Guppy Genetics Project

The project will begin with us setting up the tank. We will also research everything we will need to know about guppies. Then while we wait for the tank conditions to become favorable and for the guppies, we will read and explore activities about traits, genes, and basics of heredity. Once the fish are in the tank we will complete a diagram of the tank and sketches of the fish. Throughout the project, we will track the water chemical levels and the temperature in order to ensure the survival of the guppies as well as favorable conditions for reproduction. Our goal is to track the patterns of heredity for the trait the results in bright guppies or dull guppies. For each generation of guppies, we will track the number of guppies, the number of bright guppies, and the number of dull guppies. Then after each birth, also called drops, we will track and chart the number of offspring, the number of males, and the number of females. Ideally, we are hoping to have 3 generations of guppies, including the first group of guppies. After we have collected all of our data we will create Punnett squares based on guppies in the first generation. We will compare the probabilities of the Punnett square to the outcomes of phenotypes of the offspring. We will also use them to hypothesize the genotypes of both the parents and the offspring. In addition to those Punnett squares, we will create Punnett Squares based on guppies in the second generation in order to predict possible outcomes of the third generation of guppies. After creating Punnett squares for each generation, we will use that data to infer the dominant and recessive traits for the characteristic of color in guppies. We will then create a simple pedigree of the generations and use it to trace the patterns of the genetic trait for color as well as determine if the trait is sex-linked. The students will be completing the testing, diagraming, and data collection in a journal. The journal will also include the Punnett squares and pedigree of the guppies. The students will then use the information from the journal as well as a template to complete a lab report of our findings. The students will then create a poster that will be displayed both on the website as well as in the hallways at school.