Group Member Names:________________________________
Beebop Genetics Lab
Introduction:
Congratulations! You and your group member are the proud new parents of a healthy
baby Beebop! But before you see it, you have to determine the traits by flipping a coin.
A Beebop is a little marshmallow organism that has 14 chromosomes (7 pairs). It
reproduces sexually. Male and female Beebops go through meiosis to produce their sperm and eggs. These
gametes have ½ the genetic information of the parents. When the gametes join together through fertilization the
baby will have a new set of 14 complete chromosomes, with 7 chromosomes from mom and 7 chromosomes from
dad. This combination of parent DNA in the unique baby makes the baby a Hybrid of the parents. The Beebop
baby’s 2N = __________.
Procedure: (Check off the boxes to the left when you have completed that part of the procedure.)
1.
2.
Observe the parent Beebop that your teacher has provided for you. Describe it’s phenotype (physical
characteristics):
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________
You and your partner have to decide who will represent the mother Beebop and who will represent the
father Beebop. Record below:
Partner Determining Mothers Traits: _____________________________
Partner Determining Fathers Traits: ______________________________
3.
Next, for each trait on your sheet, flip each coin once to determine the allele that is contributed by each
parent.
Heads represents the dominant allele.
Tails represents the recessive allele.
4.
5.
Complete Table 1. on the reverse side of this sheet with the results from the coin flips.
To determine the phenotype in Table 1, you will have to look at the phenotype chart located below Table
1.
6. After completing Table 1 with the correct genotypes and phenotypes you will be putting together your
baby Beebop. You can use glue to attach the nose and bow. It will be easiest to attach the body segments
and head of your Beebop with toothpicks.
7. Name your Beebop and write it below the phenotype chart.
8. When you have made your Beebop you are required to take a picture of it and send it in an email to
bjastrzembowski@trschools.org with the subject that includes your hour and both group members’ last
names. Example Subject: [3rd Hour Smith and Williams Beebop]
**Note: If you do not have a phone that can’t take or email pictures, ask Ms. J for her iPad and you can
send them using the iPad.
9. Place your Beebop on a flashcard and write the name of your Beebop on the card. Bring the card to the
designated spot in the room.
10. Complete the analysis questions as a group.
Group Member Names:________________________________
Table 1. Determine the Genotype and Phenotype
Trait
Allele from
Mom
Allele from Dad
Genotype
Phenotype
Antenna (A or a)
Nose (Q or q)
Tail (T or t)
Eyes (E or e)
Legs (F or f)
Body Segments
(D or d)
Gender
(X is dominant, Y
is recessive)
Note: Only Dad
flips for this trait
X
Phenotype Chart
Trait
Antenna
Nose
Tail
Eyes
Legs
Body Segments
Gender
Genotype
AA or Aa
aa
QQ or Qq
qq
Phenotype
1 antenna
2 antenna
Yellow nose
Orange nose
TT or Tt
tt
EE or Ee
ee
FF or Ff
ff
DD or Dd
dd
XX
XY
Straight Tail
Curly Tail
2 eyes
4 eyes
4cm Legs
2 cm Legs
3 Body Segments
1 Body Segment
Female
Male
Parts Used
Toothpicks
Small Yellow or
Orange
Marshmallows
Pipe Cleaner
Draw eyes with
marker
Toothpicks
Large White
Marshmallows
Bow (Female= Hair
Bow, Male = Bow
Tie)
Name of your Baby BeeBop: ________________________________________
Group Member Names:________________________________
Beebop Analysis Questions
Directions: Each group member is responsible to writing the answer to 2 of the 4 questions so
that one person is not doing all of the work. Sign your name after each question. Answers must
be in complete sentences for full credit!!
1. In what way is this activity different from actual genetic inheritance? (Hint: Are the coins
heterozygous or homozygous? Are parents always heterozygous or homozygous?) 2 points
Answered by: __________________________________
2. Which of traits on your Beebop are the result of dominant genes? (List the traits Ex: Body
Segments, Legs, Eyes) 2 points
Answered by: ___________________________________
3. Do dominant or recessive phenotypes occur more often? Why is this? 2 points
Answered by: ___________________________________
4. When determining gender, explain WHY only dad was responsible for flipping for this trait.
(Hint: Think of what chromosomes make a female and what chromosomes make a male.)
2 points
Answered by: ______________________________________