Download Introduction to Heredity

Biology 1-2
Per:
Name:
Exploring Human Genetics-An Introduction to Heredity
Introduction: Physical traits are observable characteristics. While each of us
share some of our traits with many other people, our own individual combination
of traits is what makes each of us look unique. Physical traits are determined
by specific segments of DNA called genes. Multiple genes are grouped together to
form chromosomes, which reside in the nucleus of the cell. Every cell (except
eggs and sperm) in an individual’s body contains two copies of each gene. This
is due to the fact that both mother and father contribute a copy at the time of
conception. This original genetic material is copied each time a cell divides so
that all cells contain the same DNA. Genes store the information needed for the
cell to assemble proteins, which eventually yield specific physical traits.
In this exercise, you will begin our study of heredity by collecting genetic data
about your self.
Procedure:
Several lab stations have been set up around the room.
1. Visit each of the 12 lab stations with your partner.
2. Read and follow the directions at each station.
3. Record your trait in the data table below by circling the trait that
matches yours.
Name:
Station
1
2
3
Trait
Earlobe
Hairline
Little finger
Characteristic #1
Unattached earlobe
Widow’s peak
Bent little finger
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
4
Mid-digital hair
Mid-digital hair
XXX
5
6
Eye color
Hitchhiker’s Thumb
Brown (dark) eyes
Straight thumb
XXX
XXX
7
Hair color
XXX
8
9
2nd and 4th fingers
Thumb crossing
Dark
Not red
2nd finger shorter
Left thumb on top
10
11
Freckles
Handedness
XXX
XXX
12
13
14
15
Number of fingers
Myopia
Iris
Eyebrow thickness
Freckles
Right hand
dominance
6-fingers
Normal eyesight
Dark circle
Bushy eyebrows
16
Face shape
Round face
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
Characteristic #2
Attached earlobe
No widow’s peak
Straight little
finger
No mid-digital
hair
Blue (light) eyes
Hitchhiker’s
thumb
Light
Red
th
4 finger shorter
Right thumb on
top
No freckles
Left hand
dominance
5-fingers
myopia
No dark circle
Thin, fine
eyebrows
Square face
Analysis and Conclusion Questions-Answer these on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Contribute your data to a class total and write the totals in the chart
below.
Characteristic
Unattached earlobes
Attached earlobes
Class Total
Percentage
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
Widow’s peak
No widow’s peak
XXX
Bent little finger
Straight little finger
XXX
Mid-digital hair
No mid-digital hair
XXX
Brown (Dark eyes)
Blue (Light eyes)
XXX
Straight thumb
Hitchhiker’s thumb
XXX
Dark/Not Red
Light/Red
XXX
2nd finger shorter
4th finger shorter
XXX
Left thumb on top
Right thumb on top
XXX
Freckles
No freckles
XXX
Right handed
Left handed
XXX
6-fingers
5-fingers
XXX
Normal vision
Myopia
XXX
Dark Circle
No dark circle
XXX
Bushy eyebrows
Thin eyebrows
XXX
Round face
Square face
2.
3.
4.
5.
Look at the percentages in the chart. Are there any trends you notice? How might
you explain these trends?
Compare your 16 traits with your partner. How many traits do you share in common?
Calculate the percentage of agreement (# of traits shared  16 traits X 100)
Go home and compare traits with a couple of your family members. Calculate the
percentage of agreement between you and your family members.
Comparing your agreements from family with lab partner, with whom do you share more
traits?