Question 1: Define a genetic diagram and explain its purpose in illustrating inheritance patterns.

Answer: A genetic diagram visually represents the inheritance of traits through generations, showing how alleles are passed from parents to offspring.

Question 2: Describe how a Punnett square is used to predict genetic outcomes in offspring.

Answer: A Punnett square is a grid that shows all possible combinations of parental alleles, allowing prediction of the probability of specific traits in offspring.

Question 3: What is a heterozygous genotype? Provide an example related to human traits.

Answer: A heterozygous genotype has two different alleles for a gene, e.g., Bb for brown eyes if B is dominant and b is recessive.

Question 1: If two astronauts with heterozygous traits (Aa) for a genetic condition are in space, what is the probability that their child will inherit the condition? Show your work using a Punnett square.

Answer: Probability = 25%. Using a Punnett square: 25% of offspring will inherit two recessive alleles (aa), expressing the condition.

Question 2: A mutation causes a trait to appear in 1 out of 10 space-faring animals. What is the frequency of the dominant allele if the trait is dominant and the population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium? Assume the recessive phenotype is expressed only when homozygous recessive.

Answer: Frequency of recessive allele (q) = √(0.1) ≈ 0.316; Frequency of dominant allele (p) = 1 - q ≈ 0.684.

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to determine if astronauts' genetic traits influence their ability to adapt to microgravity. List the variables, control measures, and safety considerations.

Answer: Variables include genetic traits (independent), adaptation level (dependent). Controls involve same age, health status, diet. Safety measures include monitoring health, avoiding contamination, and ethical approval.

Question 2: Why is understanding genetic inheritance important for developing long-term space habitats and ensuring astronaut health?

Answer: Understanding inheritance helps predict genetic risks, adapt breeding programs, and develop personalized medical treatments to maintain astronaut health in space.

Question 1: Scientists observe that a rare genetic trait related to resistance to radiation appears in 4% of a space crew. If the trait is dominant, estimate the percentage of the crew that is heterozygous.

Answer: If 4% exhibit the trait, then q² = 0.04, so q = 0.2. p = 0.8. The heterozygous frequency (2pq) = 2 * 0.8 * 0.2 = 0.32 or 32%.

Question 2: Explain how genetic diagrams can be used to select suitable animals for breeding in space farming systems to ensure disease resistance.

Answer: Genetic diagrams, such as Punnett squares, help identify animals carrying desirable alleles for disease resistance. They enable breeders to predict offspring traits, select optimal pairs, and improve the genetic health of space farming systems.