Download Name ______ Date_______________Period ______ Genetic Traits

Name ______________________________________ Date_______________Period ______
Genetic Traits
Purpose
To determine if traits controlled by dominant alleles/genes are more common than traits
controlled by recessive alleles/genes. A dominant trait will show up if present (and will
mask the the recessive gene when present with it).
Prediction: If I gather class results for dominant vs. recessive traits, then I think the
_____________(dominant or recessive) traits will occur _________(more or less)
because__________________________________________________________.
Procedure
1. For each of the traits listed in the data table, work with a partner to determine which trait you have.
List your traits under My Traits in the data section.
2. Count the number of students in your class who have each trait. Record that number in your data
table. Also record the total number of students.
3. Locate your number on the trait wheel on page 117 in text.

Look at the circle of traits.

All the traits in your data table appear in the circle.

Place your eraser end of your pencil on the trait in the small central circle that applies to
you (either free or attached earlobes)

Look at the two traits touching the space your eraser is on

Move your eraser onto the next description that applies to you

Continue using a number on the outside rim of the circle

Share that number with your classmates
Data:
My Traits (list your traits)
My trait wheel number is _______
Class Traits
Dominant Traits (Trait 1)
#
Recessive Traits (Trait 2)
Free ear lobes
Attached ear lobes
Hair on fingers
No hair on fingers
Widow's peak
No widow's peak
Curly hair
Straight hair
Cleft chin
Smooth chin
Smile dimples
No smile dimples
#
Analysis and Conclusion
Complete a bar graph below using the information from the data section.
Graph of Matching Traits
24
22
Number of Students
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
My Traits
Questions
1. Which traits controlled by dominant alleles were shown by a majority of students?
2. Which traits controlled by recessive alleles were shown by a majority of students?
3. Did anyone in the class have your exact number?______
If YES, how many other people?______ What does this suggest?
If NO, why don't you think so?
4. What does the information on your graph suggest?
5. If more genetic traits were included in the wheel, would it be more likely or less likely
that more people in class would share your number? Explain your answer.
6. Do you think your classroom population is typical of a larger population such as your
entire school or community? Explain your answer
7. Was your hypothesis correct? ____________
After doing this activity, do you think that all "dominant" traits are more common in a
population of people?
Give an example from this activity.
8. In a complete sentence or two, explain one specific thing you learned about genetics
from this activity (Be specific--do not just say "I learned about genetics")
TRAIT WHEEL p. 117