Puzzles and Games

Martian Genetics

Puzzle 2: Strange Smells and William Shatner

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The type of odor a Martian emits is determined by a single autosomal (which is to say, not gender-specific) chromosome that comes in two varieties (O or o). The alleles are codominant, so there are three types of odors: roses (OO), cornbread (oo) and cottage cheese (Oo).

How a Martian sings is also determined genetically, this time via a single X-linked gene (S or s). A Martian will sing like Pavarotti (X-dominant) or William Shatner (X-recessive). Martian females, like human females have two X chromosomes; Martian males, like human males, have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome.

A traditional Martian marriage consists of one female Martian and two males. The female Martian only mates with her two husbands. One day, you meet a married trio:

• Zdla, a female, who smells like cottage cheese and sings like William Shatner.
• Kaxxx, a male, who smells like roses and sings like William Shatner.
• Glreth, a male, who smells like cornbread and sings like Pavarotti.