Random Mating

The class today focused on the presence of dominant and recessive genes. The lab we did was meant to simulate the random mating that may occur in the depths of a jungle. Using 25 red beads, representing the dominant gene for fur, and 25 green beads, representing the recessive gene for hairlessness, we placed them in a paper bag (the jungle) and let probability do the rest.

Each round, or generation, we pulled out all the pairs of beads from the bag. The possibilities were either dominant or recessive homozygous, or heterozygous. The recessive homozygous (rr) were then taken out of the bag since they would "die". Their death caused less probability of the green gene occurring in the newer populations. We continued going through each generation and began noticing patterns occurring. Since the green (recessive) gene was not favorable, these tigers would die and not be able to pass it on. This showed a real life situation of what could happen in the actual mating world of tigers.

We then later discussed how the green gene could've possibly resurfaced or have regained its presence in a society. The possibility of other species entering the mating circle by immigrating could cause the gene to show up again. Also, two heterozygous carriers could transfer the gene down when mating.