genetics phenotypes inheritance

Inheritance and Genetics: Understanding Patterns of Inheritance in Fast Plants

Wisconsin Fast Plants are an ideal model organism for observing and learning about inheritance patterns! Monohybrid and Dihybrid crosses demonstrate Mendelian patterns while other genetic stocks provide opportunity for observing cytoplasmic traits and developing of selection experiments.

What inheritance patterns are observable in Fast Plants?

  • Mendelian traits: monohybrid cross
    • this investigation focuses on the genetics of the plant stem color trait
Monohybrid genetics inheritance life science

Learn more about the traits and genetics of Monohybrid crosses!

Monohybrid seed disk genetics inheritance life science

Use seed disks to quickly observe plant traits and learn about monohybrid crosses!

Parental, F1, and F2 generations of a monohybrid cross

monohybrid inheritance seed packets

  • Mendelian traits: dihybrid crosses (Who’s the Father? investigation)
    • option 1: focuses on the genetics of two plant traits: stem color and leaf color
    • option 2: focuses on the genetics of two plant traits: stem color and dwarfism
Dihybrid genetics inheritance life science

Learn more about the traits and genetics of dihybrid crosses!

dihybrid F1 F2 packets

What kits can I use to teach genetics and heredity with Fast Plants?