The Genetics of Potato Head Parenthood
Activity
SC.11.04.02.01 Infers the traits of the offspring based on the genes of the parents using Mendel’s laws (CMCS 3.10b) (CAS 8.2.2.c,d)
Task: In this exercise Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head will model how genetic traits are inherited. You will be able to determine the phenotype (what the trait looks like) and the genotype (what the genes are inside of you). For each of the following traits you (Father potato-head ) and a partner (Mother potato-head) must flip a penny the indicated amount of times. Heads mean dominant allele, tails means recessive allele. Once all the traits have been determined, assemble the parts on the attached sheet and paste it in your birth announcement.
Instructions to the teacher: 1. Make sure that each student understands the difference between recessive and dominant alleles. In genetics, dominant alleles are symbolized by using a capital letter, while a lower case letter is used for recessive genes. 2. It is possible to have “ single” parents – they can toss the coin by themselves. 3. Model the first trait by flipping the coin and showing students what to write down.
Instructions to the student: Follow the directions for each trait, then select the appropriate pieces off the parts list and assemble your child.
1. Boy or Girl:
Flip a penny two times, if Heads = X chromosome, if Tails = Y chromosome, XX = girl, XY = boy.
We have a ______
Genotype: ______
2. Hair color:
Hair color is determined by three genes. Each dominant allele makes the hair color darker, so flip the penny six times and count the number of dominant alleles: ______
0-1 dominants: blond hair2-4 dominants: brown hair 5-6 dominants: black hair
Our baby has ______hair.
Genotype: ______
3. Eye color is also inherited from more than one gene. Flip the coin four times: ______
If no dominants: blue eyes 1 dominant green eyes 2 dominants and more brown eyes.
Our baby has ______eyes.
Genotype: ______
4. The shape and size of the chin is also inherited. If the baby inherits one or two dominant alleles it will have a square chin, if there are no dominant alleles it will have a round chin. (Toss the coin twice)
Our baby has a ______chin.
Genotype: ______
5. Flip the coin twice: If the baby has all recessive alleles it will have a dimple in the chin.
Our baby has ______dimple.
Genotype: ______
6. Ear shape. Flip the coin twice. If the baby has two dominant alleles it will have prominent ears, else it will have small ears.
Our baby has ______ears.
Genotype: ______
7. Nearsightedness is a recessive trait. Flip the coin twice, if the baby is nearsighted it needs glasses.
Our baby needs ____ glasses.
Genotype: ______
8. Eyebrow shape: One recessive trait is the inheritance of a continuous eyebrow. Flip the coin twice, if both alleles are recessive, the baby has a single eyebrow.
Our baby has _____ eyebrow(s).
Genotype: ______
9. Nose shape. Flip the coin twice. If both alleles are dominant, the baby will have a large nose, if one allele is dominant the baby will have a normal nose, if both alleles are dominant the baby will have a button nose.
Our baby has a cute ______nose.
Genotype: ______
10. Teeth: Yes, even the way your teeth look is inherited. Flip the coin twice: two dominant alleles mean large teeth, everything else is normal.
Our baby does ____ need to go to the orthodontist.
Genotype: ______
11. Blood type. There are four main blood types A, B, AB and O. Mark one penny A on one side and the other penny B on one side. Toss the coins twice. Read the blood type of the coins ( nothing means 0) .
Our baby has blood type _____.
Genotype: ______
Height: Even height is determined genetically. Flip the coin six times: ______
For each dominant allele add 3 inches to a base height of 5 feet.
Our baby will be ______tall when fully grown.
Genotype: ______
Yes, even weight runs in families. Toss the coin again six times: ______
For each dominant allele add 1/2 pound to a base weight of 6 pounds.
Our baby weighs ______pounds.
Genotype: ______
14. Tongue shape is also inherited. Flip the coin twice. Homozygous dominance means large and long tongue. Everything else means normal sized tongue.
Our baby has a ______tongue.
Genotype: ______
15. There is always the risk of a new gene mutation. Flip the coin twice. If there are only recessive alleles your baby has a mutation and is growing a third arm out of its body.
Our baby needs ______new tailor.
Genotype: ______
Now you are all done, except for the birth announcements: Paste the appropriate body parts onto the birth announcement and fill out the information. Congratulations it’s a potato!
CONGRATULATIONS!
IT’S A SPUD!
NAME: ______
PARENTS: ______
______
WEIGHT: ______LBS.
PROJECTED HEIGHT: ______