Genetic Traits Activity

Introduction:

Have you ever noticed that brothers or sisters often look alike?  Their inherited traits are what make their physical appearance so similar. An inherited trait is a particular genetically determined characteristic that distinguishes a person. The traits of children are determined by the traits that  are passed on from their parents. Some traits are obvious in a family — a child’s nose is shaped like their mother’s nose, but some traits are less obvious. You may have similar traits to many of your classmates even though you are not related to them. Some examples of often un-noticed human traits are the ability or not to roll your tongue, attached or unattached earlobes, dimples or freckles, naturally curly or straight hair, hitchhiker’s or straight thumb, straight or widow’s peak hairline, smooth or cleft chin, or colorblindness or normal vision.

There are numerous traits in humans, but some traits occur more frequently than others.  Between 70-90% of the human population have free-hanging earlobes, can roll their tongue,  are right-handed, and can taste a chemical called PTC.  These traits are called high frequency traits.

Objective:

Students will determine the presence of certain high frequency traits in themselves & their classmates.

Materials:

Genetic Inventory sheet with pictures, paper, pencil, PTC taste strips.

Procedure:

1. Identify which of the following 10 human traits you have by placing a check mark beside that trait.
2. Compare the traits you have with other students in the classroom and find the student you most closely match.

 

Tongue Roller	Non Roller	Dimples	No Dimples
Attached Earlobes	Unattached Earlobes	Widow’s Peak	Straight Hairline
Longer Second Toe	Short Second Toe	Bent Little finger	Hitchhiker’s Thumb
Attached Ear lobes (left) Unattached ear Lobes (right)	“VULCAN” or No “VULCAN”	Dimples	Right/Left Thumb on top