Evolution
Argumentation and Evolution
In a scientific argument, claims about the natural world should be supported or refuted by evidence, and by reas…
Item EH021003: 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.
- 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.
- Mutation happens when errors are made in copying the DNA, sometimes as a result of environmental causes.
Pre-Test
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 572 |
6–8 n = 18 |
9–12 n = 502 |
Male n = 245 |
Female n = 283 |
English n = 511 |
Other n = 18 |
||
| A. | Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation. | 16% | 22% | 16% | 19% | 13% | 16% | 6% |
| 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. | 27% | 22% | 27% | 28% | 27% | 27% | 28% |
| C. | 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. | 48% | 44% | 48% | 45% | 51% | 48% | 50% |
| D. | Mutation happens when errors are made in copying the DNA, sometimes as a result of environmental causes. | 9% | 11% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 9% | 17% |
Post-Test (Control)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 274 |
6–8 n = 14 |
9–12 n = 230 |
Male n = 119 |
Female n = 130 |
English n = 237 |
Other n = 9 |
||
| A. | Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation. | 22% | 36% | 23% | 26% | 19% | 24% | 0% |
| 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. | 19% | 14% | 19% | 23% | 15% | 18% | 33% |
| C. | 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. | 47% | 43% | 47% | 39% | 56% | 47% | 44% |
| D. | Mutation happens when errors are made in copying the DNA, sometimes as a result of environmental causes. | 12% | 7% | 11% | 12% | 10% | 11% | 22% |
Post-Test (Treatment)
Answer Choice |
Overall |
Grades |
Gender |
Primary Language |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n = 278 |
6–8 n = 4 |
9–12 n = 248 |
Male n = 130 |
Female n = 131 |
English n = 251 |
Other n = 5 |
||
| A. | Mutation is a natural process that produces genetic variation. | 19% | 25% | 20% | 22% | 16% | 20% | 20% |
| 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. | 10% | 25% | 10% | 12% | 7% | 10% | 20% |
| C. | 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. | 57% | 50% | 56% | 50% | 63% | 57% | 60% |
| D. | Mutation happens when errors are made in copying the DNA, sometimes as a result of environmental causes. | 14% | 0% | 14% | 15% | 14% | 14% | 0% |