This is the Meiosis and Fertilization view. The round circles under the dragons are "germ cells". If you click on the "Play" button, or run the thumbnail to the right, you will run a simulation of meiosis, in which the germ cell will divide twice and produce four gametes. Select one of the gametes and click on the arrow key to move it into the fertilization chamber in the middle. Do this with both dragons and then run the fertilization animation to bring the two gametes together to form a fertilized egg, and -- presto! -- a new dragon will appear.

The new dragon gets its genes, and therefore its phenotype, from the gametes, so if you look at the chromosomes in the gametes -- and you know the genotype-to-phenotype rules! -- you should be able to predict what the baby dragon will look like. If you want to see the genes in the gametes, click on the little magnifying glass in the lower left corner of the gamete window. The letters represent the different alleles, or forms of genes, in that gamete.

You are looking at the chromosomes of the mother under a magnifying glass. The labels attached to the chromosomes are the alleles -- the different versions of the genes. If you run Meiosis all the way to the end (either by using the Play button or by dragging the slider all the way to the right) the alleles will line up at the top of the window so you can see them more clearly.

You are looking at the chromosomes of the father under a magnifying glass. The labels attached to the chromosomes are the alleles -- the different versions of the genes. If you run Meiosis all the way to the end (either by using the Play button or by dragging the slider all the way to the right) the alleles will line up at the top of the window so you can see them more clearly.

You now have two gametes in the fertilization chamber -- one from each parent. Hit the Play button or drag the thumbnail to the right to run fertilization and create an offspring.

You have selected a gamete from the father. If you want to use this gamete for fertilization use the arrow key to move it into the fertilization chamber.

You have selected a gamete from the mother. If you want to use this gamete for fertilization use the arrow key to move it into the fertilization chamber.

Congratulations, you've made a new baby dragon! Its physical traits are determined by its genes, using the rules you've already investigated. Half of those genes came from its mother and the other half from its father, which is why it has traits from both parents.