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Family: Genetics Through Many Generations

Abstract

To create a program that displays at least 10 generations of "people" also displaying their genes. At least 2 different genes would be necessary for it to be interesting. Two allele genes would be ideal. This program would display the generations in the form of a tree. Each "couple" would produce the national average 2.3 children. Each child will "mate" with a random "person" having random gene types. The process would then repeat for the next generation, and so on. This program will be great for those just learning about genetics. Instead of having to picture an abstract idea in one's head, people will now be able to have a picture to go along with the lesson.

Narrative

After a few weeks of work, I now have a clear picture on how to do what I have proposed. The programming is the last giant leap for my project. I have learned that the distribution of a Punnett's Square can be represented by the Binomial Theorem. This fact will prove invaluable to my project. I will have to represent all of the different genes by numbers rather than letters as they are usually done.

I would like each "person" to have as many different genes as possible. I think that will really make an interesting situation when plotted on the computer screen. By using random numbers, I can have each "couple" have different amounts of children, based off of the national average. Once again, random numbers can be used to "mate" the couples. As in real life, I am going to make the homogenous Dominant allele produce a sterile adult. All of these simple ideas will combine to make a complex looking family tree, that even I don't know what it will look like!

As stated above, the only frontier yet conquered in this project is the programming. Based on my knowledge alone, I believe that this will not be incredibly complex to make. However, what do I know...A lot I guess.

Links Pertaining to project:

Mendelian Genetics Phillip E. McClean, North Dakota State University - Plsc 431/631 - Intermediate Genetics
Game Of Life for a pda!
John Conway'sGame of Life
A much better version of the Game Of Life, from math.com.
Pascal's Triangle Page