U6 Study Guide

The Twins with Different Skin Colors
U6 Performance Assessment
Phenomenon
Meet the 11-year-old twins with two different skin tones. There's no trouble
telling these 11-year-old twins apart, as one is white and one is black. Marcia and
Millie Biggs looked almost identical when they were born but their difference in
skin tone became more apparent as they aged. As brown-eyed Millie started to
become darker skinned, blue-eyed Marcia took on a lighter complexion and
grew blonde, curly hair. The twins' mom is white, while their dad is Jamaican.
Here is a short video introducing these twins.
Stimuli
The image shows the UK family from the video. The image includes (from left to
right) Mom, Millie, Marcia, and Dad. Millie and Marcia are twins; they were born
from the same parents at the same time.
Table 1 shows the genotypes for the different observable phenotypes of skin
color.
Prompts
Answer the following questions. Please BOLD, change color or HIGHLIGHT
your answer.
1. Based on the evidence from the video and images, make and defend a
claim that explains how these twins have different skin colors, even
though they have the same parents.
- The twins have different skin colors because of genetic variation. During sexual
reproduction, when two parents create a child, the child inherits one gene for skin
color from each parent. The two genes can be the same or different, and if they are
different, the child will have a different skin color than either parent. In the case of
Marcia and Millie, they inherited different genes for skin color from their parents,
resulting in their different skin tones.
Stimulus
Figure 1
Figure 1 shows a biological process that occurs during sexual reproduction.
2. Using Figure 1, provide a biological explanation that includes reasoning

for the genetic variation between the twins.
- Figure 1 shows a biological process called meiosis, which occurs during sexual reproduction.
During meiosis, the parent cells split into two daughter cells, each with half of the parent's
genetic material. This process is random, so each daughter cell is unique, and the two cells
can have different combinations of the parent's genes. In the case of Marcia and Millie, this
random process resulted in them having different combinations of their parents' genes for
skin color, leading to their different skin tones.
3. Marcia and Millie enjoy a weekend at the beach with their parents.
Everyone had a fun time, but when they got home, Marcia’s skin was red
and very uncomfortable for a few days. Fill in the chart below to make a
claim about the cause of Marcia’s condition.
Cause: Ultraviolet radiation and genetic predisposition
Mechanism: Ultraviolet radiation can damage the DNA in skin cells, leading to
mutations in the genes that control cell growth and division. If a person has a genetic
predisposition to cancer, they may be more likely to develop cancer due to a genetic
mutation.
Effect: Marcia’s skin became red and uncomfortable for a few days.
4. As the twins got older, their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Mom took the test to find out if she carried the breast cancer gene
(BRCA1). The test came back negative. In addition to lacking the breast
cancer gene, Marcia and Millie’s mother had not been exposed to any
carcinogens. Select the biological event below that is the most likely cause
for their mother’s breast cancer. Then, in the space provided, use
scientific evidence to support your claim.
a. Mutations resulting from environmental factors
b. Mutations resulting from errors in DNA replication
c. New genetic combinations during cell division
The most likely cause for their mother’s breast cancer is mutations resulting from
environmental factors. Scientific evidence suggests that environmental factors, such
as exposure to certain chemicals, radiation, and viruses, can lead to genetic
mutations that can increase the risk of developing cancer. In the case of Marcia and
Millie’s mother, since she had not been exposed to any carcinogens, it is likely that
her breast cancer was caused by a mutation resulting from environmental factors.
5. Some human health conditions like cancer are caused by genetic and
environmental factors.
a. Should Marcia and Millie be concerned about their risk for

developing breast cancer as they get older?
No, Marcia and Millie should not be concerned about their risk for developing
breast cancer. Since their mother tested negative for the BRCA1 gene and was
not exposed to any carcinogens, the twins have no genetic predisposition to
developing breast cancer. Therefore, the twins' risk for developing breast
cancer is the same as any other person's risk.
b. Support your claim with an explanation that includes your

understanding of genetics.
No, Marcia and Millie should not be concerned about their risk for developing
breast cancer. Since their mother tested negative for the BRCA1 gene and was
not exposed to any carcinogens, the twins have no genetic predisposition to
developing breast cancer. Therefore, the twins' risk for developing breast
cancer is the same as any other person's risk. Genetically, cancer is caused by
mutations in genes that control cell growth and division. If a person has a
genetic predisposition to cancer, they may have a higher risk of developing
cancer due to a genetic mutation. In the case of Marcia and Millie, since their
mother did not have a genetic predisposition to cancer, their risk of
developing cancer is no higher than any other person's risk.
c. Identify two actions that Marcia and Millie can take to limit their risk
of developing cancer. Describe how these actions would help to
prevent cancer later in life.
Marcia and Millie can take two actions to limit their risk of developing cancer.
The first action is to avoid exposure to carcinogens, such as smoking,
excessive alcohol consumption, and certain chemicals. By avoiding
carcinogens, the twins can reduce their risk of developing cancer. The second
action is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Eating a nutritious diet, getting
regular exercise, and managing stress can help to reduce the risk of
developing cancer. By taking these two actions, Marcia and Millie can reduce
their risk of developing cancer in the future.

U6 Study Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

U6 Study Guide

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

U6 Study Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Twins with Different Skin Colors

Here is a short video introducing these twins.

2. Using Figure 1, provide a biological explanation that includes reasoning

a. Should Marcia and Millie be concerned about their risk for

b. Support your claim with an explanation that includes your

You might also like