LECTURE 9

The Chi-Square Test

Micky Vincent

The Chi-Square Test - Introduction

Many models are useful for illustrating basic Mendelian genetics.
Whether you use the fruit fly, corn, sweet pea or some other system, the basic
principles are applicable to all diploid systems including humans.

The Chi-Square Test - Introduction

Many models are useful for illustrating basic Mendelian genetics.
Whether you use the fruit fly, corn, sweet pea or some other system, the basic
principles are applicable to all diploid systems including humans.
Monohybrid
A.Purple
B. Yellow

Dihybrid
A. Purple - Smooth
B. Yellow Smooth
C. Purple Wrinkle
D. Yellow - Wrinkle

The Chi-Square Test - Introduction

Possible dihybrid
crosses:
1. RRSuSu X rrsusu
2. RRSuSu X RRsusu
3. RRSuSu X Rrsusu
4. RRSuSu X RRSusu
5. RRSuSu X rrSusu
6. Rrsusu X Rrsusu
7. RrSusu X RrSusu
8. RRsusu X RRsusu

Note We are only interested in the number of PHENOTYPES!!

The Chi-Square Test - Introduction

One of the advantages of the Mendelian approach is that it is quantitative and
may be tested mathematically.

A hypothesis is presented as a null hypothesis, proposing that the observed data

are the same as the predicted results.
- i.e For monohybrid 3:1
For dihybrid
9:3:3:1
Therefore, we perform the Chi-Square Test (a statistical analysis) to see if data
fits our hypothesis.
Also called Goodness of Fit test or Null Hypothesis.
Two values are involved, an observed value (O), which is the frequency of a
category from a sample, and the expected frequency (E), which is calculated
based upon the claimed distribution.
The formula for the Chi-Square test is
O = an observed value
E = the expected frequency

The Chi-Square Test - Introduction

Chi-square analysis cannot tell us that a hypothesis is correct or incorrect, only
whether the observed result is a good fit with predictions of the hypothesis.
a. If differences between the results and the prediction are unlikely to be due to
chance alone, the hypothesis will be rejected and another one tried.
b. Typically if the probability of obtaining the observed 2 values is greater than
5% (P> 0.05) the hypothesis is accepted.

The Chi-Square Test - Example

For example, among the progeny of a monohybrid cross Rr x Rr, you expect that
3/4 will have phenotype R_ and 1/4 rr. The phenotypes you observe and count
probably wont match these ratios exactly because chance plays a role in
biological phenomena.
If you have a number of 112 progeny, you expect 3/4 to be R_ (84) and 1/4 to be rr
(28).
Suppose you counted 79 R_ and 33 rr.
Are your results close enough to these ratios for you to accept the null
hypothesisthat there is no real difference? The Chi-square test is one tool for
making this decision.

The Chi-Square Test - Example

In one dihybrid experiment, this data was recorded from a total of 381 seeds:
- 216 Round, Yellow Seed; 79 Round, Green Seed; 65 Wrinkled, Yellow Seed
21 Wrinkled, Green
What ratio is expected? Perform a Chi-Square test to validate the prediction.
Your Tentative Hypothesis: This is a dihybrid cross (RrYy x RrYy) involving two pairs of
heterozygous genes resulting in a expected (theoretical) ratio of 9:3:3:1.
Next, find the degree of
freedom,

df=n1
n = number of phenotypes
In this case, the degree of
freedom,

df = n 1
=41
=3

The Chi-Square Test - Example

1.80

If the calculated chi-square value is less than the 0.05 value, we accept the hypothesis.
If the chi-square value is greater than the value in the table, we reject the hypothesis.
Threrefore, because the calculated chi-square value is smaller, then we accept the
hypothesis that the data fits a 9:3:3:1 ratio.
In this table, 1.85 is the closest number. Then go to the top of the column and locate your
probability value. In this case the probability value that lines up with 1.85 is 0.60. This
number means that the probability that your hypothesis is correct is 0.60 or 60 percent.
The probability that your hypothesis is incorrect is 0.40 or 40 percent.