Download File - Science with Mrs. Virani

Project: Create-a-Critter
Name: ____________________
Your task is to create an imaginary species with a set of genes that will govern the appearance of
members of that species. Your creature species will carry at least 5 inherited traits, but each one
following a different set of heredity rules.
o Single Allele Traits
(complete dominance)
o Co-Dominance
o Incomplete Dominance
o Sex-Linked Traits
o Multiple Allele Traits
You will create a booklet that profiles your species. It will include:
-a description of your species: where it lives, how it interacts, perhaps how it evolved?
-definitions of each trait, and explanations of how they’re inherited
-a family of critters who demonstrate inheritance patterns
-some practice questions involving your species.
How will we proceed?
1. Invent a species. Brainstorm traits, and match them to inheritance patterns
2. Create a “dictionary” of traits (see below). Include definitions of each type.
3. Create 2 parents and a child. Analyze the inheritance
4. Create questions & answers about your species
5. Create an introductory paragraph to put your critter in context, complete with
environment, needs & strengths.
Your dictionary should include (for each trait – do this 5 times!)
o Identify and explain the inheritance pattern.
o List the possible genes (alleles) a creature could get.
o List all the possible genotypes for an individual of this species.
Identify and illustrate the matching phenotypes.
(if several genotypes give the same phenotype, you can draw one picture).
Sample dictionary section for a Dominant/Recessive Trait
One genetic trait in this species is body shape. Two alleles exist for this trait. Allele (B) is
dominant, and makes the body shape round. Allele (b) is recessive and makes body shape a
pear. The term dominant means that if a “B” is present, it will over-power a “b” and make
the body round. The body will be pear-shaped only if two recessive alleles (bb) are present.
The possible genotypes and phenotypes in this species are:
BB and Bb
bb
Things to note:
For the sex-linked trait there are 5 possible genotypes. There are also more than 3
genotypes for a multiple allele trait. Draw & list ALL possibilities.
Your Family Inheritance should look like this:
1. Create 2 individuals of your critter species, one male and one female. Assign each one a
full genotype (5 pairs of letters). Draw both of these critters, with phenotypes that match
the genotypes.
Is this section complete? You should have:
-The full genotype. Ex: Aa, BB… (for 5 traits)
-One male, one female
-A picture whose traits match the genes given. Double-check your work!
2. If your two critters from question 2 were to mate, give ONE of the possible genotypes for
the offspring. Draw this new critter.
Is it complete?
-Give the full genotype
-make sure this critter has genes that could have come from the parents
-check that the picture matches the genotype.
3. Create 4 questions about the genetics of your creature species for a classmate to answer.
At least two of them should require the use of a Punnett Square.
Include an answer key for these questions on a separate piece of paper.
Consider questions about:
From these parents, what chance do the children have of….?
For this child… could its parent look like…?
Which genes would make you look this way?
With this genotype, what will you look like?
Can you come up with a question that requires deeper thought/analysis?
Level 1
Some of the 5 inheritance
patterns are missing -orPatterns are described
incorrectly
A significant number of the
genotype options are
missing or incorrect.
You have not matched
genotypes (dictionary,
parents, baby) to correct
phenotypes.
Baby’s genotype was
impossible to inherit.
Level 2
You have applied the
pattern, but you have not
explained it well enough to
make sense to an outside
reader.
Most of the genotype
options are present &
accurate
Most of the genotypes have
been properly converted to
phenotypes
Minor mistakes in
genotype transfer.
You do not have reflective
questions that test
inheritance
Some of your Q & A are
unclear, confusing, or
contain small errors.
Your visual and written
work are not up to
presentation standards.
Your work looks like a
rough draft.
Your finished work is
difficult to read and
interpret. It can be
confusing or hard for your
audience to understand.
Level 3
Inheritance pattern is
clearly explained. The trait
chosen works with this
inheritance pattern.
All genotype options are
present & accurate
You have listed all possible
genotypes and properly
converted each one to a
phenotype.
All 10 alleles in the baby
could have come from the
mating of these 2 parents.
You ask a variety of
questions that require
people to understand the
rules of inheritance. Your
answer key is correct.
Your finished project is
clear, organized, and
pleasant to look at.
You’ve communicated the
science effectively.
Level 4
You have created a context
for your creature.
You have explained why
certain traits have evolved
over time in response to the
environmental conditions.
You have used your
creature’s traits to suggest
some ecological
interactions/significance
for your species.
It makes sense for these
higher-level ideas to be
incorporated in a “speciesprofile” paragraph, and
also embedded into the
questions & answers