Assignment 2

1 .		Select two mutant genes that you have not mapped already. Divide your group into pairs, and have each pair of students work together to identify the chromosome and approximate locus for each of the two mutations. Once each pair has mapped the two genes, compare your results with each other. Did each pair in your group identify the correct chromosome(s)? Why or why not? If you cannot agree on the correct chromosome, go back and review your work until everyone in your group can agree on a correct chromosome for each mutation. Once you have agreed on a chromosome location, compare the accuracy of the locus that you identified for each mutation. How accurate were the maps when you compared them? How many map units did the two maps differ by? Explain possible reasons for any differences in loci assigned on each chromosome mapped.
2 .		You have been selected as the leading scientist directing a group of scientists responsible for mapping the X chromosome. Pick three other students who can work as your partners to narrow down your hunt to map the X chromosome. How would you begin? Should you assign each student a mutant gene that you have not yet mapped and have each person study the inheritance for that gene? Or should you work as a group and look for inheritance patterns to first narrow your search for genes that appear to be X-linked? Decide on an approach to use, then work together to develop a map of the X chromosome that will show all of the X-linked mutations present in PedigreeLab. Because PedigreeLab will show different regions of the X chromosome depending on the probes you are using, PedigreeLab will not show one complete full-length map of the X chromosome. Your group will have to piece together the different maps of the X chromosome shown in PedigreeLab to draw one complete map. Once you have done this, compare your map with that of another group of students in your class that has worked on the X chromosome. How accurate were the two sets of maps? Were there any differences in genes mapped to the X chromosome when the maps were compared? If there were differences, work together with the other group to resolve these differences until you can agree on an accurate and complete map of the X chromosome. Print your map and show it to your instructor for comparison with the correct map.