
genes were determined by experiments. What is the correct sequence of the genes A,
B and C on the chromosome? Write in the order of these genes in the chromosome
on the right.

Genes Crossover Frequency

A&B 12.5%
A&C 6.0%
B&C 18.5%

2. Use the gene map from question 1 to support the claim that inheritable genetic
variations may result from new genetic combinations through meiosis. Be sure to
include the cross over frequencies of eye color, wing shape, and body color.
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© NGSS Life Science 2018

3. In 1911, Thomas Hunt Morgan collected the following crossover gene frequencies
while studying Drosophila. Bar-shaped eyes are indicated by the (B) allele, and
carnation eyes are indicated by the allele (C). Fused veins on wings (A) and
scalloped wings (S) are located on the same chromosomes. Write the order of the
genes in the chromosome on the right.

Gene Combinations Recombination Frequency

A/B 2.5%
A/C 3.0%
B/C 5.5%
B/S 5.5%
A/S 8.0%
C/S 11.0%

4. Use the gene map from question 3 to support the claim that inheritable genetic
variations may result from new genetic combinations through meiosis. Be sure to
include the cross over frequencies of bar-shaped eyes, carnation eyes, fused veins,
scalloped wings, and body color.
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5. Five traits found in Drosophila are yellow body color (y), white eye color (w),
vermilion eye color (v), miniature wing (m) and rudimentary wing (r). Given the
following crossover frequencies, construct a genetic map on the next page.

Genes Crossover Frequency

y&w 2.2%
v&m 3.0%
v&r 26.6%
v&w 30.0%
v&y 32.2%
w&m 33.0%
y&m 35.2%
w&r 56.6%

© NGSS Life Science 2018

6. Use the gene map from question 5 to support the claim that inheritable genetic
variations may result from new genetic combinations through meiosis. Be sure to
include the cross over frequencies of yellow body color, white eye color, vermilion
eye color, miniature wing, and rudimentary wing.
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Challenge Questions:
7. The following chart shows the crossover frequencies for some genes on an autosome
of organism Z. Construct a gene map. Write the order of the genes in the
chromosome on the right.

Genes Crossover Frequency

P&Q 5%
P&R 8%
P&S 12%
Q&R 13%
Q&S 17%

8. Construct a gene map given the following information. Write the order of the genes in
the chromosome on the right.
Genes Crossover Frequency
A&B 24.0%
A&C 8.0%
C&D 2.0%
A&F 16.0%
F&B 8.0%
D&F 6.0%

© NGSS Life Science 2018

9. In a series of mapping experiments, the recombination frequencies for four different
linked genes of Drosophila (fruit fly) were determined as shown in the figure above.
Write the order of these genes on the chromosome on the right.

Example: b b
cn cn

rb rb
vg vg

10. For a series of experiments, a linkage group composed of genes W, X, Y and Z was
found to show the following gene combinations. (All recombinations are expressed
per 100 fertilized eggs). Construct a gene map on the chromosome below.

Genes W X Y Z
W –
X 5 –
Y 7 2 –
Z 8 3 1 –

© NGSS Life Science 2018