Title: Wisconsin Fast Plants Monohybrid Genetics Classroom Kit

Description: This kit is part of the Wisconsin Fast Plants curriculum.  (See also Exploring with Wisconsin Fast Plants in this guide.)  By breeding small mustard plants through the F2 generation, students learn about Mendelian inheritance, segregation, assortment, and dominant and recessive traits.  Students plant F1 seed from Brassica rapa, harvest the F2 seed after two months, plant and then score the F2 plants for color, a genetic trait determined by a single gene.  Students calculate segregation ratios and infer genetic principles.  Further information can be found at the Fast Plants web site: http://www.fastplants.cals.wisc.edu.

Strengths: Students learn basic Mendelian genetics by doing experiments and experiencing firsthand the scientific process.  The experiments closely parallel those of Mendel.  In addition to learning genetics, students can simultaneously learn about plant anatomy and reproduction or other botany tie-ins.  Two helpful pamphlets accompany the kit: "Growing Instructions", which contains background on Brassicas, and "Investigating Mendelian Genetics", which contains background as well as student worksheets.  If teachers encounter difficulties when growing or breeding the plants, Carolina Biological provides excellent telephone support.

Weaknesses: Instructions are not always completely accurate, but on the whole can be followed successfully.  Growing lights for the plants must be purchased separately and set up.  The assessment tools can benefit from teacher additions.

Keywords: Inheritance, genes, variation, sexual reproduction, segregation, assortment, probability, plant

Genetics concepts addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7
(view genetics concepts)

Other subjects addressed: Reading, Writing, Botany

last updated 6/09/00