Pre-test/Sumative

Modified Pre-

Informal
Informal
Formative

Name ____________________________ Date: ___________

Formative

Monster Genetics Lab

You have learned about many different patterns of inheritance. In this lab you will investigate how a
combination of these genes work together to create an organism.
Procedure:
1. Work in teams of three. Assign one group member to toss the pink coin (represents Mommy Monster),
one group member to toss the blue coin (represents Daddy Monster), and one group member to record
the results of the tosses (Baby Monster) in the Data Table provided. All members will make their own
sketch of the offspring using the traits that are inherited from the Monster Parents.
2. Have Daddy Monster flip a coin to determine the sex of the offspring (Baby Monster). If the coin
lands on heads, the offspring is a female. If it lands on tails, the offspring is a male.
3. For the remaining part of the activity heads will represent the dominant gene, and tails will represent the
recessive gene. Flip both coins at the same time for each trait. After each coin flip record the genotype
and phenotype in the data table provide. Use the Monster Trait Chart to fill out the Data Table.
4. Use the completed Data Table, and Facial Features Chart sketch your Baby Monsters phenotype.

Data Table
Sex of offspring
Trait
Face
Shape
Eye(s)
Eye
Color
Skin
Color
Tail
Shape
Tail
Color
Teeth
Feet
Horn
Color
Ear
Shape
Claws
Wings

Genotype

Phenotype

Monster Genetics Lab

In this lab you will learn how the different gene combinations will produce certain traits in an organism.
1. What do the terms homozygous and heterozygous mean?
Homozygous

Heterozygou
s

2. What do the terms dominant and recessive mean?

Dominant

Recessive

3. Explain the difference between the genotype and phenotype?

Genotype

Phenotyp
e

4. How can you tell by looking at the genotype of an individual if he/she is homozygous or heterozygous
for that trait?

Questions
1. What percent chance is there for producing a male offspring? A female? Explain.

2. Do you expect the other groups in your class to have Monster Babies similar to yours? Explain.

3. What are the possible genotypes for the Monster Parents of a Monster Baby who has a curly tail?

4. Using a Punnett Square, show cross a Mommy monster who has no wings with a Daddy monster
who is heterozygous for the wing trait. Determine what the possible genotypes (homozygous
dominant, homozygous recessive, heterozygous) and phenotypes?
Genotypes: Homozygous Dominant _____, _____%
Homozygous Recessive _____, _____%
Heterozygous _____, _____%
Phenotypes:
5. What traits in this activity do not show simple dominance but a blending of traits?

6. How would it be possible for the offspring to show a trait that neither of the parents show
physically?

Monster Baby
(Sketch of your offspring)

Congratulations Its a