Wizard Genetics - Or fun with Mendel's peas..

[jazmyn]

No: HPFGUIDX 75763

I have my own theory on Wizard genetics. Need a little simple Mendel set 
up though. ;)

Chromosomes
w = no magic
W = Magic

ww (recessive -muggle- genes) = Muggle
Ww (Heterozygous muggle/wizard) = Wizard
WW (Double dominate Wizard gene - Presence of two W genes cancel each 
other out and produce non-magical child) = Squib

Okay, I know what you are going to say. If Wizards are heterozygous, 
then  why the whole pureblood thing?  In fact, no wizard is a 'true' 
pure wizard, as two W's would make it a squib.  There is canon to 
suggest that more squibs are born to pureblood families and 
Wizard/Wizard matings. Too many generations of wizards mated to wizards 
might in fact cause the race to start dying out, particularly if there 
are any 'lethal' genes connected to the W gene at all.

Ww + Ww = 1/2 wizard children
Out of 4 kids:
1 squib
2 wizards
1 'muggle' (might be passed off for being a squib though or this cross 
might result in a lethal gene which might explain lower numbers of 
children in pureblood families (except for the Weasleys, perhaps)

WW + WW = Squibs only (might be considered muggles after a couple 
generations of Squibs marrying Squibs though, but in fact are carriers 
of the 'magic gene'.

WW + Ww = 3/4 wizard children
Out of 4 kids:
1 squib
3 wizards

WW + ww = All wizard children

(this however might explain muggle born wizards as one partner being a 
2nd or more generation Squib, causing it to appear to skip generations.)

Ww + ww = 1/2 Wizard children
Out of 4 kids:
2 Wizards
2 Muggles

(Now, there is a possibility of a Wizard (Ww) born with very weak powers 
  perhaps  due to presence of other genes that interfere with magic? 
This might mean that Lily's parents might have appeared to be muggles, 
but in fact could have been a 'very weak' Ww Wizard (born of a Squib and 
a muggle maybe?) and a ww Muggle.  Whatever gene was interfering with 
the 'weak Ww' parent could have not been passed on to Lily. One of 
Lily's parents could also have been a case of abnormal genes, were a 
third gene   fails to split creating something similar to sex gene 
abnormalities like a XXY (hermaphrodite) One might have a WWw or Www, 
who are either very powerful or totally appearing to have no magic at 
all, depending on how the extra chromosome effects the person.

(I was a Biology major and genetics has been a interest of mine. I once 
charted out triple helix genetics of Pernese dragons)

Jazmyn