Making Babies Disease #___
Integrated Science 2 Name: Per.
Introduction:
What happens on the cellular level that makes it possible to make babies? In this activity, you will determine
your own genetic make-up, simulate the process of allele segregation and recombination, and gain insight into
the possible genetic make up of your future offspring. You will see that there is randomness in the formation
of offspring and that this randomness leads to a wide range of variation
Procedure, Part 1:
Complete the following data table. If you contain the recessive trait, your genotype is obvious. If you possess
the dominant trait, you must decide if you are homozygous (you know both parents possess the trait) or if
you are heterozygous (you aren’t sure if they both possess the trait)
Data Table, Part 1
In class
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5
Characteristics Dominant Recessive Your Your
Trait Trait Phenotype Genotype
Individuals with short index fingers have the dominant
gene. Those with long index fingers have the recessive
gene. Place your hands on the lab counter, palms down.
Check to see how long your index finger is compared to
your middle finger. If they are about the same length,
you have the recessive gene
Free hanging (unattached) earlobes are a dominant trait.
People with earlobes attached directly to the side of the
head have the recessive genotype. Check (or have
someone check for you) to see if you have attached or
unattached earlobes.
A widow’s peak is a hairline that comes to a point in the
middle of the forehead. This is caused by a dominant
gene. A smooth hairline is caused by a recessive gene.
Which one are you?
A dominant gene gives some people the ability to roll
their tongues into a “U” shape. People with the
recessive gene cannot roll their tongues. What is your
phenotype and genotype?
A dominant gene results in the end joint of the little
finger of each hand bending inward (toward the ring
finger). Straight little fingers are a result of the recessive
gene. Place your hands flat on the lab counter, palms
down. Check to see if the first joints on your little
fingers are bent or straight.
Inheritance of eye color is controlled by multiple genes,
but people with the homozygous recessive genotype
have blue eyes. People with a dominant gene have
different shades of brown, hazel, or green eyes.
A dominant gene results in the end joint of the thumb
bending outward when you make a “thumbs-up” sign.
This is called “Hitchhiker’s Thumb.” A straight thumb
is the result of the recessive gene. Make a “thumbs-
up” sign and check if you have Hitchhiker’s Thumb.
Individuals who fold their hands with their left thumb
on top of their right thumb have the dominant gene.
Those who fold their hands with their right thumb on
top of their left have the recessive gene. (Don’t think
about doing this before you do it or you’ll get messed-
up.) Fold your hands in front of you and check which
thumb is on top.
Individuals who are right handed have the dominant
gene. Those who are left handed have the recessive
gene. Which hand do you most often write with?
Individuals with freckles have the dominant gene.
Freckle-less people have the recessive gene. Look for
freckles (on your face) in the mirror, or have someone
look for you.
Polydactylism, having extra fingers or toes, is a
dominant trait. Individuals with the “normal” 10
fingers or toes have the recessive gene. If you have to,
count your fingers or toes, or have someone count them
for you.
The iris is the colored part of your eye. Your iris may be
blue, green, brown, hazel or some other color. A
dominant gene causes a dark circle around the outside
of your iris. This dark circle separates the iris from the
white of the eye. The absence of this dark circle is
caused by a recessive gene. Check your irises in the
mirror, or have someone check them for you.
Sex (gender) in humans is determined by the 23rd
chromosome. Females have 2 sex chromosomes which
are identical in shape and size, and are designated XX.
In males, one of the sex chromosomes is shorter, and
thus the male sex chromosomes are designated XY.
Procedure, Part 2:
You have already determined both your phenotype and genotype for 13 genetic traits. You will refer to these
in completing the next part of this activity. (see Data Table, Part 1)
1. Form Germ Cells: (diploid cells destined to become sex cells): Cut 26 pieces of paper. Label two for each
of the 13 traits being considered in this lab. (i.e. earlobes, widow’s peak, etc.) On each piece of paper write one
of your alleles for that trait. Example: I have unattached earlobes- my genotype is Uu: so each paper would
look like this:
earlobes earlobes
U u
Don’t forget your sex chromosomes! male: Gender Gender or female: Gender Gender
X Y X X
Note: The 26 pieces of paper represent your complete genome for this simulation! Each germ cell has 13
pairs of chromosomes and 2 complete sets to begin with (diploid)!
Assume that each gene is located on a separate chromosome.
2. Form Gametes: Find a class member and “form gametes”. Recall that during meiosis, the chromosome
number is reduced in half, ending with only 1 complete set (haploid). For each trait, hold out your two allele
cards, words facing down. Your partner randomly picks one allele for each trait, and puts them in a pile.
These are your gametes! Switch roles with your partner and form the 2 nd set of gametes.
3. Mate: Combine your gametes (pile of alleles) with your partner’s gametes (pile of alleles). (Between the
two parents the child receives a pair of alleles for every trait). You have just combined gametes forming a zygote
and in 9 months you will produce a bouncing baby. Congratulations!
4. Record your results on the Data Tables, Part 2 and discover the appearance (phenotype) of your beautiful
baby. Then complete the Graph and Discussion section.
Data Tables, Part 2
Baby 1 - Mate’s Name:
TRAIT MY GAMETE’S MATE’S GAMETE’S BABY'S PHENOTYPE
(ex: “earlobes”) GENOTYPE GENOTYPE
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
Graph:
Make a bar graph that shows the total number of expressed (in phenotype) dominant traits and total number
of expressed recessive traits for you and your baby.
Discussion:
1. Do you have any genetic disorders in your family that you know of? _____________ If you do, how might
that have changed your simulation? ___________________________________________________________
2. Do your babies look more like you or your mate? Explain why you think this is the case.
3. If both you and your mate were recessive for all traits, what would your children look like? Be SPECIFIC
4. Answer "dominant" or "recessive" or "both":
Trait that is expressed in phenotype of a heterozygous gene:
Found in the genotype of a heterozygous gene:
The alleles you have if you can not roll your tongue:
Always expressed in phenotype if present in genotype:
5. Through what process are alleles separated? . After recombination, alleles are
paired. Paired alleles are called: . The general name for a cell with paired alleles is
a cell. Once the alleles recombine, the cell will duplicate
through the process of
, eventually developing into a baby.
6. How is probability important in genetics?
7. How does sexual reproduction lead to greater variation? How is variation important in evolution?
8. Complete a monohybrid cross of the probability you and your mate’s child will be able to roll their tongue:
9. Complete a dihybrid cross showing probabilities of straight/bent little fingers and hitchhiker’s thumb for
you and your mate.
