The GeneEd website is scheduled to be retired on March 31, 2019. Selected GeneEd content will be transferred to Genetics Home Reference, another online resource from the National Library of Medicine.

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TOPICS

Probability

Probability theory uses mathematics to measure the likelihood of something happening. Probability theory may be applied in many areas, including genetics.

Materials for Probability

Articles/Research

Independent Assortment and Probability

Description: A well illustrated article explaining how to determine the likelihood that a squab (baby pigeon) will have a crest of feathers on its head.

Source: Genetics Science Learning Center at the University of Utah
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URL: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/pigeons/probability/

Games

DNA Roulette

Description: This odds game makes learning about the probabilistic nature of genomics a blast. Unlike traditional roulette where the betting table and odds are always the same, DNA Roulettes odds are different for each disease or trait. Even within a disease, the odds are different depending on which of several possible genotypes is randomly selected by the game engine for that round.

Source: Michigan State University
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URL: http://gel.msu.edu/DNAroulette/more.html

Interactive Tutorials

Punnett Squares

Description: An interactive Punnett square activity

Source: McGraw-Hill Higher Education
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URL: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_05/BL_05.html

Teacher Resources

Basic Probability and Chi-Squared Tests (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)

Description: An expert authored advanced in-class exercise teaching critical skills for classic genetic analysis, including probability, making predictions, and assessment.

Source: Genetics Society of America
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URL: http://www.genetics-gsa.org/education/GSAPREP.2013.005.shtml

Mendelian Genetics, Probability, Pedigree, and Chi-Square Statistics (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)

Description: A lesson that requires students to work through a series of questions pertaining to the genetics of sickle cell disease and its relationship to malaria. These questions will probe students' understanding of Mendelian genetics, probability, pedigree analysis, and chi-square statistics.

Source: Howard Hughes Medical Institute
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URL: https://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/mendelian-genetics-probability-pedigree-and-chi-square-statistics

The Probabilities of Problems: A Look at Inheritance (Lesson Plans/Lesson Activities)

Description: Students learn how to calculate the the probabilities of passing on certain genetic disorders and then evaluate case studies involving genetic testing.