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I.
Purpose:
II.
Introduction:
Many of you are already familiar with many of the genetic traits of humans such as
baldness, eye color, color blindness and blood types. One often forgets that more familiar
characters such as size and position of eyes, number and shape of fingers, total body size
and body proportion may also be genetically determined (although such characters as
body size may be profoundly influenced by environment). The tremendous number of
genetic traits makes humans extremely variable. With the exception of identical twins, it is
highly unlikely that any two persons will have the same (or even similar) combinations of
genetically determined traits.
In this exercise, you will inventory yourself and partner for the series of genetic traits
listed in Table 1.1, some of which are illustrated in Figure 1.1. These are known to be
single-gene traits, expressions of two alleles at one gene locus.
Trait
(alleles)
Expression
Hold one hand in front of you. Look at the top segment of your little
Bent
finger. If the top segment bends inward toward the ring finger, you
pinky (B, b have the dominant trait. If the top segment is straight, you have the
)
recessive trait.
In more scientific terms, dominant allele causes the distal segment
(Last part of finger) of the fifth finger to bend distinctly inward toward
the fourth (ring) finger (Figure 1.1a).
Tongue
rolling (R,
r)
Try to roll your tongue to form a U-shape. If you can, you have the
dominant trait. If you cannot, you have the recessive trait.
In more scientific terms, persons with a dominant allele in
Individuals with the dominant trait have a widows peak, where the hairline
forms a point in the front. Pull your hair back from your face and have
someone else look to tell you.
In scientific terms, dominant allele in heterozygous or homozygous
Hitchhiker's segment of your thumb is bent backward, you have the dominant trait,
thumb (H, called a hitchhikers thumb. If the top segment of your thumb is straight,
h)
you have the recessive trait.
In more scientific terms, homozygous recessives can bend the distal
joint of the thumb backward to a nearly 900 angle; heterozygous or
homozygous dominant condition yields thumbs that cannot bend
backward more than approximately 300
Blue eyes
(E, e)
Middigital
Look at the middle segments of your fingers. If any of them have any hair
hair (M, m) on them, you have the dominant trait. If that segment is completely
hairless on all fingers, you have the recessive trait.
In more scientific terms, people lacking hair in the middle segments of
Take a piece of PTC paper and touch it to your tongue. If you taste the
chemical on the paper (it is obvious), you have the dominant trait. If you
cannot taste it or are not sure, you have the recessive trait.
In more scientific terms, phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) tastes bitter to
III.
Procedure
In the following activity you will gather data on some of the traits of your
classmates. Please note any patterns you notice, or any extra observations you
make when taking this data. (If you need more space for any of the questions,
remember there is extra paper in the room)
Work
IV.
Data Collection
V.
Graphing Results
Now that you have the data, graph this data in a way that makes it easier to
understand. Make a ROUGH DRAFT of your findings below. Your final copy should
be on graph paper and attached to the back of this paper.
VI.
Now that you have obtained the data on these traits, and have graphed the data to
make it easier to see TRENDS/PATTERNS. Please answer the following
questions:
1. Are there any Patterns/Trends that you notice? Pick two and explain.
1.
2.
4. They also say that these traits are expressions of two alleles at one gene locus,
what do you think this means?
5. Suppose you had to use the words Dominant and Recessive to describe some of
the traits you are seeing in our population.
a. Using what you have observed, give your definition of a Dominant Trait
b. Using what you have observed, give your definition of a Recessive Trait
6. Using your graph, is it true that dominant traits are always the most common
in a population? Explain your answer.
To calculate the percentage of classmates that have the trait for each gene use
the following equation.
(Number in class with the trait)
X 100 = Percent in class dominant
(Total number in class)