Geneticists investigated the occurrence of chromosomal non-disjunction during microsporogenesis (pollen formation) in two different strains of Arabidopsis thaliana: Strain X and Strain Y.
The total number of non-disjunction errors recorded in each strain was:
The table below shows the percentage of these errors that occurred in the first meiotic division (MIMIMI) and the second meiotic division (MIIMIIMII).
| Strain | Total errors | Percentage of errors in MIMIMI (%) | Percentage of errors in MIIMIIMII (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strain X | 480 | 80 | 20 |
| Strain Y | 850 | 42 | 58 |
A researcher concluded that there were more errors in MIMIMI in Strain Y than in Strain X because Strain Y had a significantly larger total number of recorded errors.
Using the data in the table and suitable calculations, show why this conclusion is not valid.
Practise AQA A Level Biology Genetic diversity can arise as a result of mutation or during meiosis with exam-style questions for A Level Biology. 3 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Biology (7402) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
