Download BIOLOGY: Genotypes and Phenotypes

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F a c i l i t a t o r
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BIOLOGY: Genotypes and Phenotypes
‘Create-A-Kid’
Everyone is to pick a ‘mate’ so as to represent a mating pair complete
with their genetic offering to their offspring of half their genetic code…
Brief Summary: Students flip a pair of coins to determine what genotype
and what phenotype their child will have for 22 given traits. They then
draw a picture of their kid based on their coin flip phenotypes.
Student Objective(s): Students will learn the difference between a
genotype and a phenotype. They will demonstrate that recombination of
gametes (demonstrated by flipping coins) will result in the formation of
unique individuals.
Integration (tying it all together):
Discussion Questions:
1. Does your child resemble anyone else's in class? Why or why not?
2. Can you think of instances in your family or a friend where the
offspring look very different from the parents?
3. What do you think would happen to the variety of children if we made
one parent homozygous dominant (or recessive) for all the traits?
Description of Activities:
1. Give each pair of students a worksheet including the 22 trait
descriptions, and a piece of butcher’s paper.
2. Help them determine the sex of their child by having them flip their 2
coins. A head/head combination will represent a female and a head/tail
combination will represent a male.
3. Then demonstrate the first flip for face shape and show them how to
draw that on their paper to begin creating their kid.
4. Have them work in groups of two as they work through the 22 flips to
create their child.
5. Display the finished pictures and discuss what this exercise has shown
them.