Most recent test (Evolution Unit)

A couple of comments concerning our last test. The average for both classes (together) was almost 81% - nice job! There was only one question I reevaluated a bit - question #2 dealing with the attempt to "evolve" winter wheat. The correct answer should have been "C" (Lamarck) as the point was the scientist was trying to cause changes in the wheat during its life - and these changes would be passed to the next generation (inheritance of acquired characteristics). However, I also allowed "D" (Darwin) NOT because his theory included this idea, but because the question did not take into account whether or not some of the variations of wheat did not survive (perhaps the scientist only selected those that survived and reproduced). Therefore I felt C or D would be OK. The only other question missed by more than 1/2 the students was number 40 - I think the diagram threw a lot of you - but I was hopeful you would understand that discrete ancestors can NOT merge into one taxon.

Now, for the Hardy-Weinberg problem(s)

Version "A"
480 out of 4000 show the recessive phenotype (aa): aa= 480/4000 = .12 or 12% therefore a= the square root of (.12) =.35 or 35%
A= 1-(.35) = .65 or 65% AA=(.65) squared =.43 or 43% Aa = 2(.65)(.35) =.455 or 46%

Version "B"
1280 out of 5000 show the recessive phenotype (aa): aa= 1280/5000 = .256 or 26% therefore a= the square root of (.256) =.506 or 51%
A= 1-(.51) = .49 or 49% AA=(.49) squared =.24 or 24% Aa = 2(.49)(.51) =.450 or 50%