Download Dragon Genetics

Dragon Genetics
introduction:
The simplest form of genetic inheritance for a single trait (coded for by a ___________) involves receiving one
___________ from the mother and one ___________ from the father. Sometimes the information from the mum
and dad is identical, and sometimes it is not. The resulting combination of alleles is referred to as a _____________;
the physical expression of the trait that is coded for is referred to as the _____________.
task:
You must submit the following:
Marks sheet
Completed table of results
Completed dragon
Answers to the questions
procedure:
1. Choose a partner carefully. You and your fellow dragon keeper will work together to produce two sets
of offspring (one for you, and one for your partner). This is a no divorce classroom. The lab must be
completed on time.
2. Each dragon keeper must pick up five popsticks -- one of each colour of autosome (4), and one sex
chromosome popstick (1). Each side of a popstick represents a chromosome, and the two sides
together represent a pair of homologous chromosomes for the dragon belonging to the dragon keeper.
3. For each colour autosome and then for the sex chromosomes, each parent will randomly drop his or
her popstick on the table. The side of the stick that is up represents the chromosome that is passed on
to the baby.
4. The alleles from each pair of homologous chromosomes will be recorded in a table similar to the one in
Appendix 1.
5. The Dragon Genome (Appendix 2) indicates the phenotypic effect of each gene. The trait produced by
each pair of alleles should be recorded in the data table. Remember that a CAPITAL letter is dominant
over a small letter [recessive] unless the decoding chart indicates those traits are codominant, sexinfluenced, or sex-limited.
6. After you have successfully completed the table you can begin creating your dragon. You can draw,
paint, collage your dragon as you wish. Use the drawing guide (Appendix 3) for assistance. Don’t forget
to name your new dragon!
questions:
1. What letters are used to represent arm length? ____________________________________________
2. The letters “V” and “v” is used as a symbol to represent ____________________________________________
3. A dragon is heterozygous for body colour.
a. What would its genotype be in letters? ___________________________
b. What would its phenotype be? ___________________________
4. List three dominant traits shown in the key.
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
5. List three recessive traits shown in the key.
a. _________________________________________________
b. _________________________________________________
c. _________________________________________________
6. Explain why only one side of each popstick is used in this activity.
7. The gene for fangs is recessive, yet most of the dragons have fangs. How can this happen?
8. Give three traits that are more likely to be found in males than females.
[Hint: Consider sex-linked, sex-influenced and sex-limited traits]
Appendix 1: results table
mother
allele
father
allele
genotype
phenotype
A
A
AA
No chin spike
b
B
Bb
Nose spike
c
c
cc
Four head flaps
D
d
Dd
No visible ear hole
Etc..
Appendix 2: the dragon genome
Chromosome
Dominant genes
Recessive genes
Green Autosome
A no chin spike
a chin spike
B nose spike
b no nose spike
C three head flaps
c
four head flaps
D no visible ear hole
d visible ear hole
E
[see below]
________________________________________________________________________________________
Red Autosome
F long neck
f short neck
G no back hump
g back hump
H no back spikes
h back spikes
I
long tail
i short tail
J
flat feet
j arched feet
________________________________________________________________________________________
Orange Autosome
K
red eyes
k yellow eyes
L
spots on neck
l
no spots on neck
M [see below]
N no fang
n fang
O spots on back
o no spots on back
________________________________________________________________________________________
Yellow Autosome
P no spots on thigh
p spots on thigh
Q brown body
q purple body
R small comb on head [see below]
r large comb on head
S [See below]
T [See below]
________________________________________________________________________________________
Sex Chromosomes
X Chromosome Only
Y chromosome only
U
V
W
X
Z
+
Y.
regular thigh
four toes
no chest plate
no. tail spike
long arms
non-fire breather
male sex
u pointed thigh
v three toes
w chest plate
x tail spike
z short arms
- fire breather
codominant traits
E eye pointed at each end
S blue spots
e round eye
s yellow spots
Ee eye round at front only
Ss green spots
sex-influenced traits
M
T
wings
no elbow spike
m
t
sex-limited traits
R or r Only males have the comb on the head.
no wings [dominant in presence of male hormone]
elbow spike [dominant in presence of male hormone]
Appendix 3: drawing guide
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Dragon Genetics
Genotype
10
Phenotype
10
More than 21 correct.
More than 21 correct.
9
9
8
8
16-20 correct.
16-20 correct.
7
7
6
6
11-15 correct
5
4
4
6-10 correct.
3
3
2
2
1-5 correct.
1
5
All characteristics are
drawn correctly and
creatively.
4
Most characteristics are
drawn correctly and
creatively.
Questions
5
All questions answered in
depth.
Logical sentences and
scientific terminology used
correctly.
4
All questions answered.
Logical sentences and
scientific terminology used
mostly correctly.
3
Most questions answered.
Logical sentences with
scientific terminology are
attempted.
3
Half the characteristics are
drawn correctly.
6-10 correct.
2
Some characteristics are
drawn correctly.
2
Most questions are
attempted.
Logical sentences are used.
1-5 correct.
1
Few characteristics are
drawn correctly.
1
Questions are attempted.
Dot-points are used.
11-15 correct
5
1
Drawn Characteristics