Evolution
Argumentation and Evolution
In a scientific argument, claims about the natural world should be supported or refuted by evidence, and by reas…
Item EH020003: If offspring carry an allele that is not present in the body cells of its parents, then the allele resulted from a mutation in the sex cells of one of the parents. (Identify sound reasoning.) (MC1R gene in mice)
Observation: Two grey mice had a baby mouse pup that was black.
Question: How did grey parents produce a black mouse pup?
Claim: A new allele of the MC1R gene was produced by mutation in one of the parent’s sex cells, and then passed on to the mouse pup.
Evidence: DNA sequencing revealed that the mouse pup has an allele of the MC1R gene that results in the production of more black pigment in the fur. Neither parent has a copy of this black MC1R allele in its body cells.
Which of the following statements provides the best reasoning to justify why the evidence supports the claim?
- Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation.
- DNA is passed from parents to offspring so that each individual has half their genetic information from their father and half their genetic information from their mother.
- The black MC1R allele is dominant to the other MC1R allele.
- Since offspring inherit DNA from their parents, if neither parent carried the black MC1R allele in its body cells, the allele must have been produced by mutation in a parent’s sex cell.
Pre-Test
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 558 |
6–8 n = 25 |
9–12 n = 498 |
Male n = 243 |
Female n = 274 |
English n = 502 |
Other n = 19 |
||
| A. | Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation. | 14% | 12% | 14% | 17% | 12% | 14% | 21% |
| B. | DNA is passed from parents to offspring so that each individual has half their genetic information from their father and half their genetic information from their mother. | 25% | 24% | 25% | 26% | 23% | 25% | 21% |
| C. | The black MC1R allele is dominant to the other MC1R allele. | 19% | 36% | 18% | 22% | 17% | 19% | 26% |
| D. | Since offspring inherit DNA from their parents, if neither parent carried the black MC1R allele in its body cells, the allele must have been produced by mutation in a parent’s sex cell. | 42% | 28% | 43% | 35% | 48% | 43% | 32% |
Post-Test (Control)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 0 |
6–8 n = 0 |
9–12 n = 0 |
Male n = 0 |
Female n = 0 |
English n = 0 |
Other n = 0 |
||
| A. | Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
| B. | DNA is passed from parents to offspring so that each individual has half their genetic information from their father and half their genetic information from their mother. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
| C. | The black MC1R allele is dominant to the other MC1R allele. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
| D. | Since offspring inherit DNA from their parents, if neither parent carried the black MC1R allele in its body cells, the allele must have been produced by mutation in a parent’s sex cell. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
Post-Test (Treatment)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 0 |
6–8 n = 0 |
9–12 n = 0 |
Male n = 0 |
Female n = 0 |
English n = 0 |
Other n = 0 |
||
| A. | Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
| B. | DNA is passed from parents to offspring so that each individual has half their genetic information from their father and half their genetic information from their mother. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
| C. | The black MC1R allele is dominant to the other MC1R allele. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |
| D. | Since offspring inherit DNA from their parents, if neither parent carried the black MC1R allele in its body cells, the allele must have been produced by mutation in a parent’s sex cell. | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% | NAN% |