Heredity Mix 'n Match

Students randomly select jelly beans (or other candy) that represent genes for several human traits such as tongue-rolling ability and eye color. Then, working in pairs (preferably of mixed gender), students randomly choose new pairs of jelly beans from those corresponding to their own genotypes. The new pairs are placed on toothpicks to represent the chromosomes of the couple's offspring. Finally, students compare genotypes and phenotypes of parents and offspring for all the "couples" in the class. In particular, they look to see if there are cases where parents and offspring share the exact same genotype and/or phenotype, and consider how the results would differ if they repeated the simulation using more than four traits.

Resource ID#: 26987 Type: Lesson Plan

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Direct Link: http://www.teachengineering.org/view_activity.php?url=collection/duk_/activities/duk_genetics_mary_act/duk_genetics_mary_act.xml

General Information

Subject(s): Science

Grade Level(s): 7

Intended Audience: Educators

Keywords: heredity, genetics, chromosomes, alleles, dominance, recessiveness, genotype, phenotype

Instructional Component Type(s): Lesson Plan

Instructional Design Framework(s): Direct Instruction, Confirmation Inquiry (Level 1), Cooperative Learning

Resource Collection: General Collection

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