Super-Hero Genetics

Science 9:

Biological Diversity

Materials Needed:

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• 1 die
• Task Sheet
• Genotypes Meaning Chart
• Pens, Pencils, Markers

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Male Superheroes

Female Superheroes

SUPERMAN

SPIDERMAN

HULK

FLASH

CAPTAIN AMERICA

WOLVERINE

STORM

MYSTIQUE

SCARLET WITCH

WONDER WOMAN

BLACK WIDOW

MS. MARVEL

Dominant - Recessive

Co-Dominance

Incomplete Dominance

Multiple Alleles

• One form of the gene is dominant to the other.
• Two copies of the recessive allele are required to express the recessive phenotype.

This is the form of inheritance you are responsible for learning in Science 9.

Example: Tongue Rolling

RR or Rr = Can roll tongue; Rr = Cannot roll tongue

• Two forms of a gene can be expressed at the same time.

Example: Roan Coat Colour in Horses

CC = pure coloured hair (E.x. red)

cc = white coloured horse

Cc = Roan (both Red hair AND White hair are expressed in the horse’s coat.

• An intermediate trait exists when an offspring possesses both version of the gene.

Example: Some Flowers

RR = Red Flowers

rr = White Flowers

Rr = Pink Flowers

• Instead of just two versions of a gene, multiple alleles, and thus multiple phenotypes are possible.

Example: ABO Blood Type (Possible alleles: A, B, O)

AA or AO = Type A blood

BB or BO = Type B blood

AB = Type AB Blood

OO = Type O Blood

1. Roll the die and determine the 2 superhero “donors” (aka parents):

1 biological male and 1 biological female (use the chart to determine which superheroes)

1st Roll = Biological Female, 2nd Roll = Biological Male

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• Fill in the Donor/Parent section of the Punnet Square for each trait.

Use the Heritable Superhero Traits Chart to determine the genotypes and phenotypes of the biological ‘parents’.

Biological Male donor traits go on the LEFT, Female donor on the TOP of the Square

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• Complete the Punnett Squares to determine the genotypes of all possible offspring.

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• Calculate the % possibility for all possible phenotypes in the offspring.

You will need to use the Genotype Meanings Chart to help with this.

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• Roll the die to determine the offspring’s trait:

Roll a 1 and have box 1’s trait, etc. Roll again if you get a 5 or a 6 (until you get a 1, 2, 3, or 4.) Repeat for each trait. �Circle the genotype in the punnet square that the offspring inherits for each trait.

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• Roll the die one more time to see if the offspring will be a biological male or biological female.�If you roll EVEN, it is a girl! If you roll an ODD, it is a boy! Congratulations!

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• List the superhero offspring’s unique phenotype and genotype for each trait. Draw and color a picture of the superhero offspring including it’s special traits and it’s name!

Biological Donors or Parents

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Female: ______________________ Male: ___________________________

Circle the genotype in the punnet square that the baby inherits for each trait.

Superhero Offspring

Name

Baby Photo

It’s a _______

List Gender