Genetics CER Writing Prompt

A Note for the Educator

This writing prompt works well to assess student understanding of genetics. Assess student
understanding of Punnett Squares, selective breeding vs natural selection, and their ability to
write an argument for or against selective breeding. If you are using the 5E model, this would
work as a great Extension and/or Evaluation. It would definitely come later in a genetics unit, as
this writing prompt does assess multiple genetics concepts.

Review the writing strategies that you wish students to use on this writing prompt. Collaborate
with the ELA teachers, so that students see a familiar writing strategy.
Review what constitutes good evidence.
I would suggest writing a list of vocabulary words that you want students to use successfully.
You may also have students come up with the list of words as a class, or in groups.

I hope that your students enjoy this real-world, and thought provoking assessment.

©JessDiscover 2018
 Meant to Be Genetically

Herbert joined a dating website to find his true love. After completing the questionnaire, he was
matched with two potential partners. The matches’ names are Lucile and Wendy. Upon reading
the two ladies’ profiles, Herbert decided that he would prefer to go on a date with Wendy.
However, the dating website listed that Lucile would be a better match due to Herbert’s DNA. It
turns out that Herbert has a heterozygous recessive genotype for muscular dystrophy. Wendy
also has a heterozygous recessive genotype for muscular dystrophy. Neither Wendy nor
Herbert have muscular dystrophy, but the website mentioned that it is possible that their
offspring could have muscular dystrophy.

1) What is the percent chance (probability) that Herbert’s and Wendy’s offspring would
have muscular dystrophy? the risk is not to great for wendy and Herbert to have a child

2) Is the risk too great for Herbert and Wendy to chance having a child together? Why, or
why not? Support your ideas with evidence. no because their is a 25% chance of them
getting their disease.
3) Another website requires that you submit a DNA test when filling out an application.
They do not match people who may carry a recessive trait for a genetic disorder with
others who also carry a recessive trait for the same genetic disorder. What is this an
example of? a mutation i suppose.

4) Write an argument following the CER strategy. Would it be right for a dating website to
take Wendy off of the match due to her having the recessive trait for muscular
dystrophy? Should this type of website require you to disclose that you have a genetic
disorder on a dating website? Support your ideas with evidence.
yes you don't want your kid to have
Rubric: trait you just want it no to be in pain. And i also i say no because if she want's to get married th
2 1 0
I can correctly use a model I can correctly use a model I cannot determine what
to determine what traits an to determine what traits may traits may occur from sexual
offspring might have, and I occur from sexual reproduction.
can calculate the percent reproduction.
chance of an offspring
having a certain trait.
I can support all of my ideas I can support some of my My evidence was not
clearly with relevant ideas with relevant evidence. relevant, or I did not support
evidence. my ideas with evidence.
I can differentiate between I cannot differentiate
selective breeding and between selective breeding
natural selection and natural selection.
I can use scientific I can use some scientific I cannot use scientific
vocabulary correctly and vocabulary correctly in my vocabulary correctly in my
consistently in my writing. writing. writing.

©JessDiscover 2018