Name: ______________________
Period: ______
Predicting Genotypes and Phenotypes
Go to the following website:
http://nature.ca/genome/04/041/0414_e.cfm
You will be playing a game called “Pass the Genes, Please!”
Help the Mr. and Mrs. Melonhead figure out which genes they passed on to their
son Melvin to give him his phenotype.
1. Explain the difference between genotype and phenotype.
2. What is the only way someone can have the recessive phenotype of a
trait?
3. Click on the arrows and read the directions, and then click Play Game.
4. For each of the following traits, list which is dominant (D) and which is
recessive (R):
a. hair type: wavy ______ or straight _______
b. hair color: blond ______ or brown _______
c. smile: dimples _______ or no dimples _______
d. ears: attached ______ or detached _______
5. Now describe what Melvin looks like:
a. hair type b. hair color c. smile d. earlobes And draw a picture of Melvin
6. For the first trait, hair type, list the genes that Melvin receives:
______ from Mom and _______ from Dad
7. For the second trait, hair color, list the genes that Melvin receives:
______ from Mom and _______ from Dad
8. For the third trait, smile, list the genes that Melvin receives:
______ from Mom and _______ from Dad
9. For the fourth trait, earlobes, list the genes that Melvin receives:
_____ from Mom and ______ from Dad